The Alabama Collective and Builders + Backers proudly celebrate the second cohort’s successful completion of the Fall 2025 Builders + Backers Idea Accelerator, marking a significant milestone in their shared mission to empower the next generation of entrepreneurs across Alabama.
This innovative program, launched in Spring 2025, helps HBCU students turn their entrepreneurial ideas into successful ventures by addressing common startup barriers such as funding, mentorship, and fear of failure. Winners of The Alabama Collective’s HBCU App Build and Pitch Competition were exclusively invited to participate in the Builders + Backers Idea Accelerator program.
Over the course of 90 days, student entrepreneurs participated in a fully virtual accelerator, working alongside seasoned Builders-in-Residence and a team of experts. Through bi-weekly sessions, hands-on mentoring and workshops, and flexible independent work, participants gained the tools, funding, and confidence to take their ideas from concept to launch. Upon completion, graduates received an additional $5,000 award and earned the 21st Century Venture Builder Career Credential, positioning them for long-term success as innovators and leaders.
“This program is about more than launching ventures—it’s about unlocking the potential that already exists within our HBCU communities,” said Charisse Stokes, Executive Director of The Alabama Collective. “By giving students the tools, mentorship, and funding to take action on their ideas, we’re helping shape a future where innovation is inclusive, opportunity is equitable, and Alabama’s next generation of entrepreneurs can thrive.”
To date, the Builders + Backers Idea Accelerator has helped dozens of students on their journeys to entrepreneurship.
The Fall 2025 cohort included four business ventures:
NextUp: A digital platform helping underrepresented students (particularly from HBCUs) discover, track, and apply for internships and scholarships. The venture includes Alabama A&M students Sunday Ochigbo, John Adeyemo, Solomon Agyire and Asia Harris.
MomCare: A student-only digital marketplace that connects buyers and peer service providers on HBCU campuses. The venture includes Alabama State University students Oluwatosin Oyekeye, Abigiya Mesfin and Oluwatodimu Adegoke.
Ubizy: An app that uses language models to help young professionals develop habits by integrating theological, sociological, and psychological aspects, specifically targeting young church-going adults. This venture was founded by Oakwood University student Alexander Vera-Soto.
FinePrint: A platform that provides cost-effective, region-specific driving data from under-mapped areas using sensor kits on vehicles and AI-assisted labeling. This venture was founded by Talladega College student Thabelo Duve.
Through this program, students from institutions often underrepresented in entrepreneurial ecosystems received access to the capital, mentorship, and technical tools necessary to move forward with confidence.
Only 21% of Alabama’s HBCUs offer formal entrepreneurship programs, despite the fact that achieving equity in Black-owned businesses could contribute $2 billion annually to the state’s Gross Domestic Product (a term referring to the total value of all goods and services produced within Alabama during a specific period). Builders + Backers is rooted in addressing this critical gap.
“We are thrilled to continue our partnership with The Alabama Collective to support HBCU entrepreneurs,” said Donna Harris, CEO of Builders + Backers. “This collaboration aligns perfectly with our mission to make entrepreneurship accessible to anyone with a promising idea, regardless of their background or location. The talent and innovation we’re seeing from Alabama’s HBCU community is extraordinary, and we’re excited to help these entrepreneurs bring their ideas to life.”
As both organizations look to future cohorts, the focus remains clear: empowering HBCU students to become the builders of Alabama’s economic future.
