Europe's Top 50 Urban Influencers Recognized by UrbanGeekz
Prominent Black Entrepreneurs Transforming Europe's Business Landscape
Britain's Andy Ayim, Deborah Choi in Germany, Oliver Kent-Braham in the UK, and Izzy Obeng in London are some of the leading black entrepreneurs making significant strides in Europe. These trailblazers are not only reshaping the startup ecosystem but also breaking barriers in the predominantly white and male tech industry.
Andy Ayim [MBE], a Brit with international experience, heads The Angel Investing School, an institution devoted to equipping individuals from all backgrounds with the knowledge to invest in diverse startup founders. Before his current role, Ayim served as Managing Director of Backstage Capital. To date, over 300 individuals across more than 50 countries have taken his angel investing courses, with Ayim personally investing in 17 startups, over 70% of which are led by women and diverse founders.
Born in Nigeria and raised in the U.S., Deborah Choi has left an indelible mark as a six-time startup founder. Currently, she serves as the Managing Director at Founderland, Europe's fastest-growing community for women of color entrepreneurs. Founderland offers support to women of color founders in Europe and the UK who have faced challenges related to their race and ethnicity in their entrepreneurial journeys.
Oliver Kent-Braham, along with his identical twin brother, Alexander, co-founded Marshmallow with the aim of revolutionizing insurance and challenging traditional business practices. The tech-driven car insurance company recently achieved unicorn status, valued at $1bn (£727m), making it the UK's second black-founded unicorn. Marshmallow delivers fairer car insurance deals to hundreds of thousands of UK newcomers annually, targeting consumers overlooked by more traditional providers, such as young male drivers and those on temporary visas.
Izzy Obeng, a 27-year-old entrepreneur, is committed to amplifying the voices of underrepresented groups in the tech industry. Foundervine, the startup accelerator he founded, offers mentorship, training, and financial support to early-stage companies. Over 330 entrepreneurs have launched their businesses with Foundervine's help since its inception in 2018, and the program has aided over 5,000 leaders in building new skills. Notable partners include Barclays Bank, Lloyds Banking Group, Sainsbury's, Amazon, PwC, and WeWork.
Various initiatives support the growth and potential of Black entrepreneurs in Europe. Google's Black Founders Fund in Europe provides capital, mentorship, and resources to eligible startups. In addition, the UK Black Business Show champions Black business achievements in the UK and beyond, highlighting the contributions of numerous Black entrepreneurs across various sectors.
By tracking recent awards, business publications, and entrepreneurial networks throughout Europe, one can gain a more comprehensive understanding of current leaders in the Black entrepreneurial community.
- The Angel Investing School, led by prominent Black entrepreneur Andy Ayim [MBE], aims to empower individuals from diverse backgrounds with the know-how to invest in startup founders.
- Deborah Choi, a six-time startup founder of Nigerian and American descent, is the Managing Director at Founderland, a community that supports women of color entrepreneurs in Europe and the UK, addressing the challenges they face due to race and ethnicity.
- Oliver Kent-Braham, co-founder of Marshmallow, aims to revolutionize insurance and challenge traditional business practices, making his tech-driven car insurance company the UK's second black-founded unicorn, targeting consumers often overlooked by traditional providers.
- Izzy Obeng, the founder of Foundervine, is dedicated to amplifying the voices of underrepresented groups in the tech industry, providing mentorship, training, and financial support to early-stage companies.
- Google's Black Founders Fund in Europe offers capital, mentorship, and resources to eligible startups, helping to foster the growth and potential of Black entrepreneurs alongside initiatives like the UK Black Business Show, which showcases the achievements of numerous Black entrepreneurs across various sectors throughout Europe.
