EMPOWERING VISIONARY ENTREPRENEURS
Year 3 Grant Details
Founded by entrepreneur and investor Nancy Twine, Makers Mindset is a purpose-driven platform that equips aspiring founders with the tools, knowledge, and community they need to thrive. From mentorship to grants to digital resources, Makers Mindset is on a mission to democratize access to entrepreneurship for underrepresented founders everywhere.
For 2026, the Dream Makers Founder Grant is partnering with Makers Mindset to provide monthly equity-free grants to underrepresented CPG founders, advancing a shared commitment to empowering entrepreneurs and driving equitable opportunity within the consumer space.
Applications open in 2026!
Black Ambition, founded by Pharrell Williams, is a non-profit initiative working to close the opportunity and wealth gap through entrepreneurship. Its mission is to fund bold ideas and reduce barriers to capital by investing in high-growth startups founded by underrepresented entrepreneurs. Through mentorship and funding opportunities up to $1,000,000, Black Ambition empowers founders historically left out of traditional investment funnels
For 2026, the Dream Makers Founder Grant will fund grants as part of the 2026 Black Ambition Prize Competition, specifically supporting underrepresented CPG founders.
Applications for the 2026 competition open in Q1.
Show Your Support
Your tax-deductible support may allow the Dream Makers Founder Grant to extend beyond the 4-year period and reach new partners and businesses to make a significant difference in the journey of aspiring entrepreneurs.
My Why
“In 2014, I launched Briogeo at Sephora as the then-youngest Black female founder, marking a significant milestone in a world often resistant to change. Despite early funding challenges, Sephora believed in my vision and served as a beacon of hope.
In 2021, I joined Sephora’s Accelerate program, mentoring BIPOC and underrepresented beauty brand founders. Sharing my experiences helped them avoid common pitfalls and confidently scale their businesses. This experience strengthened my commitment to empowering underrepresented founders.
Early-stage funding can be challenging, particularly for founders without access to friends & family capital or institutional investors. Drawing from my own journey, I established the Dream Makers Founder Grant, to provide crucial, no-strings-attached funding to underrepresented founders.
I am grateful to those who supported me and am thrilled to pay it forward. I hope the Dream Makers Founder Grant, combined with mentorship, will inspire and empower underrepresented founders to relentlessly pursue their dreams. Together, we can shape the future of business and create a world where all founders have an opportunity to thrive.”
— Nancy Twine