FEB 1, 2024
NASA Technology Transfer Program: Startup NASA Feature Series: Simpli-Fi Automation
Discover the future of telehealth and automation during our Startup NASA Feature Series with Simpli-Fi Automation. On February 21, 2024 at 1:00 PM ET, learn about the company’s evolution since 2018, leveraging NASA-licensed technology, and introducing their groundbreaking “Provectus” sensor chip.
OCT 20, 2023
MinnPost: NASA, Brown Venture Group Launching Technology Transfer Pilot Project
The Technology Transfer program is a 16-week NASA Inclusive Innovation MashUp designed to connect participating entrepreneurs with industry professionals and business coaches.
SEPT 21, 2023
PR Newswire: NASA Technology Transfer, Brown Venture Group Launch Pilot Project to Connect Underserved Entrepreneurs to Out-of-This-World Opportunities
The NASA Technology Transfer program and Brown Venture Group are launching a pilot project this fall to help under-represented entrepreneurs connect with NASA's patented licensed technologies, which are available to be developed into commercial products.
SEPT 9, 2023
Tribal Business News: Venture Funding Boosts Big Navajo Energy's Clean Energy Expansion
Big Navajo Energy, founded in 2012, specializes in sustainable hydrogen production on native lands. The hydrogen will be used as a clean fuel source for both tribal and rural areas.
AUG 29, 2023
PR Newswire: Brown Venture Group Invests in Big Navajo Energy
"Big Navajo Energy has spent the past decade bringing clean energy solutions to tribal communities throughout North America and this investment by Brown Venture Group will assist us in continuing to build that self-sufficient ecosystem in order to address energy challenges faced not only by our communities but by rural areas overall," said Dory Peters, president and CEO of Big Navajo Energy.
SEPT 9, 2022
NewAfrican: Investment boost for only US Black mining exploration company in Africa
An investment from BVG, a US venture capital company, will enable the Pula Group, an African-American company mining graphite and gold in Tanzania to expand its activities. Unlike other foreign mining companies, Tanzanian’s own 50% of the equity of Pula’s Tanzanian subsidiaries.
AuG 23, 2022
Orlando Tech News: Orlando Fintech Firm Home Lending Pal Ups Technical Team With Acquisition
A recent acquisition of an Orlando tech firm will give Home Lending Pal the technical talent it needs to build out a deeper version of its online mortgage marketplace, which will use artificial intelligence to determine loan-worthiness.
AUG 10, 2022
TechCrunch: Hear How to Fundraise From VCs In Minneapolis, Minn at TechCrunch Live's Special Event
Brown Venture Group mentioned in TechCrunch City Spotlight event.
APR 25, 2022
Tribal Business News: Brown Venture Group Partners with Tribes to Broaden Reach to Indigenous Tech Founders
As it works toward the close of its first $50 million fund, Minneapolis-based Brown Venture Group detailed plans to work with the tribal governments of the Mesa Grande Band of Mission Indians, Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes of the Flathead Reservation and the Apache Tribe of Oklahoma.
JUL 16, 2022
The American Reporter: How Ecolution kWh and Craig Bouchard Strive to Power the World… with Trucks and Trains
Ecolution kWh, the company behind Module Active Response System (MARS) is on an ambitious mission. If the Ecolution MARStechnology is installed in 10,000 trailers and train cars, Ecolution kWh could become a global leader in power generation. Currently, approximately 2 million trucks pulling 40-50 foot trailers throughout North America could use the Ecolution MARS technology. The size of the train car market is even larger.
JUL 16, 2022
Star Tribune: Minnesota startups see venture capital decline, though not as much as elsewhere
After two years of record-high venture capital flows to startup companies, investors put the brakes on big investments this spring. In Minnesota, the slowdown resulted in one of the lowest periods of capital raised by companies here in recent years. But local investors say the effects won't last long.
Jun 16, 2022
Black Enterprise: Beauty Brand Olay Pledges $100K to Uplift and Support Women of Color in STEAM
Olay Body is committing $100,000 in grants to The Fearless Artist to provide mission-driven artists access to coaching, community, and art buyers....
JUN 10, 2022
Business Wire: Olay Body Commits $100,000 in Grant Funding to the Fearless Artist to Support Women in the Arts
As part of its ongoing commitment to increase representation of women of color in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math), Olay Body is committing $100,000 in scholarship grants to Th...
JUN 9, 2022
Disrupt Magazine: A Music Revolution: How Fan Fair is Transforming the Way Musicians and Fans Connect
A Music Revolution: How Fan Fair is Transforming the Way Musicians and Fans ConnectFor musicians and bands looking to enter the highly competitive music industry, getting their “big break,” can be a difficult obstacle to overcome. And as record...
May 24, 2022
SNN News: Robocast Announces Follow-On Investment From Brown Venture Group
Adding to its ongoing capital raise, Robocast Inc., which owns the patents for the now ubiquitous AutoPlay for Streaming, has secured a follow-on investment from Brown Venture Group (BVG), a venture capital firm exclusively for Black, Latino and Indigenous founded and led technology companies.
APR 12, 2022
Greater MSP: EDA Head Visits Greater MSP Region For First-Hand Look At Bio-Innovation And Inclusive Economic Growth Initiatives
Dr. Paul Campbell, Managing Partner of Brown Venture Group, included in ‘Coalition Conversation’ with several elected officials and leaders of public, nonprofit and civic organizations held by Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Alejandra Y. Castillo–a roundtable discussion about the Greater MSP region’s efforts to promote inclusive economic growth.
MAR 10, 2022
Star Tribune: Minneapolis-based Nice Healthcare raises $30M to expand in-home care
In addition to expanding into new markets, the money will be used to grow geographically within in the states Nice Healthcare is currently operating.
FEB 18, 2022
Business Insider: 37 Black investors changing the VC industry with firms dedicated to funding diverse startup founders
Paul Campbell and Chris Brooks started their Minneapolis-based firm in 2018, specifically to invest in Black, Latinx, and Indigenous entrepreneurs.
FEB 15, 2022
CBS Minnesota: Pilot Program Allows Brooklyn Center Residents Free Access To App That Connects Drivers To Attorneys
Its founders call it an “app to bridge the gap.” Turnsignl connects drivers to lawyers in real time during traffic stops to de-escalate the situation, inform drivers of their rights and get everyone home safe.
JAN 31, 2022
The Business Journals/Colorado Inno: Looking to break into the music industry? Denver tech startup Fan Fair wants to help.
"Record labels and intermediaries only offer a seat the table for someone who’s already trending,” says the new app's founder. After crushing experiences in the music industry, one Denver-based artist is creating a "a dating service for musicians." Michael Ude had been an active musician for about a decade before he saw his big chance.
DEC 13, 2021
Black Enterprise: Black-Owned Brown Venture Group Announces Bank Of America’s Significant Investment In Inaugural Fund
As part of Bank of America’s $1.25 billion, five-year commitment to advance racial equality and economic opportunity, the company has committed to invest $350 million across the U.S. to support equity investments in minority and women entrepreneurs, businesses and funds to help supply growth capital and invest in programs that foster future entrepreneurs.
DEC 10, 2021
Emerging Technology News (ETN): Levo, Ecolution Power partners to finance e-buses and kinetic energy-powered charging stations
Ecolution Power Company (Ecolution) has announced that it has signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) to collaborate with Levo Mobility LLC (Levo) to help create the first smart city to reach zero carbon emissions. Ecolution plans to deploy its patented proof-of-concept Active Response System (MARS) Module in Greenville, SC, followed by a roll-out of its technology in Minnesota to 2022.
DEC 9, 2021
Star Tribune: Bank of America latest to invest in Minneapolis VC fund focused on inclusivity
The bank's investment brings Brown Venture Group's inaugural close to the $50 million goal. The firm plans to finalize investments in nearly a dozen startups before the end of 2021.
DEC 9, 2021
Brown Venture Group Announces Bank of America’s Investment in Inaugural Fund
Bank of America was one of the very first Fortune 500 companies to recognize the tremendous upside potential and the multi-generational impact this type of investment will have on communities of Color.
DEC 6, 2021
Twin Cities Business: BVG Founders and Managing Partners, Chris Brooks and Paul Campbell, Listed In “TCB 100” For 2022
We like to think of the annual TCB 100 as the “little black book” of the influencers, thought leaders, and key players likely to be making news or driving change in the year ahead. Not just in business, but in key government and philanthropic roles that affect the business community.
AUG 5, 2021
Best Buy Commits up to $10M Investment in Brown Venture Group’s Inaugural Fund
$50M Fund One of the Largest in the Country Dedicated to BIPOC Tech Entrepreneurs
AUG 5, 2021
AfroTech: Best Buy Pledges Nearly $10M To One Of The Largest U.S. Funds Dedicated To BIPOC Tech Entrepreneurs
Consumer tech giant Best Buy just found a huge way to pledge its support toward Black and brown entrepreneurs in the tech industry.
AUG 5, 2021
Tech Crunch: Best Buy investing millions in Brown Venture Group, a firm exclusively backing BIPOC founders
Last summer, in the wake of George Floyd’s murder, Best Buy committed to “do better” when it came to supporting communities of color. As part of the retail giant’s self-proclaimed mission to better address underrepresentation and technology inequities, the company announced today that it is investing up to $10 million in Brown Venture Group.
FEB 12, 2021
MinnPost: Officials say Minnesota’s ‘angel’ tax credit program is crucial for the state’s post-pandemic recovery. It’s also long failed to meet equity goals
Though the program — which allows those who invest in early-stage Minnesota businesses to claim a 25 percent tax credit — has been popular, it has come nowhere near its goals for boosting startups by nontraditional owners.
FEB 2, 2021
Tribal Business News: Native entrepreneurs vie for attention as VC firms increasingly prioritize diversity
When many Native American entrepreneurs seek funding for a business venture, they often face an equity and lending structure that was not designed for them. Valerie Red-Horse Mohl. Courtesy photo.That’s according to Valerie Red-Horse Mohl (Cherokee), an impact investor and CFO of Oakland, Calif.-based East Bay Community Foundation who got her start heading an investment firm on Wall Street more than two decades ago that was geared to help tribal communities understand capital. Now, Red-Horse Mohl also serves as a Native American studies professor at Stanford University, where she helps Indigenous students develop and pitch business plans.
JAN 27, 2021
WRAL TechWire: Donald Thompson: Venture capitalists are betting on the future with diversity in the spotlight.
What do you think of when you picture a venture capitalist? Probably, you imagine a wealthy white man: someone who has lived a life of affluence and privilege. You might be thinking, stereotypically, of someone interested in sailing, fine art, the developing world and emerging technologies. You probably don’t picture people who are beginning to lean in on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), but they are. And why? Because they know that DEI creates better returns.
JAN 25, 2021
Authority Magazine: Inspirational Black Men In Tech: Dr Paul Campbell of Brown Venture Group On The Five Things You Need To Know In Order To Create A Very Successful Tech Company
Turn historical disadvantage into competitive business advantage. As a result of the many obstacles we have and continue to face as Black and Brown professionals in America, we have had no choice but to develop the characteristics that make many entrepreneurs successful, such as resiliency, resourcefulness, and a commitment to succeed in spite of the odds.
JAN 17, 2021
Star Tribune: Minneapolis-based venture-capital firm for founders of color aims to raise $50 million.
Brown Venture Group is the first in Minn. to focus on Black, Latino and Indigenous entrepreneurs
JAN 17, 2021
News Break: Minneapolis-based venture-capital firm for founders of color aims to raise $50 million.
As they researched the funding gaps that communities of color face, Paul Campbell and Chris Brooks kept coming back to the same troubling fact. Less than 3% of venture-capital dollars in the U.S. go to startups with Black or Latino founders.
NOV 27, 2020
Cheddar: The Path To Net-Zero Carbon Emissions With Ecolution
Craig Bouchard, Co-Founder and Chairman of Ecolution, discusses how the company is using its technology to recycle 'wasted' energy, opening up the potential to eliminate more co2 than that caused by transportation in Paris, Rome, and San Francisco combined.
NOV 19, 2020
AXIOS: Clean energy startup Ecolution kWh nabs seed money pledge
The VC firm Brown Venture Group has agreed to invest seed funding in Ecolution kWh, a startup looking to commercialize tech that stores and dispatches kinetic energy from vehicle motion, the companies said Wednesday.
NOV 18, 2020
PRNewswire: Brown Venture Group to Provide Ecolution KWH with Seed Financing to Achieve Net-Zero Emissions for Transportation
Brown Venture Group LLC, a venture capital firm formed to fund Black, Latino, and Native American technology entrepreneurs, announced that it is partnering with Ecolution KWH, LLC (www.ecokwh.com), an e-mobility technology company, to provide its seed round of equity funding.
SEPT 3, 2020
The Business Journals: Nearly all of Minnesota's largest private companies are run by white men
Nearly every CEO of the state’s 100 largest private companies is a white man. Though women slightly outnumber men in Minnesota and in business schools, just four women lead companies that rank in the top 50 on the Private 100 List. People of color are even more outnumbered at the top of the state’s largest corporations.
AUG 7, 2020
The Business Journals: Brown Venture Group plans to raise $50 million for minority-owned startups
Brown Venture Group, a Black-owned venture capital firm dedicated to investing in Black, Latino, and Native American-owned tech businesses, is looking to raise $50 million for its inaugural fund.
APR 17, 2020
Bethel University: An Investment in Social and Economic Change
Blending his callings to business and ministry, Paul Campbell GS’14 turned the lessons and hardships from his past into the inspiration to form Brown Venture Group, a venture capital accelerator focused on technology entrepreneurs of color.