Pharrell’s Black Ambition Prize Returns: $1M+ in Funding for Minority Entrepreneurs
Pharrell Williams attends the "Piece by Piece" Gala during the 68th BFI London Film Festival at The Royal Festival Hall in London, England on October 20, 2024.
Photo Cred: Fred Duval
By: Joshua Martin
Founded by the musical icon, the organization continues its mission to close wealth gaps and uplift minority entrepreneurs. This year, the 2025 Black Ambition Prize Competition, will make more than 1 million dollars available for 25 deserving candidates, while also offering participants mentorship and resources needed to expand their businesses and transform industries.
“Five years ago, Black Ambition was an idea. Today, it’s a force. A catalyst for change. A platform where underrepresented entrepreneurs don’t just get a seat at the table they build new tables, positioning themselves for uninterrupted success. When we invest in diverse talent, we unlock limitless potential. But this is just the beginning. Let’s keep building, keep breaking barriers, and keep rewriting the rules. I can’t wait to see what we do in the next five years.”
The competition is open to entrepreneurs pioneering in consumer products and services, healthcare, media and entertainment, technology, and Artificial Intelligence. Those selected will embark on a 12-week program designed to refine their business strategies, enhance their pitches, and connect with an influential network of investors and industry leaders.
The competition will begin with 150-200 exceptional semifinalists participating in a three-month mentorship program, offering strategic guidance and direct access to business leaders. From there, the top 40 founders will advance to a public voting round and undergo intensive pitch training to prepare for the final stages. Ultimately, the top 20 finalists will receive funding, with select entrepreneurs also gaining pitch deck design support and expert coaching to strengthen their business positioning.
“Black Ambition’s fifth anniversary is more than a milestone—it’s proof of what happens when vision, resilience, and community come together. It’s a testament to what’s possible when we invest in each other. What started as a mission to close the wealth and opportunity gap has grown into a global movement, proving that underrepresented founders don’t just belong in the room—they are redefining the game.”
Black Ambition
“I think that young Black and Brown ideas and businesses lack the mentorship. So really, handy scaffolding that one would need when launching a business, or having a start up. There’s lack of interconnectivity and the power of interconnectivity that you get from when you galvanize. The answer to your question is Black Ambition. This is the place where you can come and you can galvanize and you can be a part of a village, a part of a beehive—people who all have very similar ambitions to yours. Black Ambition is a place where you can get these things.”
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