Wire Or Hire: 10 Funding Sources for Black Startup Founders

Only 1% of venture-funded startup founders are Black. Not only do startups have a problem funding Black founders, venture capital itself has it’s own problems with race with 80% of VC firms don’t have a single Black investor. (Washington Post, Tech Crunch) With limited access to capital, it’s no surprise that the average Black entrepreneur starts a business with $35,000 — one-third of the capital than White entrepreneurs. (Black and White: Access to Capital Among Minority-Owned Startups 2016)

Here’s a list of 10 funding sources for Black Startup Founders:

1. 1863 Ventures founded by Melissa Bradley

I first met Melissa via Georgetown University where partnered with the Ford Fund to host HerImpact. (Technically 2019) I volunteered as a mentor and was completely blown away by the presentations, sessions, and the energy of the community.

Melissa is the founder of the 1863 Ventures fund through which she has supported 525 high growth businesses in the DMV. Her focus area is all historically marginalized communities, Native Americans, women, and others.