How to Apply for Google’s 2023 Black Founders Fund

If you’re a black founder and you need funding for your startup operation, Google Black Founders Fund is definitely one of the best investments you should check. 

I joined the waitlist last year and yesterday, I received a mail from the marketing coordinator that the tech giant, Google is now accepting applications for its 2023 Black Founders Fund. The application is also open for Latinos founders and if you identified yourself as one, you can apply.

About Google’s Black Founders Fund

Google’s Black Founders Fund is aimed at empowering black entrepreneurs and startups which is part of Google’s commitment to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in the tech industry and beyond. 

This fund is given out to selected founders without giving Google any equity. The Black Founders Fund was first launched in 2020, and since then, it has provided financial support and resources to Black-led startups in various stages of development. 

Last year (2022), the fund awarded a total of $10 million in non-dilutive funding to 76 startups across the US, Canada, and Europe. The funding is intended to help these startups grow and scale their businesses, as well as to connect them with Google’s network of experts, resources, and technologies.

RELATED: 23 Nigerian-owned Startups are Selected in 2022

The application process for the 2023 Black Founders Fund is now open, and eligible Black-led startups are encouraged to apply even if you’ve raised pre-seed before now. 

But kindly note that the non-dilutive capital is not for every Black Founders or startup, To be considered for funding, startups must meet some criteria and what are they?

Eligibility Criteria for Google’s Black Founders Fund

• Your company or startup must be based or headquartered in the United States. This simply means you must have incorporated your startup in the US.
• You have raised, but not more than $5M from Startup accelerators, investors, VCs, or any institution.
• Your product is already in Beta at least, not just a waitlist or an idea phase
• Your startup must have been making revenue, and you should be able to demonstrate your traction.
• The startup must have a full-time founder/ co-founder who’s black – no hobbyist (sorry).
• The startup must have at least 30% of its ownership retained at the time of application
• Again, you must be able to demonstrate your traction, i.e have a good pitch deck.

These criteria are very simple, they’re basically summarised into four, but for clear understanding, I have to break them into 7.

Startups that meet these criteria can apply for funding by filling out the online application form on the Black Founders Fund website. And here’s how;

How to Apply for Google’s Black Founders Fund

To apply for the 2023 Black Founders Fund, follow these steps:

Go to the official website here

• Enter your email address and click on “CONTINUE” 
• Read the application guide carefully before deciding to continue
• Fill out the application form correctly, you’ll submit a pitch deck, a short video introduction, and a one-minute pitch video that explains your startup’s mission, vision, and how you plan to use the funding to grow your business.
• Review your application and finally SUBMIT

Once you submit your application, Google’s team of experts will review and select the finalist and if you’re among the finalists, you’ll receive non-dilutive funding up to $100,000 with some other perks.

Kindly attend to each question correctly because hundreds of startups will be competing for a spot in the finalist row, and the way you will present your startup idea and traction to them is the winning side.

Application Deadline for 2023 Black Founders Fund

The application deadline for the 2023 Black Founders Fund is March 26, 2023, and finalists will be announced in the fall of 2023. Selected startups will receive non-dilutive funding of up to $100,000, as well as access to Google’s network of experts, resources, and technologies which is even more than the $100k funding you’ll be given if selected.

If you’re a Black entrepreneur or startup founder looking for funding and support, the Black Founders Fund is an excellent opportunity to help take your business to the next level. With Google’s support and resources, you can build and scale your business while also promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in the tech industry.

Good luck with your application!

You may also check Github for Startups

If you’re working on a business idea and you need a co-founder, here is a comprehensive guide to getting one