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Sponsorship

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Sponsor Howard University once and your brand appears on the Howard University page and across every one of its programs and student-startup pages — not just this page.

Entrepreneurship CenterIndirect supportNo equityVerified

Howard University & PNC National Center for Entrepreneurship

Also known as: HU x PNC Center, PNC National Center for Entrepreneurship

Howard University · Washington, DC

National consortium and resource hub for HBCU entrepreneurship, headquartered at Howard University. Founded 2021 with a $16.8 million, five-year grant from the PNC Foundation. Serves 101+ HBCUs through four regional hubs (Mid-Atlantic, Southeast, Mid-South, Southwest). National Executive Director: Johnny Graham, Ph.D. Has awarded over $450,000 in venture funding and reached over 75% of all HBCUs.

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Quick fit check

  • Indirect support only
  • No equity required
  • Currently active
  • Verified by research

Key numbers

Funding range

—

Equity

None

Application

Rolling

National

Last activity

2026-06-24

High confidence

Key Programming

  • Startup Scholars Program — Up to $10,000 funding for HBCU student entrepreneurs, with mentorship and workshops
  • Faculty Fellowship Program — $10,000 awards for HBCU faculty entrepreneurship research
  • HBCU Consulting Lab — 8-week program connecting students with local businesses
  • Prime Incubator — Incubator program for early-stage ventures
  • Idea-to-App Accelerator — 15-week program for non-technical entrepreneurs
  • Ready, Set, Launch — 5-week social entrepreneurship bootcamp
  • Startup Skills Academy — Noncredit courses on AI, finance, marketing
  • Dreams to Dollars — Monthly webinar series with trailblazing founders
  • HBCU Empower Conference — Annual national conference (June, Washington DC)
  • Entrepreneurship Education Innovation Grant — $25K grants for HBCU program development

Activity & Impact

The Center has reached 75% of all HBCUs, awarded $450K+ in venture funding, and supported thousands of entrepreneurs through its network of regional hubs. The annual HBCU Empower Conference draws founders, investors, and ecosystem leaders from across the country. Meets national demand for HBCU-focused entrepreneurship infrastructure.

Notes

  • National scope — serves 101+ HBCUs, not just Howard
  • Regional hubs: Howard (Mid-Atlantic), Clark Atlanta (Southeast), Morgan State (Mid-South), Texas Southern (Southwest)
  • No ongoing grant program — funding through competitions and program participation
  • Faculty programs, student programs, and community entrepreneur programs