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African Diaspora Network is currently accepting applications for its Accelerating Business Leadership and Entrepreneurship (ABLE) Program 2026. Interested applicants are encouraged to click here to learn more about this opportunity and apply for it.
Accelerating Business Leadership and Entrepreneurship (ABLE) is an accelerator program designed to support impact-driven businesses in the United States that address critical community needs and advance innovative solutions. The program is especially committed to enabling entrepreneurs of African descent in the USA by providing investor-readiness training, mentorship, access to capital, and meaningful connections to global industry leaders. Since its launch in 2021, 70 founders have successfully completed the program.
Program Benefits
For consideration, prospective candidates must meet the following requirements:
Founder or executive of a scalable, for-profit startup
Company must be led or co-led by historically excluded entrepreneurs, with focus on those of African descendant
The company is early-stage and revenue-generating (seed to Series A).
Enterprise must be headquartered in the United States
Must be an established legal entity already in operation for 6 months or more
Must have a proven product market fit with active customers and demonstrable revenue streams
Must have a clear and sustainable business model with financial projections for growth
Evidence of customer adoption, market traction, and demand for the solution
Strong value proposition with a differentiated product or service
A clearly defined target market and competitive positioning
Leverage technology or innovative solutions to drive impact
Commitment to solving pressing challenges through sustainable and scalable innovations
Applicants must commit to attending all ABLE sessions, completing required program tasks, and actively collaborating with their cohort, mentors, and facilitators.
Primary Selection Criteria
Must demonstrate early traction evidenced in growing usage, revenue, or other metrics–concepts, pitches, or prototypes are not eligible. The business should have a website and a tangible digital or physical product or service.
Potential for financial sustainability, investment, scalability
Demonstrate quantifiable impact and market reach
The entrepreneur must be able to dedicate time to program activities, including enterprise training, mentorship sessions, networking events, and availability to attend the in-person pitch day and pitch day practice. Finalists are expected to meet with program peers, ADN network members, mentors, and sponsors as part of their commitment. Participants are expected to adhere to a high level of personal and professional integrity, respect for one another, and accountability.
Secondary Selection Criteria
Applications are welcome from all industries and for businesses that are impact-oriented.
Balanced gender representation among entrepreneurs.
Reasonable geographic distribution among the United States and territories.
Cross-sector diversity and a comprehensive mix that showcases impact and innovation among multiple sectors, including education, healthcare, finance, connectivity, agriculture, and renewable energy.
Apply for ABLE Program 2026
