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Venture Capital

Zimi, a startup simplifying cross-border commerce for international merchants, has raised $2 million in seed funding led by Fearless Fund, with participation from Y Combinator and other investors. Co-founded by Audrey Djiya and Peter Nsaka, Zimi’s platform tackles challenges like shipping, compliance, and payments to streamline global trade. Tackling Challenges in Global Shipping International merchants often face high shipping costs, long delivery times, and complex regulatory requirements.  Zimi addresses these pain points by providing US-based localized fulfillment centers, cutting down costs and delivery times while ensuring seamless handling of taxes,

Former NBA star Metta Sandiford-Artest, formerly known as Metta World Peace, is launching a $100 million venture fund focused on sports technology, digital media, and wellness innovations.  The fund, Tru Skye Ventures, is a partnership with ex-Boost Mobile CEO Stephen Stokols and is slated to raise the capital by the first quarter of 2025, according to Sportico. Tru Skye Ventures aims to back early-stage startups, combining capital with expertise in product development, brand partnerships, and growth marketing. Targeting Innovation in Sports and Wellness Tru Skye Ventures has already announced an

1863 Ventures, a nonprofit known for championing underrepresented founders, will close and reemerge as a for-profit entity, New Majority Ventures. Under the continued leadership of founder Melissa Bradley, the new organization aims to better support New Majority founders—women, people of color, LGBTQIA+, and other historically marginalized entrepreneurs. In a statement, Bradley explained that the shift to a for-profit model will enable the organization to deepen its impact through partnerships with accelerators, incubators, and universities, while maintaining its core mission. A Legacy of Impact Since its founding nearly a decade ago,

Fuze Fund has unveiled a $30 million venture capital fund aimed at empowering minority, women, and veteran entrepreneurs, seeking to bridge the equity gap in the startup ecosystem. The newly launched Fuze Venture Growth Fund I, LP is a Reg-D 506(c) fund recently approved by the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).  The fund is currently in its subscription phase and invites accredited investors to contribute alongside offering mentorship, strategic guidance, and resources to ensure the success of underrepresented founders. A Mission Rooted in Advocacy and Impact Dr. T.J. Breeden,

Lumina, a newly launched media group and venture capital firm, is backing Carrousel Studios, the latest venture by French actor Omar Sy.  Sy, celebrated for roles in Lupin and The Intouchables, co-founded Carrousel Studios with director Louis Leterrier (The Incredible Hulk).  A Star-Driven Production Model Founded by Gangs of London producer Thomas Benski, Lumina’s mission is to give creators greater control over their intellectual property. Carrousel Studios, Lumina’s first major partnership, reflects this vision by prioritising intellectual property ownership and sustainability for high-profile talent. “Too often, artists aren’t at the

Intrapreneurship—the practice of creating ventures within existing organizations—could help bridge the resources gap Black founders face, recent new research suggests. Intrapreneurship: A Safer Space for Innovation While Black and white entrepreneurs start businesses at similar rates, Black-founded ventures are only half as likely to achieve financial viability.  New research by Olenka Kacperczyk (London Business School) and Tiantian Yang (Wharton) shows Black intrapreneurs achieve financial outcomes nearly equal to white peers, with just a 2% gap over five years. One key factor? Researchers note that employers are already familiar with their

9fin, a London-based debt market intelligence startup, has secured $50 million in Series B funding led by Highland Europe, a prominent growth capital investor.  As first reported by The Financial Times, this latest funding is expected to drive 9fin’s expansion, particularly in the United States, where the company’s growth is accelerating.  It also marks a milestone in 9fin’s journey, bringing total funding to nearly $90 million since its inception in 2016. Aiming for Billion-Dollar Revenues Co-founded by Huss El-Sheikh and Steven Hunter, 9fin began as a response to the lack

Rebekah Kasumu is on a mission to level the playing field for first-time fund managers. With over 15 years of experience in private markets, she recently launched Flourish Partners, a firm dedicated to helping emerging fund managers navigate the complex world of launching and growing their funds. A Career Built on Experience Kasumu’s track record spans leadership roles at top-tier firms. Before starting Flourish Partners, she worked as Partner and Head of Finance at Localglobe, managing over $2 billion in assets across more than 15 funds. She also led finance and

Startup Noir NOLA is setting a new standard for empowering Black entrepreneurs and investors in New Orleans.  This initiative, launched by Greater New Orleans Inc. (GNO Inc.), provides resources and opportunities to support the success of Black-led startups in a region brimming with potential.  With access to networking events, educational sessions, and strategic mentorship, the program aims to address the systemic barriers that often hinder access to capital and connections. Closing the Funding Gap Despite the growth of venture capital, Black founders continue to receive only a fraction of total

LeapFrog Investments, a private equity firm with a focus on impact-driven investments, has closed its fourth fund, raising $1.15 billion to fuel financial services and healthcare in emerging markets.  The milestone includes $808 million in primary commitments and $210 million allocated for co-investments.  This fund aims to reach millions of underserved consumers in Africa and Asia with transformative services. Expanding the Reach of Impact Investing The Fund IV investor lineup includes leading global institutions like Temasek, Prudential Financial, and AIA, alongside development finance powerhouses such as the European Investment Bank

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