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Meet the black Americans on the Forbes 30 Under 30

Opportunities You Can’t Afford to Miss: News, Grants, Accelerators, and Events"

December 12, 2024

Fobes recently released its 2025 30 Under 30 List for North America. Between the honorees, they’ve raised more than $3.6 billion in funding, and almost half (46%) of them identify as a person of color, up from 43% last year.

Among these trailblazers we highlighted 10 African Americans we think will pique your interest.

Before we dive in, a word and a free gift from today’s newsletter sponsor, SL DeBarros Law Firm, LLC

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Now, Let’s dive into today’s stories: 

Top Stories 📰

Story 1: Forbes has unveiled the 2025 30 Under 30 List for North America. The list includes some young Black trailblazers driving progress through equity, leadership, and innovation.

Story 2: Illumen Capital, a Black-owned and operated impact fund addressing systemic inequity, has raised a $32.75 million Catalyst Fund. The fund will focus on education, health, financial inclusion, climate, and sustainability.

Story 3: Former NBA player Metta World Peace has launched Tru Skye Ventures, a venture capital fund to support early-stage startups. The fund will invest in sports, technology, digital media, health, and wellness innovations.

Hot News 🔥

  1. Recursive Capital, an early-stage Bitcoin VC focused on Africa, has announced the first close of its Fund I at an undisclosed amount.

  2. Y Combinator-backed Zimi has raised $2 million to help international merchants easily sell in the States.

  3. London FinTech 9fin has secured $50 million to expand its AI-powered analytics platform for debt capital markets.

  4. Are you considering getting “The Google Pixel 9 Pro”? Check out our review of the device.

Opportunities - Accelerators/Funding, Events, and Jobs💼 

Accelerators 🚀

  1. Y Combinator is accepting applications for the Winter 2025 Batch funding cycle, which will take place from January to March 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 Conscious Venture Lab is a 14-week accelerator program for early-stage, purpose-driven companies using innovation to break down barriers to access and create a more equitable society.

  4. The Propellant Labs is a startup accelerator that offers a variety of programs to help entrepreneurs launch and scale their businesses.

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

  6. Applications for the Entrepreneurs Roundtable Accelerator Winter 2025 program are open! The companies selected to participate in the program will receive an investment of $150K on a 6% post-money SAFE.

  7. HFØ is a selective AI residency for repeat founders. The 12-week program in San Francisco allows founders to focus solely on building revolutionary companies.

     Grants💰

  1. Up to $100k | Meta’s Llama solicits proposals from organizations that will use the program to address some of the world’s most pressing challenges, including improving education, environment, and health care outcomes. 🗓️ Apply by 11/22

  2. $10k | The Brooklyn Brewery's "Calling All Makers" grant program empowers creative innovators and celebrates the creativity that has made the United States a leader in entrepreneurship.🗓️ Apply by 12/31

  3. $10K-$5K | The Black Founder Startup Grant program provides grants of up to $10,000 to Black and multi-racial women and nonbinary entrepreneurs. 🗓️ Apply now

  4. $5k | Successful applicants will receive $5,000 to help grow their business and access eligible ZenBusiness products and services at the grant disbursement.🗓️ Apply by 12/31

    Events🎟️

Did y’all get the chance to learn about the brilliant honorees on our inaugural UrbanGeekz 50 List? Well, if you haven't, check out the article here. The must-read listicle showcases trailblazing disruptors making waves in the innovation economy.

As we’re counting down to our second annual UrbanGeekz 50 list for 2024, we invite you to consider sponsoring the list. For more inquiries, kindly send an email to [email protected] with ‘UrbanGeekz 50’ in the subject box.

This Non-Profit Government Technology conference is hosted by the GovTech Foundation to help underrepresented GovTech professionals and students find and acquire jobs in the industry. With high-profile keynote speakers and career and technical workshops, you’ll walk away with everything you need to land a GovTech job.

Date: December 18 2024

Location: Hyatt Regency, Arlington, Virginia

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, something here inspires everyone.

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If you're interested in sponsoring our newsletter, Geekz Insider. Until next time, keep hustling and making those geeky dreams come true!

Written by Stephen Oluwadara