Rubin Pusha III’s Post

Re: Black Accredited Investors, Creating Jobs For Black Men and Women! Hi Rubin Pusha III BREF Fund I, LLC is a social impact private equity real estate fund based in New York. BREF Fund I, LLC raises capital ONLY from Black accredited investors and ONLY invests that capital with Black real estate entrepreneurs ("Fix and Flip investors") in Black communities across America. https://lnkd.in/eev9VgKR Black doctors and Black lawyers represent more than 35% of the investment capital raised by the Fund from Black professionals. Our mission is to “Build Wealth and Create Jobs for Black People”! One of our goals is to help [ lower the incarceration rate ] in the Black community (because if more Black men and women have jobs/economic opportunity, we believe less crime will occur in Black communities). In America, economic opportunity has worked [ very well ] in keeping crime very low in [ every other racial and religious community ]. I would be honored to one day being on your list: Black Private Equity Weekly Recap. All the best, Thomas Lopez-Pierre [email protected] 646-527-1116

Many people and institutions have shared statistics on capital allocation... For example, how 1% of Venture Capital funds are allocated to black founders. Kwame Boler and I decided to explore this phenomenon—not just for black founders but for all demographic groups. We can all agree that 1% is a minuscule percentage. The percentage of capital allocated to other demographic groups is equally abysmal. In addition to the percentage being shocking, though, the entrepreneurship community’s disgust at the percentage implies that underrepresented founders should be getting more. However, even though many have voiced frustration with the volume of VC funds allocated to underrepresented founders, no one has described how much more they should be getting. Kwame and I set out to do just that. To read about our research methods, and be notified when the full research is available click the link in the first comment of this post. If you found this insightful, consider reposting it. Thank you in advance!

2023 has been a year of exceptional personal and professional progress. I am grateful to have spoken alongside Antonio Key and Dafina Williams at the 52nd Congressional Black Caucus Annual Legislative Conference on Access to Capital & Pathways to Economic Empowerment and Mobility and how this has impacted EdVisorly. Thank you Ebony A. Thomas for being such a wonderful moderator and Frank Williams + Bank of America for your hospitality as our host for the event. ⭐️ There is no better person equipped to solve the problems of a unique community than someone who has been deeply and personally affected by the pain points of their own circumstances. Surround this person with (1) an education, (2) capital, and (3) genuine and qualified mentorship, then watch them build. Capital comes in many forms: human, physical, financial, emotional, and spiritual. This has been the story of our team and our journey. ❤️ EdVisorly is fortunate to be backed by highly aligned foundations and investment partners. Furthermore, I am inspired by our founding team members Lizzie Allison and Hanna Ving for their commitment, fortitude, discipline, teamwork, and the lived experience they bring to our mission everyday. 👩🏻🎓🧑🏾🎓👩🏾🎓 Yet and still, access to capital among black and female founded businesses remain a challenge to be solved. Black founders were ~100x underrepresented when compared to the national population, receiving only 0.13% of venture capital raised in Q’3 this year. The numbers are not much better for women, who receive 1.9% of capital and account for 51% of the U.S. population (26x underrepresented). There are disproportionate inequities that we must overcome to succeed as a nation. America is a better place when we embrace the truth that privilege is not earned. What are your thoughts on how to build more equitable and transparent pathways to economic empowerment, mobility, and access to capital? Stay tuned for exciting news on EdVisorly’s latest fundraise and progress in advancing transfer enrollment alongside our university partners! 🚀 Zeal Capital Partners, ECMC Foundation, California Innovation Fund, Silicon Valley Social Venture Fund - SV2, Strada Education Foundation, Potencia Ventures, Lumina Foundation, Ruxton Ventures, LLC, Dorm Room Fund, Rough Draft Ventures, Conscious Venture Partners, Courtyard Ventures, Diverse Angels, NIIF: NYU Impact Investment Fund, University of California, Berkeley, Haas School of Business. #EdVisorly #TransferEnrollment #HigherEducation #VentureCapital #CongressionalBlackCaucus

Traditional angel and venture capital investment avenues have often been criticized for their lack of diversity and accessibility. Investment crowdfunding stands in stark contrast to these traditional pathways by breaking down the barriers that have historically limited participation from a broader investor base and restricted funding opportunities for minority-owned startups. Through crowdfunding, we can address these disparities head-on, offering a more equitable and accessible investment landscape. #RIC #investmentcrowdfunding

The Surge in Black Stock Ownership and the Power of Angel Investing The remarkable increase in stock ownership among Black Americans, from nearly a third in 2016 to almost 40% in 2022, signifies a departure from past financial narratives and barriers. This surge presents an opportunity to transition from passive stock investments to the more active role of angel investing. Angel investing allows individuals to support early-stage startups with capital, in exchange for equity, playing a vital role in nurturing innovation and entrepreneurship. Historically, this arena has seen limited diversity, which has impacted funding for minority-owned startups. Encouraging Black investors to engage in angel investing can address this disparity, diversifying portfolios and potentially yielding substantial returns as these startups grow. #AngelInvesting #FinancialEmpowerment #DiversityInInvesting #GenerationalWealth #BlackInvestors #InclusiveEconomy #InvestmentEducation #BreakingBarriers #EmpowermentThroughInvesting https://lnkd.in/gC3rhEpV

Check out this upcoming webinar from the folks at New Power Labs. They're asking "how can we increase representation and participation in the Canadian tech and venture capital landscape?" I know a lot of folks I'm connected with are doing important work on this front and have a tremendous amount to contribute to this conversation. But probably more importantly, if you're in the business of giving money to entrepreneurs and you're aware that your portfolio of investments lacks representation of Black founders, Indigenous founders, women founders...tuning in might be a good place to start. https://lnkd.in/eFuEQDbX #venturecapital #blackentrepreneurship #financeinequity #representation #accesstocapital

Early stage startups have a high risk of failure, leading venture capitalists to invest in the most convenient companies rather than the “best” ones. This leaves Black founders systemically blocked from receiving the capital they deserve. Here’s why it happens and how we can fix it.

As we approach the end of Black History Month and prepare to enter Women’s History Month this week, I’d like to share a few of my thoughts on the future of venture capital financed Innovation in the National Security and Defense Sector. In these times of heightened geopolitical tensions, many have paused to acknowledge the origins of Venture Capital and its deep roots in the US Department of Defense (ARDC). VC initially emerged as a vehicle to deploy capital into startups developing dual-use technologies that could enhance our nation’s competitive edge in safeguarding our freedoms and global security. Regrettably, similarly mirroring present-day metrics, investors often overlooked businesses led by Women and Founders of Color. It is imperative that as we reflect on Black History, Women’s History, and the evolution of Venture Capital in the US, we honor the memory of entrepreneurs who may have contributed significantly but faced overwhelming systemic disenfranchisement and barriers, including limited (most often non-existent) access to venture capital. Today, Inclusion and Diversity are not just important; they are essential concepts as a matter of National Security. We must unite all founders, patriots, and investors. We need all ecosystem hands on deck to combat the undeniably interconnected threats we encounter, then collectively work against them. I am optimistic that we will witness more founders with backgrounds like my own, representing diversity in many unique forms, securing venture capital to address the challenges of 21st century warfare. As we embrace a more diverse talent pool, I am confident that the landscape of innovation in National Security and Defense will exceed our wildest expectations. I entered the world of venture capital because I believe in these values, and our team shares this commitment. If you are a founder of any race, gender, credential, or creed working on an innovative cutting-edge technology with the potential to disrupt the dual-use sector, regardless of your background, I encourage you to explore funding options. If securing venture capital aligns with your company’s goals, seize the day and make a move. You will never know what could happen if you don’t SHOOT YOUR SHOT! I’m rooting for you and the impact you could have on the nation. ---- #innovation #technology #economicinclusion #prime #DoD #nationalsecurity #dualuse #defensetech #deeptech #diversity #frontiertech #investing #VC #VentureCapital #entrepreneurship #LockheedMartinVentures #mondaymotivation

Empowering black-owned businesses is essential for fostering economic equity and diversity. This insightful article from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce explores various funding options available to support black entrepreneurs. Let's continue to champion inclusivity and provide resources to drive success in every community. #BlackOwnedBusinesses #EconomicEquity #InclusiveEconomy

Rubin’s Black Private Equity Weekly Recap: 5 Updates to Follow in the Black PE Ecosystem 1. Red Arts Capital, recently announced its partnership with Prudential Capital Partners and Brightwood Capital in connection with the acquisition of MME Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiaries Midwest Motor Express, Inc. and Midnite Express Inc. Red Arts Capital, is a Chicago-based private equity firm focused on partnering with North American-based supply chain and logistics businesses. 2. Vista Equity Partners, the private equity firm founded by Robert Smith, recently sent investors a letter confirming it plans to close on more than $20 billion for its 8th flagship fund with a promise to go big on artificial intelligence with this latest fund. 3. Fairview Capital, recently announced New York Life’s acquisition of a minority stake in Fairview Capital. New York Life is America’s largest mutual life insurer. According to Fairview’s co-founder Larry Morse, New York Life’s investment will help accelerate the firm’s growth and expand its investments with the industry’s foremost venture capital firms, along with the leading diverse and emerging fund managers. 4.    Who’s Got Next? 5 Emerging Managers and Independent Sponsors to Watch in Chicago: I. 5th Century Partners II. Author Capital III. Red Arts Capital IV. The Black Phoenix Group V. The Copia Group, LLC 5. New Majority Capital (“NMC”) recently announced the graduation of its third BIPOC Entrepreneurship through Acquisition (“bETA”) cohort. bETA is a 10-week accelerator designed to increase BIPOC adoption of Entrepreneurship through Acquisition (“ETA”). In Spring 2023, NMC launched the bETA pilot program in Rhode Island. Post-pilot, NMC has completed its second and third installments of bETA in Atlanta and Washington, D.C., respectively. NMC, in partnership with JPMorgan Chase’s Advancing Black Pathways initiative (https://lnkd.in/ghrkhVWy) aimed at helping the Black community chart stronger paths towards economic success and empowerment, is expanding bETA nationally with plans to complete 2 accelerators per year. New Majority Capital is an impact investing firm that provides training and capital to BIPOC and women entrepreneurs to acquire and scale small businesses.