The Black Ambition Prize competition strengthens pathways to entrepreneurship, increases access to capital, expands pathways to growth, and highlights the talents of underrepresented founders.

Black Ambition seeks to support entrepreneurs from backgrounds that have historically been overlooked by venture capital funding. To be eligible to apply, a team must have at least one founding member from such a background, including, but not limited to, backgrounds such as Black/African/African American, Hispanic/Latino/Latina/Latinx, LGBTQ, parents with earned income below the poverty level, first-generation immigrants, first-generation college graduates, and those raised by a single parent. Founders from any background traditionally overlooked in venture capital funding may apply regardless of race.

What if you had $100k to pursue your boldest ideas?

What if we told you we want to champion your most hare-brained, out-there, eye-wateringly ambitious idea?

What if the only thing standing in your way is an application form and a few calls?

No, this isn’t too good to be true.

This is the O’Shaughnessy Fellowships & Grants. A one-year program that unites the world’s most bold and undiscovered researchers, builders and creatives to find, build and spread new ideas.

In just two years, we’ve scoured over 140 countries to find and fund 55 extraordinary innovators, leading to six companies & non-profits, five documentaries, >2.2 billion views on YouTube, and the blossoming of numerous scientific, creative, and technological projects.