Application Requirements  

  Black small business owners are invited to apply by submitting a short video pitch. Entries are judged by a panel of renowned Black entrepreneurs, and 10 finalists are selected to compete in the next round. Ultimately, three winners will each be awarded $50,000 and access to mentorship, educational resources, and networking opportunities.

We invite all eligible candidates to apply by completing the form below.  

 Application Requirements  

 Black small business owners are invited to apply by submitting a short video pitch. Entries are judged by a panel of renowned Black entrepreneurs, and 10 finalists are selected to compete in the next round. Ultimately, three winners will each be awarded $50,000 and access to mentorship, educational resources, and networking opportunities.

We invite all eligible candidates to apply by completing the form below. 

Judges

Meet our 2026 Ingredients for Success Official Judges

Judges

Meet our 2026 Ingredients for Success Official Judges

Coming Soon: Judges’ Best Practices Guide Video

3 Winners
|  $150,000 In Awards

 The Famous Amos Ingredients for Success (IFS) Entrepreneurs Initiative is an annual national award program launched by Ferrero North America in 2020. IFS creates pathways for early-stage Black business owners to thrive by providing $150,000 in capital awards, mentorship, networking, and educational resources.

Honoring Wally Amos’ legacy and the “Famously You” ethos, this initiative celebrates the qualities that make each business owner unique and fosters long-term success for their businesses. 
people
Partnership
build
Business Resources
local_activity
The Legacy
grade
Program Impact
Community Overview
description
The Application Process

3 Winners  |  $150,000 In Awards

The Famous Amos Ingredients for Success (IFS) Entrepreneurs Initiative is an annual national award program launched by Ferrero North America in 2020. IFS creates pathways for early-stage Black business owners to thrive by providing $150,000 in capital awards, mentorship, networking, and educational resources. Honoring Wally Amos’ legacy and the “Famously You” ethos, this initiative celebrates the qualities that make each business owner unique and fosters long-term success for their businesses.
add
Overview
people
Partnership
build
Business Resources
local_activity
The Legacy
grade
Program Impact
Community Overview
description
The Application Process
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 8 Steps to Success: What Every Business Owner Should Know 

 USBC offers free resources to strengthen your business
knowledge and assist you in completion of your application.
You can access them any time at the links below.  

  8 Steps to Success: What Every Business Owner Should Know  

  USBC offers free resources to strengthen your business knowledge and assist you in completion of your application. You can access them any time at the links below.    
 Past and current winners receive access to curated content to assist in business expansion and sustainability. Checkout our alumni resources today! 
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 Past and current winners receive access to curated content to assist in business expansion and sustainability. Checkout our alumni resources today! 
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Frequently Asked Questions

IFS is a national award program presented by Famous Amos in partnership with the U.S. Black Chambers, Inc. (USBC). Honoring the legacy of Famous Amos founder Wally Amos, IFS creates pathways for early-stage Black business owners to thrive by providing $150,000 in capital awards, in addition to mentorship, networking and educational resources.
IFS was created in 2020 to honor Wally Amos’ entrepreneurial legacy by supporting early-stage Black-owned businesses with resources to foster sustained growth and success.
Please see a high-level program timeline:
  • March 31, 2026 – Applications open online
  • April 13, 2026 – “Judges’ Best Practices Guide Video”
  • June 1, 2026 – Applications close
  • June 23, 2026 – IFS notifies finalists
  • July 27, 2026 – IFS formally announces winners
  • Frequently Asked Questions

    IFS is a national award program presented by Famous Amos in partnership with the U.S. Black Chambers, Inc. (USBC). Honoring the legacy of Famous Amos founder Wally Amos, IFS creates pathways for early-stage Black business owners to thrive by providing $150,000 in capital awards, in addition to mentorship, networking and educational resources.
    IFS was created in 2020 to honor Wally Amos’ entrepreneurial legacy by supporting early-stage Black-owned businesses with resources to foster sustained growth and success.
    Please see a high-level program timeline:
  • March 31, 2026 – Applications open online
  • April 13, 2026 – “Judges’ Best Practices Guide Video”
  • June 1, 2026 – Applications close
  • June 23, 2026 – IFS notifies finalists
  • July 27, 2026 – IFS formally announces winners
  • Presented By

    For more information, please contact:
    U.S. Black Chambers, Inc.
    programs@usblackhambers.org

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