Fifth Star Funds

By now we are all too familiar with the unacceptable, yet very sobering reality that only 1% of venture capital is allocated to Black founders. In recent years, more venture capital funds have pledged to make their portfolios more diverse. Yet still, the numbers haven’t changed with any meaningful significance. Over 64% of VC dollars are spent on later-stage companies. For later-stage funds, it is impossible to invest in companies that simply do not exist. Fifth Star Funds conducted extensive research with some of the most respected leaders and institutions to uncover what stage the biggest disparity between Black founders and their counterparts could be found.?We discovered it started at Day 1 of an entrepreneur’s journey—that is deemed the “Friends & Family” round. It is at this stage that we learned that white founders disproportionately have access to 22x the liquid wealth to that of a Black founder at the Friends & Family round. It is here at the Friends & Family round, we found a solution to make the venture ecosystem more equitable, ensuring the earliest companies have a shot at the American Dream.?Our findings can be discovered here in our white paper. #venturecapital?#blacktech?#wealthgap Christine Concepción, MBA Stella Ashaolu Kyle Backer Audre Kapacinskas Osayanmo Osarenkhoe Samir Mirza David Pawlan Tim Huelskamp Nate Pelzer Tracey Suppo

This week's founder spotlight: Amera McCoy, Ph.D. At Fifth Star Funds, we believe in empowering Black tech founders to create innovative solutions and build generational wealth. Today, we’re proud to shine a light on one of our portfolio companies, Minority Business Circle (MBC), founded by the brilliant Dr. Amera McCoy! #BlackTech #BlackWomeninTech #FifthStarFunds #Innovation #Entrepreneurship #Visionary

The Chicago Sun-Times recently highlighted the urgent need for Fifth Star Funds and the work we’re doing to bridge the racial wealth gap by providing early-stage capital to underrepresented founders. With Black entrepreneurs receiving less than 1% of venture funding and needing the entire liquid wealth of six Black families to match the average Friends & Family round, the barriers are undeniable—and so is our commitment to breaking them.?We are positioned to unlock billions in economic potential, bridge the racial wealth gap, and drive systemic change. #FifthStarFunds #underrepresentedfounders #Blacktech

At Fifth Star Funds, we believe in empowering Black tech founders to create innovative solutions and build generational wealth. Today, we’re proud to shine a light on one of our portfolio companies, The Qube, founded by the innovative Anna DeShawn. #BlackTechFounders #VenturePhilanthropy #Innovation #Entrepreneurship #FifthStarFunds

Celebrating Visionary Black Founder: Iyinoluwa Aboyeji Iyinoluwa Aboyeji is a Nigerian entrepreneur, investor, and tech enthusiast known for his involvement in several high-profile startups and his contributions to the African tech ecosystem. He is particularly recognized for his role in co-founding notable companies such as Andela and Flutterwave. Andela trains software developers in Africa and connects them with global companies. The company focuses on nurturing young talent in tech, providing them with the necessary skills to thrive as software engineers. Andela is one of Africa’s most successful tech startups. Flutterwave is a leading payments technology company in Africa. Flutterwave offers digital payment solutions for businesses across Africa, allowing them to process payments online with ease. The public listing of Flutterwave through a Special Purpose Acquisition Company (SPAC) merger in 2023 provided substantial returns for founders and investors, positioning the company as a significant player in the global fintech space. Aboyeji is a strong advocate for leveraging technology to drive innovation and development in Africa. He believes that Africa's future lies in empowering its youth with the right skills and creating opportunities that enable them to innovate locally and compete globally. #Blacktech #Innovation #Empowerment?

At Fifth Star Funds, we believe in empowering underrepresented tech founders to create innovative solutions and build generational wealth. Today, we’re proud to shine a light on one of our portfolio companies, AEGIS founded by the talented Tamika Vantifflin.

As a pioneering Black man in the world of costume design, Paul Tazewell has not only broken barriers but has also redefined what it means to tell stories through design. He stands as a trailblazer and a testament to the power of artistry, innovation, and perseverance.? On Sunday night, Paul became the first Black man to win an Academy Award for best costume design for his work in Wicked. He has been designing costumes for over 35 years, on Broadway and in film. His previous accolades include a win at BAFTA, Critics' Choice, and Costume Designers Guild awards. He's the second Black person to win in the category after Ruth E. Carter made history for her work in 2018 for “Black Panther,” which made her the first Black person to win in the category.? Paul’s career is a source of inspiration, particularly for young Black artists who dream of making their mark in the creative industries. Through his work, Paul shows us the importance of representation and diversity, not just in front of the camera but behind the scenes as well. His artistry has opened doors for others and continues to inspire countless designers and creatives. We celebrate Paul Tazewell for his groundbreaking work, his relentless pursuit of excellence, and for showing the world that Black excellence in the arts is limitless. #BlackExcellence #PaulTazewell #PioneeringArtists #RepresentationMatters #InnovationInDesign #DiversityInTheArts #Trailblazers #OscarWinner #FifthStarFunds

At Fifth Star Funds, we believe in empowering underrepresented tech founders to create innovative solutions and build generational wealth. Today, we’re proud to spotlight PiggyBack Network, founded by Ismael El-Amin, SA, PMP and Don Scott.

We're Fifth Star Funds — a nonprofit organization serving as the first Friends & Family fund in America. Our philanthropic "evergreen" model welcomes anyone to join in supporting Black and other underrepresented founders, introducing them to the venture capital ecosystem. Watch the video below to see how we're fighting to solve the racial wealth gap in America. https://lnkd.in/gFrJ63Xd

At Fifth Star Funds, we believe in empowering underrepresented tech founders to create innovative solutions and build generational wealth. Today, we’re proud to shine a light on one of our portfolio companies, Roomii, founded by the talented Dapo Kolawole.