After building a successful career in media & entertainment, Biola Alabi dove into the world of angel investing in 2016. Actively engaging in various startup investments across Africa, she naturally immersed herself in the continent's startup ecosystem. As she did so, Biola quickly saw a significant funding gap for female founders.

“This realization deeply resonated with me and my fellow angel investors, as we had experienced fundraising challenges as entrepreneurs.” 

Biola recognized this gap as an opportunity that would eventually lead her to becoming a General Partner at Acasia Ventures, a fund with a presence in Cairo, Nigeria, and Dubai, committed to fostering investment across the African continent.

In 2023, Biola discovered VC Unlocked and was drawn to the program's emphasis on theory and practical advice, gender diversity and community building. She took the leap and joined the 10th cohort of VC Unlocked Silicon Valley. 

VC Unlocked gave Biola a clear and unfiltered understanding of the difficulties fund managers encounter, regardless of whether they were experienced veterans with a track record of successful funds or newcomers beginning their first venture.

The program provided a much-needed dose of reality on the path of an emerging fund manager. However, it also reinforced the notion that the opportunities within Africa are too vast and promising to be deterred by these obstacles.

Biola Alabi

As a General Partner, Biola recognizes that navigating this path can often feel like a solitary journey. After joining 46 diverse emerging venture capitalists hailing from 21 different countries in VC Unlocked, Biola walked away from the program with a robust support network. 

“This community of emerging managers has become invaluable partners in my ongoing journey. This program has opened doors to a global community of peers, where the richness of diversity enhances our collective growth.”

Leaving VC Unlocked, Biola’s optimism about the future of African venture capital is ‘stronger than ever’. She departed from VC Unlocked with a renewed sense of enthusiasm, equipped with the knowledge and connections necessary with an aim to create a lasting influence on the African venture capital landscape.

Interested in VC Unlocked: Silicon Valley? Join our 2024 waitlist here. 

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