BK-XL

bk-xl.com

BK-XL is an early-stage, industry-agnostic startup accelerator program based in Brooklyn focused exclusively on supporting underrepresented founders. The firm is powered by the Joe and Clara Tsai Foundation's Social Justice Fund with a $50 million commitment over ten years to drive economic empowerment and close racial gaps in Brooklyn.

Check Size

$125K - $500K

Stages

Pre Seed, Seed

Focus Areas

Other, Ai Ml, Fintech

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Investment Thesis

BK-XL operates from a social justice and economic empowerment philosophy, viewing early-stage investment as a tool to address systemic inequities in venture funding. The firm believes in taking meaningful equity ownership in underrepresented founder-led companies to create a ‘flywheel that benefits the community’ by reinvesting returns into supporting more underrepresented founders. Their approach emphasizes that successful founders will ‘create jobs, develop products that benefit the community, and foster a culture of innovation.’

What Sets Them Apart

Explicit focus on underrepresented founders, particularly BIPOC-founded and women-led companies
Community-embedded approach with physical presence in Brooklyn (Camp David workspace in Industry City)
Backed by billionaire philanthropist Clara Wu Tsai and the Social Justice Fund with significant long-term capital commitment
Integrated support network including BSE Global, Brooklyn Nets, Barclays Center, and advisory council of leading VCs (Benchstrength, Harlem Capital, Infinity Ventures, Visible Hands, Udy Road, WndrCo)
Competitive SAFE terms ($125,000 for 7% equity) with follow-on investment optionality
10-week immersive in-person program model with ongoing post-program support
Industry-agnostic investment approach