Aegis

AEGIS is a personal safety mobile application that modernizes and simplifies 911 communication, much like Uber transformed transportation. A single button press connects users to emergency authorities, provides all the information 911 needs without verbal communication, and enhances response speed, addressing the critical issue of personal safety during emergencies, potentially saving lives.

Approachable

Approachable is redefining how people connect and experience events. An event ticketing marketplace that helps solo event-goers find companions to attend live events with. From concerts and sports games to casual meetups and unique local experiences, Approachable is about creating a sense of belonging and ensuring no one has to go to an event alone. Our mission is to fill every empty seat while transforming solo attendance into vibrant, social experiences.

Arke

Arke believes that mobility is a fundamental human right. Their flagship product, the eVenture, is not just a plug-and-play conversion kit that retrofits any standard bike into an eBike; it represents a lifeline for those seeking freedom and access to opportunities. The eVenture increases the average cyclist's range by seven times, operating via throttle power to eliminate the need for pedaling. This innovation transforms a simple bicycle into a gateway for economic and social mobility.

Banyon Power Co.

Banyon Power provides enabling technologies that accelerate the global transition to EVs for all by making ownership more attainable, while assisting utilities and energy providers with grid management.

Barter-E

Barter-E enables early stage founders to cut back on startup expenses by bartering their unused skills and services so they can focus on taking their companies to the next level. Through an internal currency, founders are able to exchange strengths to save money and time. Barter-E was founded by Ayrika Craig.

The Better Spot

The Better Spot is sustainable wellcare. Putting practitioners first with a secure online community for wellness professionals and their clients along with offline on-demand space, The Better Spot makes integrative care accessible to everyone. The Better Spot was founded by Madilynn Beck.

Buoy

Buoy automatically prices and reports on vacation rentals for property managers. Buoy tracks every listing and hotel in the world, and can see every event impacting demand, earning managers an average of 20% more revenue each month. Buoy was co-founded by Candice Speicher, Tim Speicher, and Szabolcs Pasztor.

Centinel

Founded by Soton Rosanwo, Centinel provides claims-free coverage for hard-to-insure risks. From infectious diseases and climate change to interrupted utilities and event cancellations, Centinel delivers peace of mind with automated, easily customizable, and transparent coverage.

City Health Tech
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City Health Tech’s vision is a world without disease outbreaks. Through its innovative hand washing product Opal, City Health Tech is committed to promoting disease prevention in cities worldwide. City Health Tech was co-founded by Irewole Akande and Ibraheem Alinur.

CRTSIDE

CRTSIDE is a direct-to-consumer basketball marketplace designed to promote athletes, monetize content, and generate fan affinity. The founding team of former Division 1 athletes are building a platform to elevate basketball athletes and their fans worldwide. CRTSIDE was co-founded by Brandon Smith, Dameon Mason, and Aaron Green.

CulturePilot

CulturePilot is an AI-powered app that uses your phone’s built-in camera to recognize objects of interest and immediately provide curated audio and text content. CulturePilot empowers museums, artists, cities, and other organizations to seamlessly create this content for their visitors. CulturePilot was co-founded by Barbara Kuofie and Mariyam Khalid.

Cyber Pop-up

Cyber Pop-up is an on-demand cybersecurity platform making cyber expertise accessible to SMBs. Cyber Pop-up's founder, Dr. Christine Izuakor, is the first Black woman in the United States to earn a Ph.D. in Security Engineering and is primed to capture market share in the highly in-demand $100B cybersecurity industry.

E3 Radio

E3 Radio is a media platform and online radio station showcasing queer music & reporting on queer news with an intersectional lens. Their new mobile app, The Qube, is a curated app of music and podcasts by Black, Brown, & QTPOC (Queer & Trans People Of Color) creatives. E3 Radio seeks to uplift the voices that currently don’t get airtime. E3 Radio was founded by Anna DeShawn.

Eventnoire

Eventnoire offers software solutions for event registration, event management, mobile apps for events, and email marketing. Their unique platform serves as a resource for event hosts who influence Black culture to monetize their influence and receive commissions from ticket fees. Eventnoire was co-founded by Jeff Osuji and Femi Masha.

ExpandHR

ExpandHR is building onboarding confidence from day one as a one-stop shop for small businesses to streamline employee onboarding, payroll, compliance, health tracking, and more. ExpandHR was co-founded by Delmar Johnson and Shayna Atkins.

FlareFS

Flare FS is the financial operating system for nonprofit organizations. Flare helps nonprofits trace every dollar from its source to the outcomes that it supports. This helps nonprofits spend less time on administrative work and more time on running programs. Flare was founded by Vernon Gair.

Foode

Foode transforms the way you dine, taking you from discovering hidden gems to booking unforgettable meals—all tailored to your unique taste. With Foode’s personal dining concierge, ‘E’, you’re at the center of every experience, whether adding a new spot to your Platelist™ or paying the bill (and earning rewards) seamlessly.

HCISS

HCISS provides cyber security analytics solutions to find patterns of highly advanced threats and vulnerabilities in smart contract code on the blockchain which result in losses of over $2B in annual security breaches. HCISS was founded by Daniel Addison.

Let's Link

Let’s Link views the sharing economy as the new frontier of luxury commerce. Let's Link combines the physical properties of luxury shopping with digital solutions creating an entirely new shopping experience. With its mobile app, Let’s Link focuses on face-to-face peer transactions of rare streetwear and high fashion goods in the safest manner possible. Let’s Link was founded by Justice Moore.

Minority Business Circle

Minority Business Circle, is an web based application built for mobile & desktop that provides entrepreneurs a convenient one-stop dashboard and digital platform for all your business needs in launching.
Minority Business Circle was founded by Amera McCoy.

PiggyBack Network

PiggyBack Network uses artificial intelligence to take the guesswork out of finding a family to carpool with, share rides, and expand support networks. Committed to safety and equity, Piggyback makes transportation available to all communities. Piggyback Network was co-founded by Ismael El-Amin and Donald Scott.

Roomii

Roomii is a consumer-focused marketplace that enables users to lease out furniture while helping others furnish spaces short-term with quality pre-owned furniture. Roomii’s founder, Dapo Kolawole, spent the last 20 years in the commercial furniture industry as a product development engineer and is working to build the pre-owned furniture sharing economy.

Remoteshare

Remoteshare was established to provide workspace, support and community for remote working Chicago professionals. As a two sided marketplace, we connect users seeking daytime workspace options for the day/week/month, to inspiring neighborhood offices & meeting venues created by Remoteshare Hosts. Remoteshare was founded by Anthony Hendrix.

Skilbi

A community-driven platform to help students develop new skills and build better networks.

Spark

Spark Connect is the world’s first and only chat-less social networking app that simplifies the art of connecting. Spark’s mission is to make sure that people never miss the opportunity to create authentic connections in person. Spark Connect was co-founded by James Bender and Khalil Simmons.

Staj

Staj allows users to find local arts events anywhere in the world. They help artists and event organizers streamline their business by using an interactive event management platform. Staj’s technology increases the engagement and interaction between art lovers in their local communities, increasing artists’ and event organizers' earning power. Staj was co-founded by Joshua Ross and Daniel Pulley.

Supperclub

Supperclub is an app that allows you to get paid or pay to chat with who you want and on your terms. In a society of cold calls and unlimited access through social platforms, Supperclub helps you decide which conversations are most valuable and worth your time. Supperclub was founded by Mia Marshall.

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Fifth Star Funds is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. We invest in early-stage companies whose founders have faced material barriers to accessing capital due to racial discrimination. While our research primarily addresses challenges faced by the Black community and the potential impact investment programs like ours could have on such challenges, our investment program is open to applicants of all races who can demonstrate they have experienced racial discrimination in securing startup funding.

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