Heart of Innovation HBCU Challenge

Five finalists were selected to participate in a four-week accelerator where they received expert mentorship and exclusive resources to enhance their value propositions and refine their brand story. Participants presented their solutions at a final showcase on February 24, 2025, to compete for a $10,000 grant.

Core Futures Innovations

Core Futures Innovations creates technology solutions rooted in culture and driven by data to empower underserved communities. By bridging data gaps and providing access to education and culturally-driven strategies, they aim to drive equitable progress and transform these hubs into thriving centers of innovation and sustainable growth.

JiLuna

JiLuna revolutionizes women's health by offering a comprehensive suite of tools and personalized care to conquer menopausal symptoms. Their solution includes an intuitive app, direct-to-door bioidentical hormone replacement therapy and telehealth services.

StonefacedRX

StonefacedRX leverages tele-dermatology to advance health equity by providing personalized skin care regimens for people of color. By developing a diverse medical image repository, they aim to enhance dermatological equity and significantly reduce the average psoriasis diagnosis time of three years for people of color.

Zuri Fertility

Zuri Fertility simplifies the infertility process through a patented digital platform that connects couples to culturally competent fertility specialists, dieticians, nutritionists and mental health therapists. By addressing the root causes of inequities in fertility care, Zuri Fertility bridges gaps in access and empowers families with the tools and resources they need to succeed. Through their app and in-person experiences, they provide telehealth, at-home testing, education and care coordination.