Northwestern Mutual Black Founder Accelerator®
Powered by gener8tor
Investing in high-growth startups founded by entrepreneurs who have been historically underserved in accessing capital. While the program highlights the opportunity available to Black founders who have generally been overlooked as they try to raise capital, it is open to entrepreneurs of all races and genders who have been historically underserved in accessing capital.
Early Application Consideration: February 10th, 2025
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Final Application Deadline: February 28th, 2025
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Early Application Consideration: February 10th, 2025 • Final Application Deadline: February 28th, 2025 •
About Northwestern Mutual Black Founder Accelerator® Powered by gener8tor
Northwestern Mutual Black Founder Accelerator® invests in up to ten companies per year (two cohorts of five) focused on fintech, insuretech, digital health and data analytics. In addition to a $100,000 investment, each participating startup will receive a concierge experience during the 12-week accelerator program.
gener8tor and Northwestern Mutual will support the growth of these startups through our network of experienced mentors, technologists, industry experts, angel investors and venture capitalists. We accept applications from startups across the globe. However, we do require that at least one founder from each startup be based in the United States.
See the latest gener8tor Investment Accelerator statistics here.
You can view the Northwestern Mutual Future Ventures portfolio here.
The investment priorities for Northwestern Mutual Black Founder Accelerator® Powered by gener8tor are aligned with Northwestern Mutual Future Venture’s key strategic areas of focus:
Digital Health
Data Analytics
Fintech
Insurtech
Northwestern Mutual and gener8tor are committed to addressing barriers to financial equity and expanding financial access for tech startups by supporting entrepreneurs who have been historically underserved in accessing capital. This inclusive approach aims to bridge the gap in capital accessibility, fostering a diverse and innovative landscape.
Investment
$100,000 cash investment in your current round (if raising) or an uncapped convertible bridge note (if not currently raising).
Co-working Space
Co-working space provided by Northwestern Mutual created to advance innovation, ideation and experimentation for local startups.
$1M+ in Deals & Perks
Amazing deals and perks from vendors like IBM Cloud, Rackspace, Amazon, PayPal, Zendesk and Microsoft.
Cohort Programming
Weekly cohort programming featuring topics including understanding market size, choosing a revenue model, and how to pitch investors.
Mentorship, Coaching & One-on-One Meetings
Twelve weeks of individualized coaching and mentorship from the gener8tor team during bi-weekly, one-on-one meetings. One-on-one meetings with 100+ connections including serial entrepreneurs, industry experts and investors.
Exclusive Premiere Night
Exclusive Premiere Night reception during which participating companies have the opportunity to pitch to an audience of entrepreneurs, mentors, investors and community members.
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Investment Terms
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Managing Director
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To be announced soon!
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We are not currently accepting applications for this program.
Stay tuned. While there aren't any upcoming programs for this location at the moment, there are plenty of other available opportunities at gener8tor!
Early Application Consideration: February 10th, 2025 | Final Application Deadline: February 28th, 2025
A range of industries from cities across the United States.
Check out just a few of the Northwestern Mutual Black Founder Accelerator® portfolio companies that we’re proud of. Want to see more? Check out gener8tor’s full portfolio.
What to expect from the Northwestern Mutual Black Founder Accelerator® program.
Team Meetings feature individualized coaching and mentorship from the gener8tor team and Northwestern Mutual.
Executive Mentor Chats are one-on-one meetings with your paired mentor from Northwestern Mutual. Each mentor is paired with one startup in the Northwestern Mutual Black Founder Accelerator® for the duration of the 12-week program.
Cohort Programming featuring topics relevant to startups including understanding market size, choosing a revenue model, and how to pitch investors.
Mentor Swarms are speed-dating-style meetings with mentors including serial entrepreneurs, industry experts and investors. (Are you a mentor who would like to get involved? Learn more and fill out our mentor interest form here.
Investor Swarm is an opportunity for each company to pitch to 80+ angel investors, VCs and corporate funds locally and nationally.
Cohort Meals are an opportunity to strengthen your relationship with founders from other startups while sharing and gaining knowledge that could be beneficial to you as a leader.
Program Wrap-Up provides each cohort the opportunity to celebrate their program completion with one another and program partners. Participants will have the opportunity to provide feedback and complete mandatory exit surveys.
Premiere Night is a celebratory reception during which participating companies have the opportunity to pitch to an audience of entrepreneurs, mentors, investors and community members.
In addition to core programming, participants are required to attend conferences and other program related events at the discretion of gener8tor.
Meet our Alumni
Learn about the alumni that make up Northwestern Mutual Black Founder Accelerator®. Read the Stories
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you have more questions about our Northwestern Mutual Black Founder Accelerator® program? Browse our most frequently asked questions and answers here.
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Companies must fit within the investment priorities of Northwestern Mutual Future Ventures: Fintech, Insurtech, Digital Health or Data Analytics
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No. We accept applications from startups across the United States. Relocation is encouraged but not required.
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Northwestern Mutual Black Founder Accelerator Powered by gener8tor accepts companies from napkin stage through post-revenue.
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$100,000 cash investment directly into your current round (if raising) or uncapped convertible note (if not currently raising). This accelerator does not take a predetermined amount of equity upfront.
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Visit the Resource page to see videos of our 2021 cohort to learn more.
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This is a hybrid program. No relocation required.
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This program is hybrid, with most in-person events taking place in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Have questions or want to chat?
Find a time for Office Hours or email the team.
Precious Drew
Northwestern Mutual Black Founder Accelerator®
Senior Managing Director
precious@gener8tor.com
Destiney Mohammed
Northwestern Mutual Black Founder Accelerator®
Program Manager
destiney@gener8tor.com
THANK YOU TO PROGRAM SPONSORS
More Information
Learn more our mission, meet our program alumni and explore how to become a Mentor.
Let’s Talk!
We’ll answer questions, tell you more about the program or listen to your pitch during a 15-min office hours visit.
Our Partners
Take a look at the Partners involved that help make the program a success.