Breakthrough Lab: Minority Entrepreneur Accelerator Program

We work with and support underrepresented entrepreneurs by offering tailored executive sponsorships and mentorships to founders.

Bank of America will provide program participants with digital expertise, industry connections and access to investors and other providers of capital. Founders will also receive the day-to-day benefits of our part-time program that is designed to give them flexibility and ongoing assistance with developing their brand identity. Best of all, the program is offered at no cost and there is no requirement to exchange equity with BofA.

Bank of America Breakthrough Lab^TM

Rodney Gardner, Managing Director Co Head GTS Social & Economic Action Council:

I'm Rodney Gardner managing director based here in New York and I am the co-chair of GTS's Social and Economic Action Council of which Breakthrough Labs is part.

Derrick Walton, Managing Director Emerging Payments, Program Sponsor:

I'm Derrick Walton, managing director here in New York as well and I'm one of the founders of Breakthrough Lab. Breakthrough Lab is our attempt to add one of the many ways we give back to the community, but do it a very specific way, which is to support and help underprivileged or I would say groups that have been underserved normally, and give them an opportunity to learn from some of the best that we have at the bank and help grow their company.

Cyrus Sadiq, Founder Petter:

The biggest surprise for me is how much our mentors have cared about us and helped us along the way. What I mean by that is not just about looking us as founders and launching our own business, but as actually people and human beings.

Paul Bryant, Co-Founder Multigenerational:

You really get the feeling that they're doing everything in their power to help us succeed.

Ivan Tchatchouwo, Co- Founder The Zone

Erik Poldroo, Co-Founder The Zone:

It's something that you can't take for granted, a family helping you build what you want to build.

“Bank of America” and “BofA Securities” are the marketing names used by the Global Banking and Global Markets divisions of Bank of America Corporation. Lending, other commercial banking activities, and trading in certain financial instruments are performed globally by banking affiliates of Bank of America Corporation, including Bank of America, N.A., Member FDIC. Trading in securities and financial instruments, and strategic advisory, and other investment banking activities, are performed globally by investment banking affiliates of Bank of America Corporation (“Investment Banking Affiliates”), including, in the United States, BofA Securities, Inc. and Merrill Lynch Professional Clearing Corp., both of which are registered broker-dealers and Members of SIPC, and, in other jurisdictions, by locally registered entities. BofA Securities, Inc. and Merrill Lynch Professional Clearing Corp. are registered as futures commission merchants with the CFTC and are members of the NFA.

Investment products offered by Investment Banking Affiliates:

Are Not FDIC Insured • May Lose Value • Are Not Bank Guaranteed.

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Bank of America Breakthrough Lab is part of a larger initiative from Bank of America to help advance economic and social progress worldwide. The program is developed and led by a diverse team of industry experts.

Rodney Gardner | Managing Director, Co-Head — GTS Social & Economic Action Council

Derrick Walton | Managing Director, Emerging Payments, Program Sponsor

Rina Arline | Managing Director, Program Director

Linda Haddad | Director, Program Coordinator

Eveanandi Butler | Director, Program Coordinator

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Muse

Two CPA founders created Muse to empower consumer and small business taxpayers to take advantage of oﬅen-overlooked tax credits and deductions, while connecting taxpayers with financial products and services that put more money in their pockets.

WealthMore

WealthMore is the premium human-powered, tech-enabled Private Banking service without the premium price tag.

My Home Pathway

My Home Pathway is an app that uses a proprietary algorithm to guide first-time home buyers to approval faster by analyzing data and providing individualized recommendations to improve risk profiles and meet mortgage underwriting requirements of their partners.

Moneta Tech

Moneta is a plugin app that integrates with point of sales systems to issue QR codes for cash receipts. Moneta enables franchisees/retailers to provide change digitally to their customers that operate in cash.

SpenDebt

SpenDebt is an application that deducts micropayments (i.e. $1.00) with every debit card and banking transaction, allowing customers to automatically spend and pay off debt at the same time.

It Starts With Me

It Starts With Me is a financial education platform that aims to revolutionize the way students understand finance through comprehensive, interactive and informative programming.

RE:LINK

RE:LINK is a Web3 company launching "The Timbucktoo", the first-ever Physical NFT marketplace where creators, culture-makers and entrepreneurs are able to pair NFTs to physical products and create IRL (In Real Life) experiences.

HomeBase

HomeBase is a homeownership platform that provides the tools, information and community that people need to make better-informed decisions on homeownership, including down payment grants, loans and more.

Locol

Locol is a digital platform that connects students seeking real-world experience and income with small businesses in need of freelance projects.

Quinn Cobbledger

Quinn Cobbledger uses voice recordings to reduce risk, increase employee retention and hire qualified candidates faster.

NudgU®

NudgU® is an AI-powered application focused on managing personal finances. This ultra-personalized ecosystem adjusts to different expenses, goals and budgeting methods to enhance users' relationships to money.

WePair

Mobilizing community health workers to deliver trusted and culturally competent care.

Framewrk

Framewrk is a technology that connects startup founders together to build emotional well-being, while their machine learning-based consultant delivers strategic insights to build venture backable companies.

TradeIn

TradeIn is an all-in-one cash dynamic SaaS solution built upon AI that enables SMEs to get instant access to embedded working capital financing.

Pardna

Pardna App leverages your familial social capital and trust networks to unlock super low cost short term borrowing and help you achieve saving goals.

Rondu

Rondu is a fintech solution that provides a savings and investments platform for bank/fintech account holders across Latin America and Mexico.

Creizer

Creizer helps Latin American digital businesses grow their sales by providing them with fast and fair capital in the form of a loan they can use to invest in their business and easily pay back.

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Multigenerational

The Zone

Petter

Universal Monetary Systems

Sheer

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

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.