On Thursday the 6th of July we hosted an , ‘Investing in Black Tech’ event at Burges Salmon located in central Bristol. This event was to showcase six of our talented Black & Minoritised tech entrepreneurs from the Transforming Business for the Tech Future Programme. Our pitchers were Amina Saleh (Habayn), Michael Grimes (Vircheu), Evelyn Njeri Pearson (Majuu), Khan Talbert Johnson (BUDDI), Angela Loveridge (Better Together App), and Tia Priest (Lokah Solutions/LS Lotus).
They were given the opportunity to deliver a compelling 60-second pitch to a panel of investors, to compete for a cash prize of £5,000. In addition to the pitch competition, this event served as a networking platform for building new connections between businesses, entrepreneurs, Angel Investors, and VCs with a keen interest in investing in Black tech. Attendees were able to network whilst enjoying delicious food and drinks!
Image from (left to right) Michael Grimes, Derek Tanner, Joyann Boyce, Amina Saleh, Angela Loveridge, Evelyn Njeri Pearson, Tia Priest, and Khan Talbert Johnson.
The room was packed for this fantastic event! Before the pitches, Derek Tanner and Joyann Boyce, our project leads, warmly welcomed everyone and highlighted the importance of the programme. They passionately spoke about the need for representation of Black and Minoritised individuals in the tech industry, setting the tone for an impactful evening. We then witnessed the incredible journey of our cohort, six talented Black and Minoritised tech entrepreneurs who fearlessly pitched their ideas to both investors and our enthusiastic audience. With a £5,000 prize at stake, the energy in the room was filled with passion, inspiration, and innovation. Our team couldn't be prouder of the remarkable growth and resilience displayed by our cohort!
Before announcing the winner, we held a thought-provoking panel discussion. Esteemed panelists Daniel Folley, Abi Mohamed, and Neciah Dorh joined by Panel Chair, Joyann Boyce in engaging conversations focused on networking, net worth, and navigating investment as Black individuals. They emphasised the importance of trust and community in building a successful tech network and shared invaluable advice on leveraging emerging technologies. The Q&A session covered topics such as choosing investors, learning from mistakes, nurturing teams, prioritising well-being, and embracing individuality.
Image from (left to right) Joyann Boyce, Daniel Folley, Neciah Dorh, and Abi Mohamed.
After the panel discussion it was the moment everyone had been waiting for! A big congratulations to Angela Loveridge, Founder of the Better Together App, who emerged as the deserving winner of the event. Presented with her well-deserved award by Venura Perera and Marti Burgess. The impact of the Transforming Business for the Tech Future Programme and the unwavering passion displayed by our six pitchers have been truly inspiring.
Image of (left to right) Venura Perera, Angela Loveridge, and Marti Burgess.
We express our gratitude to Burges Salmon LLP for generously hosting us and providing a welcoming venue for this memorable event. Additionally, we extend our thanks to the esteemed panelists, dedicated facilitators, and the entire team involved in organising and executing this successful occasion. We would also like to thank everyone who attended and contributed to the event's success!