# Nex Cubed

> Nex Cubed is a San Francisco-based pre-seed venture accelerator, investment manager and startup studio supporting underrepresented founders. Its HBCU Founders Accelerator combines an initial $120,000 investment with a primarily virtual 16-week program and paid executive-level advisors; it also runs corporate innovation, venture scouting and international market-entry programs.

- **Founded:** 2016
- **Headquarters:** San Francisco, United States
- **Founders:** Kip Quackenbush (Co-Founder, President & COO), Kelsey Morgan (Co-Founder; formerly Chief Growth Officer), Bill Malloy III (Co-Founder)
- **Products:** HBCU Founders Accelerator, HBCU Founders Fund, Venture Scouting, Corporate Innovation and Venture Studio, International Startup Acceleration and Startup Academy
- **Notable:** Website reports 300+ companies accelerated, over $500 million raised by companies, 65% led by underrepresented founders and 5,000+ jobs created; self-reported, undated totals., Screened over 270 startups and selected eight for the inaugural 2023 HBCU accelerator cohort., Spring 2025 marked the fourth HBCU Founders Accelerator cohort.

## Products & services

- **HBCU Founders Accelerator** — Primarily virtual 16-week program with an initial $120,000 investment, paid advisors, customized goals and investor access. At least one founder must be an HBCU student, alum or faculty member.
- **HBCU Founders Fund** — Venture fund targeting $40 million; a June 2026 account reports more than $9 million raised and over 30 investments.
- **Venture Scouting** — Training, mentorship and due diligence experience for scouts; offers carry on sourced startups invested in by Nex Cubed.
- **Corporate Innovation and Venture Studio** — Customized accelerators, startup scouting, pilot support and new venture creation for companies, foundations and governments.
- **International Startup Acceleration and Startup Academy** — US market-entry support; accelerator runs 3-6 months, academy one week to two months.
- **PowerUp** — Venture studio collaboration focused on health disparities; surfaced two food-insecurity business concepts in 2023.

## Achievements

- Website reports 300+ companies accelerated, over $500 million raised by companies, 65% led by underrepresented founders and 5,000+ jobs created; self-reported, undated totals.
- Screened over 270 startups and selected eight for the inaugural 2023 HBCU accelerator cohort.
- Spring 2025 marked the fourth HBCU Founders Accelerator cohort.
- June 2026 account reports over 30 investments from the HBCU Founders Fund.
- Affiliated HBCUFI reports supporting more than 1,600 students and alumni from 80+ HBCUs as of June 2026.

## Latest updates

- **2026-06** — Marlon Evans reported more than $9 million raised and over 30 investments from the HBCU Founders Fund; fundraising toward the $40 million target continued.
- **2025-07** — Nex Cubed published Spring 2025 cohort founder spotlights, including Rachel Cash of Elroi.
- **2025-04** — Announced Spring 2025 HBCU cohort following a Washington, DC kickoff; featured Bruce, DocTalk, Elroi, Freedom and Obai.
- **2024-05** — Bank of America and NCInvest joined Costco as HBCU Founders Fund investors.

## Links

- Website: https://www.nex3.com/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/nex-cubed/
- Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/nexcubed
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBEuszqBLFqN961lDfY6gDA/videos
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nexcubed/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nexcubed

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/nex-cubed
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-08