About this programme
Black Founders Exchange is a curated program hosted by American Underground, established in 2016, built to move companies with a high-growth, scalable model from initial product to successfully raising seed capital. It provides training, networking and community support specifically for Black-led startups, run in Durham, North Carolina.
The program targets AI, cybersecurity, fintech, climate tech/greentech, agtech, biotech, and software addressing food insecurity, and is open to founders across the US Southeast region.
How it works
Programming runs as daily themed skill-building sessions covering storytelling, scaling sales, team leadership and capital raising.
Each founder is paired with a personal mentor drawn from a network of founders, experts and Google partners.
The program ends with a Founder Showcase pitch competition.
There are evening community events and time to explore Durham.
There is no program fee. Accommodation and most meals are provided, along with tickets to regional conferences such as CED Venture Connect and Raleigh-Durham Startup Week, plus cohort dinners and socials.
Alumni keep access to mentor hours and funder conversations after the program ends.
Who can apply
Must be an original founding member or co-founder of the company, one founder per startup.
Company must be based in the US Southeast region.
Works in AI, cybersecurity, fintech, climate tech/greentech, agtech, biotech, or software addressing food insecurity.
Early-stage, pre-seed startup with an MVP and beta or paying customers; revenue-generating startups are preferred.
Company must have less than $1 million in investment capital as of the application date.
How to apply
- Apply through the Google Form linked as 'Apply Now' on the program page.
Frequently asked
Is there a cost to join?
No. There is no program fee, and accommodation and most meals are provided.
What kind of startups qualify?
Early-stage, pre-seed Black-founded startups with an MVP and beta or paying customers, working in AI, cybersecurity, fintech, climate tech/greentech, agtech, biotech, or software addressing food insecurity, with less than $1 million raised.
Do I have to be based in Durham?
No, but you need to be based in the US Southeast region; the program itself runs in Durham, North Carolina.
What happens at the end of the program?
A Founder Showcase pitch competition, and ongoing alumni access to mentor hours and funder conversations afterward.
More funding in North Carolina
IGNITE Loan Program
Carolina Small Business Development Fund · North Carolina
Loans up to $75,000 for North Carolina small businesses operating at least two years, with a discount for veterans.
NC Biotechnology Center Company Funding
North Carolina Biotechnology Center · North Carolina
Loans of $150,000 to $650,000 for North Carolina life sciences and agtech companies.
One North Carolina Small Business Program
North Carolina Department of Commerce (Office of Science, Technology & Innovation) · North Carolina
North Carolina's state-level companion to federal SBIR/STTR, reimbursing Phase I proposal costs and matching Phase I awards for NC small businesses.
Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Program (RMAP)
Carolina Small Business Development Fund · North Carolina
Loans up to $50,000 at 7% interest for microenterprises in designated rural areas of North Carolina.
Launch Chapel Hill
Launch Chapel Hill · North Carolina
Cohort-based accelerator in Chapel Hill for deep tech and dual-use founders working toward their first customer.
NC IDEA MICRO
NC IDEA · North Carolina
$10,000 grants twice a year plus a six-month program for early North Carolina startups validating their business model.
All 9 programmes in North Carolina →
Reviewed 2026-09-25. Programmes change, so check eligibility, amounts and deadlines on the official page before you apply. CapEasy is a private firm and is not part of any government body.