Nasir C. Qadree

The NAACP has just launched a $200 million Fund of Funds to back fund managers and startups focused on issues that impact people of color. Conceptualized in partnership with Kapor Center & Kapor Capital. #Legacy: As the nation’s oldest and largest civil rights organization (founded in 1909), the NAACP continues its mission to advance racial justice with major initiatives. NAACP Capital will target a portfolio of over 20 diverse funds, with a specific focus on #fintech, #healthtech, #edtech, and #climatetech. Derrick Johnson, President and CEO, highlights the potential: “Investment is the backbone of impact, and impact investing will shape socioeconomics for generations to come. It's time to invest in fund managers who share a forward-looking vision that invests in innovation and technology, ensuring the economy works for everybody, not just a select few." ➡️ And the need is obvious: Black founders raised less than 1% of VC capital last year. [Crunchbase] Jay Lundy, Managing Director, leads this bold venture: "Our investment strategy will target the intersection of generational impact and tech innovation and we believe that this holistic approach will allow us to drive both impact at scale and generate top returns on investment." 🌟 Very excited to see this. An issue I care deeply about. Congratulations to all involved. 🌟 https://lnkd.in/e9ybTuV9 #VentureCapital #VC #KeepAdvancing #ImpactInvesting #EmergingManager #FundofFunds

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Michael Seibel, Y Combinator's first Black partner (2013) and first Black president (2016), is number #5 on MyCofoundr.AI's Black Vanguard List (https://lnkd.in/ekAbZ7cG). 🎉 Michael is a trailblazing founder, investor, and board member, who has redefined what excellence and leadership looks like in tech and venture capital. From co-founding Justin.tv (which became Twitch and was acquired by Amazon for $970 million), to leading Socialcam (acquired by Autodesk for $60 million just 15 months after its launch), Michael’s entrepreneurial track record is impeccable. Now serving as Group Partner and Managing Director, Early Stage at YC, Michael has been pivotal in shaping YC’s global reputation and empowering founders from under-networked communities. Since its inception, YC has backed over 5,000 startups with a combined valuation of more than $600 billion, and Michael has personally guided hundreds of these companies to success. He also serves on the boards of companies like Reddit, Inc. and Dropbox, driving innovation and championing diversity at the highest levels. For anyone seeking inspiration and actionable insights, check out this must-watch video where Michael shares “What I’ve Learned After 10 Years at YC”: https://lnkd.in/eCJjeSmZ. For founders, Michael’s decade of insights at YC is invaluable: ➡️ Solve real problems: Focus on underserved markets you understand deeply, turning challenges into opportunities. ➡️ Show traction: Metrics like retention and revenue can open funding doors and overcome systemic biases. ➡️ Tell a clear, compelling story: Clarity and vision in your pitch are essential for standing out. ➡️ Bootstrap early: Prove your concept and resilience before seeking external capital. YC itself actively invests in diverse founders: -- AUM: Over $80 billion -- Average Check Size: $500,000 for a 7% equity stake -- Diversity Investments (as of 2023): 15% female-founded startups (~644), 10% Hispanic/Latino-founded (~424), and 6% Black-founded (~246). -- Focus Areas: Pre-seed and seed-stage startups in software, biotech, education, consumer products, and more -- Success Stories: Airbnb, Dropbox, Stripe, Reddit, Inc., Instacart, DoorDash, Coinbase, Brex, PagerDuty, etc. Michael’s leadership has significantly influenced YC’s commitment to inclusivity, proving that innovation and inclusion go hand in hand. Thank you, Michael, for your exceptional contributions to the entrepreneurial ecosystem and for paving the way for a new generation of founders and investors to thrive. #BlackExcellence #Entrepreneurship #Innovation #YCombinator #Startups

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Excited to join Blackout Tuesday # 18 at LocalGlobe this coming Tuesday centered around the theme: 'Increasing Venture-backed Black Founders: Journey from Seed to Series A and Beyond'. This event will focus on the challenges Black founders face when scaling startups and provide insights on navigating growth stages from Pre-seed to Series A. After a panel of founders sharing their experiences, the breakout session will dive into practical strategies for scaling. ✏ Register here: https://lnkd.in/eHZpMDN2 Launched in 2020, Blackout Tuesday aims to: 1. Increase Black representation in VCs 2. Boost venture funding for Black founders 3. Elevate Black employees in venture-backed companies 4. Support Black GPs 5. Increase Black or Black-aligned LP representation Balderton Capital Phoenix Court Blackout Tuesday

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I exercised my right to vote and encourage everyone to do the same. In today’s presidential election, we have a unique opportunity to influence both the political landscape and the future of entrepreneurship. Today's decisions will impact policies that affect startups, innovation, and economic growth. The worst outcome is a future shaped without your voice. Every vote counts; together, we can create an environment where entrepreneurs thrive. Join me in making your voice heard—let’s shape a future that supports innovation and growth! #vote #voting #election #politics #votingmatters #Election2024 #Nov5th #GetOutAndVote

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We took the pulse of emerging fund managers about what it's been like for them during these post-ZERP, venture-capital-winter years. #venturecapital #veteranventures

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🚨 This is it – The Final Push! 🚨 We’re down to the wire, and your vote could be the one that helps Ferna Tech take the stage at SXSW London 2025! Our panel, “A $16M Blueprint: How Black Founders Can Raise Smart Capital, Drive Culture & Go from Founder to Funded,” is more than a conversation—it’s a movement. It’s about reshaping the narrative, opening doors, and creating actionable pathways for underrepresented founders to thrive. This is your chance to make a statement: → That representation matters → That excellence against all odds deserves a global stage → That community-driven progress is the future 🔗 Vote here: https://lnkd.in/dHQzFMav 👇🏽 How to vote: 📹 #fernatech #sxsw #voteferna #fernafounders #blacktech #founders #venturestudio #AfroTech #Community #innovation

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Women building tech — Here is a database of 1,208 investor resources with 545 supporting women and underrepresented founders! ➡️ Type: fund, accelerator, angel, etc ➡️ Filter by Women focused ➡️ Categorize by industry or vertical ➡️ Direct link to their website In my mission to bringing access to women building tech, cutting down time and money for them to find these resources is really critical. 💰Funds - are you missing from this list? Let me know so I can add you! 🔗 GET THE LIST in comments!! — Hi, I'm Nomiki, Founder & CEO of PDS Lab, a tech accelerator for women. I am on a mission to bring access to women building their first tech solutions through product training, education, resources, and community. Follow my journey as I disrupt the tech ecosystem by bringing ACCESS to women building tech.

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✨ Breaking: BFM Fund Announces New Fund.- BFM Fund A seed-stage fund focusing on founders who are Black, Indigenous, and people of color, promoting diversity in venture capital. https://www.bfm.fund Please share to let other #Founders know For the ❤️ of Startups #Fusion42 #Startups#Venturecapital

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I GIVE BLCK because the future deserves a surge of Black Wealth Transfer events, the future requires Black Fund Managers, and the future needs Black Founders supported by Black investors. We’re raising $100k to keep BLCK VC going. Chip in to something that is shifting the odds in our favor with capital management. #BVI #BVIMAFIA #BVI2 #GIVEBLCK

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Funding down dramatically to Black founders in 2023 across early stages - Sign the Community Development Investment Tax Credit Act and Expanding American Entrepreneurship Act before 5 PM TODAY. Peter Walker of Carta shared this on the state of funding to Black Founders -"2023 was the lowest share of fundraising for Black founders in our Carta dataset since 2020. The declines were consistent across pre-priced, Seed, and Series A rounds. One underreported thesis is that as VCs sought to reduce risk in the venture downturn of the last year or two, they funded repeat founders to an even larger degree than in prior timeframes. And Black founders are less represented among repeat founders (who would have had to found their companies in a less diverse VC ecosystem) than they are among founders as a whole." This is critical and all hands are required to advocate for Black Founders and reverse the anemic numbers around funding. The Center for American Entrepreneurship & Engine | Advocacy & Foundation are asking founders and ecosystem builders of color to sign a letter urging US Congress to pass: Community Development Investment Tax Credit Act: Boosts investment in Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs). "The legislation would create a new tax credit for private sector investors that make hashtag equity or equity equivalent investments in, or that provide long-term patient capital (i.e., loans with a minimum term of at least 10 years) to CDFIs." Expanding American Entrepreneurship Act: "The legislation would raise the cap on funds organized under a 2018 sub-category of section 3(c)(1) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 from $10 million to $50 million, and double the number of permitted investors from 250 to 500. Together, these changes will enable emerging fundmanagers to raise larger funds." Thanks to John Dearie for your tireless efforts and advocacy. Please add your your name to this letter before 5pm ET Today 🔗https://lnkd.in/grrzAeWG Samantha Katz Dominic-Madori Davis

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Summary: Harlem Capital, a venture capital firm focused on backing diverse founders, is raising its largest fund to date of $150 million. This would be its third fund and is a testament to the industry's continued support for diverse communities. Key takeaways: Harlem Capital was founded in 2015 with the goal of supporting diverse founders. The firm has $174 million in assets under management and has made investments in over 80 companies. The successful raising of the $150 million fund would be a show of success for both Harlem Capital and the industry's continued focus on diversity and inclusion. #venturecapital #vc #venture #diversity #dei

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After 4 months in what can only be described as an intensive bootcamp, I’m thrilled to announce that CarbonSync is one of the 10 graduates from Founder Institute's Spring 2024 - Washington DC chapter. 🏆 When I signed up for this accelerator, I had no idea that only 30% of startups make it to the end. Nor did I know I would meet such a vast array of talented founders and mentors here in DC! 🌟 I saw the words 'pre-seed accelerator' and blindly clicked on 'apply', not knowing what to expect. Speculation about startup accelerators doing more harm than good might be apt for some programs, but the Founder Institute has shattered that mold. Their curriculum is RIGOROUS (hello, weekly homework!), and their incredible mentors open up office hours to give us unfiltered advice. These sessions can literally change the trajectory of your product or startup because the mentors are invested in your success. 📚🤓 You are back in student-mode, thinking of the fastest way to finish your homework, while rooting for the other founders! My previous stint as a student was at The Fletcher School at Tufts University and the mafia helped carry everyone to the finish line <3 Our cohort was packed with amazing solutions across various fields: SaaS, AI-powered B2B and B2C solutions, hard-tech, batteries, health-tech, real estate – even pet health! While FI doesn’t market itself as a social impact accelerator, every founder I met was driven by an important cause, pushing themselves to the limit. 🌍💡 After 4 months, I’m exhausted, sporting a few more grey hairs, and carrying some extra pounds from stress eating 🍕😅. But I’m more confident than ever that CarbonSync will revolutionize industrial design for a sustainable tomorrow. We’re the closest we’ve ever been to PMF, and it’s all thanks to the incredible mentors and local leaders who cheered us on every week. 🚀🌿 We made more progress in the past 4 months, than we could have in 2 years without this program. If you’re a founder embarking on the impossible task of taking an idea from 0 to 1, do yourself a favor and apply to Founder Institute. Trust me, it’s worth every grey hair! 👩‍💻🎓 Tagging our amazing mentors: Thank you!! 🏁Guc Ozenci Brian Bassett Andres Jordan You Mon Tsang Ken Gordon Cameron Powell Ashtan Moore Tovit Neizer Debra Cancro Arcui Usoara 💡 Sean Makulowich 🔥 Sammy Popat Kuzeyhan Ozdemir Alan Ocana Ario K. Allan Wilson

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LAUNCHING A VC FIRM AS AN UNDERREPRESENTED MANAGER: COURAGEOUS, CRAZY, OR BOTH? 🤔 I read that only 2%-3% of all VC funds are led by Black General Partners (GPs). Maybe that’s why people keep calling me courageous for launching a VC firm as a new Black fund manager. Truthfully though, my whole life feels like one big exercise in doing the hardest $h!t imaginable. But here’s the thing: If you want to make a real dent in the universe, you can’t expect the path to be easy, right? For me, launching Kabila Ventures isn’t just about building a firm—it’s about leveling the playing field for overlooked founder teams worldwide. 🌎 It’s a calling, not a choice. So, to answer the question: Is it courageous? Maybe not. But I’ll admit... I’m definitely a little crazy. Here’s to the crazy ones—the ones who dare to do what others won’t. 🙌🏾 If you’re bold (or crazy) enough to consider launching your own VC firm as an underrepresented manager, check out my video for three tips to help you get started. Let’s build something that matters. 💪🏾 Together. Tally ho! 🤠 #VentureCapital #Entrepreneurship #DiversityInVC #VCtips #VC

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Summary: A nonprofit organization named 1863 Ventures, which aimed to support underrepresented founders, will be closing and transitioning into for-profit entity called New Majority Ventures. The new organization will continue to offer programs and conduct research, but with a reduced staff and expanded partnerships with other ecosystem builders. Key takeaways: 1863 Ventures is closing and becoming for-profit entity, New Majority Ventures, with a fiscal sponsor. The new organization will continue to support underrepresented founders and work with ecosystem partners. It will also focus on creating $100 billion in new wealth by 2023 and providing research and content support to the field. Counter arguments: Some may argue that the shift to a for-profit entity may compromise the organization's mission to support underrepresented founders. Others may question the decision to reduce staff and rely on a fiscal sponsor for funding. #venturecapital #venture ##vc #nonprofit

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Black Book's 2025 survey highlights trends and investment priorities in healthcare IT, based on insights from over 1160 key figures in... #venturecapital #veteranventures

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True partnerships are transformative catalysts for change. They transcend mere funding, embracing deep listening, dynamic collaboration, and vibrant community-building. Recent experiences at the MARGULF FOUNDATION Grantee Convening, Culture Shifting Summit, EdLoC, and Google Impact Summit have reignited my passion for reimagining how funders can evolve to genuinely empower social impact leaders. In my latest Camelback Ventures blog, I dive into the heart of this crucial conversation: ➡️ How can we build partnerships that fuel innovation? ➡️ What does holistic support for entrepreneurs of color and women really look like? ➡️ How might we create an ecosystem where visionary ideas thrive? Join me in exploring how we can reshape the landscape of social impact. Together, we can craft a future where diverse voices lead the charge in solving our most pressing challenges. Read the full article and let's continue this vital dialogue. How are you reimagining partnerships in your work? 🔗 https://lnkd.in/eW7UrGXu #SocialImpact #EquitablePartnerships #InnovationInFunding #DiversityInEntrepreneurship #SystemicChange

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#Opportunity! From Baddies in Tech: "Are you a Baddie with a #Startup? If so, Nex Cubed's HBCU Founders Accelerator may be the opportunity you've been looking for! It is a customized 16-week intensive program, primarily conducted virtually.    With a cohort size of 8-10 startups, the accelerator seeks to create a collaborative environment to foster entrepreneurial success. Throughout the program, each company is provided with dedicated executive-level support from paid advisors.    Nex Cubed will also make an initial investment of $120,000 in each selected startup to help support their growth!    At least one member of the founding team must be an HBCU student, alum, or faculty member; and the company must have a proof of concept/MVP that is in the market or on the verge of commercialization."   Applications for Cohort 3 are open NOW through May 31st, at 11:59 PM EST: https://lnkd.in/dYvBbpbm  

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New Year, New Opportunities: Meet the Top 5 Investors Supporting Black Founders As 2025 begins, let’s celebrate the trailblazers breaking barriers and creating opportunities for under-networked founders. These visionary investors inspire us at MyCofoundr.AI to dream bigger and aim higher: 🌟 5. Michael Seibel – The Startup Sage -- Firm: Y Combinator I $600B Portfolio Valuation -- Thesis: Mentoring over 1,700 startups, including Airbnb. Y Combinator’s first Black partner and first Black president. -- Notable Successes: Co-founded Twitch (sold to Amazon for $970M) and Socialcam Inc. (sold to Autodesk for $60M). 🔥 4. Marlon C. Nichols & Charles D. King – The MaC Mavericks -- Firm: MaC Venture Capital | AUM: $200M+ -- Thesis: Building a venture capital ecosystem that prioritizes diverse leadership and innovative ideas. -- Notable Successes: Backed Gimlet Media, MongoDB, and Blavity Inc. . Their portfolio boasts 69% Black and Latino founders, proving diversity is a business advantage. 🌱 3. Arian Simone – The Fearless Phenom -- Firm: Fearless Fund | AUM: $25M Fund -- Thesis: Creating opportunities for women of color through transformative investments. -- Notable Successes: Over 40 investments and partnerships with JPMorganChase and Mastercard. Despite legal challenges leading to the closure of their grant program for Black women entrepreneurs, the Fearless Fund remains unwavering in its mission. Arian has stated that the organization continues to support under-resourced entrepreneurs, demonstrating the resilience and commitment that we all need. 💡 2. Adeyemi Ajao (“Ade”) – The Billion-Dollar Visionary -- Firm: Base10 Partners | AUM: $1B+ -- Thesis: Driving investments in startups serving the “99%” while transforming inclusion into exponential growth. -- Notable Successes: Co-founded Tuenti (sold to Telefonica for $100M) and identified (acquired by Workday). Backed unicorns like Figma (acquired by Adobe) and Cabify, showcasing the power of global innovation. 🔥 1. Charles Hudson – The Precursor Pioneer -- Firm: Precursor Ventures | AUM: $200M+ -- Thesis: Championing early-stage founders and reshaping the future of inclusive investing. -- Notable Successes: Backed over 400 startups, including AnyRoad and VoiceOps. Charles is redefining early-stage investment by focusing on untapped talent and under-networked founders. These trailblazers show us that when we set bold goals and invest in diversity, we create a world where everyone wins. That's what's driving us at MyCofoundr.AI; we’re committed to using AI to help under-networked founders connect with the resources, investors, and tools they need to thrive. If you’re looking for your unfair advantage this year, let’s make 2025 the year you level up. Who’s inspiring your New Year’s resolutions? Who do you should have been on the list that we might have missed? Let's celebrate them! Drop your thoughts below!

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"When they litigate, we should not capitulate; we should fight back." The wise words of Stacey Abrams, political leader and #fintech entrepreneur. How will we do it? With our voices, communities, and DOLLARS. 💸 This TechCrunch headline exposes these “prominent” VCs for what they really are: They are unwilling to roll up their sleeves and WORK for an innovative and regulated system that works in the best interests of EVERYONE. What’s their “Why?” A fear of progress and the power it brings. Since women are making progress, even if small, defenders of the status quo will delegitimize, litigate against, and support a candidate who will legislate away DEI initiatives because they threaten the status quo. They have a reductive sense that if more of us have something, they have less. But as Abrams also teaches us, “Why would we abandon our principles because someone who doesn’t believe in those principles mocks them?” Fintech Is Femme is committed to: 1. Amplify Her Story: You can’t be what you can’t see, and we need more people to see and hear female stories in fintech, an industry that sits at the intersection of two of the most powerful business sectors on the planet.    2. Share Her Blueprint: After sharing her story, we break it down into actionable, bite-sized pieces, creating a roadmap for others to follow. 3. Build Her Community: We need a supportive network of women to sustain us through successes and failures (and ridiculous headlines like this!) Using our platform and these three core pillars to fund HER, over and over. In Sallie Krawcheck's wise words, the solution is to “get more money into the hands of women.” 👏 It’ll happen because WOMEN make it happen, per usual. Thank you, Samantha Katz, Cindy Gallop, and Erin Gallagher, for speaking up. When I first saw this headline, I felt alone, but seeing other women speak up inclined me to -- let’s do it #onrepeat 

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