Announcing the BFN Accelerate 2025 startups!
Through a competitive selection process, 11 early-stage Black-led startups from the BFN community were chosen
to participate in the 2025 BFN Accelerate Program.
Join us at the BFN Demo Day & 4th Anniversary Celebration on October 17th to meet the startup teams in person and learn more about their ventures.
Meet the 2025 Cohort
CELLECT Laboratories
Founder: Ibukun Elebute
| CELLECT Laboratories is transforming cervical and gynecological diagnostics with a non-invasive, lab-compatible collection device that captures high-quality samples from menstrual or vaginal fluid. Integrated into a simple stick-on pad strip, it offers a more accessible and comfortable alternative for populations with barriers to traditional methods. CELLECT empowers self-sampling at home while improving lab efficiency and diagnostic accuracy. |
Beau Vision AI (Known as Beau)
Founder: Didier Ramazani
| Beau Vision AI is a beauty tech startup using AI and AR to deliver inclusive, hyper-accurate virtual makeup try-ons. Built to reflect all skin tones and conditions, the platform helps retailers reduce returns and serve overlooked communities. Available as SaaS and in-store kiosks, it enables personalized, hygienic, and sustainable beauty experiences. |
Swiirl
Founder: Kay Boamah
| Swiirl is a community-powered creative agency platform that reimagines brand engagement through grassroots collaboration. By turning local creators, leaders, and organizations into co-creators—not just target audiences—Swiirl helps brands build authentic campaigns with real community impact. |
Lisnen
Founder: Eyra Abraham
| Lisnen is a tech platform empowering people with hearing loss to navigate a sound-focused world through accessible, non-audio communication tools. It enables greater independence and connection to both people and their surroundings. |
Roshi AI
Founder: Jonny Kalambay
| Roshi is an AI-powered tool that helps teachers quickly generate targeted lessons and activities. Designed to save educators hours each week, Roshi streamlines planning so teachers can focus more on students and less on workload. |
shuriii
Founder: Curtis Carmichael
| shuriii is an instructional design copilot built for K–12 teachers in high-needs schools. It centralizes lesson plans, tools, and student data into one platform, offering real-time insights and personalized interventions to help close achievement gaps and support underserved communities. |
Ginny
Founder: Bianci Mensah
| Ginny is a Canadian non-alcoholic beverage brand crafting adaptogen-powered spritzers that boost mood, focus, and calm. Made with 4000mg of plant-based ingredients and rooted in West African and South Asian traditions, Ginny offers a wellness-first drinking ritual that celebrates culture and joy—without the alcohol. |
Groupbuyhive
Founder: Faith Oloruntoba
| Groupbuyhive is a retail tech platform helping independent and ethnic grocers sell online, manage inventory, and streamline operations. With AI-powered tools for smart tracking, personalized suggestions, and customer engagement, it’s making it easier for food retailers to thrive in the digital market. |
B12Give
Founder: Tony Colley
| B12Give is a tech-driven food recovery platform that connects surplus food from businesses to food-insecure communities in real time. With automated logistics, seamless onboarding, and impact reporting, it helps retailers divert edible excess from landfills, cut waste costs, and turn everyday surplus into measurable social and environmental impact. |
Magnify Access
Founder: Lyle Williams
| W-PAS transforms how organizations handle workplace accommodations through AI-driven innovation. The platform streamlines the process, easing administrative load and ensuring compliance with accessibility standards. By offering tailored accommodation solutions, W-PAS empowers employers to support diverse needs, enhancing employee well-being, productivity, and workplace inclusion. |
Graspr AI
Founder: Yann SAAH
| Graspr AI redefines learning by turning everyday content into interactive study tools. From PDFs and YouTube videos to audio transcriptions, the platform creates quizzes, flashcards, and gamified study bites. Designed for modern learners, Graspr AI makes studying more engaging, efficient, and accessible. |