Onecliq.io | Marketing Co-Worker / AI Content Tool’s Post

Last week, we had the pleasure of attending the last Collision Conf in Toronto! 🚀 We were there supporting the Black Entrepreneurship Alliance (BEA), and it was a great opportunity to network, meet new small business owners, and learn more about the world of tech! BEA was there as part of the Black Innovation Zone - a collective of 9 Black-led organizations (Black Entrepreneurship Alliance, Nobellum, Federation of Black Canadians, Black Founders Network, African Impact Initiative, BlackNorth Initiative, Black Opportunity Fund, DMZ, Tribe Network) curated to boost visibility and support for Black founders, and professionals in Canada! Although we're not the exact audience for Collision (we don't know much about tech 😅) it was still great to explore the world through the eyes of the innovators, developers, and individuals developing new ideas for the future. ✨ If you attended this year's Collision, what did you find the most insightful about the conference? 💭 #Collision2024 #TechConference #EquityandInclusion #Entrepreneur

This #RaceEqualityWeek we are highlighting our F100 program, in which we recently funded up to £15,000 to 12 Black-owned businesses. We thank each business who took part, as well as our steering group, mentors, and partners at Sky for their work in helping us to progress economic equity. Special thanks to Piers Linney, Feven Woldu, Dr Yvonne Thompson CBE DL Fellows RSA RA, SGCW,KCL NED, Viv Ahmun (He/Him), Andy Ayim MBE, Emma Joy Obanye, Reema Samuel-Lewis, David Carrigan, Viya N., Christine Perry for their hard work in making this program happen. The incredible businesses who took part include Aniboxx, Esarzee, Gusto Snacks - Raising | SEIS & EIS eligible, Imagine Me Stories, Just Once, Mama Dolce, NEUE Water, Philly & Friends, Ronu Creative, ScribePay, Télle Moi, THE FASHION BLUEPRINT, Wakuda, Wisteria CMS and Yumchop Foods. From 2009-2019 only 0.24% of venture capital went to Black entrepreneurs – a total of 38 businesses. Just 0.02% went to Black female entrepreneurs. We are working to change that. If you would like to help us expand economic equity further and become a partner, please do not hesitate to reach out to us. Applications for our third cohort open this month - keep an eye on our socials for further details. #F100 #BlackOwnedBusiness #EconomicEquity #SupportBlackBusiness #SmallBusinessSupport #ListenActChange

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

BLADECon was EPIC! Not only did we release the first ever study on Black digital entrepreneurship but we heard from amazing speakers, including our keynote, Elizabeth Leiba who rocked the house! If you missed it, no worries. Sign up for our newsletter at https://lnkd.in/eJcUUXE so that you’re first in line when we share the recording. And if you want a masterclass on the state of Black digital entrepreneurship, here you go! --> https://lnkd.in/guCGJ-9c If you’re not ready for the deep dive, check out our Executive Summary for all the juicy data goodness! --> https://lnkd.in/giFezjif #BLADECon #blackentrepreneurs #digitaleconomy #ecommerce #BlackEconomicPower #BlackInnovators #BlackInnovationAlliance

🚀🌍 #Nobellum, Black Entrepreneurship Alliance, Black Founders Network, Federation of Black Canadians, Black Opportunity Fund, BlackNorth Initiative, DMZ, Tribe Ventures, and African Impact Initiative have united to create the Black Innovation Zone - an initiative curated to boost visibility and support for Black founders and professionals in Canada 🎉 As a collective, we aim to empower Black entrepreneurs, investors and professionals while showcasing their talents on an international scale 🙌🏾 Through this collective, we strive to highlight the stories and innovations of Black founders that emerge from our communities. Overall, we are focused on professional development and community building as a vehicle for breaking down the many barriers that Black founders face. This initiative fosters growth, learning, and economic contribution while promoting cross-cultural collaborations and inclusivity in the international business ecosystem 💼✨ It is an opportunity for Black entrepreneurs, investors and professionals to feel seen, heard and represented within their respective industries. With legacy building at the forefront, we strive to be a road map for Black innovators looking to leverage the tools, programs and funding available for Canadian entrepreneurs. The Black Innovation Zone fosters a more inclusive ecosystem, enabling Black innovators to learn, collaborate and grow their ventures both locally and globally 🌟 https://lnkd.in/gkUXq4nt #BlackInnovationZone #Collison2024 #TechConference #BlackEntrepreneurs #ProfessionalDevelopment #Community

Is it any wonder that I love going down to Atlanta Tech Village to support these amazing friends?? 😎🔥 Too many brilliant founders to count. Networking means recognizing & valuing the different experiences of others -- And being open to how those experiences can foster learning & growth. 🌱 Proud that diversity & equity are core tenants of The Zero to One Networker methodology. Learn from the people around you whom you respect. 🙌 #networking #relationships #startups #tech

Congratulations to our 2024 cohort at Amped Russell Technology Business Incubator! We are thrilled to welcome you to the program and commend your dedication to growing your businesses. Your hard work and commitment to creating a foundation for generational wealth are truly inspiring. We look forward to supporting you on this journey of entrepreneurship and success! #AmpedRTBI #BlackBusiness #LatinxBusiness #GenerationalWealth #Entrepreneurship"

As Black entrepreneurs, it’s unfortunate that we don’t have access to capital and the same support from VCs as our white counterparts. According to #Crunchbase, “Venture funding to Black-founded U.S. startups last year totaled only $705 million—marking the first time since 2016 that the figure failed to even reach $1 billion.” The industry does need to change and become more inclusive; however, year after year we’ve seen that it hasn’t improved. What the lack of #VC funding has taught me as I put together our event is that you can’t rely solely on that to make your business take off, and, more importantly, sustain itself. Too many #BlackFounders don’t end up taking their companies to the next level because they are expecting investors to be the solution to their problems. VC funding should be viewed as a means, not an end. Here’s what I learned from speaking to attendees and speakers at leading tech companies over the years about what support is needed to help our businesses thrive. #YesWeLaunch #YesWeScale #YesWeWin

I’m excited to share this insightful article on the importance of having like-minded individuals by your side when launching a business! Surrounding yourself with like-minded people can be a game-changer for success. Check out this must-read article to learn why a supportive community of like-minded individuals is vital for your entrepreneurial journey. #Entrepreneurship #CommunitySupport #BusinessTips #MBE #WBENC