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 and a maximum of five members
  • Founders from Black, Hispanic-Latino, Native American, and other underrepresented groups (minority ownership of 50% or greater)
  • Ideas related to financial technology and/or tech-enabled solutions promoting equity (for example, healthcare, financial or housing inclusion)
  • Participants who have not received prior pre-seed funding

 

While the aspirational goal of our program is to increase access for underrepresented groups, all eligible entrepreneurs regardless of background are encouraged to apply.

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
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.