black founders.

CANADIAN Founders can pitch to win $100K, $50K, 

or one of two $25K cash prizes — no equity, no catch.

real capital.

no strings.

PRESENTED BY:

FACE COALITION

☾

IN COLLABORATION WITH:

BLACK AMBITION

☽

PRESENTED BY: FACE COALITION ☾ IN COLLABORATION WITH: BLACK AMBITION ☽

in our 

phases 

we glow 

Melamoon is more than a pitch competition– it’s a capital-powered launchpad for Black founders. Backed by FACE Coalition and Black Ambition, this national initiative is designed to spotlight, support, and scale bold ideas rooted in culture and community.

This September in Toronto, 50 founders will be selected to join a transformational journey that includes virtual workshops, direct exposure to investors and mentors, and the opportunity to pitch for non-dilutive cash prizes– no equity taken.

Melamoon is about more than funding. It’s about shared power, collective growth, and building an ecosystem where Black entrepreneurs can lead on their own terms.

Applications open on July 16. Let’s build what’s next– together.

Application
submission
and criteria 

Applications are due August 15th at 6:00pm EST. A panel of expert judges will review applications and select up to 50 founders to advance to the digital learning program and up to 6 founders to participate in the in person pitch competition on September 27th.

    • Business at least 51% owned, operated, and controlled by person(s) who identify as Black/African/African Canadian

    • Founder and business residing/operating in Canada. 

    • Business operating for less than ten (10) years

    • No direct or indirect operating relationship with an existing large scale corporation, investment fund, or government agency

    • Founders and their immediate family members cannot be employed or contracted by Black Ambition or FACE.

    • Annual business revenues less than $1,000,000

    • Have not yet raised more than $1,000,000 in dilutive capital

    • Businesses must be innovating in consumer products & services, healthcare, media & entertainment, technology, and/or AI.

All determinations of participant eligibility shall be made at the sole discretion of Black Ambition and FACE.

THE phases

Black Ambition and FACE are partnering to provide capital and training to Canadian based entrepreneurs who are growing early-stage businesses in consumer products & services, healthcare, media & entertainment, technology, and AI to help close the opportunity and wealth gap and to position diverse founders to excel, uninterrupted. 

Our goal is to fund bold ideas, and to help reduce barriers to accessing capital.

  • Applications are due August 15th at 6:00pm EST. 

    Founders from across Canada have the opportunity to apply for a chance to be one of 6 founders to pitch on Demo Day. A panel of expert judges will review applications and select up to 50 founders to move on to phase 2 and 3.

  • 50 finalists will be invited to participate in our virtual workshops. Each workshop is unique, full of perspectives and learning opportunities to grow your business and sharpen your skills.

  • The 50 chosen founders are invited to a night of great food, culture, and connections. Meet founders like you and potential investors in an exclusive networking dinner event.

  • Of the 50 founders, only 6 will move on to pitch at our live demo day, featuring $200,000 across 4 prize opportunities, on September 27th. The first place winner will receive $100,000, the second place winner will receive $50,000, and the third place will receive $25,000, and an additional $25,000 for our audience choice award.

MEET the visionaries

Founded in 2021, The Federation of African Canadian Economics (FACE) is a national and bilingual Black-led non-profit organization aimed at providing Black entrepreneurs in Canada with access to critical capital investments, working capital, and additional business resources for their success. 

With the Government of Canada and the Business Development Bank of Canada as key partners and funders, FACE administers the Black Entrepreneurship Loan Fund (BELF) — a 160 million dollar fund that has disbursed over 50 million to over 600 Black owned businesses across Canada.

Founded by Pharrell Williams in 2020, Black Ambition positions underrepresented entrepreneurs to excel, uninterrupted, through the provision of capital, coaching, community and care. Black Ambition seeks to close the wealth and opportunity gap through an annual prize competition for diverse founders leading growth-ready ventures in healthcare, technology, media and entertainment, consumer products and services, and AI. To date, Black Ambition has mentored more than 1,175 entrepreneurs and awarded approximately $13M to 131 trailblazing innovators. Black Ambition’s transformative efforts have been recognized by Forbes, Bloomberg, RealLeaders, Essence, Complex, Variety, Afrotech, MSN and many more for driving meaningful change.