Kwame Anku

Chairman & CEO, Black Star Fund
Greater Sacramento,United States
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Who Is Kwame Anku?

Total Experience147 years
CompanyBlack Star Fund
CountryUnited States

Kwame Anku is a highly respected venture capitalist, strategic advisor, and public speaker, renowned for his dedication to fostering innovation and economic empowerment, particularly within Black and underrepresented communities. He is the Co-Founder and CEO of Black Star Fund, an early-stage venture capital firm that invests in visionary Black founders building transformative technology companies. Anku's career has been marked by a commitment to identifying and nurturing talent in often overlooked markets. He possesses a deep understanding of technology trends, startup ecosystems, and the nuances of venture capital. Prior to Black Star Fund, he was a Principal at a prominent national law firm and served as the inaugural Director of Strategic Development for the Presidential Inaugural Committee for President Barack Obama. He is a graduate of Stanford University and UCLA School of Law.

How Did Kwame Anku's Career Path Shape Their Journey?

Kwame Anku's work history includes a series of influential roles in various companies. Here is a detailed list of his professional journey:

Black Star Fund - Chairman & CEO(2018 to Present)
The Aspen Institute - Aspen Ascend Fellow(2018 to Present)
North Central University - Board of Regents(2018 to Present)
New Community Transformation Fund - Board Member(2021 to Present)
Actively Black - Investor, Board Director(2020 to Present)
CeekVR - Investor, Board Director(2019 to Present)
Partake Foods - Investor(2019 to Present)
BandwagonFanClub, Inc. - Investor, Board Director(2017 to Present)
PopCom (formerly Solutions Vending) - Investor(2019 to Present)
Win-Win - Investor, Board Director(2018 to Present)
On Second Thought - Investor, Senior Growth Strategy Advisor(2019 to Present)
Ujama Inc. - Investor, Senior Growth Strategy Advisor(2018 to Present)
Amp.It - Investor, Senior Growth Strategy Advisor(2019 to Present)
Color Farm Media - Strategic Growth Advisor(2018 to Present)
AT&T - Mentor, AT&T Aspire Accelerator(2017 to Present)
Founder Institute - Mentor(2017 to Present)
Carlsen Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship - Advisory Board Member(2018 to Present)
Black Angel Tech Fund - Co-Founder(2015 to Present)
New Dawn Global - Principal(2016 to Present)
Ghana Tech Summit - Ambassador, United States(2019 to 2020)
TEDx - Featured Speaker(2019 to 2019)
YesWeCode - Director of Strategic Development(2013 to 2015)
LegalShield Official - Regional Manager, Executive Director Group Benefits & Security Specialist(2005 to 2015)

What Are Kwame Anku's Key Achievements?

Co-Founder & CEO, Black Star Fund

Established and leads a pioneering venture capital firm focused on investing in high-growth technology companies led by Black founders, aiming to generate strong returns while creating significant social and economic impact.

Champion for Underrepresented Founders

Actively works to bridge the funding gap for Black entrepreneurs and promote diversity and inclusion within the tech and venture capital ecosystems through investments, mentorship, and advocacy.

Influential Speaker and Thought Leader

Frequently invited to speak at major conferences and events (e.g., CES, SXSW, Milken Institute Global Conference) on topics such as venture capital, diversity in tech, innovation, and economic empowerment.

Director of Strategic Development, Presidential Inaugural Committee (2009)

Played a key role in the strategic development for the historic inauguration of President Barack Obama, demonstrating leadership and organizational capabilities on a national stage.

Advisor and Board Member

Serves as an advisor and board member to various startups and organizations, leveraging his expertise to guide their growth and strategic direction.

What's Kwame Anku's Educational Background?

Bachelor’s Degree

Stanford University - Year 1990

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Company Overview

Black Star Fund
Total employees15
HeadquartersAustin
Founded2020

Black Star Fund is a private equity fund initiative, launched by Robert F. Smith (Founder, Chairman, and CEO of Vista Equity Partners), dedicated to investing in Black-owned businesses and entrepreneurs. Its primary goal is to address the persistent funding gap faced by Black founders and to foster economic empowerment and wealth creation within the Black community by providing capital, operational expertise, and access to extensive networks.

Black Star Fund Funding Information
Unknown - Total Funding Raised
$50M - Most recent funding amount
1 - Number of funding rounds
20 October, 2020 - Latest funding round
Lead Investors:
Robert F. Smith
Vista Equity Partners (as the managing entity/sponsor)

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