Black Capital Exchange | Exploring capital, customers, expertise and opportunities in diverse markets
Black Capital Exchange
About the event
How can impact investing reach a wider range of businesses and activate more people to back them?
The businesses we encounter, the networks we draw on and the way we assess opportunity shape where our intentions lead.
MELLA Supply × Strategic Disruption Consulting invite impact investors, business leaders, professionals and founders to an evening exploring how finance, expertise and commercial access can contribute to a more diverse business ecosystem.
Lisbon is our meeting point for a conversation spanning Portugal, Europe and the diaspora.
MELLA is rooted in Black and Afro-Lusophone entrepreneurship. Our work connects ethnic-minority-led and women-led businesses with potential investors, commercial partners and relevant expertise.
We will explore opportunities across consumer goods, everyday services, technology and STEM ventures. The starting point is the business: what it does, who it serves and what it needs next.
A conversation about opportunity and participation
For those already investing for impact, this is an invitation to exchange perspectives on which businesses enter the pipeline, how they are understood and what appropriate backing looks like. For those interested in getting involved, it is a chance to explore how financial resources, operating experience or commercial relationships could contribute.
We will also share a first look at the two-sided approach MELLA and SDC are developing. Founders prepare to explain their businesses and needs; potential backers examine the context and evidence, with space for both sides to ask questions and learn from one another before considering a next step.
Right business. Right capital.
What to expect
Business perspectives: Short contributions from entrepreneurs and experienced practitioners, grounded in real business decisions.
A hosted conversation: Exploring how finance, expertise and commercial relationships can support different businesses, with targeted questions connecting the perspectives.
MELLA’s next chapter: A brief introduction to the proposed Black Capital Exchange pilot and the two-sided approach we are developing.
Time to connect: Networking with questions from the event booklet to help guests exchange experience and explore shared interests.
Speakers
Tammy Charles · Chief Revenue Officer, Black Innovation Alliance
Tammy has helped secure more than $22 million for Black Innovation Alliance, a US network of more than 200 entrepreneur support organisations. She leads the commercialisation of Source Code, a platform that shows small business owners where they stand and what to do next.
Bryan Lattimore · Founder, allocator and angel investor
Bryan worked in brand strategy at R/GA, McKinsey and Nike's Jordan Brand, then in philanthropy at Emerson Collective and the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative. He founded the venture studio Television.Ventures. Based in Cascais, he connects US networks in Black capital, culture and media with European and Afro-Lusophone founders.
Jenny Flores · Founder and CEO, AMH Catalyst Center
Jenny leads a nonprofit working to close the gender capital gap in venture capital. Its Capital Passport platform gives founders and investors a clear view of a company's investment potential. She brings more than 20 years of banking experience, including at Wells Fargo, Bank of the West/BNP Paribas and Citigroup.
Vanessa Fernandes · Award-winning Entrepreneur, Founder, The Dolls London
Born in Lisbon to a Bissau-Guinean family, Vanessa left Google to build The Dolls London, a Black-owned franchise of luxury aesthetics and wellness clinics. In 2024, the Lord Mayor of London recognised her for designing an enterprise mentoring programme for young people.
Gisele Warner · Founder, Lava Lounge
Born and raised on Saint Maarten, Gisele has spent more than 20 years building across Europe, with operations and community roles at Uber and other startups. She helped take an MVP to a million-dollar crowdfunding campaign when traditional investors didn't understand the market.
Who is this for?
Impact investors, business angels, executives, buyers, experienced professionals and institutional partners, alongside founders and business owners. People from all backgrounds are welcome, whether already investing or exploring how to participate.
Bring your experience, questions and willingness to consider a different perspective. This is an evening for discussion and discovery; no investment commitments will be requested.
Join us
Tuesday 10 November 2026 · 19:00–21:00
district.space · Largo Jean Monnet 1, Lisbon
Free to attend · In English and Portuguese · No Web Summit ticket required
Request an invitation
Attendance is subject to approval. Your place is confirmed once you receive an approval email
This is a space for discussion and connection across different sectors and perspectives