Jewel Burks Solomon

Barry Givens

Collab Capital

Atlanta, like Miami and Austin, is poised to become a significant force in the venture capital scene. The city's vibrant entrepreneurial spirit and the robust pool of Black talent from prestigious institutions such as Morehouse College, Spelman College, Emory University, and Georgia Institute of Technology form the cornerstone of its ecosystem. Coupled with the presence of major corporate headquarters, including Cox, UPS, Delta Airlines, Home Depot, and Southern Company, Atlanta is set to emerge as a formidable competitor for those aiming to invest in the most promising diverse founders. Collab Capital is one of the leading and most active venture capital firms in the Atlanta ecosystem. Founded by Jewel Burks Solomon and Barry Givens, Collab is dedicated to investing in companies of Black founders. The firm’s $50 million inaugural fund was supported by some of the top global institutions including Apple, Goldman Sachs, and PayPal among others. After founding, scaling, and exiting her startup, Collab Managing Partner Jewel Burks Solomon served as the first head of Google for Startups in the U.S., where she created efforts that deployed over $30 million to Black and Latino led businesses. Barry Givens serves as the Director for the Cox Social Impact Program powered by Techstars and serves on the board for Venture Atlanta. Prior to Techstars, Barry was a successful operator having raised over $4 million in funding and eventually exiting his hardware tech startup. Collab is currently raising its second fund which will cement its position as a dominant player in the South and among the nation’s most promising Black entrepreneurs.