HBCUvc advances access to capital by increasing
Black professional participation in venture investing.
Through research, community engagement, and programmatic work, we build pathways into venture and angel investing and strengthen the networks that support early-stage capital formation. Starting with HBCU communities and expanding across other trusted networks.
We focus on understanding where capital exists today—and what interventions can expand participation over time.
Leadership
Hadiyah Mujhid
CEO, Founder
Hadiyah Mujhid is the Founder and CEO of HBCUvc, where she is building new models to expand access to capital by increasing participation in investing. Her work focuses on understanding how investor networks form—and how communities can be activated to support early-stage capital formation. Over the past decade, she has developed programs that have prepared hundreds of emerging investors and connected founders to capital networks. Hadiyah is also an early-stage angel investor across health, climate, and AI, bringing both research and practical experience to her work at HBCUvc.
Chief Operating Officer
Chelsea Roberts is the Chief Operating Officer of HBCUvc, where she leads the organization’s operations, partnerships, and program strategy. She focuses on building the relationships that support emerging investors, founders, and alumni communities to participate more fully in venture and angel investing. Chelsea brings experience across capital markets, governance, and program design, with a background spanning advisory, nonprofit leadership, and institutional strategy. Her work is centered on aligning people, capital, and infrastructure to expand access to innovation and entrepreneurship.Chelsea Roberts
Our Impact
Over the past near decade, HBCUvc has focused on building access to venture through education, placement, and community.
302
Fellows Trained Across HBCUvc fellowship cohorts and institutional partnerships nationwide
181
VC Internship Placements. Structured venture capital internship opportunities delivered through HBCUvc programs
$10M
Capital Influenced for Black Founders. Alumni participated in investment decisions resulting in $10M+ in funding to Black founders.
47%
Alumni Investing. Alumni personally invested in startups (angel, venture, and crowdfunding)
Our Evolution
2017 Founding, First VC Training for HBCUs
Founded by Hadiyah Mujhid. Launched first-ever VC training for HBCU Students. Since 2019, our VC Training / Summer Associate program has created 181 paid internships in venture capital for Black and other historically excluded students and recent alumni.
2019 - 2021: First City-Wide VC Internship & Growing HBCU Endowments
2019: In collaboration with PledgeLA and the Mayor’s Office of Los Angeles, launched the first-ever citywide VC internship program.
2021: Partnered with Chris and Crystal Sacca to secure $2M for 20 HBCUs as an allocation in Lowercarbon Capital’s fund.
2019 - 2021: Amplifying Visibility for Emerging Venture Leaders & Entrepreneurs
Recognized 97 Black and Latinx VCs through our Emerging Venture Leaders list, which not only highlighted their impactful work but also served as “inspiration capital” that propelled many to further recognition and professional growth. 10% of HBCUvc’s Emerging Venture Leaders awardees were later featured in Forbes 30 under 30 following their recognition by us.
2021: Published book, Black Founders at Work, featuring the stories of Black Entrepreneurs & Investors. Available at all major book retailers.
2019 - 2022: Funding Black Founders
HBCUvc’s Lab Fund provided investing experience for VC training participants and awarded non-dilutive funding to 23 Black founders, helping them scale their startups with the support of Google For Startups and the MacArthur Foundation.
2024: Alumni Investment Milestone
A community survey revealed that HBCUvc had deployed over $10M in capital—through personal angel investments and in their roles within venture firms.
2026: Organizational Transitional & Strategic Shift
HBCUvc became an independent 501c3, spinning out of its fiscal sponsor. Building on insights from the 2024 survey, the organization began developing a platform to better understand and activate the investing potential of HBCU alumni communities