Israel Concha’s Post

New Comienzos Community Service! 🤩The Black Ambition Prize competition provides a platform for African American and Hispanic founders nationwide to access growth capital, coaching, and a curated community of innovators and mentors. Eligible applicants consist of African American and Hispanic innovators building early-stage ventures across five distinct categories: -Consumer Products and Services -Healthcare -Media and Entertainment -Technology -Artificial Intelligence WHY APPLY? ✨️ Because it's time to level the playing field. There's not just space for more African American and Hispanic leaders in these industries. There's an overwhelming necessity. Your ideas and innovation, combined with the right support, will tip the scales in a way that permanently changes the landscape in these arenas. We know that building bold ideas and innovative companies requires collaboration and support. 🤯Eligible ventures will compete for awards between $15,000 USD and $1,000,000 USD The deadline to submit your application is May 6, 2024. Visit the official website: Apply Now: https://1l.ink/DWF8QB3 Don't miss the opportunity to present your bold idea and be part of this exciting competition. Good luck! 🚀✨ #NewComienzosCommunityService #WeAreCommunity #LeadershipExcellence

GREAT OPPORTUNITY!! The Black Ambition Prize competition provides a platform for Black and Hispanic founders across the nation to access growth capital, coaching, and a curated community of innovators and mentors. Eligible applicants consist of Black and Hispanic innovators building early-stage ventures across five distinct categories: - Consumer Products and Services- Healthcare- Media and Entertainment- Technology- AIWHY APPLY?Because it’s time to even the playing field. There’s not just space for more Black and Hispanic leaders in these industries, there’s an overwhelming necessity. Your ideas and innovation, combined with the right support, will tip the scales in a way that permanently changes the landscape in these arenas. We know that building bold ideas and innovative companies requires collaboration and support.Eligible ventures will compete for awards between $15,000 to $1,000,000. https://lnkd.in/esP7sk35

💬 "Private social investment is fundamental to addressing historical inequalities and creating pathways to racial equity. It not only provides resources to transform lives but also inspires new narratives, where Black individuals take center stage in a future that combines social justice, innovation, and sustainability." – Nayana Cambraia, NESsT Brazil Portfolio Manager NESsT was pleased to attend the @#AfrofuturismoFestival in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil alongside Trampay, a social enterprise in the NESsT Racial Equity Initiative. The 6th year of this event, organized by Vale do Dendê, celebrated a record audience of 10,850 people, bringing together leaders, entrepreneurs, and change-makers to reflect on innovation, culture, and social justice. 💫 🚀 Nayana Cambraia represented NESsT on the panel "Afrofuturism and Private Social Investment," alongside Jorge Júnior, CEO of Trampay, moderated by Thaís Nascimento ✊🏿, Program Coordinator at GIFE. During the panel, Jorge shared his journey as a Black entrepreneur, highlighting the challenges of securing investments and the importance of participating in programs like the #NESsTRacialEquityInitiative, which not only accelerates businesses but also provides concrete resources to boost impact. He emphasized that the combination of technical and financial support is essential to breaking barriers and building more inclusive futures. ✊🏽 ✊🏾✊🏿 It was inspiring to be part of this conversation in such a powerful event, reminding us that building a more equitable future is possible when we join forces and commit to structural change. Casé Comunica SEBRAE Tiana Vilar Lins | Nayana Cambraia | Renata Truzzi

Ten years ago, I embarked on a journey that started with a simple yet bold idea: to create a platform where Black voices could be heard, where our stories and successes weren't just footnotes but headlines. That idea became Blavity Inc., and it has been an incredible ride filled with challenges, learnings, and triumphs. Back in those early days, one of the toughest challenges was simply navigating the landscape as a founder who didn’t attend Stanford, Harvard or any other pipeline to the valley. From the jargon, to the unspoken etiquette of fundraising, I often felt like a fish out of water. While this journey honed my resilience, it also opened my eyes to the systemic barriers that many founders face, particularly in the tech space. Today, I find myself reflecting on those early days and how they’ve shaped AfroTech’s commitment to support and uplift the next generation of entrepreneurs. Access shouldn't be a privilege for the few but a fundamental opportunity for all who dare to innovate and dream big. That's why I'm thrilled about the launch of the Founder Circle at AfroTech Conference, a program to ensure the power of AfroTech is used to accelerate Black startup’s growth. This year we are particularly inspired by startups working on health equity issues, accessible sustainability, voice tech, and B2B software.  This initiative is a commitment to opening doors that were once closed and creating pathways that were once nonexistent. It’s about giving 200 tech founders FREE access to: 1) Ticket to AfroTech Conference in Houston Texas 2) Leadership and charisma group coaching from renowned expert Olivia Fox Cabane, to ensure you not only lead in your businesses but also lead in life. 3) Top-tier networking opportunities and warm intros that connect you with the right people at our partner companies and VCs. If you're a tech founder on the brink of something great, or know someone who is, I encourage you to apply to the AfroTech Founder Circle: https://lnkd.in/gnxwgT7g Here’s to building a future where we continue to build our own table and everyone has the tools they need to succeed.

When you don’t see yourself in the picture, it’s difficult to put yourself in the picture 👁️ That’s how our founder, Catherine Millan, felt before launching Be What You See. Catherine saw so many barriers to people of colour across a range of industries. Things like: 1️⃣ The absence of PoC role models in senior positions 2️⃣ Limited opportunities for them to develop their skills 3️⃣ A lack of initiatives that recognised and dismantled structural racism Fortunately, there are initiatives that exist to counterbalance these issues – Hatch Enterprise UK and Digital Catapult’s Black Founders Programme are two amazing examples designed to support ambitious individuals from underrepresented communities. By amplifying the voices of Black entrepreneurs and equipping them with the resources they need to succeed, we can create a more inclusive future for all industries 💼 🌍 Join us in creating a world where everyone sees themselves in the picture: https://lnkd.in/e_FGmYiU #diversityandinclusion #supportblackbusiness #blackbusiness #PoC

BNEXT Partner Spotlight: York University and TECHNATION ✨ We’re excited to highlight Tammy Kim-Newman, Associate Director of Employer and Alumni Engagement at York University, who has seen firsthand how TECHNATION ’s Black Excellence and Infuse programs are making a difference for Black students in the tech industry. Tammy shares, “BNEXT brings together key stakeholders to help Black tech talent thrive. With free courses, labor market insights, and community events, BNEXT empowers students to shape their careers and connect with industry. TECHNATION's BNEXT and Infuse programs reduce financial barriers, linking top talent with employers to drive innovation.” By supporting initiatives like these, our members gain access to a diverse and skilled talent pool, positioning them at the forefront of innovation while contributing to a more inclusive digital economy. Being part of TECHNATION means taking part in and benefiting from these transformative opportunities. Join us in supporting initiatives that drive inclusion and growth in the digital space! • More on BNEXT: https://bit.ly/47Uah8H • Become a member today: https://bit.ly/48kpuA8 #InclusiveTech #DiversityInTech #TechInnovation #DigitalEconomy #TransformativeOpportunities #FutureOfTech #TechIndustryLeadership

Yesterday, I published a post about creating opportunities that get female founders in front of decision-makers/investors, not just courses. And by some mystic chance, this was the first thing i saw when i woke up this morning: A post by Morgan DeBaun, ↳ Founder of Blavity Inc. , which founded AFROTECH. ↳She announced AFROTECH Founder's Circle. ↳ They give FREE access to AfroTech conference, 25K people attended in 2023;, ↳ Leadership charisma coaching by Olivia Fox Cabane ∞;, ↳ and most importantly - the point I made in yesterday's post: ↳ they provide warm intros to VCs and Partner companies! Sure, this program is not just focused on women ↳ but it's open to women and serves underserved founders. ↳ Additionally, they are practicing both training and ↳ providing material benefit, by removing that barrier to VCs through warm introductions. Of course, I applied for Aeone, and I would encourage every diverse founder to apply.

Black History Month 2024: Celebrating the Achievements of Black Innovators and Leaders✊🏾🖤🌟 Tope Awotona: An Innovative Leader in the tech industry Tope Awotona is a black founder, tech billionaire, and CEO of Calendly, a leading appointment-scheduling software. Under his leadership, the platform now serves over 20 million users globally, and he has gained a following of over 65K across platforms  ◽Originally from Nigeria, he moved to the U.S. with a vision and ambition, gaining experience in enterprise software sales at IBM and Dell Technologies while launching several startups ◽Launched in 2013, Calendly was created to eliminate the hassle of back-and-forth emails, allowing companies to close deals, hire talent, and build relationships more efficiently. ◽Calendly has been recognised as a Best Place to Work by Inc. magazine and one of the 100 Best Workplaces for Millennials by Fortune, and it is frequently covered by Forbes. As we celebrate Black History Month, we honor Tope, a Black tech billionaire, and founder whose journey exemplifies the impact of perseverance. As a DEI community, we recognise that his accomplishments encourage other black founders and entrepreneurs to pursue their dreams and innovate, thus increasing diversity in the tech space. #ACEEntrepreneurs #BlackHistoryMonth #BHM #Tech #Innovation #Entrepreneurship #Calendly #SoftwareDevelopment #BusinessGrowth #Leadership #DiversityInTech #Empowerment #Startups

In 2016, a black female founder walked into investor meetings with an unusual pitch: "I'm the perfect mashup between Bill Nye the Science Guy and Beyoncé." Jessica Matthews wasn't just being clever. She had already invented a soccer ball that generated electricity from kinetic energy. Perfect for communities with no power grid. But she faced a founder's biggest challenge: scaling beyond a single product. While the soccer ball got PR attention, Matthews realized something bigger: They weren't a toy company. They were sitting on valuable IP for embedded renewable energy systems. The pivot was massive. From soccer balls to infrastructure. From gadgets to solving light poverty across sub-Saharan Africa and the Caribbean. Most founders would have hired seasoned executives immediately. Matthews did the opposite: 1. Scaled down from 30 employees to 17 2. Built an advisory board of 17 experts on 90-day trial periods 3. Moved HQ from Manhattan to Harlem to stay connected with diverse communities 4. Maintained a 50% female team (rare in energy) and 30-40% Black and Latinx representation The result? She raised $7M in Series A funding – the largest ever by a black female founder at the time. Disney later joined as an investor. Key lessons for founders: 1. Sometimes scaling down increases productivity 2. Advisory boards > premature executive hires 3. Your "weakness" might be your strength (her limited experience made her reimagine the entire industry) 4. Location matters. Your HQ choice shapes your worldview 5. Diversity isn't just about optics. It's about understanding your global market As Matthews says: "It's dangerous when founders, especially female founders, second guess ourselves and rely on outside experts." Sometimes the best pivots come from trusting your vision, even when it seems too ambitious.