‘Startups with diverse founders up-skilled on how to attract investors’

A Venture capital workshop was organized by the US Embassy in partnership with Eight2Five Innovation Hub. The hub has consistently moved towards supporting entrepreneurs and start-ups by availing a platform for them to grow and empower themselves, as well as make a real difference in the communities.


The Venture Capital Workshop was another initiative aimed at stimulating productivity and creating opportunities for emerging entrepreneurs and start-ups who desire to onboard investors.

Apart from seeking venture capital, Dr Dawn Batts said there was a need for entrepreneurs to build sustainable businesses whether they want investors or not. Dr Dwan Batts is the Director of Growth Capital for Techtown Detroit, an entrepreneurial hub that helps Detroit-based entrepreneurs achieve the vision and goals of their businesses.

"It's not always about profits that should drive the business that attracts investors, mostly it's about the social impact that start-ups pursue," Batts added.

The workshop presented an opportunity for entrepreneurs to learn how to work with investors to grow their businesses and build strong networks.

Attendees were also taught how to identify budding competitors in markets. The workshop also addressed proposed solutions to concerns of competitive alternatives that investors might jump on.

Dr. Dawn Batts has over two decades of experience, analysing business opportunities, developing and implementing strategic plans, and managing their subsequent operations and compliance processes. Her diverse professional experiences and research have led to her solutions-based approach in addressing the myriad of factors causing the economic disparity between women and men. 

She also manages the Catalyst Angel Program which trains, mentors, and engages emerging underrepresented angel investors in the Great Lakes Region.  

She extends her work as co-founder of Commune Angels, a diverse community of investors who seed scalable consumer, enterprise, and life science companies that transform lives.  

Venture capital is a form of private equity and a type of financing that investors provide to start-up companies and small businesses that are believed to have long-term growth potential.

The Eight2Five Hub continues to empower and train young entrepreneurs, aspiring business owners and small businesses. Such a workshop is part of the Hub's mandate and they continue to give innovators and business owners endless opportunities for growth.

With the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) fast operationalizing, local businesses and start-ups are looking for fresh lines of credit to exploit business opportunities on the continental trading bloc and this workshop by Eight2Five Hub was a step toward achieving this. 

Old Mutual's Eight2Five Hub is open to anyone with a vision and idea to grow a business or innovate.

As the home for entrepreneurs and torchbearers' interesting and informative future workshops and projects are in the pipeline.