VentureHue ACCESS Lab - Program Application (Spring 2024)
Welcome! This application form is for the VentureHue ACCESS Lab program, sponsored by Comerica Bank (Comerica Charitable Foundation) in partnership with the Global African Business Association. The program is a 6-week (virtual) capital readiness accelerator designed to help underserved and overlooked diverse entrepreneurs improve their knowledge of raising capital, expand their network, and make connections that will result in them obtaining the funding needed to scale their businesses. Here is a short breakdown of the program curriculum:
  • Know What Funders Want - We'll take a deep dive into key factors that funders (of all types) pay attention to determine if a company is worthy of investment. This includes how to get capital ready and gain traction to improve your access to capital.
  • Understanding the Capital Structure - We'll cover the types of capital available at all stages of business development, when they should be used, how to qualify for them, and examples of how they should be used once acquired.
  • Grants and Microloans - We'll discuss different types of grants and microloan options, how to find them, and how to increase your chances of getting approved for this type of financing. 
  • Traditional Bank Loans & Alternative Lending Marketplaces - A representative from Comerica Bank will discuss business funding programs offered by them and we'll also discuss alternative lending marketplaces you can utilize when you don't qualify for bank financing.
  • Building Your Business Credit & Export-Import Financing - We'll discuss unsecured business line of credit funding, how it works, how to build business credit ,and how you can secure capital through these programs even if you have few other options. We'll also discuss import/export financing and how to use this funding to scale your business into African countries.
  • Connecting to Investors & Scaling Your Business Into Africa - We'll discuss the programs and resources available to help you connect with and raise capital from U.S. based investors and scale your business into African countries.

REQUIREMENTS FOR ACCEPTANCE INTO THE PROGRAM:

We are highly selective and seeking the most competent, determined, persistent, and dedicated entrepreneurs seeking funding. Ideally, the entrepreneurs/businesses that should apply for this program have not raised more than $150,000 in outside capital and/or generate less than $1 million in annual revenue and fall into (one or more of) the following categories:
  • Business Registered in the U.S. (If your business isn’t registered, we can help you get it setup)
  • High Growth Tech, Tech-Enabled, and Traditional Businesses (special emphasis on companies that can sell products in Africa and the Caribbean)
  • Very Small Business Owners (w/ less than 10 employees)
  • Socially and Economically Disadvantaged Founders & Owners
  • African and Caribbean Immigrants
  • Black Americans and Descendants of Enslaved Africans/African Americans
  • Hispanic/Latinx, LGBTQIA+, Veterans, Persons with Disabilities, Women, Indigenous, Asian, Middle Eastern, Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander, etc.
  • Live in cities designated by the federal government as “low-to-moderate income areas” (it is preferred that these areas be located in states where Comerica Bank has locations including Michigan, Texas, Florida, California, Arizona, North Carolina, and Colorado, however other low-to-moderate income areas may still apply)
Preferred Industries Include: enterprise and consumer software, digital technology, health systems, clean energy, climate smart solutions, food security, manufacturing, natural resources, agriculture (agribusiness and agritech), real estate, life sciences and medical devices, engineering, design, and development, and CPG & consumer brands (with an e-commerce presence).


PROGRAM BENEFITS (WHAT YOU GET):
  • Learn what is required to secure various types of capital (debt, equity, and grants).
  • Grow your network by connecting with business leaders, financial professionals, bankers, and investors.
  • Get help with fundraising and be considered for future funding opportunities from VentureHue.

IMPORTANT - PLEASE READ BEFORE SUBMITTING: 
  • Application deadline has been extended to Sunday March 31, 2024. 
  • Accepted applicants will be announced by April 5, 2024. 
  • Accelerator starts Thursday, April 18, 2024. (Sessions will run from 6pm to 8pm EST).
  • You can click here to watch the pre-recorded information session to learn more about the program from our Founder & Managing Director. 

By clicking "Submit", I agree that I am sharing my application with VentureHue, that VentureHue may contact me by using the contact information provided on the application, and that I have read and agree to VentureHue's Privacy Policy. I also understand that if I am selected as a program participant, I may be asked to participate in marketing activities, and that I may be contacted at a later date to share the impact this opportunity has had on my business. Furthermore, I also agree to provide my headshot image to be used in marketing materials shared on VentureHue's social media and website pages as a participant that has been accepted into and graduated from the program.


This form takes 10 to 15 minutes to complete.

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Email *
Best Contact Phone: *
Founder 1 Name (First and Last): *
Founder 2 Name (First and Last):
Other Founder(s) Name (First and Last):
Founder Bio (tell us about your background in less than 300 words): *
Provide a link to your professional headshot (all founders): 

Please use a cloud drive link — Google Drive, Dropbox, DocSend, etc, (if we aren’t able to open the link we won’t review your submission)
 *
Company Name: *
Company Website/URL: *
High Level Pitch: (Tell us about your business in one sentence) *
(30 Words or Less)
Provide a Link to Your Executive Summary or Pitch Deck:

Please use a cloud drive link — Google Drive, Dropbox, DocSend, etc, (if we aren’t able to open the link we won’t review your submission)
 *
Generally speaking, your executive summary (or pitch deck) should cover: vision, problem, solution, why this team, and use of funds. 
When did your company start operating? *
MM
/
DD
/
YYYY
Annual Revenue (if the business is generating revenue, we may ask to see proof via tax returns or bank statements) *
Tell us about your traction so far?
 *
(Examples: total number of customers or users, percentage of growth year over year, potential customers or contracts in the pipeline, etc)

TIP: Use this section to BRAG about your growth!
Have you participated in an accelerator or entrepreneur training program? *
Please list all accelerators or entrepreneur training programs that you have participated in.
What industry is your business in? *
(Examples: enterprise SaaS, e-commerce & DTC, fintech, beauty, fashion, restaurant, etc)
What do you need help with most? *
How much funding do you need?
 *
We appreciate range over exact number since we know there are many variables that go into it.
Additional Fundraising Details:
 *
1. In total, how much funding have you raised/obtained to date (and from where did you raise the funds)?
Are you interested in expanding your business (i.e. selling your products and services) in Africa or the Caribbean?
 *
If you answered yes to the previous question, please list the countries you are interested in expanding to (otherwise enter n/a). *
What are your top priorities?
 *
Required
Current Country, State, and City (Location): *
Country of Origin (Birth): *
Age (Must be 18+ years old to apply) *
How do you identify yourself? (You can select more than one)
 *
Required
Race and/or Ethnicity? (You can select more than one) *
Required
Current US Work Authorization *
LinkedIn URL (if any): *
Other Social Media Profiles:
(optional)
How did you hear about the program?
 *
Please submit any questions you have about the program here. They will be addressed during the information sessions. *
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