Collab Capital

A few weeks ago, we gathered with our founders in Serenbe for the 4th Annual Collab Capital Founders Retreat. Surrounded by nature, horses, and hard truths, we unplugged from the day-to-day to go deep. We listened. We learned. We recharged. And we left with clarity. The next decade is up for grabs. The founders who claim it will be the ones who see around corners, stay close to their customers, and build with relentless intentionality. Since then, we’ve been putting the lessons into action. From rethinking AI strategy to refining customer insight loops to protecting family wealth early. This video captures the spirit of the retreat. What matters most is how we show up now. Thank you to our sponsors at @microsoftforstartups for making this all possible.

We’re officially in 2026, and we’re entering the year with deep gratitude and even deeper conviction about what we’re building at Collab Capital. 2025 was a defining year for us. We: ✔️ Closed Fund II at $75M to invest in industry-defining founders ✔️ Made 8 investments out of Fund II: a0.dev (YC W25), GreenLyne.ai, Janta Power Inc, PosterChild.ai, Soarce, WEIR AI, Mae, and Micruity ✔️ Celebrated two exits ✔️ Hosted our 4th Annual Founder Retreat at Serenbe, GA ✔️ Hosted our 2nd Annual In-Person AGM at The Retreat by The Gathering Spot This video is a look back at our 2025 Annual General Meeting, where we gathered with our LPs and broader Collab community to share updates, celebrate progress, and align on what it takes to build resilient companies in this market. Thank you to our sponsors SVB and Pronghorn, and to AC Hampton for capturing the day. As we kick off the year, we’re focused on: ✔️ Deploying $1–2M checks at Seed and Series A with disciplined underwriting and founder-first partnership ✔️ Doubling down on our three thesis areas: Future of Work, Future of Care, and Community Infrastructure ✔️ Helping founders build resilient, enduring companies through the moments that matter most: hiring, go-to-market, fundraising, and operational excellence ✔️Creating more spaces for real connection across our ecosystem, from town halls to intimate founder and LP gatherings On the investing front, our posture is simple: we want to back exceptional founders solving real problems, with clear customer pull and a path to durable growth. And on the community front, we’re committed to widening access, strengthening networks, and making sure more founders have the relationships and resources they need to win. To our founders, LPs, and broader Collab community — thank you for the trust, the collaboration, and the shared commitment to building something generational. Here’s to 2026.

Black History Month is a time to celebrate Black leadership and the impact it creates across generations. We want to take a moment to honor our Managing Partners, @jewelmelanie and @barrygivensjr , who were named to the 2026 ForbesBLK 50: Money Masters list. Black history is also capital history. It is builders who created opportunity with limited access, entrepreneurs who turned scarcity into strategy, and leaders who kept pushing doors open until they stayed open. To see Jewel and Barry recognized at this level is a reminder that who allocates capital matters, because capital decides what gets built, who gets to scale, and who gets to create generational outcomes. Jewel and Barry, we’re grateful for your leadership, your conviction, and the standard you set every day. See the full ForbesBLK 50 list: https://lnkd.in/eddTMYfJ If you’ve benefited from their guidance, partnership, or belief, drop them a note in the comments. 👇🏾

With the backlash against DEI from the White House to Silicon Valley, Collab Capital @collab.capital is helping to close the funding gap while not getting pigeonholed. ⁠ ⁠ Earlier this year, Collab closed a $75 million Fund II that will invest in companies creating solutions across work, health care, and infrastructure. But Collab is taking a different approach with the new fund than from previous times. ⁠ ⁠ Head to the link in our bio for the full story. (Reporting by Farrell Evans. Photo: Courtesy company)⁠

Last week, we hosted our 4th Annual Collab Capital Founders’ Retreat in the beautiful community of @serenbe , just outside of Atlanta. Every year, I pour my heart and soul into making this event meaningful for our founders, and this year was our best yet! Our community of founders is getting bigger and it’s always so special to witness them connecting with and learning from each other. A huge thank you to our incredible speakers: •Tyler Scriven, who gave us a powerful primer on leading in the age of AI. •Rhonda Potter, CFA®, CFP®, Tiffany N. McKenzie, and Eddie Bradford, Jr., CPA, who challenged our founders to think intentionally about building a Family Wealth Plan today. •Elliott Robinson, who delivered a much-needed reality check on investor expectations and board governance. •Arthur Tyson III, who broke down the fundamentals of financial hygiene for early-stage founders. •Debo Olaosebikan, who inspired us all with a masterclass in focus, vision, and tuning out the noise to achieve big, bold goals! Congratulations to the inaugural Collab Honors recipients 🎉 : Tracey Pickett – Hairbrella, Alia J. Daniels – Revry, Robbie Felton – IntusCare, Vanessa Rissetto, MS, RD, CDN – Culina Health, Hafeezah Muhammad – Backpack Healthcare, Laurent Vincent – Stack Influence, Dr. Brandon Zimmerman, PhD, – Clear Eye Test, Seth Setse Ayomide Omolewa – a0.dev, Joshua Aviv – SparkCharge, Jasmine Crowe-Houston – Goodr. We also loved having so many friends of Collab join us to celebrate: Chris Moreno, Christopher Gilmore, Aston Motes, Nashlie Sephus, Ph.D., Nefatari Cooper, thank you! And finally, a big thank you to our sponsor, Microsoft for Startups. Tiffany Johnson, Bakari Brock, Isis Simmons, Lora Anis Hanna, we truly appreciate your partnership and support! Shoutout to @ac.hampton for capturing the memories! 📸

MAJOR MILESTONE! We’re proud to announce the close of Collab Capital Fund II at $75M, bringing our total assets under management to $125M. In a time when economic power is concentrating and access gaps are widening, we’re doubling down on founders solving consequential problems with lived experience, sharp execution, and deep market insight. What’s fueling this next phase of growth? ✔️ Our Fund I portfolio companies like Hairbrella, Revry, and Sparkcharge are scaling, hitting million-dollar months, securing national contracts, and reaching cash flow positive.
✔️ Our LPs like Apple, Goldman Sachs Asset Management, California IBank and others represent a vote of confidence in our refined model and long-term vision.
✔️ We remain grounded in the belief that proximity is power and the people closest to the problem are best equipped to solve it. Fund II is built to be a flywheel: early investment + deep founder support + long-term partnership = outsized returns and shared prosperity. We’re just getting started.  Read the full press release. 🎥 @ac.hampton

Please join us in welcoming our Summer Analyst, Adrian Samuels, to the Collab Capital team! Adrian is a rising senior at American University, where he’s studying Business Administration. A leader both in the classroom and on the basketball court, Adrian brings drive, discipline, and curiosity to everything he does. We’re excited to have him on board this summer as he sharpens his investing skills and supports our mission of backing industry-defining founders. Let’s give him a warm welcome! 👏🏽

When it comes to closing the funding gap, Black women have the power to make a difference. 💰✨In this week’s episode, Jewel Burks Solomon, Managing Partner at Collab Capital, an early-stage venture capital fund she launched to close the funding gap for Black entrepreneurs. She breaks down why more Black women should step into angel investing—not just to build wealth but to help fund the businesses and ideas that often get overlooked. And the best part? Getting started doesn’t require millions. 🎧 Tune in to Session 404 now to hear more about how Black women can shift the landscape of venture capital, one investment at a time.

We’re excited to be selected as an Emerging Impact Manager for @impactassets 50 2025! We will join a group of diverse impact investment fund managers who are redefining what’s possible in creating positive change. This recognition is a testament to our commitment to driving sustainable impact while delivering outsized returns for our LPs. At Collab Capital, every decision we make is fueled by our belief in collaboration and shared prosperity to pave the way for a better, more inclusive future. Thank you to our incredible team, partners, and community for believing in our vision. Here’s to pushing the boundaries of impact together!

What a year it’s been for Collab Capital—defined by strategic leaps forward, bold partnerships, and unwavering support for our founders! Despite the market’s ups and downs, we remained steadfast in our approach and stayed true to our vision. Part of that vision includes providing more than just checks: we’re building a bench support team, expanded our co-investor network, and actively connect our portfolio with additional sources of capital and customers at every turn. We’re committed to amplifying our founders, ensuring they have the resources and relationships needed to thrive. With our second fund on track to close at the top of 2025, we look forward to writing larger checks to Seed and Series A, industry-defining founders. A heartfelt thank-you goes out to our partners, sponsors, community, LPs, family, and supporters—you’ve been instrumental in helping us execute our vision and champion our portfolio. Stay tuned. Our best chapters are still ahead!

Breaking barriers and 👏🏽building 👏🏽solutions! Join us at the #HBCUHonorsAwards as we recognize and celebrate the empowering pioneer, @jewelmelanie ! Her visionary leadership in tech entrepreneurship and her pivotal role at Collab Capital has opened doors and bridged the funding gap for diverse founders to thrive! We are also thrilled to welcome JP Morgan @chase as the sponsors of the Jewel Burks Solomon segment - shaping the future of finance! Kelesha Armand, General Counsel of Consumer Banking and Deputy General Counsel of Consumer & Community Banking at JP Morgan Chase, will join us to present a deserving HBCU student with a scholarship!🎓💲 Catch all the red carpet vibes Nov. 14 @hbcu_honors , then tune in Dec. 1 on @bet for the ultimate celebration of Black excellence!✨💐✨

Huge congrats to @jewelmelanie , who’s been selected as a Class 29 Kauffman Fellow! Jewel’s dedication, talent, and vision are truly inspiring, and we’re thrilled to see her join this prestigious fellowship. The Kauffman Fellows Program is renowned for nurturing the next generation of leading venture capitalists, and we have no doubt Jewel will excel. Please join us in congratulating Jewel! #ThatsGenius #CollabWithUs