AI Illumination Grant for Black-Owned Businesses Leveraging AI Technology

Grant Overview

Kevin Hart’s Hartbeat Ventures Partners with Fifteen Percent Pledge to Transform Black Businesses Through Artificial Intelligence

Donor: Fifteen Percent Pledge in partnership with a16z Cultural Leadership Fund (CLF) and Hartbeat Ventures

About: The AI Illumination Grant represents a pioneering initiative designed to bridge the technological divide facing Black-owned businesses in today’s rapidly evolving digital economy. Launched through a strategic collaboration between the Fifteen Percent Pledge, Kevin Hart’s Hartbeat Ventures, and Andreessen Horowitz’s Cultural Leadership Fund, this program addresses a critical gap in the entrepreneurial ecosystem: equitable access to transformative AI technologies that can dramatically accelerate business growth and innovation.

At its core, the AI Illumination Grant recognizes that while artificial intelligence is revolutionizing industries worldwide, minority entrepreneurs often face significant barriers to adoption, including limited technical knowledge, inadequate funding for implementation, and insufficient exposure to practical applications. This innovative program tackles these challenges through a dual approach: first educating entrepreneurs through specialized, accessible webinars that demystify AI tools, then providing substantial financial support ($20,000 for the winner and $15,000 for the runner-up) to implement these technologies in real-world business settings.

What distinguishes this grant opportunity is its focus on practical, immediate implementation rather than theoretical exploration. The educational component includes two carefully crafted webinars: “Leveraging AI for Seamless Storytelling with Gamma” (March 13) and “Generative AI for Product Design with Raspberry AI” (March 21). These sessions are specifically designed to introduce business funding applicants to user-friendly AI platforms that can enhance brand storytelling and streamline product design—two critical areas where AI can deliver immediate competitive advantages for e-commerce ventures.

The Fifteen Percent Pledge, founded by Aurora James, has already made significant strides in economic justice by challenging retailers to dedicate 15% of their shelf space to Black-owned brands. This commitment has created pathways for over 800 Black-owned businesses to access mainstream retail opportunities through partnerships with 29 major retailers. The AI Illumination Grant extends this mission by equipping Black entrepreneurs with the technological tools needed to scale effectively in the digital marketplace and overcome historical funding disparities that have limited growth potential.

For eligible businesses, participation in this program offers benefits that extend far beyond the financial award. Recipients gain access to cutting-edge AI applications that can transform multiple aspects of their operations—from creating more personalized customer experiences and optimizing inventory management to developing compelling marketing campaigns and identifying new market opportunities. These technological advantages can help overcome many of the systemic challenges traditionally faced when scaling startups and small businesses in competitive markets.

Strategic applicants will approach this opportunity by clearly articulating specific AI implementation plans that address current business challenges and accelerate growth trajectories. The most competitive applications will demonstrate not only a clear understanding of how AI tools can transform their specific business model but also a vision for how these technologies can create long-term competitive advantages and market differentiation. Professional grant services can significantly enhance your application by helping identify the most compelling AI use cases for your specific business operations and articulating them effectively in your submission.

While the application process requires only attendance at a minimum of one educational webinar, comprehensive preparation can dramatically increase your chances of success. Developing a detailed business plan that integrates AI applications and clearly demonstrates market potential will set your application apart. Our team of expert grant writing specialists can help you craft a compelling narrative that showcases your business’s unique value proposition and strategic vision for implementing AI technologies to drive sustainable growth.

Focus: AI technology adoption, Black entrepreneurship, e-commerce growth, business innovation, digital transformation, minority business empowerment, small business development, technology equity

Region: United States

Eligibility:
-Must attend at least one of two educational webinars
-Must be a member of the Fifteen Percent Pledge’s Business Equity Community
-Must operate an e-commerce business selling unique physical products
-Business must be Black-owned (at least one self-identifying Black person with 50% or more equity)
-Must have between 1-15 employees, including the founder
-No minimum revenue requirement
-Must demonstrate high potential for growth and innovation
-Must have a clear use case for AI tools

Benefits:
-$20,000 grant for the winner
-$15,000 grant for the runner-up
-Access to educational webinars on practical AI applications
-Exposure to cutting-edge AI tools like Gamma and Raspberry AI
-Strategic guidance on implementing technology for business growth
-Networking opportunities with leading technology partners
-Visibility through the Fifteen Percent Pledge platform

Deadline: May 2, 2025

Terms:
-Business Equity Community: The Fifteen Percent Pledge’s network of Black-owned businesses receiving support, resources, and opportunities for growth
-Generative AI: Artificial intelligence systems capable of creating content, designs, and solutions based on provided prompts or parameters
-E-commerce business: A business that sells products or services primarily through online channels
-Webinar: An interactive online seminar or workshop accessed via the internet
-Gamma: An AI tool used for creating impactful brand presentations and marketing materials
-Raspberry AI: A technology platform designed to streamline product design and fuel creative development