As we mark Black History Month, it's important to recognize that the United States, an economic powerhouse, is home to eight of the 10 wealthiest billionaires.

However, the global wealth landscape is not without its disparities. The Forbes 2024 list shows that out of the nearly 3000 billionaires worldwide, only 17 are Black.

Regardless, Black entrepreneurs continue to defy the odds despite the obstacles stacked against them.

Dive into today’s newsletter to learn more.

Top Stories 📰

Story 1: In celebration of Black History Month, we delved into the journey to success of the 13 Black billionaires in the United States today to showcase their inspirational stories.

Story 2: Have you met TikTok’s Black creators, entrepreneurs, and voices who continue to inspire and shape the platform?

Story 3: Atlanta’s premier Black-owned networking and co-working hub, The Gathering Spot, has opened a second ATL location.

Hot News 🔥

1. Atlanta-based investment firm o15 Capital Partners has successfully closed nearly $400M for its inaugural fund.

2. Legendary hip-hop MC RAKIM and serial entrepreneur DIVINE have launched a fintech app to help artists gain financial stability.

3. GRYD Secures $1.2M to Build UK’s First Solar Subscription Platform.

4. UK-based Fundment Raises $55.4M to Scale Operations

5. Nigerian Fintech Raenest Secures $11M for African Expansion

Opportunities - Accelerators/Funding, Events, and Jobs💼 

Accelerators 🚀

1. Y Combinator is accepting applications for the Winter 2025 Batch funding cycle, which will take place in spring in San Francisco.

2. Techstars Accelerator provides funding, mentorship, hands-on training, and access to Techstars' global network of VC investors, corporate partners, and alumni founders.

3. The Propellant Labs is a startup accelerator offering different programs to help entrepreneurs launch and scale their businesses.

4. FoundersBoost, a global pre-accelerator program, is an equity-free opportunity to take your business to the next level. 

5. Village Capital’s US Women in Tech Accelerator is for full-time founders who identify as women, including cisgender, transgender, and non-binary individuals. 

    Grants💰

1. $150k Investment | Draper Richards Kaplan Foundation aims to find social entrepreneurs with dynamic ideas and nurture them at the early stages with maximum leverage and total commitment. 🗓️ Apply on a rolling basis:

2. Up to $25k | The Evolve Small Initiative grant funding for historically marginalized, disabled, and woman-owned small businesses in Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, San Diego, Toronto, Washington, DC, or Vancouver.🗓️ Apply by 02/17:  

3. $10k | Hiring Our Heroes’ Small Business Grant Program will award five small businesses owned by veterans and/or military spouses with a one-time $10,000 grant to grow and support their businesses.

   🗓️ Apply by 02/18: 

4. Up to $10k | Restaurant Disaster Relief grant funding for restaurants impacted by natural disasters, severe weather events, or major infrastructure failures.🗓️ Apply by 03/03:

5. Up to $100k | CTIA Wireless Foundation is a competitive grants program for ambitious social entrepreneurs who have developed mobile-first solutions that enhance our lives and address pressing challenges in American communities.

   🗓️ Apply by 3/4:

6. $250k Investment | Morgan Stanley Inclusive & Sustainable Ventures (MSISV) provides early-stage innovators with access to capital and resources to help them develop and scale.🗓️ Apply by 3/14:

   Events🎟️

Africa Tech Summit brings together African tech entrepreneurs, investors, and global partners, focusing on innovation and scaling African-led solutions.

Date: February 12 and 13, 2025

Location: Nairobi Kenya

Technology leaders, stakeholders, and influencers at all levels who participate in the 5th Annual DE&I In Tech Summit will gain invaluable insights into the importance and urgency of broadening participation in the tech industry in Central PA. This summit will delve into the current barriers that hinder diversity, equity, and inclusion within the tech sector

Date: March 03 2025

Location: Penn State Harrisburg

Diversitech, powered by Tribaja, is on a mission to redefine economic mobility for Black and Latinx households. By connecting participants with inclusive employers, cutting-edge skills training, and a vibrant community of changemakers, Diversitech is projected to increase economic mobility for Black and Latinx households by over $10 million within the next five years.

Date March 20 - 22 2025

Location: Philadelphia

Thank you for joining us in this edition of Geekz Insider. We hope our shared stories and opportunities ignite your entrepreneurial spirit and fuel your drive to innovate. From dynamic founders to transformative AI programs and life-changing grants, there’s something here to inspire everyone.

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Written by Stephen Oluwadara and produced by Gugu Nxumalo