From Idea To Industry - Leading Startup
Join the Black Seed Accelerator program for Black-led tech and tech-enabled startups and turn your idea into paying clients in 12 weeks.
Validate Your Idea
Connect With Coaches
Find Funding
Only 2.6 percent of the tech workforce in Canada are Black
Black-led startups and tech-enabled businesses in Canada have the potential to present massive economic impact and opportunities in an industry where only 2.6 percent of the tech workforce in Canada are Black.
Black-led startups fail not only because they lack money, infrastructure, or mentorship. There is also an under representation and diversity problem in the tech industry. Our program presents a significant opportunity to invest in underrepresented Black tech founders and startups and drive significant economic outcomes.
Accelerate Your Vision and Defy the Odds
When you join the Black Seed Accelerator program, we will help you validate your idea against market research. With our BBVA Playbook, you will test your assumptions and create a VC-worthy business plan.
Once you have validated your idea, we will leverage our network of experts and investors to enhance your influence and expand your knowledge.
Lastly, after you have connected with our network, we will support you in your search for funding. We will coach you on how to pitch and navigate the startup ecosystem.
The Black Seed Accelerator program gives you the roadmap to success for your tech-enabled startup.
For Black Tech Founders by Black Industry Experts
You have experienced long days, sleepless nights, frustration, and overwhelm from the moment you decided to become an entrepreneur.
We understand. We’ve been there.
We have struggled to find resources, acceptance, mentorship, and funding.
We have learned how to get into the spaces that investors occupy to turn our dreams into reality.
Our board is filled with Black leaders with decades of experience in entrepreneurship, startup funding, and marketing.
Our Black Seed Accelerator program allows you to leverage our expertise and networks to grow your idea from a vision to a scaleable startup.
Your Business Can Both Survive And Thrive For Years To Come
1. Join the Cohort
Join the Black Seed Accelerator program at no cost to you and you do not have to give up equity.
2. Learn the Playbooks
Eliminate the frustration and confusion of not knowing what to do next.
3. Grow Your Business
Create a business that investors are thrilled to invest in and turn your vision into reality.
Welcome to Join our 12-week Cohort of Black-led tech startups for Black founders by Black industry leaders
100% online
Access 100% virtual online curriculum, mentorship and network, through a program that enables Black-led tech startups and tech enabled start ups to thrive across the Canadian Prairies
Early-Stage
Focusing on early-stage companies, registered by Black-led tech founders, building sustainable business models with global market potential,
Complimentary + Equity Free
There is no cost or fee to the program. It is an equity-free program focusing on Black-led tech startups and businesses in the early stages with the potential to impact the national and market potential.
What We're Looking For
Founder Composition
A Black led founder and preference for a team with a co-founder or a team member.
Early Stage
a viable business plan
Canadian Prairie-based
You and your startup should be based in Alberta, Saskatchewan or Manitoba.
Tech Driven or Tech-Enabled
a company or startup where technology is the core part of the solution.
Meet Your Coaches
We’ve made sure to create a program where cohorts are supported by industry experts in the ecosystem
The Program
What's inside
Black Seed Accelerator Program
This program is designed to address the needs of Black-led tech and tech enabled startups. From gaining support through the BBVA Playbooks to accessing funding to scale your business.
What you Learn:- How to design business models.
- How to test whether an idea is worth pursuing.
- How to communicate an idea clearly and concisely to internal and external stakeholders.
- How to identify and prioritize the riskiest assumptions in your business model.
- How to stress test your riskiest assumptions using small and fast experiments.
- How to use customer interviews to learn from customers.
- How to build a company-wide dashboard.
- How to pitch to customers.
- How to operate and make decisions under conditions of extreme uncertainty.
Bonus:- Bi-weekly coaching calls
- Homework & Assignments
- 1-1 Sessions
- Pop-up workshops including raising capital as a Black founder
- Office hours with BBVA Director
- Bi-weekly coaching calls
- Homework & Assignments
- 1-1 Sessions
- Pop-up workshops including raising capital as a Black founder
- Office hours with BBVA Director
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the application process work?
We work in 3 phases to access your application.
Phase 1: Submit your application online.
Phase 2: Shortlisted teams will participate in a virtual interview.
Phase 3: Selected candidates will be notified ahead of the program start date.
When will I know if I’m accepted?
By Nov 3rd (the program start date is on Nov 15).
How is it Canadian Prairie specific?
We’re focused on the Prairie region because there are currently no existing programs for Black tech founders in this region.
Will this be 100% virtual?
Yes.
What language will the program be in?
English.
How demanding is the program?
We recommend that you allocate 15-20 hours a week to get the most out of the accelerator.
Is there a fixed schedule?
Although this is a live program, startup teams are expected to complete biweekly sprint activities and course modules for their startups and will held accountable by their coaches at a biweekly meeting.
Do we need to have a team?
Ideally, we’d prefer that you have a co-founder or another person working with the founder and part of the program. If you already have a multi-disciplinary team of 3-5 people and would like to work together on the same company project, you can participate as a team.
How early do you mean? (What is the ideal stage for my startup to be a part of the program?)
We’re looking for early stage companies, either registered or planned to be registered, with an MVP or initial MVP, with early traction or no traction yet, by underrepresented founders with global market potential.
Why is BBVA doing this?
Our goal is to have more black founders start and succeed in their technology business. We do this by connecting the black community to the resources available in the technology ecosystem.
What happens after the program?
At the end of the program founders are expected to have their first paying customers and confidence about their business idea. In addition, founders will understand the next steps or actions required for them to grow and scale their business. They will also be equipped with the knowledge on how to access local resources ( financial, mentorship and partnerships) required for them to grow their startup.