MEET THE VC 411 Team
FOUNDERS OF THE VC 411
We hope you are excited learning about us, as we are inspired and honored to contribute to changing the current narrative in VC investing. Only 1% of VC investors are black women. The total number of black investors is also a meager 3% of all VC investors in the US, which means this space is a playground for all but black men and women. It is therefore no surprise that a sorrowful 1% of VC funding goes to black founders. In 2023, this number dropped further to less than 0.5%.
​By embarking on this journey, with hearts saddened by the status quo and yearning for a change, we hope that we can contribute to changing these statistics in the near future and inspire others to break into the daring yet rewarding world of venture capital.
Co-Founder/Managing Partner
Shanell Farmer, MBA
Brooklyn native, Shanell Farmer embodies every aspect of what it means to be a New Yorker— born with an Empire State of Mind, Shanell is savvy, resilient, and determined. She is a dynamic venture capital professional with a rich tapestry of experience in strategic alliances, project development, and deep due diligence analysis. Holding an MBA specializing in Investment and Portfolio Management from George Washington University, she has navigated various roles with finesse, from managing strategic growth through impactful partnerships at First Book to advising rising founders at Think Box Group LLC.
During her tenure at VU Venture Partners, Shanell demonstrated her prowess by sourcing over 150 investment opportunities, developing investment theses, and presenting top prospects at key investment committees. Her global perspective expanded further at Assiduity Capital in Amsterdam, where she delved into the African healthcare industry, conducting meticulous analyses, and forging strategic relationships within the local ecosystem.
Shanell's journey into venture capital continues to evolve. With a keen eye for opportunity and a dedication to serving underrepresented founders, Shanell continues to make impactful contributions to the world of VC as a Backstage Catalyst at Backstage Capital.
Shanell has a vested interest in building community, having served as a substitute teacher in local Maryland public schools and supporting the development of women of color through her involvement in youth mentorship programs. She combines her professional experiences with her interest in building community to transition to a career in investments to help support the growth and success of underrepresented groups who have traditionally had trouble securing financial backing for their businesses.
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Beyond her professional endeavors, Shanell finds joy in international travel, culinary exploration, and ballet. A fun fact about Shanell: she has a passion for cooking and loves experimenting with new recipes, infusing creativity into every dish she prepares. With her multifaceted skill set and adventurous spirit, Shanell Farmer epitomizes the dynamic nature of the venture capital landscape.
Co-Founder/Managing Partner
Barikisu Muntari Sumara, MBA
Barikisu is a strong advocate for entrepreneurship, impact investments and initiatives that improve the wellbeing of low-income communities and child brides, a mirror view of her childhood experience. Born and bred in a poor community in Accra, the capital of Ghana and raised by a resilient mother, Barikisu’s story is one of hope, grit, perseverance and hard work. Having experienced first-hand how poverty and social inequalities set underserved communities back, her passion to help build sustainable communities and economic growth for underserved groups is deep-rooted in her childhood experience. She has since supported hundreds of women, mentored over 600 girls from poor communities, funded and supported the educational journeys of some of her mentees, and continues to share the gift of her education, experience, savings and network with those who need it the most.
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Long before she became an investment professional, she supported local entrepreneurs in her community by guiding female traders on scaling their businesses, leveraging her network to provide business support services to the women she worked with. She also provided seed funding to most of the women, to curtail the funding challenges they consistently face with mainstream capital providers like the banks and microfinance companies. In the last 8years of her professional journey, Barikisu has worked in Private Equity, Venture Capital and Healthcare Asset Management, sourcing and evaluating impact-focused deals, supporting founders operating in different industries across Africa and the US, and leading initiatives that drove equitable and affordable healthcare access in underserved communities in Ghana and Nigeria. Her commitment to social impact, entrepreneurship, women’s leadership and financial inclusion, effective investment valuation and exceptional contribution to portfolio growth was recognized with multiple awards by her previous employer (4 Awards) and by The George Washington University (2 Awards).
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While pursuing an MBA in Finance & Investment at the George Washington University, she worked with Women’s World Banking and Citrine Angels, reviewing investment opportunities in the US & frontier markets, and assessing the social impact of investments made to Indian women, an experience that further solidified her passion for supporting female founders and underserved markets in general. She also assisted in teaching multiple classes at GW School of Business, honing her leadership, interpersonal and mentorship/coaching skills, supporting the learning journeys of her students. As a founding Women’s Entrepreneurial Leadership (WEL) Fellow with The GW Centre for Entrepreneurial Excellence (CFEE), Barikisu supported initiatives tailored at raising awareness and support for the economic impact of women’s leadership and entrepreneurship.
Barikisu currently leads deal origination and fundraising at Olive Holdings: an impact-focused agribusiness investor in West Africa. She enjoys reading, cooking, all-things-fitness, meditation, petting puppies, and travel.