African Founders

A Space for Africans in San Francisco—Built by Us, for Us! Ever felt out of place in San Francisco? Struggled to find a home base where you could connect, work, and thrive? We’ve felt it too—and we’re doing something about it. Imagine a space where Africans from all walks of life come together to work, connect, and feel at home. A space where shared struggles turn into shared successes. A space where you’re surrounded by people who get it, and feel at home while chasing big dreams. Now we need your input. What would make this space meaningful for you? Whether you live in the Bay or visit San Francisco, what challenges have you faced in finding community, workspaces, or a sense of belonging? If you’re an African founder coming to raise money, what support would make your journey easier? ??Here’s how you can help: ???Click the form link in the first comment to share your ideas or show your interest- https://lnkd.in/eSEfQkaz ???Tag friends who would love this idea and share it with your network. Let’s create something extraordinary—a space where Africans thrive together.

#FundingOpportunityAlert The Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) is kicking off 2025 with an exciting announcement: approximately $11 million in federal funding is now available!!! Eligible entities can apply for funding under the following programs: ??MBDA Women’s Entrepreneurship Program: https://lnkd.in/e9fZC-AU ??MBDA Rural Business Center Program: https://lnkd.in/e45yJyJn ??MBDA Parren J. Mitchell Entrepreneurship: https://lnkd.in/em5azezF "These three programs represent critical investments in our nation’s economic future by addressing systemic barriers faced by minority business enterprises (MBEs)," said Eric Morrissette, performing the non-exclusive duties of the Under Secretary of Commerce for Minority Business Development. "By addressing barriers to entrepreneurship traditionally faced by women, strengthening rural MBEs, and fostering entrepreneurship education, we are unlocking the untapped potential of underrepresented communities across the country." About the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA): "Minority Business Development Agency - U.S. Department of Commerce's mission is to promote the growth and global competitiveness of Minority Business Enterprises (MBE) in order to unlock the country’s full economic potential." www.mbda.gov {Follow Minority Business Development Agency - U.S. Department of Commerce for all future updates} #FederalFunding #FreshOffThePress #WeAreMBDA

If you are a black founder/have a team with a black founder, and looking to raise money at <10M post, I have a someone looking to meet you. A friend of mine is a black founder of a Series A startup, and he is looking to write $25K checks into pre-seed/early seed startups that have at least one black founder on the team. Last time I did this, he invested in at least 1 company I sent him. And he’s looking to do 5 more. If you know someone with a great company that meets those criteria for stage/team makeup, feel free to shoot me an email at [email protected] with the title "Team raising: open to $25K checks - Take 2” and include: -Blurb -Website -Deck/deck link -Points on traction/what's compelling if not traction -HQ Location -Founder LinkedIn I'll send them all along to my friend!

6 free GPTs for startup founders. These will help you raise more capital ?? 1. Pitch Deck Analyzer - Feedback on startup pitch decks https://lnkd.in/dgRx8xqf 2. Auto Fundraisings -?Trained on 1000+ VCs info and is expert in building investor pipelines. https://lnkd.in/gHqpf-5S 3. YC Application GPT - This GPT automatically fills YC application for you based on website or Pitch Deck: https://lnkd.in/gW2sqR8Q 4. Startup Contract Crafter - Contract interpreter and drafter for tech startups. https://lnkd.in/dP8Kg_hK 5. Investor Insight - An AI analyst for researching potential investors. https://lnkd.in/gCg_qQgj 6. Find VC - This GPT helps you to find VC which just right for your business. https://lnkd.in/gePfuWJK What else would you add? Let me know in the comments below! Credit Chris Tottman

?? Applications are NOW OPEN for two of our Black Founders Network 2025 Programs! ? Whether you're just starting your entrepreneurial journey (Smart Start) or already have a product with traction (Accelerate), we have a program for you! - #BFNSmartStart ($4K grant for each founder): For early Black founders with innovative ideas. Get support with building your team, solution, and mentors. This program helps you to validate, launch, and secure your first customers. Supported by KPMG Canada - #BFNAccelerate (up to $25K grant for each startup): For Black-led startups with functional products/services & strong traction. Get support with increasing revenues, customers & partners. This program comes with free co-working space at BFN HQ. Supported by Black Opportunity Fund and Ministry of Multiculturalism ??? Applications open from Feb 3 - Mar 21 Build with our thriving community of Black founders who have gone on to raise and generate millions, while creating meaningful impact! Application links are below: BFN Accelerate: https://lnkd.in/dj8YcCTi BFN Smart Start: https://lnkd.in/dDH5dyEF You can also join us on Feb 22 at our next event, to meet the BFN team in person and ask any questions: https://lu.ma/kobcq9ht #BFN2025 #BlackFounders #StartupTO #BlackEntrepreneurs #Innovation

Legal Perspectives & Best Practices for Startups January 30th, 2025 | 10:00pm PST Navigating the legal, HR, and accounting challenges of running a startup can feel overwhelming—but it doesn’t have to be. Join us for an insightful webinar tailored for startup founders and operators. Gain the knowledge and tools you need to make confident decisions and steer your business toward success. What You’ll Learn: - Key legal considerations for startups - HR and accounting best practices to avoid pitfalls - Expert advice to streamline operations and stay compliant Whether you're building a team, managing finances, or scaling operations, this session is designed to help you thrive with confidence. Register here: https://lu.ma/jxlkf83r

Hi everyone, This year, I am committed to supporting a few founders on their entrepreneurial journeys. Having experienced firsthand the transformative impact of having the right people in your corner, I understand how invaluable this support can be. If you’re a founder looking for guidance, mentorship, or someone to walk alongside you on this path, I encourage you to apply through the link below: https://lnkd.in/eHfyhW8s I plan to kick things off in February and aim to support as many founders as possible. I’m genuinely excited about this initiative and look forward to seeing how it grows and evolves over time. Feel free to share this with anyone who might benefit!

The Foolproof One-Minute Startup Pitch Formula (Elevator Pitch) It was originally published on?Mindchemy's blog, Here it is: “Did you know that?[CUSTOMER CATEGORY]?experience?[MASSIVE PAIN]? This is a?[MARKET SIZE]?billion-dollar opportunity in EUROPE alone. [PRODUCT NAME]?is a?[PRODUCT CATEGORY]?that?[VALUE PROPOSITION]. Unlike other alternatives we,?[KEY DIFFERENTIATOR]. The team includes?[CREDIBLE TEAM BIOS]?and we make money by?[BUSINESS MODEL]. In essence, we are the?[WELL-KNOWN ANALOGUE]?for?[ANALOGUE PRODUCT CATEGORY]?and our vision is to?[HOW WILL THE WORLD BE DIFFERENT? WHY DO YOU CARE?]. We have already?[EXECUTED MILESTONES]?and you must be involved because?[INVITE!].” Using this?pitch template, you will cover all your bases. Importantly, you will demonstrate, based on the team bios, that you are the right team to pursue the opportunity. You will assure your listener that you are moving fast, based on the milestones. You will give them a shorthand way of remembering the pitch (e.g. American Idol for startups), and you will close with a personalized touch that specifically invites the listener to be part of the vision…whereas no one likes to be sold,?everyone?loves to be invited. There you have it, founders. Use your minute wisely. ~~~~~ ?? Found this helpful? Repost it so your network can learn from it, too. And follow me, Fazlur Shah for more content like this. #startups #entrepreneurship #venturecapital #investing

The Africans Building Africa: Locals Leading the Charge? You have certainly seen it, if you haven’t you should know that LemFi just announced a round, TymeBank became an unicorn, which makes it even sweeter to reflect on the Africans pushing the agenda. Once, the scramble for Africa was defined by outsiders seeking opportunity. Today, the story is different: Africans are the ones leading the transformation.? The narrative of Africa’s growth is no longer about aid or foreign investments—it’s about Africans solving African problems. From Lagos to Kigali, Nairobi to Abidjan, visionary locals are driving innovation, solving real problems, and proving that Africa’s greatest strength lies within its people.?? Some ventured abroad, gained experience, and returned home to build. Others never left, staying to chart a path where none existed.?? Together, they’re proving that African talent is the foundation for Africa’s future.?? ?This time, the scramble for Africa is being led by its own people. Locals are showing the world that innovation thrives in Africa—and it’s only the beginning.?? These founders have built, or are building unicorns, creating jobs, and setting the stage for the next generation of innovators. From the desert to the sea, from Carthage to the Cape, locals are building and thriving for a better Africa. Here’s a glimpse of the Africans reshaping the continent by country. If I miss someone please tag them in the comments Abdulhamid "AB" Hassan Iyinoluwa Aboyeji Régis Bamba Bamba L? ???? Gilles KOUNOU Jimmy Kuassi KUMAKO, PMP? Bilal Dahlab Olugbenga Agboola Ayoola Dominic Stone Atwine Benjamin Fernandes Youcef Oudjidane ebun okubanjo Rebecca Enonchong, FREng Dare Okoudjou Vusi Thembekwayo Vinny Lingham Katlego Maphai Shola Akinlade Mylene Flicka

Are you in African tech & investment? I have a gift for you ?? Later this month we will be launching the 3rd Edition of our??? African Tech & Investor Events Watchlist - the 2025 edition will be our biggest yet! This year including more global events + we are expanding our smaller Major Conference - Side Events Digest's to cover several key convening's in 2025. For all events in the databases, will includes: ?? Name ?? Location ?? Dates ?? Website ?? Organiser Contact Details ?? Social Channels So how can you help and get access? Well, this year we want to #Crowdsource more events and need your help ?? ?? Got an event or know an event that should be on the list? See last year's list for what is featuring in 2025: bit.ly/AfricanTechEvents24 Not featured last year? Then submit the new event here: bit.ly/AfricanEventsSub ?? Want direct access when it launches? Like and comment on this post and we will share it with you when it goes live in the coming weeks. ?? Tag someone who would benefit from the list or running an event to feature. Your support with engaging and amplifying this post will help us to expand our reach with this Free Resource and help crowdsource more events ?? to add! You can follow me for weekly insights on Africa Tech, Startups & Investment. #Africa #Tech #Startups #Investment #Events #V54