WBENC Women of Color Program - WBENC.org : WBENC

Premier Incubator for Aspiring Entrepreneurs at HBCUs

The WBENC Entrepreneur Incubator is a premier program designed for aspiring student entrepreneurs at Historically Black Colleges and Universities. This incubator provides the next generation of Black student entrepreneurs with the resources, community and support they need to strengthen their idea and grow their early-stage ventures.

Students accepted into the incubator will have the opportunity to learn from and interact with subject matter experts from some of the most successful women-owned businesses and America’s largest Fortune 500 companies.

The Incubator culminates with a Pitch Competition awarding thousands of dollars in seed capital and the opportunity to receive an all-expenses paid trip to more entrepreneurship opportunities. Upon program completion, graduates will continue their engagement with WBENC via continued Incubator office hours and additional entrepreneurship programs.

The Student Entrepreneur Incubator is in partnership with the Career Education and Leadership Development Center.

Incubator Prize Packages

The WBENC Entrepreneur Incubator at Tuskegee University will culminate with a Pitch Competition awarding seed funding prize packages:

Pitch Competition Award: $5,000
Business Innovation Award: $3,000
Audience Choice Award: $1,000

Apply now through Friday, September 6, 2024, at 11:59pm EST. Spots in the program are limited.

Program Dates

September 18 – November 19

Location

Tuskegee University Campus

APPLY NOW

Class Schedule

Attendance at all in-person and virtual session dates are mandatory for acceptance into the 2024 Incubators.

Session 1: Wed, Sep 18, 5:00 – 7:00 PM CST (6:00 PM – 8:00 PM EST) – Incubator Kickoff | On TU Campus
Session 2: Thurs, Oct 3, 5:00 – 7:00 PM CST (6:00 PM – 8:00 PM EST) – Refining Ideas & Opportunities | Virtual via Zoom
Session 3: Thurs, Oct 10, 5:00 – 7:00 PM CST (6:00 PM – 8:00 PM EST) – Creating Prototypes & Experiments | Virtual via Zoom
Session 4: Thurs, Oct 17, 5:00 – 7:00 PM CST (6:00 PM – 8:00 PM EST) – Understanding Revenues & Expenses | On TU Campus
Session 5: Thurs, Oct 24, 5:00 – 7:00 PM CST (6:00 PM – 8:00 PM EST) – Preparing for Effective Launch | Virtual via Zoom
Session 6: Thurs, Oct 31, 5:00 – 7:00 PM CST (6:00 PM – 8:00 PM EST) – Perfecting Your Pitch | Virtual via Zoom
Session 7: Tues, Nov 19, 5:00 – 8:00 PM CST (6:00 PM – 9:00 PM EST) – Incubator Pitch Competition | On TU Campus

WBENC WOC Program Founding Sponsors

“At the beginning of my journey with WBENC, I had no idea how far the incubator would push me in regard to my business, let alone my confidence. Working with the individuals who lead this incubator allowed me to discover potential I didn't realize I had. What started off as a small idea birthed into something great over the few short weeks. The program speaks for itself, as long as you apply the advice given to you, failure is not an option. You get to leave with a different level of knowledge and understanding for what it is you're pursuing, along with access to a variety of people who are simply waiting for the opportunity to help those who need it. With the tools and advice provided to me, I was able to win first place at my first business pitch competition. Thanks to WBENC, this is just the beginning of my journey."

Cayla Jackson

Founder & CEO, A Knew U

"Starting a business seemed daunting, but the WBENC WOC Incubator offered invaluable knowledge and a supportive network. A personal breakthrough for me was in the area of pitching, which transformed from a chore into an opportunity to share my passion and vision. The program's flexible format accommodates different learning styles and paces. A standout moment was when I finally pitched my idea and heard the applause, realizing I had achieved my goal. The WBENC WOC Incubator is a launchpad for your business dreams, wrapped in a community that supports, challenges, and celebrates you."

Tia Pope

Founder & CEO, Malva Mallow

"Applying for the WBENC WOC Incubator was one of the best decisions I made this year! I already started a small business, applied, and the weekend before the program started, I got a new business idea and decided to work on it during the program. In weeks, our informative sessions, their guidance, and office hours turned my idea into a full business ready to start! Regardless of whether you win the competition money, you walk away with so much knowledge and encouragement that you are destined to succeed! I recommend that anyone who is interested in entrepreneurship or has a business idea apply!"

Naomi Gorham

Founder & CEO, The Creation Space

"The WBENC WOC Incubator provided me with the much need insight on how to structure and market my business. Each session was well organized and provided me with in-depth examples. The incubator office hours added a complementary layer to the program, in which we were able to get support from top professionals in the industry. I found office hours to be supportive, attentive, and productive. I am grateful for the WBENC WOC Incubator community and our ability to connect on our shared experiences as professionals, business owners, and entrepreneurs."

Chantel Brookes

Founder & CEO, Luck Lotus Holistic Care, LLC

Why Participate

All student entrepreneurs or recent graduates accepted into the WBENC Entrepreneur Incubator will learn how to test the viability of their ideas and discover how to transform their idea to a minimum viable product. Participants will engage in entrepreneurship curriculum taught by subject matter experts from some of the most successful women-owned businesses and America’s largest Fortune 500 companies. The Incubator will culminate with a Pitch Competition awarding a thousand dollars in seed capital and the opportunity to attend the WBENC National Conference in New Orleans, LA for FREE to access a network of 4,000+ attendees.

Who Should Apply

Applicant Eligibility

Student entrepreneur of any gender
Have a business idea or early-stage venture
Ability to participate in all scheduled classes held in Cental Standard Time.
Accepted applicants will be required to attend the entire incubator, inability to attend the entire incubator will result in not being accepted.
Applicant must be enrolled at Tuskegee University or a recent graduate within the last 12months of the University.
Completion of the online application, including an essay stating the desire to attend the incubator and how the program would enable you for future growth and success and resume.
Applicants are selected on first come, first serve based on their comprehensive application, no one element is weighted more.

Contact aawasom@wbenc.org for more information.

WBENC Entrepreneur Incubator Cohort FAQs

Who should consider applying for this Incubator?
- Aspiring Entrepreneur: Students with a business idea looking to develop it into a thriving business.
- Early-Stage Entrepreneur: Students who have already launched their business idea but would like to learn how to scale it to new heights.
Who is eligible to apply for the Incubator?
- The WBENC Entrepreneur Incubator at TU is open to all individuals who are students at TU, regardless of major or class standing.
How many participants are typically in each cohort?
- The cohort size ranges from 30 to 60 entrepreneurs.
Who will teach the sessions during the Incubator?
- The sessions will be facilitated by accomplished business owners who are subject matter experts in each topic.
Where will the sessions be held?
- Sessions for the WBENC Entrepreneur Incubator at TU will be conducted in a hybrid format, combining virtual sessions via Zoom Meetings with in-person sessions hosted on the TU campus.
When are the sessions scheduled to take place?
- Most sessions in the WBENC Entrepreneur Incubator at TU will be held on Thurs from 5 to 7 PM CST (6-8 EST), with the kickoff on Wed, Sep 18 and pitch competition on Tues, Nov 19. Please see the class schedule section of this page for more information.

How To Apply

APPLICATIONS ARE NOW OPEN
Applications for the 2024 WBENC Entrepreneur Incubator at Tuskegee University are now open and will close on Friday, September 6, 2024, at 11:59pm EST. Spots in the program are limited.
Attendance at all in-person and virtual session dates are mandatory for acceptance into the 2024 Incubators.
Apply Now

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