Welcome to the movement.
Education, exposure and empowerment start now!
We're making Moguls.
Moguls in the Making was born from the need to act — to put our beliefs into practice by creating a program to tackle the issue of economic mobility head-on.
We’ve teamed up with the Thurgood Marshall College Fund to create an entrepreneurial pitch competition to foster opportunities for young leaders from our nation’s publicly and privately supported Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).
From idealist to entrepreneur in one weekend.
Over the course of a fall weekend, students will be tested and given a glimpse into what being a Mogul is all about – hard work. It’s a strenuous 72 hours of rigorous learning and creating where students build innovative solutions that support economic mobility across a variety of industries. Students will have mentors to guide them and speakers to inspire them as they put together a pitch to impress the judges.
It’s simple: the best presentation with the most brilliant business solution wins.
50
Students selected
10
HBCU teams formed
1
Winning pitch
What’s at stake.
Every student who participates will walk away with valuable experiences, scholarship awards and other prizes including chances at internships and full-time job opportunities.
The winning teams will be offered the following prizes:
First Place
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$20,000 scholarship per team member
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Guaranteed internship offer at Ally for each team member
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A laptop with a variety of accessories
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Other tech prizes and swag
Second Place
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$10,000 scholarship per team member
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Each team member’s resume reviewed by Ally’s Human Resources team
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A laptop with a variety of accessories
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Other tech prizes and swag
Third Place
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$5,000 scholarship per team member
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Each team member’s resume reviewed by Ally’s Human Resources team
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A laptop with a variety of accessories
-
Other tech prizes and swag
Congratulations to our 2024 winners!
First Place
Philander Smith University
Kenna Agbugba, Angel Balogun, Zara Duruji, Jennifer Obinwanne and James Owolabi
The team’s idea, Little Genius, is an AI-Powered platform for K-5 students providing personalized learning to enhance literacy, numeracy and science. The platform uses AI to create unique learning pathways that meet the needs of all students on an individual basis. Little Genius also includes gamified interactive assessments with voice recognition and offline functionality.
First Place
Southern University and A&M College
Megan Abraham, Taylor Curtis, Jazmon DeRousselle, Rashard Grace and Nalone Sumo
Their Electric Meets Opportunity app revolutionizes transportation for low-income communities by providing affordable, eco-friendly access to clean energy vehicles. Designed for seamless convenience, it empowers drivers and passengers to reach essential destinations like work and healthcare, all while tapping into the future of smart, sustainable mobility.
Second Place:
Hampton University
Chelsea Agyei, Kiana Bernard, Christin Fluellen, Braeden Lessane and L. Ceri Mundrati
Third Place:
Spelman College
Awah Asangwe, Madison Corzine, Dominique Preston, Wynter Stokes and Symone Thompson
How to apply.
Think you have what it takes to be a Mogul?
Applicants must:
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Be enrolled full-time in an accredited public or private HBCU or PBI
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Have at least a 3.0 GPA. Applicants with 2.75-2.99 must be recommended by Department Chair or Dean
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Not have participated in any previous Moguls in the Making Competitions
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Be a Sophomore, Junior, or Senior during the 2025-2026 Academic Year
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Be in good academic standing with no disciplinary infractions
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Be willing to grow and learn in a collaborative environment
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Demonstrate the ability to work well on a team interested in learning how to develop or expand an entrepreneurial mindset
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Be available to travel Wednesday, Sept 10 through Monday, Sept 15.
All majors are encouraged to apply.
Important dates to know.
Feb. 6
Application
Opens
April 25
Application
Closed
Sept. 7-10
Program
Dates
Sept. 10
Final Pitch
Day
Note: Students must be available for travel on Sept. 6 and Sept. 11
Important 2025 dates to know.
Feb 10
Application opened
March 31
Application closes
Sept 11 - 14
Competition
Sept 14
Final pitch day
Note: Students must be available to travel Wednesday, Sept 10 through Monday, Sept 15.
Participating HBCUs.
Students from all over the country have collaborated, innovated and cultivated lifelong relationships through Moguls in the Making. We're proud to have worked with 15 HBCUs — and the list keeps growing.
Hear from Past Moguls.
Nalani Kelley Marsh
Florida A&M University
2019 Winner
"The first Moguls in the Making was a paradigm shifting experience! I loved the fact I was able to hone my entrepreneurial mind while leveraging the knowledge gained from my collegiate studies."
Joshua Weaver
North Carolina A&T State University
2021 Winner
"Moguls has been a life changing experience for me. Not only did the competition help me land my first corporate opportunity, but opened my eyes to what is possible when you take a chance on yourself."
Andre Wilkes
Howard University
2021 2nd Place
"Moguls in the Making showed me you could do good and do well at the same time! It created a family out of complete strangers.”
Media and press.
Check out the impact of nurturing entrepreneurial spirits, fostering cross-industry skills and providing direct access to C-suite mentors.
A celebration of Moguls in the Making’s fifth year in Charlotte, N.C.
Revolt Media sits down with two previous winners of Moguls in the Making, Joshua Weaver (North Carolina A&T) and Andre Wilkes (Howard University).
Stay in touch.
Enter your email to get tips to help you build your financial future.
Thank you to our partner, Thurgood Marshall College Fund .
