Here is something that entrepreneurs need to know: black venture capitalists and financiers are looking to invest in you. Why, you wonder? Because you’re worth it, and they know it. Though the number of African American venture capitalists is relatively small, it is steadily growing. Many emerging investors are now eager to close the funding gap that has traditionally kept minority startups and early-stage companies at a competitive disadvantage. How will they close that funding gap? With your help.
[Related: Investing Millions in Companies Led by Black Men]
At the 2016 Black Enterprise Entrepreneurs Summit, you will have the opportunity to meet with and learn from black financiers, angel investors, and venture fund managers as they identify what they are looking to invest in, why, and how you can groom your business to be precisely what they are looking for.
As the founder and CEO of Pipeline Angels, an angel investing boot camp that trains women philanthropists and creates capital for women social entrepreneurs, Natalia Oberti Noguera, will moderate a
panel featuring  Kesha Cash, partner at Impact American Fund; and Shane Kelly, founder and managing director of Wolverine Angels Network; as they lend their expertise to a discussion on what makes an investor interested in you.Cash founded the Impact America Fund and prior to this venture, she launched Jalia Ventures, a minority-focused impact investing initiative. From 2010-2014 she deployed $5 million to develop the Jalia Ventures portfolio of 10 mission driven U.S.-based companies owned by entrepreneurs of color. Cash is a lifetime member of the Social Venture Network, an Entrepreneur in Residence at the Pace Wilson Center for Social Entrepreneurship, and an active mentor to young mission-minded leaders.
As the lead of Wolverine Angel Network, Kelly connects entrepreneurs with capital, resources, and relationships. Prior to his current position, he served as vice president of finance for GreeneStreet Films and held leadership roles at venture capital funds Detroit Venture Partners and Wolverine Venture Fund. He earned an M.B.A. with distinction from the Ross School of Business and B.S. in Math with a minor in Physics from Morehouse College where he graduated cum laude.
Register now to secure your spot at the 2016 BE Entrepreneurs Summit, May 4th—7th, Loews Hotel Miami, Miami, Florida, and learn how to be worthy of an investment from these experts in the field.
Be sure to follow Black Enterprise on social media @BlackEnterprise for Entrepreneur Summit news, highlights, and updates. Use hashtag #BESummit to stay in the loop. Please be on the lookout at BlackEnterprise.com as speakers, activities, and sessions are announced.