# Blackbox

> Blackbox is a Palo Alto nonprofit that connects global startup founders with Silicon Valley mentors, peers and entrepreneurial culture. Its flagship Blackbox Connect offered two-week residential programs; Blackbox Ignite brought three-day workshops to local startup ecosystems. The website currently announces a programming pause and closed applications, while a 2025 World Bank report describes its support for refugee founders.

- **Founded:** 2011
- **Headquarters:** Palo Alto, United States
- **Founders:** Fadi Bishara (Founder and CEO)
- **Products:** Blackbox Connect, Blackbox Ignite, Blackbox alumni community
- **Notable:** Official Connect pause announcement reports 415 leaders from 62 countries and 25 program cycles., Official Connect page reports a historical 91% startup survival rate, 39% female founders and 28 exits; these are organizational claims without a displayed measurement period., A 2025 World Bank report describes alumni raising approximately $1.5 billion and achieving more than 30 exits; these are alumni outcomes, not Blackbox funding or valuation.

## Products & services

- **Blackbox Connect** — Two-week residential founder-development program in Silicon Valley, combining workshops, mentoring, peer learning and pitch coaching. The official website announces a pause after 25 cycles.
- **Blackbox Ignite** — Three-day in-country program for startup ecosystem partners: public event, founder workshops and ecosystem planning. General programming pause and closed applications mean current availability should not be assumed.
- **Blackbox alumni community** — A global network of founders, mentors and partners, with more than 400 alumni historically reported.

## Achievements

- Official Connect pause announcement reports 415 leaders from 62 countries and 25 program cycles.
- Official Connect page reports a historical 91% startup survival rate, 39% female founders and 28 exits; these are organizational claims without a displayed measurement period.
- A 2025 World Bank report describes alumni raising approximately $1.5 billion and achieving more than 30 exits; these are alumni outcomes, not Blackbox funding or valuation.

## Latest updates

- **2026-10** — Checked October 27: official application page says applications are closed; Connect page retains an undated announcement pausing existing programming after 25 cycles.
- **2025-09** — FY2024 Form 990 filed September 16, 2025 reports $120,018 revenue and $67,472 expenses.
- **—** — The World Bank’s The Refugee Market report profiles Blackbox’s support for refugee founders, including business registration, legal structures and mobility barriers.

## Links

- Website: https://www.blackbox.org/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/2466995/
- Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/blackboxvc
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stepinsidetheblackbox/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/blackbox.org

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/blackbox
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-27