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The Black Report research conducted by 10X10 and Google, showed that in a case study of start-ups in the UK 88% of the founders self-funded part of their ventures. On average, founders self-funded £13,930 which suggests that a mix of other financing alternatives still comprise the bulk. What’s also interesting is that self-finance among these black founders was not synonymous with ‘family and friends round.’ Only 22% of Black founders relied on friends and family for early financial support - precisely 25% of the amount who self-funded their venture.

At unLevel we understand that it saves founders having to pitch for external investors, where a lot of time is consumed and rejection is faced. The unLevel platform looks to make funding a much simpler process.

Source: Black Report conducted by 10X10

The Good Immigrant is an anthology of twenty-one essays edited by Nikesh Shukla after a crowdfunding campaign. Written by British authors who identify as; Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic, the essays concern race, immigration, identity, exploring the experience of immigrants and ethnic minority life in the United Kingdom from their perspective. Contributors include actor/musician Riz Ahmed, journalist Reni Eddo-Lodge, comedian Nish Kumar and playwright Vinay Patel. This is not only a great read that we would recommend, but also a great example of what crowd-funding can achieve.

Visit www.unlevel.co.uk to take your first step in setting up your campaign and getting funding from the unLevel community.

Jennifer Dyer and Kiaran Sim are the Founders of Black owned tech company Yappa. The app is a tool that aims to prevent users of online platforms including social media and news websites from being anonymous. Users are required to share their thoughts by using their voices. Amid the pandemic, Yappa has applied its technology to virtual events, helping those including Black Entrepreneurs Day and Shaq vs. Gronk better engage attendees. Yappa is breaking new ground in social media and we would like to celebrate their continuous achievements. unLevel believes in changing the narrative and challenging the status quo.

The American Express annual state of women owned businesses report focuses on women-owned businesses. These are defined as US businesses that are at least 51% owned, operated and controlled by one or more Females. Between 2014 and 2019, the number of women-owned businesses climbed 21% to a total of nearly 13 million (12,943,400). Over the past five years, the annual growth rate in the number of women-owned firms has been more than double that of all businesses at 9%.

At unLevel we believe the potential of women entrepreneurs for spurring economic growth has not been fully realized and we hope to assist this by creating a platform that will allow Female founders to share their businesses with the community.

Source: American Express Ninth Annual State of Women-owned Businesses Report 2019

Perch Credit App founded by Michael Broughton and Ayush Jain, aims to boost the credit scores of those in underserving communities. Jay-Z is continuing to help minority communities advance financially by becoming a key investor in the Perch Credit App.

Broughton has stated the following about getting top investors “I came from a background where I was never even exposed to venture capital or working with investors...I got told no over 100 times before we got our first cheque.” .credit








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Alicia Keys the award-winning singer-songwriter has teamed up with the affordable cosmetics company e.l.f beauty for a new skin-care line, Keys Soulcare. The collection aims to share the soul of self-care and skin care through content, conversation and community. According to Alicia, there are four "Keys to Soulcare" Body, Spirit, Mind and Connection. These represent our physical, spiritual, mental and social selves, and work together to unlock our inner light so that we can be more radiant.

Based on Alicia’s belief in the power of our collective action, she is calling on a community of individuals who collectively use their voices and platforms to spread light and positive change. At unLevel we share the same belief in collectively making positive change, visit to join our community









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For Black and Latinx founded companies in the US, 39% have a Female founder. Although in 2019, the percentage of Venture Capital that went to Female only founded companies in the US was 4% and to male-female co-led companies it was 9%. These statistics show that Black and Latinx females are being under funded in comparison to male founders. At unLevel we are very passionate about giving Female entrepreneurs the opportunity to get the funding necessary to start or develop their existing businesses. Please join us at and help us support the community.
Source: https://about.crunchbase.com/2020-diversity-spotlight-report/

For Black and Latinx founded companies in the US, 39% have a Female founder. Although in 2019, the percentage of Venture Capital that went to Female only founded companies in the US was 4% and to male-female co-led companies it was 9%. These statistics show that Black and Latinx females are being under funded in comparison to male founders. At unLevel we are very passionate about giving Female entrepreneurs the opportunity to get the funding necessary to start or develop their existing businesses. Please join us at and help us support the community.
Source: https://about.crunchbase.com/2020-diversity-spotlight-report/








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This shocking statistic is worrying because it shows the huge gap in the ability for Female and Male founders to gain funding for their businesses, it also shows that we have a long way to go to level the playing field for women. This community needs support and uplifting and where best to get that support than from the unLevel Community. www.unlevel.co.uk

Akala (Kingslee Daley) has become one of Britain's most important voices. Akala has released hip-hop albums, made BBC documentaries, campaigned on a range of issues, led university seminars & has now published his first book.

Natives: Race and Class in the Ruins of Empire is a detailed sociological investigation of racism and a whistle-stop tour of global politics. We get an engaging and nuanced analysis of themes including the state of British culture, the historical function of racial superiority theories. Akala highlights the legacy of colonialism, the pernicious racism throughout media, the educational system as well as the complex relation between race and class.

Akala demonstrates an impressive level of intellectual courage and doesn’t shy away from challenging deeply entrenched narratives, including the mainstream media’s coverage of worldwide issues.

Historically, funding for Black and Multi-Ethnic founders has paled in comparison to that for founders from majority groups. Black Female entrepreneurs experienced the poorest outcomes. A total of 10 Female entrepreneurs of Black appearance received venture capital investment (0.02% of the total amount invested) across the 10-year period between 2009 - 2019. At unLevel it is widely acknowledged that the coronavirus pandemic presents an opportunity to build back better, join the community at and help us on our mission.
Source: https://www.extend.vc/reports

Ashley J Summer is the CEO and Founder of Quilt, an online platform connecting female freelancers and entrepreneurs to co-work together in their homes, and get paid for it. Through the Quilt website, users can utilize their homes (as host or guests) as community workspace to foster a community and collaborative environment. The mission is to bring women together and break down the gender gap for entrepreneurship by creating one-of-a-kind co-working spaces and networking events. At unLevel we believe that platforms like Quilt and our share a common goal in wanting to create a community that can act as springboard and propel people to fulfil their dreams. www.wearequilt.com

Julie Kuo and Connie Kuo are female founders of AVRE, which stands for; Authentic, Versatile, Responsible & Empowered. These two Taiwanese-American sisters self-funded AVRE to produce sustainable footwear to celebrate women's strength and individuality while also helping to preserve the planet, with footwear made from repurposed plastic bottles. At unLevel we feel this venture is the perfect example of achieving your dreams whilst keeping ownership.

Robyn Fenty also better known as Rihanna has joined the billionaire club with a fortune worth in region of $1.7 Billion, making her the wealthiest female woman second only to Oprah Winfrey. The bulk of her fortune is from Fenty Beauty a venture that aims to address different skin tones previously ignored by many other makeup brands. unLevel wants to celebrate her achievements, diverse thinking & entrepreneurial mindset.

unLevel is aiming to build a community that can thrive and support likeminded individuals. Alone we can dream but together we can make that dream a reality. Our platform is here to stay and level the playing field for all.

43% of all UK Venture capitalists investment at seed stage between 2009 - 2019
was in teams with atleast one member from an elite educational background.
i.e. Oxford, Cambridge, Harvard, Stanford etc.
Source : Extend Ventures

England forward Raheem Sterling recently became an MBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours for his services to racial equality in sport.

Raheem said "I am grateful to have been recognised but my priority is to try to help to educate society and myself. If it doesn't start from within, then there's no way you can help others."

We would like to celebrate Raheem Sterling for not being silent, highlighting the need for uncomfortable conversations and being open about racism challenges within sport.

England and Manchester United footballer Marcus Rashford has become the youngest person ever to top the Sunday Times Giving List. The striker has donated £20 million to food, poverty and community charities – a sum greater than his personal wealth.

At Unlevel we would like to congradulate Marcus Rashford for awakening the conscience of a nation and forcing the government to address the issue of food poverty among the poorest and most vulnerable children as the Covid pandemic closed schools and turned life on its head.

This statistic shows there is a massive gap for Black female founders getting the funding to make their projects make a massive step up. Why is this happening but more importantly how can we change this? Join us at unLevel where we aim to make a difference in giving entrepeneurs the help they need and deserve.
Source : https://www.extend.vc/reports

The legendary music and business mogul master p and nba allstar Baron Davis are trying to buy Reebok from Addias.
It is important to understand that Reebok earned a lot of money from atheletes advertising the brand but limited royalties have been provided to these NBA players. Master P and Baron Davis are trying to turn Reebok into a lifestyle brand not just a basketball brand. In their own words they are trying to "...put money back into the community that built the brand " to help elevate others. At unlevel we support this and believe elevation is key. Join us in celebrating this venture and join us in supporting campaigns on our platform trying achieve change.
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At unLevel we would like to celebrate Black Pride as equality is important for all. Today is important for all to remember a level playing field is important for our future.

This stat highlights that entrepeneurs from non-elite backgrounds need another avenue to grow, that can allow them to thrive. At www.unlevel.co.uk we aim to re-address this balance by providing a platform to strengthen your idea and position. Join us and we can level the playing field.
Source : https://www.extend.vc/reports

Let's never forget, let's learn, let's empower, let's grow, let's level the playing the field. Happy Juneteenth from the unLEVEL team. Celebrate todays Freedom for tomorrows success.

Vishen Lakhiani is an entrepreneur and author on a mission to raise human consciousness. He founded Mindvalley in 2003 with the goal of bringing together the world’s top educators under one platform, creating a new era for humanity that is more empowered, connected, and collaborative.

We are inspired by the principle of change and smashing down social barriers and norms. We challenge you to change. Recognise and understand the impact of systemic and historic oppression. Connect with yourself, and each other and collaborate to elevate everyone.

Join us at www.unlevel.co.uk and help us shake the tree!

We're celebrating Cara Sabin, CEO of Sundial Brands. She is one of the few Black female CEOs in beauty, and her brands actively focus on supporting and reinvesting in the Black community. believes that the best way to end systematic racism as a beauty customer, is to vote with your given currency. Making sure that you are investing in companies that are working to dismantle racism. This can be done through supporting smaller ethnic brands or investing in larger brands like Shea Moisture.

We feel that economic empowerment is a leap towards equality. Make a change with your money. Invest in women and minorities. Join us at www.unlevel.co.uk

Sean Combs needs no introduction. He is a symbol of Black excellence and we celebrate his achievements in music, business and media. Recently he announced the launch of 'REVOLT BLACK NEWS'. This will provide solutions to help the Black community amid the Coronavirus pandemic, and report the news from their perspective.

For centuries we've been told what we cannot do or achieve. For centuries we've not been allowed to grow. It's time for a change. Shout out to Diddy for changing the narrative. Like him, www.unlevel.co.uk is solutions focussed platform that shows what we CAN and WILL do. Join us today!

The late Nipsey Hussle transcended music in his short 33 years. He proved ownership is everything. Nipsey embodied our values. OWNERSHIP, REINVESTING IN YOUR COMMUNITY and CREATING GENERATIONAL WEALTH. He was a forward thinker, innovator, student and teacher. Look up his Proud to Pay Campaign, direct to consumer sales, All Money In record label, Marathon Clothing, Retail Park, Vector 90, investment in FollowCoin, World on Wheels, Fatburger partnership, Puma partnership, Steve's Barbershop, investment in Vezt, "Our Opportunity," STEM Academy, and Destination Crenshaw - just to name a few. We should all be like Nipsey. Learn from him. Taken too soon, but imagine what could have been. We're inspired by this Black King.
Join us at www.unlevel.co.uk and build a community, create opportunities, empower owners and create generational wealth.

This is crazy. Why does this inequality still exist!? The current system is not working. It's time to change. The improvements are slow and have flaws. At www.unlevel.co.uk, our goal is to show that you don't need a VC to be successful. Community investing removes the barriers to accessing capital. Help others grow and level the playing field. Women led businesses are statistically more successful than all male teams. They need help, and the world needs them.

Source - 2020 Extended Ventures, Diversity Beyond Gender Report

Trillionaires: A Race Ahead, is a podcast that explores Racism, Politics, and Economics and how they all play a role in the Racial Wealth divide in America. Black Americans spend $1.2 Trillion in the U.S. annually, yet have ONLY 2% of the Nations wealth. In a capitalist society there is no such thing as consumer power.

At www.unlevel.co.uk, we want to change this. We want people to use thier spending power to help others from their communities and those that have been marginalised. It's time to level the playing field. Ownership and support is everything.

Jay-Z recently sold 50% of Ace of Spades (Armand de Brignac) to LVMH for a sum estimated at over $315 million. This is a true representation of Black excellence, pride, and power. Jay-Z's purchase of the Ace of Spades brand was a direct result of racist comments made by the MD of Cristal towards the Hiphop community. Jay-Z used his platform, and profile to stop the free promotion of a brand that didn't appreciate or respect its loyal customer base. He took back control, and showed the potential of ownership, and reinvesting in your own community. Minorities have immense spending power.
Join www.unlevel.co.uk and empower one another.