On Saturday, June 6, 2026, HBCU entrepreneurs will make history in one of the most visible places in the world: Times Square.
Venture for T.H.E.M. and The DM Firm, in partnership with Times Square Alliance, will host the first-ever HBCU Pitch Competition in Times Square as part of Activate LIVE!, a high-profile showcase taking place during New York Tech Week.
The event, titled Times Square Takeover: HBCU Pitch at Activate LIVE!, will put HBCU founders at the center of New York City’s innovation scene. Organizers say the competition is designed to elevate entrepreneurs from historically Black colleges and universities while creating visibility, access, and opportunity for the next generation of Black founders.
More than 300,000 people pass through Times Square on a summer weekend. On June 6, attendees and visitors will have the opportunity to see HBCU innovators pitch their businesses live on one of the world’s most iconic platforms.
Five founders, each a previous pitch competition winner selected from universities across the HBCU ecosystem, will compete during the event.
Among them is Peter Iwuh of Morgan State University, founder of Tykoon AI, an all-in-one platform that provides student-athletes with AI-powered tools for brand growth, NIL management, and partnership development.
Other competing founders include Rachel Ransom of Hampton University, founder of Krave, a premium canned cocktail brand blending classic recipes, refreshing seltzer, and quality spirits for a consistent, elevated experience; Daryl Riley Jr. of North Carolina A&T State University, founder of Tendaji, a fashion tech company combining sustainable technology with modern design to create stylish, functional apparel that keeps people connected while on the move; Taylor Davis of Howard University, founder of Troodie, an application combining social discovery, creator monetization, and sales-based attribution for restaurants; and Carolyn Alston of Bowie State University, founder of Communic8 It!, an interactive and competitive card game designed to spark funny, thought-provoking, and meaningful conversations.
The founders will pitch before a panel of industry leaders representing business, entrepreneurship, sports, innovation, and investment.
Judges include Luis Freitas, senior director of digital route to consumer and marketing capabilities at Moët Hennessy; Teniel Jones, president and CEO of Base 11; Johnetta Hardy, director of the Entrepreneurship Innovation Center at Bowie State University; Genisha Metcalf, head of partnerships at the NBA Foundation; and Blair Carl Smith, senior director at the Milken Institute.
The event is hosted by The DM Firm and Venture for T.H.E.M., in partnership with Times Square Alliance. It is sponsored by Bowie State University Entrepreneurship Innovation Center and Venture for T.H.E.M.
Venture for T.H.E.M. is a Maryland-based accelerator focused on expanding equitable access to capital for entrepreneurs from underrepresented communities. The organization works to create pathways for founders who are often overlooked in traditional funding and business development spaces.
By bringing HBCU founders to Times Square during New York Tech Week, organizers hope the competition will serve as more than a pitch event. It is also a statement about representation, innovation, and the importance of making sure Black entrepreneurs are seen and supported on major stages.
The HBCU Pitch Competition will take place Saturday, June 6, 2026, in Times Square, New York City.
To RSVP, visit https://events.eventnoire.com/e/activate-live.
For more information about Venture for T.H.E.M., visit venture4them.com.
