CAMEO Network’s Post

Thanks to SME Magazine for publishing my latest article on the 'Importance of championing diverse founders'. Thank you Daniel Evans A few highlights... #FundingforReturns "Ethnically diverse businesses are 36% more likely to have above-average profitability than peers." Yet, "there is much-untapped potential from diverse perspectives that can be brought into addressing the challenges business and society face." #FundingforInclusiveInnovation "Support for the work of organisations working at the intersection of investment and social change in the UK with close ties to the Black community needs more support than has historically been awarded. A fund to finance these drivers for change would help move the dial towards a more inclusive startup ecosystem." #GovernmentPolicy "It will take the role of parliamentary accountability and policy changes in order to achieve true equity for diverse founders. There is huge potential to work with investors to direct more capital to diverse founders by creating a pathway for policy changes that lower barriers." #CoalitionForChange "...success rests upon a coalition of investors, organisations, governments and founders to be accountable and responsible for creating and maintaining an inclusive startup ecosystem." "We have a collective responsibility to foster a more inclusive startup ecosystem." ...to empower inclusive perspectives at the centre of technological development and advancement. ...for founders like Tommie Edwards FRSA, Tech1M (Techstars ‘23) innovating for a better world. To founders #1000BlackVoices #HomeForBlackFounders innovating for a better world. Thank you For the full article: https://lnkd.in/e6FV9TUJ Thank you to our partners Clarity Lareece Blenman Rachel Gilley(She/Her) #1000BlackVoices #HomeforBlackFounders #funding #news #venture #inclusion #diversity #innovation #ROI Publications UK Ltd

🚀 Supporting First-Time Founders: A Journey Worth Taking 🚀 We've all heard the stories—the incredible highs and the gut-wrenching lows that founders go through before they even become successful. Some never do. It’s a tough journey, and there are moments when even the simple question of "What am I doing?" feels impossible to answer. Every time we organize an event, we encounter a special group of people—first-time founders. We constantly ask ourselves, How can we help them more? What more can we do for them? 💡 Recently, in a conversation with our founder, G Wangechi, and Ms. Nancy Nyambura Wagi Maina, who has over ten years in social impact and was recognized among the Top 40 Under 40 Women this year, she said, "The first five years of my journey were the toughest. My way of giving back to the community is to make those first five years smoother for others." This is the driving force behind our upcoming event for first-time founders. We invite you to join us this Saturday, 14th September—whether you're still toying with an idea, in the early stages, or at any point in your journey. Let's talk about all things first-time founding. 🚀 "The best way to predict the future is to create it." – Peter Drucker Register with the link below, and we'll see you there! This event is absolutely free!! Registration link: https://lnkd.in/dwTwXz5v #FirstTimeFounders #Entrepreneurship #StartupJourney #CommunitySupport #TheConnectExperience #ImpactfulLeadership

💡 Let’s shed some light on a significant challenge faced by women and minorities: securing #funding. When I started my company, I quickly learned just how tough it is for folks like me to get the financial support we need. The data doesn't lie—there are glaring inequities in funding opportunities for certain groups. 📊 Faced with these barriers, I chose to bootstrap JusticeBid instead. Self-funding wasn't easy—it demanded resourcefulness, determination, and #resilience. But it was also incredibly rewarding to overcome these challenges and achieve big things. 💡 BUT... what if I hadn't been able to self-fund? The impact, the RFP / Auction & Diversity Analytics #innovation, the disruption we've brought to how outside counsel is selected could've never happened. Fair? Not at all. The struggle to get funding isn’t just a personal hurdle for many—it’s a systemic issue. It affects countless talented and capable entrepreneurs from underrepresented backgrounds, limiting their potential to make a real difference. 🌍 And worse, this funding imbalance isn't just unfair—it's a vicious cycle. When diverse founders can't secure funding, they struggle to scale. Without scaling, there are fewer success stories. And with fewer success stories, the myth of "risky" diverse founders persists. And round and round we go. 🎠 Imagine a world where diverse startups receive fair opportunities and consideration ☮ The innovations, the solutions, the fresh perspectives could revolutionize industries! Yet, many are denied a seat at the table because of outdated biases. It's time to break this cycle, but the question remains, how and when? The future can't wait any longer. 🌟

Despite setbacks in DEI funding, initiatives like these are crucial for leveling the playing field. At Fierce Foundry, we're inspired by these efforts that empower underrepresented founders, ensuring diverse voices thrive in tech and innovation. Read the article here: https://lnkd.in/eGwg8X8D #FemTech #WomenEntrepreneurs #InvestInProgress #FierceFoundry

Every tax season, as April 15th rolls around, I find myself doing more than just crunching numbers. It's a moment of reflection on just how far I've come, bootstrapping my way through the tech world. As a Black woman in this space, the journey hasn’t been easy—securing funding feels like moving mountains, especially when you're passionate about lifting up marginalized communities. Going through the finances, I see the story of resilience, of stretching every dollar to make an impact where it's needed most. It's tough, but then I remember why I started: to make a difference, to challenge the status quo, and to build something that truly matters. This isn’t just about overcoming financial hurdles. It’s about breaking barriers, creating opportunities, and proving that with enough grit, anything is possible. Each year, this ritual reminds me that while the road to funding for Black women in tech is steep, our strength and determination light the way for those who follow.To anyone out there on a similar path: I see you, I admire your courage, and I'm cheering for every step you take. We're more than just entrepreneurs; we're pioneers reshaping the world, one bootstrapped project at a time. #InThisTogether #WomenInTech #BlacksonTech #Stem #Entrepreneurship #Bootstrapping

From small startups to established companies, Black-owned businesses are making waves across industries, from technology and fashion to food and healthcare. Their entrepreneurial spirit and resilience in the face of challenges inspire us all. We're committed to supporting and empowering Black-owned businesses. We believe in fostering an inclusive ecosystem where everyone has equal opportunities to thrive and succeed. Whether it's through mentorship programs, financial support, or advocacy efforts, we're dedicated to driving positive change and promoting economic empowerment. Join us in celebrating and uplifting Black-owned businesses. Together, we can create a more equitable and prosperous future for all. 🌍💼 #BlackOwnedBusiness #Empowerment #DiversityandInclusion #EntrepreneurialEmpowerment #nattheeassistant #socialmedia #socialmediamanagement #socialmediaqueen #socialmediacoach #socialmediacontent #socialmediagrowth #socialmediatools #socialmediadesign #business

“There is no impossible on a journey of vision and purpose.” - Coco Sellman These words by our founder, Coco Sellman, shine brightly, embodying the spirit that fuels our mission at A Force for Good. This isn’t just a quote; it’s a philosophy, a guiding star for entrepreneurs who dare to dream big and forge paths towards sustainable success. At the core of our Force for Good Business Operating System lies the powerful duo of vision and purpose. They are the heartbeat of our approach, driving businesses towards not only achieving their goals but doing so in a way that enriches our world. By integrating vision with purpose, we unlock a transformative force - one that propels businesses forward, fosters innovation, and creates lasting positive impact on society and the environment. It’s proof that when we align our aspirations with a deep commitment to do good, the word “impossible” simply fades away. Join us in embracing this journey. Let’s create, innovate, and lead with purpose, proving time and again that with the right vision, we can indeed change the world for the better. #VisionAndPurpose #SustainableBusiness #ForceForGood #CocoSellman https://loom.ly/QhlNOuM

Trust is, I strongly believe, a given when it comes to being a human. Highly recommend diving in to #HeyFlow and their new Substack short read, ‘The Trust Gap’, below ⬇️ but, as Sophie Creese and Nick Dean point out - it’s tough to build on shifting sand. We all have to innately trust in order for life to unfold. We trust our alarm to go off in the morning, we trust the milk not to have turned overnight (big trust, that one…), we trust the car will start or the bus run on time, we trust that everything and everyone is doing what it ‘should’ve. That the world is on our side and won’t harm us. Where does ‘could’ve’ come in though? ‘Could’ is such a powerful word in business. It’s ahead of the curve, looking forward whereas ‘should’ is full of regret and history. The fundamental of trust is that CAN and COULD replace ‘maybe’ and ‘should’ so that our societal structures and organisations simply, well, deliver more and better. As Femtech founder Emma Jarvis commented in response to the Innovate UK debacle, “Women-led businesses are consistently underfunded, despite the fact that they are addressing some of the most pressing challenges in society.” And if the trust barometer was working more efficiently, and more ‘can’ and ‘could’ was used in investing and supporting women in business and female founders - then, as they say, trust is just the start of ‘building the bridges’ that Sophie Creese and Nick Dean are working so hard to construct at #HeyFlow. We all need more trust to start closing the gap. And more men to start reading and commenting on Nick’s posts even when they aren’t about Oasis or football… Bravo #HeyFlow - keep could-ing and closing the gap

Black women who are organizational founders or social entrepreneurs face a lot of challenges, but they can also be supported and empowered by resilient mutual networks of excellence. Building generational wealth, for many, is about more than a single avenue of progress or justice, it is about the multi-dimensional networks, relationships, and support systems that allow people to succeed. Thanks Teneshia Carr via Inc. Magazine. #BlackLeadership #Csuite #SocialEntrepreneurship #blackwomen

The journey is yours to take and the goal is yours to set. Every entrepreneur's story is different and yours will always matter. There are three things that we believe in taking note of: Transformation, Inclusivity and Diversity. The entrepreneurial climate is perpetually shifting and growing, and we aim to guide that change for the better, in ways that develop our youth, our women and our diverse-abled. The Trialogue Business in Society Conference is not just an event. It’s a platform – one where we’re able to  connect and collaborate with like-minded ecosystem players for greater impact. We believe in the power of entrepreneurship to catalyse economic growth and in advancing entrepreneurship through data informed decision making. It was our honour to be part of a conversation of how to enable intergenerational inclusion through entrepreneurship. Your story matters – to us, to your family and to your community. As our entrepreneurs grow and succeed, so do we as a nation. We fully support that and we salute you. #YourStoryMatters