We are here for you

In collaboration with Google for Startups, Black Founders Exchange is a curated program designed to move companies with a high-growth, scalable model from initial product to successfully raising seed capital with their business. Established in 2016, Black Founders Exchange — hosted by American Underground and Google for Startups — provides rich hands-on training, meaningful connections, and supportive community to help Black-led startups grow.

content purpose-built for Black Founders

We know the unique challenges that come with being a Black founder. We create and curate content specifically for you, based on your needs, and draw upon the extensive product knowledge, team-building, and leadership best practices from Google experts. Develop and refine your product’s value proposition. Learn how to hire and manage developers. Practice and hone your pitch.. This is the content that will empower you to take your next step. And we’ll take it with you.

Community

community you can count on

We surround you with people who can inspire, teach, and guide. One of the constant challenges of being a founder is the isolation that comes with leadership and navigating bringing an idea to market. The Black Founders Exchange community is part of that solution, and it doesn’t end when the program is over. In 2019, Black Founders Exchange introduced Alumni Programming to continue serving our founders who have graduated  to build a strong network that future Black founders can connect with and lean on.

connections to networks, capital and talent

Our network is your network, and each year it grows exponentially. One of our goals is to expand your network to help you access a broader pool of talent and capital to fuel your company. Tap into the Black Founders Exchange community to request, find and share the connections you (and your peers) need for your next growth phase.

Connections

What our alumni have to say

About
Content

“When we sit down and talk about the problems people are having, a lot of them are common problems. And it feels good to be able to ask people how to solve those problems, and how they’ve dealt with those things without feeling like you’re being judged.”

Jonathan, Watch The Yard

About
Community

“The network of other professionals and entrepreneurs that I’ve been able to meet from around the country has been an invaluable experience.“

Naya, Spa Utopia

About
Connections

“I always thought, maybe if I get out of Memphis, I’d get a lot of support. But that wasn’t the case. It’s been very difficult to connect to other founders, investors, mentors. So coming here has literally been unreal. Like, it’s been a dream.“

Erica, MedHaul

Qualifications

Eligible companies who wish to apply should meet these general requirements:

  • Black founders located in North, Central, South America, or the Caribbean
  • Black founder must be an original founding member of the company
  • Must have a Minimum Viable Product (MVP)
  • Must have beta or paying customers
  • Must be building a company with high-growth potential
  • Software, Consumer Product, Internet of Things, Analytics, Big Data, etc.
  • Preference given for revenue generating startups
  • Must be proficient in English

Check back later for the 2021 application process and dates. 

Alumni Companies