Invest Fest is back with more energy than ever this year, hosting the inaugural Nipsey Hussle Business Grant: $100,000 Invest Fest Pitch Competition. The event has partnered with Microsoft and The Marathon to celebrate and support outstanding entrepreneurs who demonstrate an unwavering purpose and commitment to excellence. As reported by TheSource, the top four finalists will compete for the grand prize on the main stage at Invest Fest 2024, showcasing their innovative ideas and business acumen.
The Legacy of Nipsey Hussle and the Neighborhood NIP Foundation
Founded in 2019, the Neighborhood NIP Foundation aims to inspire the community and continue Nipsey Hussle’s legacy through its efforts to support underserved youth. Recently, the foundation partnered with the Los Angeles Marathon, with over 65 participants completing the 26.2-mile race. Funds raised from the event will go towards the redevelopment of Nipsey Hussle Plaza, the new headquarters for the Neighborhood NIP Foundation. Located at 3420 W. Slauson Ave., the location is the former site of the Marathon Store in Los Angeles, California.
Inspired by Hussle’s passion for youth empowerment, the renovated plaza will serve as a community center for students from elementary school through high school. Foundation staff, along with community volunteers, will offer a variety of programs ranging from academic study to music to studio access. The plaza will also offer free haircuts at Steve’s Barbershop, named for Hussle’s childhood friend and business partner, Steven Fats Donaldson, as well as special access to the Marathon Store. The foundation is expected to open in 2024, continuing Hussle’s mission to support and inspire the next generation.
Supporting entrepreneurs and honoring musical traditions
The $100,000 Invest Fest pitch competition is designed to spark the ambition of one outstanding entrepreneur and significantly accelerate their business. Applications for the grant will be reviewed after the posted deadline, and successful applicants will be notified via email by August 16, 2024. This initiative highlights the importance of supporting entrepreneurial talent and aligns with Hussle’s vision of community empowerment and economic development.
In addition to his philanthropic efforts, Nipsey Hussle’s impact on music and culture remains profound. Five years ago, Hussle released his only full-length album, Victory Lap. The album marked the pinnacle of a career that began in the mid-2000s with mixtapes released on his own record label. These early works garnered respect from artists like Jay-Z and Kendrick Lamar, but never reached a wider audience.
“Victory Lap” brought Nipsey Hussle well-deserved critical acclaim and commercial success. The album reached number two on the Billboard 200 and was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Rap Album. Sadly, just one year after its release, Hussle was shot and killed outside a clothing store and community center in Crenshaw. Despite his untimely death, Hussle’s work as a musician and community activist continues to inspire people to this day.
“The partnership between Microsoft, The Marathon and Invest Fest not only celebrates the legacy of Nipsey Hussle, but ensures his vision of supporting and empowering communities lives on. By providing significant financial assistance to promising entrepreneurs, the grants will help nurture a new generation of innovators who will create positive change in their communities.”
Long live Nip
As Invest Fest 2024 approaches, anticipation is building for the Nipsey Hussle Business Grant: $100,000 Invest Fest Pitch Competition. The event will highlight the continued impact of Hussle’s work and the importance of cultivating entrepreneurial talent. Through strategic partnerships and a shared commitment to excellence, Invest Fest will continue to foster an environment where dreams can bloom and communities can thrive.
