In this episode of The Cashflow Show Podcast, host Clayton M Coke sits down with Cecil Adjalo, co-founder of Foundervine, to explore the transformative impact of celebrating Black entrepreneurs in the UK. The discussion dives deep into how initiatives like the Wray Forward program are empowering Black founders to overcome barriers in funding, mentorship, and confidence, paving the way for innovation and economic growth across 23 industries.
Topics Covered:
- Foundervine’s Mission: Founded by Cecil Adjalo and Izzy Obeng, Foundervine bridges gaps in access to social and financial capital for underrepresented entrepreneurs, impacting thousands of businesses over seven years.
- Wray & Nephew Partnership: Insights into the Wray Forward initiative, which has reached 3,800 Black businesses across industries with workshops, pitch nights, and funding opportunities.
- Key Challenges for Black Founders: Barriers to accessing investment due to systemic biases, network gaps, and misconceptions about business finance.
- The Role of Mentorship: Addressing the 15% gap in mentorship access between Black and non-Black founders and how Foundervine connects entrepreneurs to willing mentors.
- Confidence in Entrepreneurship: How cultural perceptions and personal experiences shape confidence, and strategies for founders to build self-belief rooted in their unique skills and abilities.
- The Wray Forward Powerbook: Recognizing 25 Black entrepreneurs who are redefining innovation in the UK, offering inspiration and visibility to early-stage businesses.
Key Takeaways:
- Building social and financial capital is crucial for entrepreneurial success.
- Confidence and mentorship play transformative roles in enabling Black founders to grow and thrive.
- The contributions of Black entrepreneurs to UK innovation and economic growth are profound and often overlooked.
Resources & Links:
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What is The Cashflow Show: Entrepreneurship Insights for Founders, CEOs, and Business Leaders?
Hello & welcome to The Cashflow Show in association with PRMS Ltd.
I'm your host Clayton M. Coke.
The Cashflow Show is the radio show disguised as a podcast. During every episode we will be talking to a business owner and entrepreneur and hearing the tales of the origins of their business, their successes & failures and their future in the business world. As well as asking for their best piece of advice.
We ask our guests to pick a book /a film/ an album or single to get to know their tastes and what they enjoy in their spare time.
So if that works for you..Welcome to The Cashflow Show!