Nex Cubed

>>> Attention HBCU Founders <<< We are now accepting applications for Nex Cubed’s HBCU Founders Accelerator Cohort #4! The HBCU Founders Accelerator is designed for HBCU students, graduates, or faculty members with early-stage companies raising pre-seed and seed rounds. We make an initial investment of $120,000 in each selected startup to help support their growth. The HBCU Founders Accelerator is a four-month (mostly virtual) intensive program completely customized for each startup. The program starts with detailed discussions around goals, a work plan is created, and KPIs are chosen to track. Each portfolio company works one-on-one with dedicated advisors that we pay to provide executive-level support to the founders for the entirety of the program. The 16-week program will kick off in-person in January 2025 and will culminate in a demo day pitch event at the conclusion of the 4-month program. Applications close November 1st at 11:59 PM ET. To learn more and apply for the HBCU Founders Accelerator, visit bit.ly/hbcuaccelerator #NexCubed #Accelerator #HBCU #founders #entrepreneurs #startups #Applications #hbcus #hbcupride #investment #startup

NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FROM HBCU FOUNDERS! If you are an HBCU student, graduate, or faculty member and a startup founder, we invite you to apply!   The HBCU Founders Accelerator is a 16-week (mostly virtual) intensive program completely customized for each startup. Each company works one-on-one with dedicated advisors that we pay to provide executive-level support to the founders for the entirety of the program. We make an initial investment of $120,000 in each selected startup. At least one member of the founding team must be an HBCU student, alum, or faculty member; and the company must have a proof of concept/MVP that is in market or on the verge of commercialization. Applications for cohort #4 close November 1st at 11:59 PM ET. To learn more and apply for the HBCU Founders Accelerator, visit bit.ly/hbcuaccelerator #NexCubed #Accelerator #HBCU #founders #entrepreneurs #startups #Applications #hbcus #hbcupride #HBCUalum #Entrepreneurship #Startup #HBCUFounders #HBCUCommunity 

We are proud to share that the U.S. Department of the Treasury recognized Nex Cubed’s HBCU Founders Fund as part of its announcement of a new analysis showing the growth of small business and entrepreneurship. Key conclusions from the analysis: • Small businesses created over 70 percent of net new jobs since 2019. • Small business optimism is rebounding as inflation falls. • Entrepreneurship continues to surge: the United States is averaging 430,000 new business applications per month in 2024, 50 percent more than in 2019. • Entrepreneurs are also growing more diverse: forty-three percent of self employed Americans are female, more than ever before. Read the full release here: https://lnkd.in/gjG_hiK6 Marlon Evans Kip Quackenbush Terrence Battle Zaria Pompey-Smith Maggey Hoffmann Caroline DiNapoli Nick Phillips Roger Ferguson III Miranda Perez Kenia Best NC Rural Center Rodney Sampson Vickie Gibbs   

A wonderful recap of our HBCU Founders Accelerator Cohort #3 Kickoff last month in Washington DC! We are grateful to all of our partners and those who were able to join us in supporting this incredible group of founders. Excited for the journey ahead!

🌟 Feature Article 🌟 Model Medicines is harnessing the power of AI to transform drug discovery and deliver novel therapeutics for diseases with high unmet needs. In our latest #BioTuesdays feature, CEO Daniel Haders II, Ph.D., dives into how their proprietary GALILEO platform is revolutionizing the development of life-saving drugs at record speed. 🔗 https://lnkd.in/gN5n9Dfc Kilmer Lucas Inc.

A recent study from RAND found that online platforms such as Shopify are helping to break down barriers to entrepreneurship, particularly for Black, female, and younger business owners. The research shows that these platforms provide low-cost entry points and essential tools, leading to a rise in small businesses run by underrepresented groups. Nex Cubed CEO Marlon Evans served as a member of the advisory board for this research. To learn more, visit the following link to read the full release: https://lnkd.in/g_X_TTzF

We are delighted to announce the launch of the third cohort of Nex Cubed's HBCU Founders Accelerator! After a rigorous selection process, we are excited to reveal the exceptional talent chosen for our HBCU Founders Accelerator. These pioneering founders embody the future of innovation and impact, representing a diverse array of HBCUs from across the country. Please help us welcome Cohort #3 to the Nex Cubed family! Aaron Jordan Pebble Tennessee State University Bilal Issifou Nasir Jones UNCHAINEDINC CO. North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University Malcolm Lee Harry Cha Gabb Global Virginia Union University Brianna Flemings CSM Jem Bethune-Cookman University Kwame Terra, MPH Taylor Smith MD, MBA bEHR Health Systems, Inc. Xavier University of Louisiana Dr. Stevens Bonhomme, D.B.A, M.A Feedcoyote Tuskegee University

Nex Cubed portfolio company Vaila Shoes was awarded a $10k grant for best product strategy at The Workshop at Macy's! CEO and Founder, Ahriana Edwards, was accepted into The Workshop at Macy’s class of 2024, the retail industry’s longest-running vendor accelerator program. Congrats to Edwards and the Vaila Shoes team! To learn more about Vaila Shoes visit https://lnkd.in/esFiJgJy #NexCubed #PortfolioCompany #Vaila #Macys #VailaShoes

Nex Cubed portfolio company iSport360, Inc. has partnered with Washington Youth Soccer to help 90,000 players in Washington state have a successful season. Congrats to the iSport360 team on this exciting partnership! iSport360 is a revolutionary youth sports software platform that is changing the culture of youth sports. Their newsletter, app, and eBooks help all stakeholders collaborate so players can develop athletic skills and life skills. To learn more about this partnership visit https://lnkd.in/ervvp56i #Portfoliocompany #NexCubed #isport360 #soccer #sportstech

Nex Cubed Portfolio Company Litesprite has officially been certified by the U.S. Small Business Administration as a Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB)! Congrats to the Litesprite team for gaining this certification. Litesprite is a Pacific Northwest health tech startup that creates clinically validated mobile games to improve mental health and empower individuals to lead happier, healthier lives. To learn more visit https://lnkd.in/exf5R_Kn #SBA #WOSB #Femalefounders #NexCubed #PortfolioCompany