Nashville Entrepreneur Center announces new funding from Cummins Inc. to support local Black entrepreneurs in monthly pitch competition

The Nashville Entrepreneur Center (NEC), a non-profit dedicated to supporting entrepreneurs and business leaders, today announced new funding from Cummins Inc. (NYSE: CMI) to support the NEC’s Pitch for Good: Black Founders edition. A monthly series for entrepreneurs who are focused on finding solutions that benefit the local community and the world, the event invites six entrepreneurs to share a virtual elevator pitch to a panel of judges and an open audience for financial grants.

“We are thrilled to welcome Cummins in NEC’s support of entrepreneurs and business owners who are passionate about solving Nashville’s greatest challenges,” said Jane Allen, CEO of the NEC. “Cummins shares our values of creating systemic equity and leveling the playing field in business, and their generous contribution will make entrepreneurship more accessible for aspiring business leaders in Nashville, especially Black and other entrepreneurs of color.”

As part of a larger contribution from the Cummins Advocating for Racial Equity (CARE) initiative, Cummins Inc. is contributing $26,000 to be split among the large revenue group winner, small revenue group winner, and crowd favorite. The gift also includes an additional $20,000 for a Twende Summit Scholarship, as well as $3,600 for six Black entrepreneurs in the NEC’s Twende cohort. Twende is the NEC’s year-long accelerator program that supports entrepreneurs of color through curriculum, mentorship and cohort learning.

“We are extremely proud to partner with NEC to bridge the wealth gap and support the next generation of Black entrepreneurs who are often left behind,” said Toni Hickey, Deputy General Counsel and Chief Intellectual Property Counsel of Cummins Inc. “Through CARE, our company seeks to help create equity and dismantle institutional racism, and it is an honor to align our efforts with NEC’s commitment to provide Black Founders vital resources and mentorship to thrive at every stage of the innovation and investment cycle."

The NEC is dedicated to supporting the next generation of entrepreneurs and business leaders by providing innovative mentorship programs and a community for entrepreneurs to build, connect and succeed. Applications for Pitch for Good: Black Founders edition are now open through April 22, 2021.

To learn more about the Nashville Entrepreneur Center and its programs, visit their website here. To access the Pitch for Good: Black Founders edition application process, click here.