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Capital Catalyst: Join innovative minds to catalyze your growth.

By: The Youth Village

About this event

Join us at our event, Capital Catalyst: Bringing together innovative minds and investors to catalyze your startup growth. This must-attend online event will provide an all-Black space for both young and mature, aspiring and established entrepreneurs to come together.

We recognize the unique challenges faced by black founders in accessing the necessary financing and financial expertise to fuel their ventures. Whether you’re in the early stages of ideation or seeking funding for your established startup, this event will equip you with the tools, strategies, and knowledge needed to propel your business forward.

At this event, you will hear from Derrick Raphael, Co-Founder and CEO of ICON Talent Partners and Nia Pryce Community Manager at Forum Ventures.

Derrick is an experienced social entrepreneurship visionary, leader, and venture capitalist with an eye toward the future. He has worked in the not-for-profit and community development sectors for over 20 years and is the Co-Founder and CEO of ICON Talent Partners which has changed the lives of many BIPOC professionals and youth since its inception in 2019. Due to the efforts of ICON, he has also in turn changed the face of the venture capital and private equity ecosystems in Canada.

Nia is a Community Manager at Forum Ventures, a B2B SaaS-focused venture capital firm, where she supports founders by building and activating Forum’s network of 500+ founders, as well as their communities of corporate innovators, ecosystem partners, operators and more. Prior to Forum she worked in the container farming space focused on increasing food sovereignty and building community

Don’t miss this opportunity to join a supportive community of black founders, investors, and industry influencers who are passionate about promoting diversity, inclusivity, and success in the startup ecosystem.

RSVP now and secure your spot.

Thanks to the generous support of the Government of Canada through the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario), this online event is free.

 

We can’t wait to see you there!

The Youth Village Team

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ABOUT

Enrique Robert

MSPH

Originally trained human rights Lawyer in his homeland El Salvador. Enrique has lived and work in Canada for over thirty years, his academic formation has been useful in his role as a community development worker. Enrique has worked as a housing worker providing support to homeless and people described as “hardest to house”, he has managed a shelter for the homeless and worked in many social service organizations. 

Enrique has over twenty years of experience as an Executive Director of non-profit multiservice organisations. Including the Open Door Centre, Peterborough Social Planning Council and Birchmount Bluffs Neighbourhood Centre. 

Enrique is a member of the United Way of Greater Toronto Speakers Bureau, as well of Passages to Canada, Dominion Institute. Enrique has been peer reviewer with the Ontario Trillium Foundation, and the Toronto Urban Health Fund. Enrique has presented workshops on Community Development and Non Profit Board Governance, anti racism and anti oppression work. 

Your generosity plays a crucial role in the success of The Youth Village.

By donating, you help us provide valuable mentorship, education, and opportunities for intergenerational conversations among Black entrepreneurs. Your contribution directly impacts the lives of our youth, empowering them to reach their full potential as global citizens. No matter the amount, your support makes a lasting difference. Donate today and be part of our mission to uplift and empower the Black community.

Creating Black Legacies

Research has shown that projects undertaken between young entrepreneurs and more experienced entrepreneurs have a greater probability of success. Research has also shown that funding for Black intergenerational projects is not well received in the marketplace.

Our Goal

Create a fund of over $5 million CAD to finance intergenerational projects between Black Youth and Black mature entrepreneurs.

Our Research

The responses from more than 300 black entrepreneurs from across Canada revealed that systemic racism, access to capital and the lack of a business network represent the main barriers to the growth and sustainability of Black-led and/or owned businesses.

The Challenge

Access to capital is the greatest barrier for Black entrepreneurs: Access to funding, financing, capital or sales was the top stated challenge by a significant margin. 75% say that if they needed to find $10,000 to support your business, it would be difficult for them to do so.

Source

Access to capital is the greatest barrier for Black entrepreneurs: Access to funding, financing, capital or sales was the top stated challenge by a significant margin. 75% say that if they needed to find $10,000 to support your business, it would be difficult for them to do so.

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