Black Girl Ventures

Overview

Black Girl Ventures (BGV) is a nonprofit organization that supports Black and Brown women entrepreneurs by providing access to community, capital, and capacity building. Founded in 2016 by Omi Bell, Black Girl Ventures is based in Washington, D.C., and is known for its innovative pitch competitions that combine elements of traditional startup pitching with community-driven crowdfunding. Since its inception, the organization has raised substantial funds to empower underrepresented entrepreneurs and foster economic advancement.

Recent Developments

November 2025: Black Girl Ventures is set to launch a crowdfunded pitch competition in New York City’s Financial District on November 7. This event will provide an innovative platform for women-of-color entrepreneurs, allowing audience members to vote with their dollars using the Raisify platform. The competition continues BGV’s tradition of addressing funding disparities that women of color face in the venture capital landscape, reinforcing community-driven solutions.
October 2025: The pitch event in NYC marks BGV's return to a city where it previously held events, reflecting its ongoing effort to bridge funding gaps for Black women entrepreneurs. The event will see selected entrepreneurs pitch their business ideas live, followed by a week of crowdfunding and ratings to determine the winners who will receive grant funding.
February 2025: In collaboration with TikTok, BGV launched the SOAR Together 2025 accelerator program. This initiative aims to create equitable funding opportunities for Black-owned businesses. TikTok continues to invest in Black Girl Ventures to support their mission of increasing access to financial and social capital for Black entrepreneurs.

Attribute	Information
Founding Date	2016
Headquarters	Washington, D.C., United States
Founders	Omi Bell
Revenue	Not publicly disclosed
Profits	Not publicly disclosed
Key Investors	Various community contributors
Industry	Nonprofit/Entrepreneurship
Number of Employees	Information not publicly available

Early History

Black Girl Ventures was founded by Omi Bell in 2016 after observing the significant financial barriers that women of color faced in entrepreneurship. The organization emerged from a single event where Bell sought to address the disparity in funding, beginning as a passion project to answer why so few women of color received venture capital. Initially, BGV's pitch competitions were grassroots efforts that utilized crowdfunding, enabling communities to directly influence which businesses received support. Over time, this approach proved successful, leading to expanded programs such as mentoring, skill-building workshops, and community building initiatives across various U.S. cities.

Company Profile and Achievements

Black Girl Ventures operates with a unique business model focused on empowering under-resourced women entrepreneurs through social and financial capital. The organization’s flagship program is its crowdfunded pitch competitions, where entrepreneurs pitch their ideas to a live audience that votes with monetary contributions. The top contestants receive grant funding to grow their businesses. Notable accomplishments include:

Funding over 450 founders since inception.
Supporting more than 10,000 entrepreneurs through various programs, mentoring, and workshops.
Creating over 3,000 jobs and collectively generating more than $10 million in revenue for businesses supported by BGV.
Launching the Emerging Leaders Fellowship program, designed to enhance the leadership skills of early-stage entrepreneurs.
Expanding its pitch competitions to major U.S. cities including New York, Chicago, Austin, and Los Angeles, validating its model of community-driven investment.

Current Operations and Market Position

Black Girl Ventures continues to strengthen its position as a leading advocate for underrepresented women entrepreneurs. The organization’s strategic focus on community-driven funding mechanisms sets it apart from traditional venture capital models, effectively addressing systemic funding disparities. BGV's collaborations with corporate partners, such as TikTok, underscore its influence and effectiveness in creating pathways for Black women in business. As BGV hosts events like the upcoming New York City pitch competition, it maintains momentum, encouraging sustainable, community-backed entrepreneurial ecosystems.

Conclusion

Black Girl Ventures plays a crucial role in transforming the entrepreneurial landscape for Black and Brown women. By leveraging innovative funding models that emphasize community involvement, BGV not only provides essential financial support but also fosters inclusive and sustainable business ecosystems. As the organization continues to expand its outreach and programs, it is poised to further impact the entrepreneurship sector by advocating for policy changes and demonstrating the power of community investment. With ongoing initiatives like the Emerging Leaders Fellowship and collaborations with influential partners like TikTok, BGV is set to lead a movement that empowers women entrepreneurs to thrive amidst the evolving business environment.