At 500, we strive to support and propel others who are on a mission to uplift people and economies around the world through entrepreneurship. This year, we awarded four diversity scholarships to early-stage investors who are committed to supporting diversity within the VC ecosystem.

Since the beginning of the VC Unlocked: Silicon Valley program in 2015, 500 Global has been committed to increasing the number of diverse investors. To date, we have granted 50+ scholarships to up-and-coming VCs and emerging fund managers. We are excited to continue this legacy of supporting underrepresented investors in the global VC ecosystem.
Meet the four talented recipients of the VC Unlocked: Silicon Valley 2024 DiversityScholarship, eager to gain insights and build networks through the program to strengthen and transform their emerging startup ecosystems.
 

Ahmed Yusuf, Venture Partner at Golden Sparrow

Ahmed Yusuf, Venture Partner at Golden Sparrow, played a key role in establishing the Bangladesh Angels Network, one of the first early-stage venture advisory firms in Bangladesh. In less than five years, the network has facilitated capital for over 50 companies. His experiences highlight the resilience of Bangladeshi founders, who continue to thrive amid geopolitical tensions, economic challenges, and global uncertainties. Despite being one of the most undervalued and underfunded countries for venture capital in the region, Ahmed champions the spirit of Bangladeshi entrepreneurs.

Eager to deepen his understanding of global venture capital dynamics, Ahmed looks forward to learning from like-minded VCs who have successfully mobilized liquidity in other emerging markets. At this stage of his career, he is dedicated to supporting exceptional talent of Bangladeshi origin and excited to continue to  bridge the gap between investors and operators.

Hear more from Ahmed about his perspective of working in the venture ecosystem in Bangladesh.

Earl Patton, Managing Partner at Rumble Ventures

Earl Patton’s path into venture capital began with his work in Africa, where he co-founded Rumble Ventures. Originally launched as a consultancy to grow the sports business across the continent, the firm eventually evolved into a VC firm, driven by a shared vision to accelerate the development, commercialization, and digital transformation of Africa's sports and entertainment sector. Rumble Ventures has since become a key player in the region, partnering with other VC firms, acquiring commercial rights to innovative sports properties like HYROX, and preparing to launch SportsTech Africa—a new accelerator to unite entrepreneurs, investors, and industry leaders in driving innovation within Africa's sports ecosystem.

Participating in the VC Unlocked program marks a significant milestone for Earl, offering him the opportunity to expand his network, deepen his expertise in venture capital, and gain insights into ESG investing, business scaling, and global deal flow. He sees this experience with 500 Global as a step that will sharpen his leadership and decision-making skills, empowering him to further Rumble Ventures' mission of advancing Africa's position in the global sports landscape.
 

Read more from Earl. 
 

Elya Chiechienieva, Partner at D3 Venture Capital Firm

With five years of experience in venture capital, Elya Chiechienieva, Partner at D3 Venture Capital Firm, has dedicated herself to advancing Ukraine's Deep Tech and Dual-Use landscape, where she has witnessed firsthand the extraordinary potential of Ukrainian tech talent. Her journey in venture capital is driven by a deep-seated passion for intellectual curiosity and relationship-building, which she believes are essential in a rapidly evolving global ecosystem.

Elya's participation in the VC Unlocked program represents a strategic step toward her vision of establishing Ukraine as a global leader in dual-use technology innovation. By immersing herself in the unique culture of Silicon Valley—characterized by risk-taking, failure tolerance, and collaboration—she aims to learn from the U.S. venture capital landscape and adapt these best practices to accelerate the growth and international recognition of Ukraine's tech sector. Through this program, Elya is eager to expand her network, learn from industry leaders, and bring back invaluable insights to help build a thriving, globally connected ecosystem in Ukraine.

Explore Elya’s perspective on why continuous learning is crucial for VCs.
 

Thandeka Xaba, Managing Partner, Digital Africa Ventures

Thandeka Xaba, Managing Partner at Digital Africa Ventures, began her VC journey with a commitment to unlocking the potential of Africa's vibrant startup ecosystem. After successfully deploying her first fund, Thandeka set her sights on raising a second fund to further support African innovators. Her initial visit to Silicon Valley in April 2023, inspired by a desire to expand her network and witness the world's leading innovation hub firsthand, transformed her perspective on building an innovation-driven ecosystem. Seeing the dynamic energy and relentless drive of founders, she returned to South Africa with a vision to cultivate a similarly vibrant environment. 

At VC Unlocked: Silicon Valley, Thandeka is eager to gain insights that will help accelerate growth in Africa's tech sector. She aims to learn from the unique culture of Silicon Valley—its emphasis on risk-taking and collaboration—and adapt these lessons to the African context. Through the program, Thandeka hopes to expand her network, connect with global venture capitalists, and deepen her understanding of investment strategies that could attract more funding to the continent. 

Explore Thandeka Xaba's latest blog on "Harnessing the Power of Innovation in Africa. 

We are excited to welcome these VCs with exciting potential to this year's program and look forward to the unique perspectives, knowledge, and energy they will contribute to the cohort.

Interested in joining the 2025 program? Join the waitlist to be notified when nominations open.