Herman Pereira’s Post

3 Unique facts about Qualifi: 🟣Co-Founders Darrian and Devyn Mikell are brothers. 🟣They recently reached an important milestone, raising $4.5 million. 🟣They are among the few (only 3%)  company founders in any industry sector who are Black. Qualifi is a Recruiting Tech company making the hiring process quicker. Indianapolis Business Journal was curious as a koala, and recently dug deep with this duo about 🟣How they handle the rollercoaster of startup life 🟣Obstacles that Black entrepreneurs face 🟣And the importance of diversity as they grow the company Linked in the comments, listen now!

A great advice on how to proactively chart a bootstrap path, if you are able to do this especially in the beginning, that is a great sign for investors, that founders are all in, they managed to bootstrap, put time and money in their startup and achieved minimal revenue. VCs will then be more comfortable to pout the capital and really see it as the fuel for growth. Disclaimer: Bootstrapping is not for everyone and not for every business model, some startups will need to develop a quick MVP and raise capital pre-revenue, which is totally ok too #Bootstrap #Founders #Investors #VCs #Venture

Only 0.13% of Q3 Venture Capital went to Black founders, a staggering disparity compared to a 50% funding drop for all founders. For Black founders, VC funding fell 20x. Depending on the person you ask, it's either admirable or futile to go up against traditional VC funding. But, I'm thankful for the support that enabled me to bootstrap my company, DUKAPAQ and navigate the chaotic funding landscape. In the sprit of transparency, I'll explore document this further in the future, but my advice to Black founders is to proactively chart a bootstrap path; don't wait for dire circumstances or when your back is against the wall. And I'm forever grateful for folks who showed me the ropes on how to scale a technology company to revenue. Against all odds.

Interested in attracting black investors for your community startup? We interviewed our lead community round investor for Wefunder to learn more about what brought him to our project. We’ve raised 222k so far. He was in the country from Tokyo so we took the fam down to Miami to interview him on his experience. 👀 A must watch if you’re interested in community round investment and group economics. https://lnkd.in/d6F_bRSC Interview with a Black Investor |10 Mins w CXB 👀📈⏰☕️ Link to learn more about the round https://lnkd.in/esDvWxQ5

Opportunity

In 2020 we saw a great commitment to supporting Black businesses. With this new passion from consumers, companies, and investors, Black-owned businesses saw an incredible boom in business, visibility, and opportunities. However, just three years later the amount of venture capital dollars allocated to Black founders is significantly decreasing to amounts lower than pre-pandemic numbers. Let this be a reminder: supporting Black businesses and Black founders is not simply a fad, a trend, or just good P.R. It’s what’s right and what makes sense. #FifteenPercentPledge #venturecapital #Blackownedbusiness #businessfunding

These Black pioneers likely had no idea where their businesses would go when they first started, yet their ventures still thrive today. It might be the same for you as you contemplate starting your own business. This is your moment to make history. Create a legacy that leaves an impact, and we've got you covered with resources and support along your journey: https://lnkd.in/g4RWkXk9

As we step into Black Business Month, let's celebrate the resilience and #innovation of Black-owned businesses, from neighborhood stores to world-changing tech startups. These businesses are the heartbeat of our communities and an essential part of our diverse #economy. But it's also a time to confront the systemic barriers that Black #entrepreneurs often face. The racial wealth gap, driven by enduring systemic inequalities, continues to pose significant challenges in securing capital and resources. Our CEO, Stella Ashaolu, recognized these hurdles and paved a path that others can tread, inspiring diverse leaders to rise above these systemic obstacles. Through her determination, WeSolv stands as a testament to what #diverse leaders can achieve against all odds. This month and beyond, let's do more than just acknowledge these challenges. Commit to supporting Black-owned businesses through conscious spending, funding their ventures, or amplifying their stories on our platforms. Share the Black-owned businesses you're supporting and how they're making a difference in your life or community. #BlackBusiness #BlackBusinessMonth #BlackFounders

As we wrap up Black History Month, we're also thrilled to be celebrating the 3 year anniversary of the Black Angel Group! 🚀 Three years ago, a group of Googlers embarked on a mission to increase Black representation in angel investing. Today, the Black Angel Group (BAG) stands as a vibrant community of over 260 Black tech operators across 50 companies, united in our commitment to invest in and elevate founders of all backgrounds. Our journey has been remarkable: 💰 32 investments: We've backed high-potential startups and co-invested with top firms like Gaingels, MaC Venture Capital, Gradient Ventures and Andreessen Horowitz. 📈 Growing impact: Our average check size has increased by 122% since inception, reflecting the increase in our membership and their excitement in these businesses. 🌍 Strong representation: 45% of our members are women, and we're spread across 5 continents. We're proud of the community we've built and what we've accomplished in our journey thus far. Yet, we're just getting started. Join us as we write the next chapter of our story, together. #angelinvesting #venturecapital #technology #startups #angelinvestor https://lnkd.in/ecVbrt-E

Want to hear something really F’d up? Funding for black founders is down for the 3rd year in a row and only 0.95% of VC capital went to all-female founded companies last year. If you’re a VC - what are you going to do about these numbers? It’s time for everyone to be accountable and make the dial move in the right direction. VC teams need to be as diverse as the companies they should be investing in. A diverse team brings varied perspectives, experiences, and insights, enhancing decision-making processes. It fosters innovation, reduces groupthink, and allows for a better understanding of diverse markets and entrepreneurs, ultimately improving the funds overall performance and investment outcomes. Look inward and then look outward. Hire a diverse team and invest diversely.