Kansas City Entrepreneur Wins Big with Black Ambition
Kansas City is buzzing with excitement as AskSAMIE, an innovative healthcare accessibility platform, has been selected for the latest Black Ambition cohort. This initiative, spearheaded by musician and philanthropist Pharrell Williams, is dedicated to bridging the opportunity and wealth gap for Black and Hispanic entrepreneurs. Talk about an uplifting moment for the city!
A Fresh Start for AskSAMIE
Founded in 2022 by the dynamic Dr. Brandy Archie, AskSAMIE quickly grabbed attention through various programs like Digital Sandbox KC, Pure Pitch Rally, and the Regnier Venture Creation Challenge at the University of Kansas City-Missouri. The hard work has clearly paid off, as AskSAMIE is now in the spotlight, having earned a $50,000 prize from a pool of $2.7 million awarded to 30 founders this year.
Dr. Archie shared her enthusiasm, noting, “Our team has been working really hard in order to make AskSAMIE a known nationwide brand, serving customers all across the country. To be able to have some recognition from this esteemed program along with additional resources to help boost our continued growth feels like the right kind of jet fuel we need to propel into 2025!”
The Black Ambition Journey
Oh, and get this: a whopping 3,000 applicants entered the Black Ambition program this year alone! After a rigorous selection process, AskSAMIE made it to the final cut of 30 winners alongside other impressive ventures—and that’s no small feat! According to Dr. Archie, “Their goal was to find companies that have the potential to scale and make a large impact.” She goes on to explain that the selection committee was keen on ensuring they’d chosen businesses with solid models and the proper resources.
This year’s cohort includes businesses across various fields such as AI, healthcare, consumer products, and even media. Each of the 30 winning teams recently gathered in New York City for a series of insightful training sessions, which featured industry leaders like the founders of Calendly and Priceline.com.
Support Beyond the Prize
The support doesn’t stop at the monetary award. The winning teams will receive continuing mentorship, networking opportunities, and even introductions to potential investors over the next six months. An excited Pharrell Williams expressed his inspiration, saying, “I’m so inspired by what the future holds for these talented innovators and business leaders… new corporate partnerships, retail opportunities, [and] network building.”
AskSAMIE on the Rise
The timing couldn’t be better for AskSAMIE as they’re looking to make some big moves in 2025. Archie is currently working on securing additional funding through various grants and investments, including the PAVE: Pandemic Assistance & Vaccine Equity Grant via the Kansas Department of Health and Environment.
She noted, “Now that we have some solid funding, we’re primed and ready to grow exponentially in 2025. The investment and funding community also sees that potential, which is why we’ve been able to acquire this level of funding.”
A Bright Future Ahead
As Kansas City prepares to witness the growth of AskSAMIE, it’s also a moment to celebrate for all local entrepreneurs. Dr. Archie’s journey is proof that hard work, determination, and a sprinkle of support can create a wave of innovation.
Let’s keep our eyes peeled for what exciting next steps are in store for AskSAMIE and all the brilliant winners from this year’s Black Ambition cohort. We can’t wait to see how they shake things up in the business world!
