UrbanGeekz 50 is back for its fourth year! The team has officially begun preparations for the fourth annual edition, celebrating the innovators shaping the future of tech. The list recognizes Black founders, investors, executives, innovators, and ecosystem builders shaping the future of technology and business.
This year brings a new twist. UrbanGeekz is inviting the community to help shape the conversation for the first time. The publication calls this UG50 Readers’ Favorites. Followers can fill out this short form here to nominate either themselves or someone they believe should be on the list.
“UrbanGeekz 50 is about recognizing the people moving our industries and communities forward,” said Kunbi Tinuoye, founder and CEO of UrbanGeekz. “Introducing Readers’ Favorites gives our community a voice in that celebration and an opportunity to spotlight leaders whose impact deserves wider recognition.”
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Alongside the nomination push, we have also opened a limited number of sponsorship slots. These opportunities target organizations that want to align with the UG50 brand as we celebrate Black excellence. The celebration spans tech, innovation, and entrepreneurship across multiple continents. For more details, please reach out to the team at partner@urbangeekz.com with “UG50 2026” in the subject line
The UrbanGeekz 50 selection process
UrbanGeekz’s editorial team continues to lead the core selection process, with input from independent industry experts. This approach has defined the UG50 since it launched in 2023. We use a distinct set of data points to evaluate honorees, assessing each person’s reach, impact, and influence within their field.
The UG50 has grown into a major fixture in Black tech media since its debut. Founder and CEO Kunbi Tinuoye curates the list each year. She draws on input from independent industry leaders across the ecosystem. That first list spotlighted game-changers across venture capital, entrepreneurship, and community building. Community Builders & Ecosystem Warriors emerged as the largest category that year, and UrbanGeekz noted that these operators often do the hardest work behind the scenes.
Related Post: UrbanGeekz 50 2025: Venture Capital
The Previous Listicle
The list spans honorees across the United States, Africa, and Europe. The 2025 edition featured a strong mix of established leaders and rising stars. Moniepoint co-founder and CEO Tosin Eniolorunda made the cut that year. His fintech company powers digital payments across Nigeria and other markets. The Gathering Spot co-founder TK Peterson also earned recognition in 2025. Lightspeed venture partner Mercedes Bent appeared on the list as well. Media executive Ashley Allison was another notable 2025 honoree. She recently acquired The Root through her company, Watering Hole Media.
Related Post: UrbanGeekz 50 2025: Business-to-Consumer
UrbanGeekz organizes the list into ten distinct verticals each year. These categories highlight technology-driven ventures but aren’t limited to tech alone. They span fintech, venture capital, AI, business-to-consumer brands, and more. Africa-focused honorees have become a growing and important part of the list, too.
Nominations for the UG50 Readers’ Favorites are open here, and the UrbanGeekz 50 2026 listicle is planned for release later this year.
Help us celebrate the leaders shaping what’s next. Individuals or organizations interested in sponsorship opportunities or partnering with us for UG50 2026 should email partner@urbangeekz.com with “UG50 2026” in the subject line.
