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§ Venture Capital · San Francisco, CA, USA
San Francisco pre-seed accelerator uplifting underrepresented founders with up to $125K direct investment
San Francisco pre-seed accelerator uplifting underrepresented founders with up to $125K direct investment
Key people at Nex Cubed.
Nex Cubed was founded in 2016 by Kip Quackenbush (Co-Founder, President).
Nex Cubed was founded in 2016 by Kip Quackenbush (Co-Founder, President).
Key people at Nex Cubed.
Nex Cubed is a pre-seed venture accelerator based in San Francisco that focuses on investing in and uplifting underrepresented founders, particularly Black, female, and Latin entrepreneurs who historically receive less than 2% of all venture capital funding. Their mission is to create an inclusive and diverse startup ecosystem by providing up to $125K in direct investment, hands-on mentorship, and access to a global network of investors, advisors, and corporate partners. They emphasize startups solving real-world problems in sectors like financial services, healthcare, education, and housing, aiming to generate impact aligned with the Triple Bottom Line—people, planet, and profit.
Nex Cubed has accelerated over 300 companies, with 65% led by underrepresented founders, helping raise more than $500 million in capital and creating over 5,000 jobs. Their accelerator programs are highly customized, remote, and founder-focused, offering lifetime support and embedding paid expert advisors to work closely with startups throughout the program[1][2][3][4].
Founded in 2016 by Phil Terrill, a Tuskegee University (HBCU) graduate, Nex Cubed evolved from a focus on supporting Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) to a broader mission of uplifting underrepresented founders across the U.S. The company’s leadership includes key partners such as Kip Quackenbush (Co-founder, President & COO). Over time, Nex Cubed has expanded its focus to include industry-specific accelerators and a dedicated HBCU Founders Accelerator, which supports startups with at least one founder affiliated with an HBCU.
The idea emerged from recognizing the severe funding gap faced by minority entrepreneurs and the need for a tailored, equity-driven accelerator that provides not just capital but also strategic support and access to networks. Early traction came from successfully accelerating startups like SoleSafe™ (automated underwriting for sneakers) and Enrichly (an educational equity platform), demonstrating the impact of their model on diverse founders[1][2][5].
Nex Cubed rides the growing trend of impact investing and diversity-focused venture capital, addressing systemic inequities in startup funding. The timing is critical as the tech ecosystem increasingly recognizes the value of diverse founders in driving innovation and social impact. Market forces such as increased demand for ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) principles and social entrepreneurship align with Nex Cubed’s mission to embed these values into early-stage startups.
By focusing on underrepresented founders and underserved communities, Nex Cubed helps diversify the innovation pipeline, influencing the broader ecosystem to become more inclusive and equitable. Their model also supports the rise of remote and customized accelerator programs, which expand access beyond traditional geographic and demographic boundaries[1][3][4].
Nex Cubed is poised to deepen its influence by scaling its tailored accelerator programs, especially the HBCU Founders Accelerator launching cohorts in 2025. As diversity and impact investing continue to gain momentum, Nex Cubed’s approach of combining capital, mentorship, and network access uniquely positions it to shape the future of inclusive entrepreneurship.
Emerging trends such as remote acceleration, sector-specific programs, and integration of ESG principles will likely shape their journey. Their ongoing commitment to the Triple Bottom Line and expanding global network suggests Nex Cubed will remain a key player in redefining venture capital to be more equitable and impact-driven, continuing to uplift underrepresented founders and create systemic change in the startup ecosystem[3][4][5].