Page 25 - TMCF 2024 Annual Report

CNA AND GUIDEWIRE HBCU INNOVATION CHALLENGE
The Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF), in partnership with two dynamic collaborative partners
in CNA Insurance and Guidewire Software, hosted the inaugural HBCU Innovation Challenge. This exciting event was a three-and-a-half-day case competition covering design-thinking, business modeling and pitch instruction. CNA and Guidewire hosted panel sessions focused on careers in insurance and software development. Winners received scholarship awards and participants had the opportunity to meet with CNA and Guidewire executives and senior leaders.
SO. AMBITIOUS HBCU TOUR
The SO. Ambitious HBCU Tour provides a collaborative platform leveraging the training resources of three key partners—TMCF, Black Ambition and Techstars. The tour visits up to eight HBCU campuses nationwide to deliver entrepreneurial training, mentorship and business pitch events. This initiative aims to empower and uplift the HBCU community, addressing its underrepresentation in the startup ecosystem. By inspiring potential entrepreneurs and providing a pathway to action, the tour fosters connections between the HBCU network and a broader network of allies and resources.
MOLSON COORS INNOVATION CHALLENGE
The Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) once again held the Molson Coors Innovation Challenge. In its second year, this innovation challenge was made possible by sponsorship from the Molson Coors Beverage Company. Twenty-five participants gained essential entrepreneurial skills, including pitching techniques and business model development.
TRUIST INNOVATION CHALLENGE
The Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF), in partnership with Truist,
announced the fourth-annual Truist Innovation Challenge in Charlotte, North
Carolina. This five-day innovation challenge featured a case competition which combined design thinking framework, business modeling and pitch instruction to
aid selected HBCU students in developing impactful solutions. Monetary awards
and tech prizes were awarded to the winning team at the conclusion of the experience.
THURGOOD MARSHALL COLLEGE FUND 25