Navigating Capital, Mentorship, and Community: Highlights from Our Latest Founder & Funder Events in Chicago and Atlanta
Last month, HBCUvc brought its Capital Access Communities initiative to Chicago and Atlanta, continuing our mission to bridge underrepresented founders with venture capital investors through intentional relationship-building and ecosystem engagement.
Both the Chicago and Atlanta convenings focused on navigating capital, mentorship, and community within their respective local startup ecosystems. The space encouraged vulnerable, real-time exchange about the founder-investor relationship and what it takes to scale with integrity.
Chicago: A Dynamic Q&A with Ecosystem Leaders
In Chicago, we hosted a panel-style Q&A that brought together a vibrant audience of founders, investors, and tech operators. The discussion spotlighted local leaders who are actively shaping a more equitable and inclusive startup landscape:
Hylton Irons, Senior Associate at Distributed Ventures
Demetrius Palmer, Investor at Impact Engine
Billy Nzdizeye, Program Manager for Innovation Labs at 1871
Zimri Rodriguez, Head of Events & Programming at LaFamilia Foundation
These voices offered candid insights into how Chicago founders can better leverage resources, tap into local accelerators, and find mission-aligned capital partners.
Atlanta: An Intimate Roundtable on Growth and Alignment
In Atlanta, we shifted to a more intimate roundtable setting, held at the Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs. Here, Capital Access Communities founders engaged directly with investors from Collab Capital and Bronze Valley.
The conversation centered on sustaining momentum in Atlanta’s thriving startup ecosystem by emphasizing relationship-building and making the most of local support programs.
Featured investors included:
Anthony Abney, Principal at Bronze Valley
Baheejah Crumbley, Investor at Collab Capital
Sydney Holness, Investor at Collab Capital
Key Themes & Takeaways
Treat an Investment Like a Partnership
Securing capital isn’t just about the check, it’s about alignment. Founders should “interview” investors just as much as they are being evaluated. Shared values, long-term vision, and mutual respect are critical.Tap Into Local Support
Programs, accelerators, and innovation hubs can be powerful springboards. Founders were encouraged to seek out local infrastructure that offers not just funding, but mentorship and networks.Maintain Relationships with Investors
Founders should maintain regular communication with investors even before or outside of fundraising. Quarterly updates that include both wins and challenges foster transparency and deepen trust.
We’re grateful to all the founders and funders who showed up with openness and we look forward to continuing this work in more cities across the country. The dialogue was practical, inspiring, and grounded in lived experience.
