Pharrell’s Black Ambition Prize Returns: $1M+ in Funding for Minority Entrepreneurs
Pharrell Williams’ Black Ambition Prize Competition returns in 2025, offering over $1 million in funding, mentorship, and resources to underrepresented entrepreneurs in technology, healthcare, media, AI, and consumer industries. We discuss it here!
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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Young Bleu Launches Moon Boy University
Young Bleu introduces his latest endeavor, Moon Boy University, establishing a secure space for emerging artists and creators. We discuss it here!
Young Bleu posing during a photoshoot.
Photo Credit: EMPIRE
By: Joshua Martin
The Mobile, AL native opened up about the massive 24,000-square foot studio in a recent interview with TMZ. His latest passion project, which is being described as “a full-service, marketing, media, and distribution agency” according to its official website, will also serve as his label’s headquarters and a creative campus for newer artists to hone their rap skills.
During the conversation, Bleu went into detail about the entity’s membership program.
Yung Bleu Says His Moon Boy U. Will Launch Golden Era of Rap, Invites Boosie | TMZ
“We got gold and black card members [who] pay an annual fee. It starts at $1,500 and goes up to $10,000. Any artist or creator can sign up to be a member of this, and they’ll have access to our services, like marketing, like digital, and stuff like that, just like [a record company]. It’s kind of like a unique thing.”
The “You’re Mines Still” singer also revealed that he has already collaborated with content creators to make what he calls “some professional stuff”.
On New Year’s Day, Bleu took to social media to share some behind the scene footage of “Moon Boy University” while also updating fans on the next chapter of his career.
[In] 2023, I took time to build my own label and empire. I didn’t sleep well at night knowing my career and legacy was in everybody’s hand but mines! I sacrificed a lot for this. Being absent in 2023, I lost friends, fans, [and] even business relationships because of my absence, and ambitions to be a boss and build something my family can stand on.
“My label headquarters and studio [are] done hiring staff [and] getting it running… And I’m about to shake the world up with new music. Everybody can’t see the end goal and that’s okay! But I’m proud of myself. No investors, no funding, and barely any help. I was on my hands and knees most days doing work. Whatever it took. This [is] my legacy. I can’t wait to hold my first plaque from something I built and I WILL do that this year.”
Moon Boy University” is set to open its door in Gainesville, Fla. in February.
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Email: Joshua@247LCTV.com