Pharrell’s Black Ambition hosting conference in Miami

Miami’s heat isn’t just in the weather this November — it’s in the ideas. Black Ambition, the visionary initiative founded by Pharrell Williams and led by CEO Felecia Hatcher, is where culture meets capital.

Black Ambition is returning for its 5th Annual Demo Day and inaugural Fundable Founders Forum, a two-day celebration of brilliance, innovation, and unapologetic ambition. The conference is being held at the Sacred Space Miami on Nov. 14 and 15.

More than $1 million in funding is up for grabs as underrepresented entrepreneurs from across the country gather to pitch, connect, and scale their dreams. Backed by powerhouse partners — Visa, Louis Vuitton, Lennar Foundation, and Adidas — Black Ambition continues to rewrite what’s possible for the next generation of founders.

“With Black Ambition, the goal is to help strengthen the pipeline of talented entrepreneurs … and close the opportunity and wealth gaps derived from limited access to capital and resources,” says Pharrell.

“There’s so much brilliance out there that never gets seen. Black Ambition exists so talent doesn’t stop at potential — it has the chance to be seen, funded, and believed in,” Pharrell added. 

The numbers tell a story

This year, more than 2,500 entrepreneurs nationwide submitted their boldest ideas to the 2025 Black Ambition Prize. From that pool, 25 finalists will take the stage in Miami to compete for more than $1 million in awards:

• 5 winners from the HBCU Pre-Accelerator: $20,000 each

• 19 national finalists: $50,000 each

• 1 top prize winner: $100,000

• Plus: a live-announced $25,000 People’s Choice Award

And that’s not all. Six breakout founders will headline a live showcase of game-changing startups, spanning industries from tech to wellness to fashion.

Day One: Demo Day — Friday, Nov. 14

Hosted by comedian and actor Jay Pharoah, the stage will light up with live pitches, alumni spotlights, and a can’t-miss fireside chat between Pharrell Williams and Mellody Hobson, President & Co-CEO of Ariel Investments.

The night closes with a high-energy networking reception — investors, creators, and culture leaders under one roof, making connections that turn vision into capital.

“Five years proves our impact is real,” says Black Ambition CEO Felecia Hatcher. “But the future demands more — more scale, more courage, more investment in founders rewriting what’s possible.”

Day Two: Fundable Founders Forum — Saturday, Nov. 15

The second act shifts from spotlight to strategy. Expect intimate masterclasses, storytelling sessions, and conversations built for founders ready to build generational impact.
Highlights include:

• Access. Ownership. Impact. — A blueprint for the next-gen founder movement

• Fireside chat: Steve Stoute, CEO of UnitedMasters, in conversation with Felecia Hatcher;

• Storytelling sessions with past Black Ambition winners;

• Local-founder networking and ecosystem plug-ins;

Beyond the stage

Since its 2020 launch, Black Ambition has:

• Supported more than 25,000 entrepreneurs through programming and content

• Mentored more than 1,175 founders through its accelerator

• Funded more than 155 startups nationwide

• Reimagined access, ownership, and wealth creation for underrepresented communities

This isn’t just a competition — it’s a movement. A bridge between culture and capital. A proof point that innovation thrives where opportunity flows.

Join the movement

To attend the 2025 Black Ambition Demo Day & Founders Forum, visit blackambitionprize.com. Follow @blackambitionprize for behind-the-scenes coverage, live updates, and stories from the founders shaping tomorrow.

The Black Ambition Conference

Where: The Sacred Space Miami, 105 NE 24th St., Miami
When: Saturday, Nov. 15, 2 p.m.–8 p.m.
Cost: $125 general admission; $200 VIP
More information: www.blackambitionprize.com/fundable-founders-forum