First HBCU pitch competition lands in Times Square during NY Tech Week

By AI, Created 4:31 PM UTC, June 01, 2026, /AGP/ – Five HBCU founders will pitch live in Times Square on June 6 during Activate LIVE! as part of NY Tech Week, in what organizers say is the first known HBCU-focused startup pitch competition ever held there. The event puts Black student entrepreneurs in front of investors, judges and thousands of visitors in one of New York City’s most visible public spaces.

Why it matters: - The competition puts HBCU founders on a major public stage during NY Tech Week, which could widen visibility, investor access and opportunity for Black entrepreneurs. - Times Square draws more than 300,000 people on a summer weekend, giving the founders exposure far beyond a typical pitch event. - Organizers say the event is the first known HBCU-focused startup pitch competition ever hosted in Times Square.

What happened: - 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 on Saturday, June 6, 2026. - The event takes place during Activate LIVE! as part of NY Tech Week in New York City. - Five founders, each a previous pitch competition winner from across the HBCU ecosystem, will pitch live before entrepreneurs, investors, ecosystem builders and visitors from around the world.

The details: - Rachel Ransom of Hampton University is pitching Krave, a premium canned cocktail brand. - Peter Iwuh of Morgan State University is pitching Tykoon AI, an AI platform for student-athletes to manage branding, NIL opportunities and partnerships. - Daryl Riley Jr. of North Carolina A&T State University is pitching Tendaji, a fashion technology company focused on sustainable connected apparel. - Taylor Davis of Howard University is pitching Troodie, a platform that combines social discovery, creator monetization and sales attribution for restaurants. - Carolyn Alston of Bowie State University is pitching Communic8 It!, an interactive card game built to spark conversations. - The judging panel includes Luis Freitas of Moët Hennessy, Teniel Jones of Base 11, Johnetta Hardy of Bowie State University, Genisha Metcalf of the NBA Foundation and Blair Carl Smith of the Milken Institute. - Kiante Bush, CEO of Venture for T.H.E.M., said the event is a historic moment that places HBCU founders and innovation on one of the world’s most visible stages. - The event is sponsored by the Bowie State University Entrepreneurship Innovation Center and Venture for T.H.E.M.

Between the lines: - The event blends entrepreneurship with cultural visibility, using a high-traffic public space to spotlight founders who are often underrepresented in mainstream startup venues. - The judge lineup signals interest from philanthropy, higher education, consumer brands and startup support organizations, not just traditional venture capital. - Hosting the competition during NY Tech Week could help connect HBCU founders to broader tech and investor networks.

What’s next: - The pitch competition is set for Saturday, June 6, 2026, in Times Square. - Organizers are directing attendees to RSVP through the event page. - Venture for T.H.E.M. is also directing readers to more information.