Hello there!

As the United States of America approaches its 250th anniversary, Forbes published the Self-Made 250 list to recognize the innovators, entrepreneurs, and risk takers shaping the nation’s future.

The list celebrates more than financial success. It highlights resilience, reinvention, and the ability to overcome adversity while building lasting impact.

Let’s dive deeper to read the rest of the story!

Top Stories 📰

Story 1: Meet the African American trailblazers who made the Forbes 2026 self-made 250 list

Story 2: Philanthropist MacKenzie Scott surpasses $1 billion in total donations to Historically Black Colleges and Universities

Story 3: Meet 10 Black founders, creatives and athletes making waves in Japan

Hot News 🔥

1. We got our hands on the SharkNinja’s BreatheClear Max, the Air Filter that scans the environment 3600 times per hour, here is that review.

2. Oscar-winning actress Whoopi Goldberg has announced the launch of WhoopInk, a new publishing imprint formed in partnership with Blackstone Publishing.

3. Issa Rae’s HOORAE Digital and TikTok have teamed up to release a microseries on the platform titled “Screen Time.”

4. Fairview Capital Partners secures a $150 million Series D of its Lincoln Fund to continue investing in emerging managers.

5. NASA’s Artemis II Crew Returns Home after Historic Moon Mission.

6. The Gathering Spot marks 10 years of Community, Culture, and Connection.

Opportunities - Accelerators/Funding, Events.

Grants

1. $150K Investment | The Draper Richards Kaplan Foundation aims to identify social entrepreneurs with dynamic ideas and nurture them in their early stages with maximum leverage and total commitment. 

   🗓️ Application on a rolling basis:

2. $155K | The Da Vinci Fellowship offers an equity-free grant of €150 000 per fellow to young, contrarian Europeans.

   🗓️ Application on a rolling basis

3. $100K | The Thiel Fellowship is a two-year program for young people who want to build new things. Fellows receive a $100,000 grant and support from the Thiel Foundation’s network of founders, investors, and scientists.

   🗓️ Application on a rolling basis:

4. $100K | The O'Shaughnessy Fellowship supports the builders, researchers, and creatives advancing civilization with up to $100,000 in equity-free funding.

   🗓️ Apply by Apr 30, 2026

5. Up to $15K | The Catalyst Fund by The Roddenberry Foundation makes grants between $2.5k - $15k to anyone with an early-stage idea or project that addresses pressing global challenges

   🗓️ Application on a rolling basis:

6. Up to $10K | Each qualifying nonprofit has access to up to $10,000 per month in search ads shown on Google.com. Additional Google Ads may be purchased in a separate account.

   🗓️ Application on a rolling basis:

7. Up to $20K | Stanley 1913, and the fastest-growing women’s sports media company, TOGETHXR, have launched the Changing the Game Grant for the founders creating community-centered, food and beverage-focused spaces where women’s sports are the main event.

   🗓️ Apply by July 31, 2026

Accelerators 💼

1. Y Combinator is accepting applications for the Summer 2026 Batch funding cycle, which will occur from July to September 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. Square One’s remote-first pre-accelerator has helped 70+ founders move from idea to traction—raising capital, securing early customers, and continuing to build beyond the program.

4. Northwestern Mutual Black Founder Accelerator invests in up to ten companies per year (two cohorts of five) focused on fintech, insuretech, digital health, and data analytics.

5. Peachscore + Dealum hosts 12 cohorts annually, offering startup founders the flexibility to join immediately upon acceptance and receive up to $150k, regardless of when they apply.

6. Forum Ventures' accelerator helps SaaS and AI startups grow with pre-seed funding, mentorship, and expert guidance.

Events🎟️

Next Impact Europe Opens Nominations for the “Next Impact Europe 50”: The initiative will spotlight startups that may still be under the radar but are building meaningful solutions with the potential to scale. 

Nominate a startup here: https://nextimpacteurope.com/

Pitch Black is a Business conference, expo, and pitch competition for BIPOC, immigrant, and refugee entrepreneurs. Grand prize: up to $15,000 cash plus $40,000+ in-kind support. Presented by Midlands African Chamber, Inc., an accessible entry point for pre-seed founders not yet ready for larger stages.

Date: May 2, 2026

Location: Omaha, Nebraska

The Texas Black Expo is a large annual event that brings together entrepreneurs, business leaders, and communities to focus on economic empowerment and wealth creation. It features workshops, panel discussions, networking sessions, and an exhibition space where businesses showcase their products and services, alongside cultural and entertainment events. The goal is to help people build businesses, access opportunities, and create meaningful connections.

Date: May 14-16

Location: Houston, Texas

The BGIM 2026 Conference (also called the Lights, Camera, Influence Summit) is a one-day media and networking event that brings together Black women in media, content creators, and aspiring professionals. It features panel discussions, workshops, and networking sessions focused on career growth, building influence, and making money in media, while creating space for meaningful connections and industry insight.

Date: May 3,

Location, Dallas, Texas

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

Enjoy our newsletter? Share it with your network and sign up here to stay informed about the latest in tech, business, and innovation.  Until next time, keep hustling and making those geeky dreams come true!

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Written by Stephen Oluwadara and produced by Gugu Nxumalo