​​We Back
Innovative Black
and A​frican ​founders.

​We provide capital, connection, and business development critical to success.  ​​We're industry and technology agnostic, but have an affinity for technology and tech-enabled startups working within the Female Health/Maternal Health/HealthEquity, Education/Special Education Tech, and Special Needs Caregiver Tech industries. We also prefer business models that fall under the categories of B2B, B2G, Enterprise, and Marketplaces.

The Hustle Forward Network

The definition of hustling backwards is working hard without making much progress. We created the Hustle Forward®️ Network to bring together the best and the brightest to build the next generation of tech companies in community. Your Network is your Net Worth and yours just went up.

Apply to Join the HFN

Code Black: Investing in Black Founders

Every day Black founders are starting, growing, and scaling innovative ventures that go underfunded. Code Black events are an opportunity for professional athletes to learn how they can change the trajectory of these founder's companies by becoming an Angel investor or investing in a Venture Capital fund from your peers.

​Next year's private event will take place in New Orleans during Super Bowl Weekend. Register below to be considered for an invite or to become a sponsor.

REQUEST AN INVITE / BECOME A SPONSOR

Athletes Interested in Investing

Interested in learning more about the Hustle Forward Network and how to get started investing in startups? Get in touch with the team and we'll point you in the right direction.

JOIN THE HUSTLE FORWARD NETWORK

Founders Actively Building

The Hustle Forward Network provides founders with access to capital, support networks, and business development services and leverages technology to track the trajectory of these Black-owned businesses over time.

Apply to Join the Hustle Forward Network

The right business ecosystems can mitigate, or negate, the effects of structural obstacles to business building for Black business owners and add $290 billion in business equity.
- McKinsey & Company "Building supportive ecosystems for Black-owned US businesses."

Hustle Forward With Us

Melanie Akwule

Managing Director

Jason Harris

General Manager