Chicago Tech Week was a blast! Our team had the opportunity to dive into the vibrant Chicago tech ecosystem.
We’re eager to deepen our involvement in the Chicago tech and business landscape. If there’s someone you think we should meet with, tag them in the comments!
FSF Portfolio Spotlight: AEGIS. Connecting emergency authorities to those in need with one button, no words needed. Help Founder & CEO, Tamika Vantifflin, by connecting her with angel investors or safety-focused corporations.
We’ve raised $125K of our $500K goal to fund black-owned startups in Chicago and Houston. Support us with donations or connections. Donate and share the link with your network. https://t.co/SIsvLZjfvA
At Fifth Star Funds, we empower underrepresented founders with equitable access to capital. Explore "4 Unexpected Ways to Get Funding," helping black-and-brown-owned startups overcome funding constraints 🚀💼 https://t.co/cfcxmSQCmW #FifthStarFunds#StartupFunding
A Valuation Cap sets the max value at which early investments convert to shares. If your startup's value soars, early investors get more shares. Ex: with a $5M cap, raising at $10M means early investments convert as if worth $5M. 💼💰 Rewarding early investors. #VentureCapital101
Mike Rome, Co-Founder of lightbulb and Startup Advisor at moonwater, Mike has spent the last 15 years scaling early-to-mid-stage businesses. We spoke with Mike on his ‘why’ for supporting Fifth Star Funds as an Unlimited Partner. https://t.co/yJdQD3FmQX
We're thrilled to announce JT Taylor as our new Director of #FifthStarFunds. JT is #blackfounder from Houston with vast startup and venture capital experience. We're thrilled to add him to the team to advance our mission.
Think of a SAFE note like a handshake deal for early-stage founders. You get funding without a fixed valuation (perfect when you're still figuring things out!), and investors get the chance to own a piece of your company later - potentially at a discount! https://t.co/PBVW9VIqhH
🎉 Exciting news! Fifth Star Funds now has 501(c)(3) status. This milestone lets us scale our mission of empowering underrepresented founders nationwide. #CloseTheWealthGap https://t.co/p9H6PaNqmr
Black & Brown founders are building the future, but funding hurdles hold them back. ➡️
Invest in them & you're investing in:
Closing the wealth gap
Stronger communities
Recognizinging potential
#InvestinEquity#SupportBlackBusinesses
📕 #VCTermsDecoded Got a great business idea? Try a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) to test it quickly & affordably with real users. We fund black entrepreneurs with MVPs &/or extensive research. Learn about our criteria: https://t.co/2dOcZHVOQh #Funding101#ClosetheWealthGap
Join us at FSF in driving change! Your contribution fuels our mission to support underrepresented founders in Chicago. Every donation is tax-deductible. Contribute today to equalize opportunity! https://t.co/m4bqhVutfq
#FSF#blackentrepreneurs
Meet Osa, a FSF Co-Founder! 3-time founder & engineering scholar, Osa bridges the gap between tech & real-world business. His passion: using his experience to make a positive financial, sustainable impact. Subscribe to stay in the FSF loop https://t.co/PBVW9VIqhH
#FifthStarFunds
Champions for sustainability & allies in building a brighter future, this month we are highlighting Rankin Foundation. Read more https://t.co/JVECwT3sWI. #ThankYou#FifthStarFunds#Sustainability
First up: "dilutive" vs "non-dilutive" funding. Non-dilutive: retains control and dividends, includes grants, crowdfunding, and family loans. Dilutive: issues new shares for funding. Follow us as we decode VC jargon and make funding more accessible! #ClosetheWealthGap#Funding101
📢 Explore the ongoing advocacy for empowering Black entrepreneurs! Our latest article delves into the ongoing advocacy for empowering Black entrepreneurs beyond Black History Month. Let's keep the momentum going together. Read more: https://t.co/qGqA2rJtK7
#CloseTheWealthGap
We're honored to have Stella Ashaolu leading the FSF team! As Co-Founder of Fifth Star Funds & CEO of @WeSolv, she's spearheading our mission for black entrepreneurs. @Techstars & @1871tech mentor, vocal diversity advocate. BA from UCLA, MBA from USC. #DiversityInTech
Did you know the average white American family's wealth is 8x that of the average Black family? But what about the "liquid" wealth gap? At Fifth Star, we developed this measure to reveal challenges Black founders face. Read our white paper. https://t.co/GTaIRDgwmk
I absolutely love what @fifthstarfunds is doing and trying to achieve. Ubiquity AI - our startup - has been looking for a worthy cause to support for ages. We just found it. You hear so many VCs and startup ‘gurus’ saying the harder you work you luckier you get. That’s BS!
Here’s the fact: most traditional LPs / VCs are white and male …and they invest in white, male led startups. Hard work has nothing to do with it.
Let’s work together to support founders from all backgrounds. 👊🏽💥