Bank of America Breakthrough Lab™

What if your big idea became a powerful force for change?

Bank of America Breakthrough LabTM is an impact accelerator program that provides economic opportunity and capital access to Black, Hispanic-Latino, Native American and other underrepresented entrepreneurs. Our part-time program provides hands-on mentorship to early-stage businesses by helping founders build growth models, establish industry contacts and position themselves for funding. Whether you’re looking for digital expertise, industry connections or access to capital opportunities, you can count on us. Your success is our success.

 

We're currently not accepting any applications, but interested candidates or partners can reach out to us at breakthroughlab@bofa.com.

man and woman reading document

Bank of America Breakthrough Lab is open to:

  • Entrepreneurial-spirited teams with a minimum of two members. The program allows up to three founders to participate.
  • Ideas related to financial technology and/or tech-enabled solutions promoting inclusion. See below for examples of tech industry verticals.
    (E.g. FinTech, HealthTech, WealthTech, Housing, EdTech and Cybersecurity)  
  • Pre-seed stage startups

 

Kindly note that while the aspirational goal of our program is to increase access for underrepresented groups*, all entrepreneurs regardless of background are encouraged to apply.

*For US-domiciled applicants: At least 50% ownership, in the aggregate, by Black, Hispanic-Latino, Native America, and other underrepresented groups. Tech Industry vertical examples are: FinTech - Cybersecurity, Payments, Big Data; WealthTech; HealthTech; EdTech; & other platforms that have a social impact or promote equity.

What benefits can you expect?

Curriculum

Learn from bank and industry financial technology experts

Mentoring

Establish connections with senior-level bank mentors and other industry pros

Access to capital

Lab sessions guide founders on positioning for capital and expanding their networks with potential investors and other providers of capital

Program expenses

Bank of America will pay for select expenses associated with the program

High-touch experience

Small cohort size allows for deeper, more frequent connection with program staff and experts

Bank of America Breakthrough LabTM Lifecycle | Onboarding and orientation | Curriculum and mentorship | Investor networking and pitch day | Graduation and alumni support

How it works

The six-month, part-time program provides business resources and best practices from industry experts and successful startups. The high-touch program offers four levels of support:

  • Two to four hours per week of education
  • Weekly one-on-one team office hours
  • Dedicated senior-level mentors
  • Expert insight from industry professionals
Learn more about the program
Resource

Additional Resources

Bank of America Breakthrough LabTM Lifecycle | Onboarding and orientation | Curriculum and mentorship | Investor networking and pitch day | Graduation and alumni support

Treasury4Good Bank and Fintech Awards — Best
Social Innovator

Treasury Management International (TMI) has awarded Bank of America the 2022
Treasury4Good Bank and Fintech Awards — Best Social Innovator, for our Breakthrough
Lab™ program.

The TMI award recognizes financial institutions that have excelled in embedding ESG, CSR
and D&I elements into their treasury processes and are dedicated to continuing CSR
innovation.

Bank of America Breakthrough LabTM Privacy

 

Bank of America is committed to the protection of personal information we collect and process. We conduct regular assessment reviews and abide by rigorous privacy standards to protect personal information we collect, use and share. For more information about how Bank of America protects your privacy, including specific rights that may apply, please visit the Institutional Privacy and the Consumer Privacy pages. California residents may have additional rights and you can find details in our CCPA Notice. Please ensure that you share this information with those in your organization whose information you are sharing with us such as your third party representatives, employees, officers, directors, shareholders, and other related individuals.

 

Explore more

Global Transaction Services

Global Transaction Services

Powered by people. Driven by technology
See the latest from Bank of America Institute

See the latest from Bank of America Institute

Uncovering powerful insights that move business and society forward.
Digital by Design

Digital by Design

What does it mean to become a "digital by design" organization?