Ringing the Bell, Raising Our Voices: HBCUvc at Nasdaq
Last week, we experienced a milestone that was far more than a single event—it was a signal to the world that the future of venture capital, innovation, and wealth-building is being shaped by the talent and vision of the HBCU community.
On June 25th, HBCUvc was honored to be invited to Nasdaq, to witness the ringing of the closing bell and see our logo light up one of the most iconic digital billboards in the world. This moment was not just for us as an organization—it was for every founder, investor, and student who believes in the transformative power of HBCUs.
Celebrating HBCU-Founded Companies
As our logo illuminated Times Square, we stood proudly alongside the logos of remarkable startups founded by HBCU alumni. These companies are proving that innovation and leadership can—and do—emerge from HBCU campuses, reshaping industries and building new pathways to wealth and impact:
Bump – founded by a Winston-Salem State University alum
Health in Her Hue – founded by a Howard University alum
Unlock – founded by a Southern University alum
Eleanor Health – founded by a Howard University alum
LegalEase – founded by a Howard University alum
Amp Beauty LA – founded by a Clark Atlanta University alum
Each of these companies represents the creativity, resilience, and brilliance that HBCUs nurture. To see their logos towering over Times Square was a powerful testament to how far our community has come—and how much further we intend to go.
An Ecosystem of Founders and Funders
Equally significant was the presence of venture capital investors who joined us, representing institutions like Howard, Morgan, Spelman, Morehouse, Hampton, and FAMU. Their participation underscored a critical truth: the future of venture is not just about funding startups—it’s about building an ecosystem where capital flows to Black founders and communities, and where HBCU talent is recognized as a driving force in innovation.
At HBCUvc, we’re proud to be led by graduates of the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES), Spelman College, and Langston University. We carry with us the legacies of these institutions—their profound impact on our communities and the nation as engines of education, leadership, and social change. It’s this same spirit and transformative influence that we aim to extend into the world of technology and entrepreneurship, ensuring our communities are not just participants, but owners, leaders, and decision-makers in the future of innovation.
More Than a Moment
As we look ahead, our vision is bigger than a single bell-ringing ceremony. We are working toward building the largest network of HBCU-affiliated founders and investors. Our goal is to not only increase representation but also to create pathways to wealth that can ripple across generations.
Thank you to everyone who joined us for this special day, and to those who continue to believe in our mission. We’re just getting started—and we’re so glad to have you with us on the journey.
