Visible News
March 27, 2026
Happy Friday, Visionaries!This week felt like a true “in the field” moment as we all gathered this week in NYC to welcome our newest cohort of founders, in addition to meeting as a team to share our ideas going into Q2.Here’s a look at what we’ve been up to:VHNYC Cohort Orientation
We spent the week in New York City with orientation for our newest VHNYC cohort, and the energy was everything we hoped for and more.From the start of our initial kickoff dinner, founders were diving into conversations around storytelling, traction, and what it really takes to build in today’s market. Just as important, we saw connections forming in real time, the kind that turn into late-night problem-solving texts, future partnerships, and long-term support systems.There’s something special about getting everyone in the same room at the start of the journey. We can’t wait to see what this cohort builds.
Blueprint Applications Are Now Open
We’re also excited to share that Blueprint:Tulsa 2026 applications are officially open!This program is designed to support overlooked founders across the Southern U.S. who are building tech-enabled businesses and looking to take their next big step.Participants receive funding, tailored programming, and access to a powerful network — all designed to help founders move faster and build stronger.If you’re a founder in the South (or know one), now’s the time to apply. Learn more and apply here by 4/12!
Justin at CUNY
Our Co-Founder/GP Justin Kang was also on the ground this week, speaking at a panel hosted at CUNY focused on entrepreneurship and building in today’s tech landscape.He shared insights on early-stage investing, what founders need to focus on in this market, and how to navigate the realities of building from day one. Conversations like these are always a reminder of how much emerging founders are eager to learn, and how important it is to meet them with transparency and real talk.
Kerry's Thoughts On the Manosphere
On the digital front, our Director of Brand & Marketing Kerry Ingram recently shared a piece unpacking the rise of the “manosphere” after viewing the recent Netflix documentary, and what it reveals about power, identity, and the current cultural moment.The piece explores how these narratives show up, why they stay, and why creating safe spaces for community is more important now than ever before. You can read her full deep dive here.
Read on for this week's latest founder updates, funding opportunities, resources and more!Be well,The Visible Hands Team
Portfolio Founders
Kelsey Willock Jones of Aura Finance was recently highlighted by Segal Ventures!
Tameshia Rudd-Ridge and Jourdan Brunson of kinkofa were recently featured on Roland Martin's show!
VHNYC Founders
VHBOS Founders
Blueprint: Tulsa Founders
SEEN Founders
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WHAT WE HAVE OUR EYES ON
💸 Funding Opportunities
Bundle x Joy GiveawayFor: women founders$$$: $25KDeadline: March 30Hello Alice x Pilot Growth FundFor: any founder$$$: $10K-$50KDeadline: March 31Outta ExcusesFor: any founder$$$: $3K-$10KDeadline: March 31Impact Ventures Impact GrantFor: women and BIPOC, North Texas-based founders$$$: $1KDeadline: March 31Breva Thrive GrantFor: overlooked founders$$$: $5KDeadline: March 31Operation SecretSOS Small Business GrantFor: small business founders$$$: $2.5KDeadline: March 31Verizon x LISC Digital Ready GrantFor: small business founders in NY, CA, and WV$$$: $15KDeadline: March 31Shophand Small Business Boost GrantFor: small business founders$$$: $5KDeadline: April 1Makers Mindset GrantFor: women CPG founders$$$: $10KDeadline: April 10Lenovo Backing Every Business GrantFor: small business founders$$$: $10K Deadline: April 15LA2050 Grants Challenge For: LA impact founders$$$: up to $75K Deadline: April 22Famous Amos Ingredients for Success GrantFor: Black founders$$$: $50K Deadline: April 23NAACP x L'oreal Inclusive Beauty FundFor: beauty founders & influencers$$$: $25K Deadline: April 23Hey Helen GrantFor: women founders$$$: $10K Deadline: April 30The Philadelphia Small Business Catalyst FundFor: small businesses in Philly$$$: $50KDeadline: rolling deadlineThe McKinney Innovation FundFor: Texas-based founders$$$: $50K-$500KDeadline: rolling deadlinePower Forward Small Business GrantFor: small businesses in New England$$$: $25KDeadline: rolling deadlineiFund Women Universal GrantFor: women foundersDeadline: rolling deadlineYippityDoo Big Idea GrantFor: women founders$$$: $1KDeadline: rolling deadlineHer Culture Micro GrantFor: African and Caribbean women $$$: $500Deadline: rolling deadlineWomensNet Amber Grant for WomenFor: women founders$$$: $25KDeadline: rolling deadlineWish Local Empowerment ProgramFor: Black-owned brick-and-mortar businesses$$$: $500-$2KDeadline: rolling deadlineBoston Celtics United, VistaPrint & NAACP Power Forward GrantFor: Black-owned businesses in New England$$$: $25KDeadline: rolling deadlineHustler's MicrograntFor: small business owners $$$: $1KDeadline: rolling deadlineIdea Cafe Small Business GrantFor: women founders$$$: $1KDeadline: rolling deadline
⚡️ Accelerators, Programs & Competitions
Arch Grants Startup CompetitionFor: early-stage founders$$$: $75KDeadline: March 31Agora Venture CompetitionFor: women founders in the DMV$$$: $10KDeadline: March 31Elevate x Ascend Leap ProgramFor: BIPOC foundersDeadline: March 31Sephora Accelerate ProgramFor: beauty foundersDeadline: March 31Leading Ladies Pitch CompetitionFor: women founders$$$: up to $15KDeadline: April 1Goldman Sachs OMBW: Black in Business ProgramFor: Black foundersDeadline: April 2Multilingual by DesignFor: AI builders partnering with education nonprofits $$$: up to $350KDeadline: April 3CleanTech Open AcceleratorFor: CleanTech foundersDeadline: April 6Opportunity Fund Open PitchFor: early-stage tech founders$$$: $125K
Deadline: April 10Blueprint: Tulsa ProgramFor: early-stage tech founders$$$: $10K
Deadline: April 12Neurodiverse Entrepreneurship ProgramFor: neurodivergent founders$$$: $19KDeadline: April 15Urban Future Prize CompetitionFor: climatetech founders$$$: up to $50KDeadline: April 27Dreaming Out Loud DREAM ProgramFor: food and beverage founders in the DMV area$$$: $15KDeadline: May 2Blue Ridge Labs 2026 Founder FellowshipFor: early-stage founders$$$: $20KDeadline: May 3
🎪 Featured Events
Women Who Network: Beyond the Brand EventFor: women founders, creatives and investorsWhen: March 31, 6-8:30pm, New York, NYBuilding & Monetizing Impactful Communities: Women's History Month EditionFor: any founderWhen: March 31, 7pm EST, VirtualHuCapital's HuLane MixerFor: NYC-based creatives and professionalsWhen: April 2, 6-10pm, New York, NY
[VH FOUNDER COMMUNITY: Use code HUCRUFREE for a free standard ticket or code HUFAM5 for $5 off a Founders Corner ticket!]Win More Grants: Use AI to Strengthen Every ApplicationFor: any founderWhen: April 15, 2-2:30pm ET, Virtual
May Founders & VCs Masterclass & MixerFor: any founder or VCWhen: May 5, 6-8pm, New York, NY
💼 Featured Jobs
Our friends over at Liberty Mutual are hiring for multiple innovation-related positions - learn more about the available roles and apply here!
🧑🏽💻
What we are loving lately
Listening: Flo's Tiny Desk Concert
Plus our fave posts of the week...
If you'd like your founder resource or event/conference to be featured in our weekly newsletter, shoot us a message at kerry@visiblehands.vc
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