Nobellum’s Post

These statistics underscore the opportunity gap that Black founders face in the world of venture capital. Despite incredible innovation and talent, the doors to funding and resources remain largely closed for Black entrepreneurs. African Diaspora Network is working to create opportunities that open doors for US-based Black Founders. It's not just about the numbers; it's about the impact. When Black entrepreneurs succeed, we all benefit. Join us on October 26th at the ABLE Pitch Day and Program Graduation, where you'll have the chance to meet 11 incredible founders who are driving impact and innovation. Register online at https://lnkd.in/gj6fq-bb, or email Brett Cave at [email protected], for in-person registration information. Let's open doors and invest in Black founders. The change starts with us. #ABLE #ABLE23 #blackbusiness #blackowned #BlackBusinessAccelerator #BlackEntrepreneurs

Are you a Black entrepreneur seeking to overcome barriers and thrive in the tech industry? Don't miss our upcoming Obsidi® Tech Talk featuring Josh Olawale and Ab Makalo, two esteemed CIBC professionals committed to empowering Black founders like you. Scheduled for Wednesday, May 15, this enlightening session will explore practical strategies for bridging the gap between Black tech entrepreneurs and the resources needed for success. From navigating funding challenges to fostering mentorship relationships, Josh and Ab will share invaluable insights to help you on your entrepreneurial journey. Whether you're just starting or looking to take your business to the next level, this Tech Talk offers a wealth of knowledge and inspiration to propel you forward. You can secure your spot today and unlock the necessary tools to achieve your goals. We look forward to seeing you there! 📆 May 15, 2024 6:30 PM ET 🎫 https://bit.ly/3UmcODv Partner: CIBC Speakers: Joshua Olawale, CFA, CIBC Ab Makalo, CFA, CIBC Moderator: Natalie Redda, Natalie Redda Host: Cher Jones, Socially Active Training ✨ Attendee Benefits: ✨ ⭐ Networking Opportunities: Enrich your network by connecting with seasoned peers and future entrepreneurs to advance your career goals within a supportive community grouping. ⭐ Insightful Knowledge: Learn how to overcome better or navigate common challenges faced by Black entrepreneurs by acquiring critical strategic solutions for our panel of experts. ⭐ Entrepreneurship Supports & Resources: Discover new resources and supports to strengthen your entrepreneurial endeavors. #BlackinTech #TechInnovation #StartupSuccess #DiverseEntrepreneurship #ObsidiTechTalk

Exciting news! UBS has just released a groundbreaking report on inclusive entrepreneurship, and it's a call to action that requires all of our support. We stand at a pivotal moment—an opportunity to sustain the surge in diverse entrepreneurship led by women and people of color, and create a more equitable landscape. By contributing our investments, capital, and connections, we can empower diverse entrepreneurs to thrive and make their mark on the business world. The insights from our recent report underscore the importance of amplifying diverse voices. It's not enough to simply acknowledge the value of underrepresented entrepreneurs; we must actively support and champion their endeavors. This means ensuring that they have a seat at the decision-making table, where their perspectives can shape the future, and providing them with the resources, mentorship, and opportunities they deserve. Click here to check out the report: https://lnkd.in/gUvFT8Bx

📉 Did You Know? 📉 Despite our creativity, innovation, and resilience, black entrepreneurs often face significant hurdles due to a lack of resources. From limited access to funding to fewer networking opportunities, the challenges are real and persistent. 🔍 The Facts: 1. **Funding Gaps**: Black entrepreneurs receive less than 2% of venture capital funding, making it incredibly challenging to scale their businesses. 💸 2. **Limited Mentorship**: Access to mentors and professional networks is often limited, hindering the growth and development of black-owned businesses. 🤝 3. **Systemic Barriers**: Structural inequalities and biases continue to create additional obstacles for black entrepreneurs in various industries. 🚧 But there’s hope! By acknowledging these disparities, we can work together to create a more equitable business landscape. Here’s how you can help: 💡 SUPPORT & ACTION: 1. **Shop Black-Owned**: Make a conscious effort to support black-owned businesses in your community and online. 🛍️ 2. **Mentor & Network**: If you have the resources, offer mentorship and networking opportunities to black entrepreneurs. Your guidance can make a huge difference. 🌐 3. **Advocate for Change**: Use your voice to advocate for policies and programs that provide equitable access to funding and resources. 🗣️ Join Slauson Ventures, become a member, mentor or intern and let’s shine a light on these issues and work together to support and uplift black-owned businesses. When we invest our own success, we invest in the strength and prosperity of our communities and future! 🌍💪🏾 #SupportBlackBusiness #Entrepreneurship #CommunitySupport #EconomicEquity #BlackExcellence #InvestInChange #SlausonVentures

The 2024 Black New Venture Competition hosted by Harvard's African American Student Union & Black Investment Club was a game-changer for Black entrepreneurs! Here's a quick rundown: Innovative Ideas: Aspiring Black founders had a platform to turn their ideas into thriving businesses, thanks to capital, mentorship, and expert advice. Over $200K Prizes: Pitching their ventures led to opportunities to win a share of more than $200,000 in prizes. It's not just a competition; it's an investment in Black entrepreneurship. Two Tracks: The competition catered to both pre-revenue and revenue-generating ventures, empowering entrepreneurs at every stage. Who Could Apply? Innovative minds with solutions to today's challenges, identifying as Black founders, and operating at an early stage. Beyond Prizes: Winners gained access to a supportive community of promising Black founders and resources for success. Past Winners: Previous champions have secured investments and made their mark in the business world, inspiring us all. Kudos to Harvard's African American Student Union & Black Investment Club for fostering innovation and economic empowerment! #BNVC2024 #BlackEntrepreneurs #Innovation #Empowerment https://lnkd.in/dmExsFM

Inclusive entrepreneurship is an important focus at UBS. Below Jamie Sears shares a report on the past, present & future of those efforts. You can also join a LinkedIn Live discussion on the topic on Thursday, August 24th at 11:15am PT.

#Juneteenth marks a momentous occasion in American history as we commemorate the emancipation of enslaved people in the United States. It's also a time to celebrate the grit, determination, and creative problem-solving that is intrinsic to Black communities. Starting any business is fraught with challenges and barriers, yet Black entrepreneurs have always met these obstacles with stalwart resilience, ultimately building businesses that benefit not just themselves, but entire communities. Black founders have consistently demonstrated a unique advantage in identifying needs that present market opportunities often overlooked by other businesses. As a result, businesses with diverse founders outperform their peers, achieving 30% higher returns for investors upon exit than their White founder counterparts. And yet, a recent McKinsey report highlights the staggering disparity in funding received by Black founders. The report reveals that in 2022, Black founders received only 1% of total US venture capital funding. This drastically limits the potential impact of solutions designed to address critical social and environmental challenges. Not only does this disparity represent a huge missed opportunity for economic growth, but it presents a significant untapped opportunity for RevHub. Attracting and equipping underrepresented founders is a powerful way to create greater equity of opportunity. Moreover, it has become a strategic priority of ours because overlooked and underestimated founders have the lived experience and resilience necessary to succeed as social entrepreneurs. RevHub's core mission depends on fostering a robust ecosystem that empowers all entrepreneurs. Our ecosystem is designed to eliminate systemic barriers that most underrepresented founders face, such as limited access to networks, community support, and resources. Regardless of the stage they are in, underrepresented founders find the access and support they need to launch their world-changing businesses. This Juneteenth, let's celebrate the entrepreneurial spirit of Black communities and acknowledge their crucial role in building a thriving impact ecosystem. Discover more about how RevHub empowers social enterprises led by underestimated founders: https://revhuboc.com/ #RevHubCommunityEngagement #Juneteenth #BlackExcellence #SocialEnterprise #EcosystemBuilding #InvestInChange #STEMEducation

Dear LinkedIn Friends, On Oct 26, 2023, please join us to celebrate the 11 members of the third Accelerating Black Leadership & Entrepreneurship (ABLE) cohort members.  Your presence and support to these entrepreneurs is critical as we try to close the achievement, income, and resources gap.  According to CNBC, only 3% of companies invested in by the top 10 U.S. venture firms since 2015 are led by Black or Latinx founders. That's a stark statistic that highlights the pressing need for change in the entrepreneurial landscape.  At the African Diaspora Network, we're committed to working with all of you to harness the untapped potential and boundless creativity of Black entrepreneurs in the USA and Africa. That's why we've been working tirelessly to create a pipeline for Black founders, providing them with the support, mentorship, and opportunities they need to thrive. Please encourage, support, and open the doors, if you can. to our 2023 ABLE Cohort, a group of 11 incredible founders who are driving impact and innovation in sectors ranging from Connectivity to Renewable Energy. You can register online at https://lnkd.in/gUTz32fW or email [email protected] for more information on in-person registration. The ABLE program is funded by BILL, Makahakama Foundation, and KLA-TENCOR FOUNDATION KLA Foundation, among others.  Thank you!   #entrepreneurship, #BlackFounders  #Entrepreneurship  #Innovation  #ABLEProgram

It was my honour to moderate a panel of great and varied talents, but more than that, incredible human beings; continually leveraging their positions, platforms and time to change our world, one person at a time. Thank you to To The World, democratising access to key resources for black entrepreneurs,the brainchild of brothers Nnamdi M. Nduka-Eze and Nnamdi M. Nduka-Eze. Thank you also to the judges; AMANI SIMPSON, Lalita Taylor FRSA, Judy Ling Wong and Mr Babatunde Ojo. The panel was entitled “What’s In A Cause?” on the question of social enterprise. This question was important to me because I believe that it is our causes that lift us up and motivate mankind to move ever toward the destination of a fairer, freer and more just society. Entrepreneurs, through a combination of creativity, tenacity and luck are capable of being an engine of change, which is why the ACE Awards is so necessary. Founders from the Afro-Caribbean community, amongst others, often struggle with access to capital in a myriad of forms, structural barriers can leave many feeling dejected and alone. However, a commonly cited proverb in Ghana is that it takes a “village to raise a child”, likewise it takes the support of our community and institutions like SOAS University of London, University of York, University of Surrey, First Bank of Nigeria Ltd. and Santander UK to cut through the red tape, racism and rigidness of yesterday, and take a chance on shaping tomorrow. Isn’t that something worth fighting for? #networking #youngprofessionals #blackcommunity #entrepreneurship

"A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step," is a quote that originated from a Chinese philosopher, Lao Tzu. You won’t get anywhere unless you start the journey. At Formation Ventures, we believe that those who journey alongside others travel further than they could on their own. That is why we cultivated a space of belonging for emerging Black entrepreneurs. Where could you use the most help in getting your venture started? Comment below.