Chukwuemeka (Iyke) Iwotor

The HBCU Founders Initiative is a nonprofit organization that is engaging rising HBCU students and alumni interested in developing solutions that close the wealth gap ranging from increasing access to healthcare, education, and financial services. From the ideation stage to the investment stage and beyond, the HBCU Founders Initiative offers programs, events, resources, and a vast network committed to supporting HBCU founders on their entrepreneurial journey.

The Rockies Seed Fund, now under formation, seeks to raise $5 million to invest in a portfolio of about twenty five seed stage companies led by Black and Latino founders and top level leaders. Join us to invest in the most promising diverse entrepreneurs. ​ The Rockies Seed Fund is birthed out of the Rockies Venture Fund and its mission is to invest exclusively in the most promising Black and Latino led businesses at the pre-seed and seed stages. ​ The capitol allocating team of the Fund are also diverse, including Black and Latino leaders with deep connections into the startup community. They reflect the types of leaders we hope to invest in and present a welcoming face to founders of color. We hope to create a next generation of diverse venture capitalists who will invest in diverse founders.

Venture capital is more than funding—it’s a catalyst for economic opportunity. At BLCK VC, we equip Black investors with the expertise, networks, and capital they need to lead the next wave of innovation. By broadening who gets to participate in VC, we unlock new pathways to prosperity, cultivate tomorrow’s leaders, and fortify communities nationwide. BLCK VC is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that equips Black investors with the access, education, and community they need to accelerate their careers in venture capital. Venture firms in the United States invest over $130 billion annually, however, Black investors have systematically been excluded from mobilizing this capital. Today, only 3% of venture capital investors are Black; additionally, only 2% of partners–individuals that make investment decisions–at venture firms are Black. In recent years, venture capital has only scratched the surface of its potential. BLCK VC is on a mission to turn it into a true engine of generational wealth and innovation—cultivating new leaders, unlocking capital for untapped talent, and expanding access to the networks and resources that drive tomorrow’s breakthroughs.

The HBCU Founders Initiative is a nonprofit organization that is engaging rising HBCU students and alumni interested in developing solutions that close the wealth gap ranging from increasing access to healthcare, education, and financial services. From the ideation stage to the investment stage and beyond, the HBCU Founders Initiative offers programs, events, resources, and a vast network committed to supporting HBCU founders on their entrepreneurial journey.

Level Up Ventures invests in tech-enabled, early-stage startups led by Black and Latino founders. We couple financial investment with a deep bench of support from across the Hearst organization. If youre a Black or Latino founder raising your pre-seed or seed round, wed love to hear from you. Visit our website to submit your startup for consideration.

HearstLab's mission is to close the gap in VC funding for women by helping founders build healthy, sustainable and highly scalable businesses. In addition to financial investment, the startups gain unrivaled access to expertise within Hearst's 360+ businesses across fintech, healthcare, transportation, consumer media, enterprise software, and data analytics. Startups will be given assistance with privacy and security; legal services; and branding, marketing, advertising and editorial support. They will also benefit from the guidance and support of HearstLab Scouts, women leaders across Hearst’s global businesses and Fitch. HearstLab has a full-time dedicated team assisting with UI/UX, DevOps engineering, data security, data science, business development, market research and recruiting.