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Dream Maker Ventures Blog
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![Rep Matters Interview - Episode 5 - Isaac Olowolafe Jr.](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/50b9fc_dd2409ecd94a4192af10e3aecd89adae~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_454,h_341,fp_0.50_0.50,q_95,enc_auto/50b9fc_dd2409ecd94a4192af10e3aecd89adae~mv2.webp)
Mar 15, 20211 min read
Rep Matters Interview - Episode 5 - Isaac Olowolafe Jr.
On our fifth episode of Rep Matters, we sat down with Isaac Olowolafe Jr., Founder and General Partner of Dream Maker VC.
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/50b9fc_9d15141cc5d64388bafee6329e13a485~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_250,h_250,fp_0.50_0.50,q_30,blur_30,enc_auto/50b9fc_9d15141cc5d64388bafee6329e13a485~mv2.webp)
![Government of Ontario announces $1.2M support towards Ryerson’s DMZ Black Innovation Programs](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/50b9fc_9d15141cc5d64388bafee6329e13a485~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_454,h_341,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/50b9fc_9d15141cc5d64388bafee6329e13a485~mv2.webp)
Feb 24, 20211 min read
Government of Ontario announces $1.2M support towards Ryerson’s DMZ Black Innovation Programs
by the DMZ, Tech Accelerator February 24, 2021 TORONTO, February 24, 2021 – Committed to empowering Black entrepreneurs across the...
![Why entrepreneurship, home ownership are two powerful forces in fight against anti-Black racism](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/50b9fc_e9b2ee0dea844a3cbb5546a7d3851bb4~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_454,h_341,fp_0.50_0.50,q_95,enc_auto/50b9fc_e9b2ee0dea844a3cbb5546a7d3851bb4~mv2.webp)
Feb 12, 20211 min read
Why entrepreneurship, home ownership are two powerful forces in fight against anti-Black racism
by Barbara Shecter, Financial Post Feb 12, 2021 When Isaac Olowolafe Jr. was 15, his family moved from Toronto to nearby Woodbridge,...
![‘I don’t want to be a unicorn’: Black founders struggle to raise venture capital](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/50b9fc_d346afe7074944468e47f63df79baef6~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_454,h_341,fp_0.50_0.50,q_95,enc_auto/50b9fc_d346afe7074944468e47f63df79baef6~mv2.webp)
Feb 10, 20211 min read
‘I don’t want to be a unicorn’: Black founders struggle to raise venture capital
by Tara Deschamps, The Canadian Press Feb. 10, 2021 TORONTO - When Lola Adeyemi started a company making chickpea stews and roasted...
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/50b9fc_94ce3b39d8a5453193afeb2755f5d10c~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_250,h_250,fp_0.50_0.50,q_30,blur_30,enc_auto/50b9fc_94ce3b39d8a5453193afeb2755f5d10c~mv2.webp)
![Reaching Full Potential: Removing Barriers and Elevating Black Entrepreneurs](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/50b9fc_94ce3b39d8a5453193afeb2755f5d10c~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_454,h_341,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/50b9fc_94ce3b39d8a5453193afeb2755f5d10c~mv2.webp)
Feb 4, 20211 min read
Reaching Full Potential: Removing Barriers and Elevating Black Entrepreneurs
by Jon Jackson February 4, 2021 We know that as a Black entrepreneur, sourcing outside capital for your startup is difficult, but it’s...
![The Barriers and Lost Opportunities in Backing Canada’s Black Entrepreneurs](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/50b9fc_fa306985cbfa4c9a80f28c655d88f731~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_454,h_341,fp_0.50_0.50,q_95,enc_auto/50b9fc_fa306985cbfa4c9a80f28c655d88f731~mv2.webp)
Feb 2, 20211 min read
The Barriers and Lost Opportunities in Backing Canada’s Black Entrepreneurs
by Jon Jackson February 2, 2021 Having a diverse investing staff can begin to address the barriers to entry for underrepresented...
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/50b9fc_4e955ff428a64fbcbf36b4861e1aa97f~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_250,h_250,fp_0.50_0.50,q_30,blur_30,enc_auto/50b9fc_4e955ff428a64fbcbf36b4861e1aa97f~mv2.webp)
![Powerful Tech Incubator Works to Support Black Entrepreneurs](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/50b9fc_4e955ff428a64fbcbf36b4861e1aa97f~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_454,h_341,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/50b9fc_4e955ff428a64fbcbf36b4861e1aa97f~mv2.webp)
Jan 21, 20211 min read
Powerful Tech Incubator Works to Support Black Entrepreneurs
by MediaPlanet Underrepresented communities continue to face barriers in accessing lucrative entrepreneurship opportunities created by...
![Twitter acquires screen-sharing social app Squad](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/50b9fc_835f497478aa42c893a3571213168026~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_454,h_341,fp_0.50_0.50,q_95,enc_auto/50b9fc_835f497478aa42c893a3571213168026~mv2.webp)
Dec 11, 20201 min read
Twitter acquires screen-sharing social app Squad
Today, Twitter announced that it is acquiring Squad and that the team from the screen-sharing social app will be joining Twitter’s ranks.
![Support for BIF continues to surpass expectations, program welcomes new contributing partners](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/50b9fc_8238ac759e4549beb9b74493444904b3~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_454,h_341,fp_0.50_0.50,q_95,enc_auto/50b9fc_8238ac759e4549beb9b74493444904b3~mv2.webp)
Oct 6, 20201 min read
Support for BIF continues to surpass expectations, program welcomes new contributing partners
Scotiabank, Accenture, TorQuest, TELUS Ventures, Magna International and community leaders among some of the recent contributors to the DMZ
![Tonight w/ Jamil Jivani on NEWSTALK1010 - September 9, 2020](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/50b9fc_d8ab44c37cb442bc92c03dfa699cab69~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_454,h_341,fp_0.50_0.50,q_95,enc_auto/50b9fc_d8ab44c37cb442bc92c03dfa699cab69~mv2.webp)
Sep 8, 20201 min read
Tonight w/ Jamil Jivani on NEWSTALK1010 - September 9, 2020
Trudeau announces cash for loans, support to Black Canadian entrepreneurs (GUEST: Isaac Jr. Olowolafe, President of Dream Maker Corp.)
![E04: Isaac Olowolafe discusses Dream Maker Ventures, the importance of environment, the BIF & more!](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/50b9fc_f11e7e85b5324ac6acdfa6412e2cbe12~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_454,h_341,fp_0.50_0.50,q_95,enc_auto/50b9fc_f11e7e85b5324ac6acdfa6412e2cbe12~mv2.webp)
Aug 12, 20201 min read
E04: Isaac Olowolafe discusses Dream Maker Ventures, the importance of environment, the BIF & more!
In this episode of the Beehive Capital Podcast, Isaac and Douglas discusses the Black Innovation Fellowship
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/50b9fc_2856dc51938c40779118681df21ce5bb~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_250,h_250,fp_0.50_0.50,q_30,blur_30,enc_auto/50b9fc_2856dc51938c40779118681df21ce5bb~mv2.webp)
![8 startups that are currently in Ryerson's Black Innovation Fellowship](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/50b9fc_2856dc51938c40779118681df21ce5bb~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_454,h_341,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/50b9fc_2856dc51938c40779118681df21ce5bb~mv2.webp)
Jul 27, 20201 min read
8 startups that are currently in Ryerson's Black Innovation Fellowship
Black-owned startups in Toronto that are part of Ryerson’s BIF recently received additional funding from the City of Toronto
![Dream Maker's Diversity Fund Is Ready to Change the Narrative for VCs, Entrepreneurs, and Tech](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/50b9fc_3e7f643134014d94b8750c8e0028a794~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_454,h_341,fp_0.50_0.50,q_95,enc_auto/50b9fc_3e7f643134014d94b8750c8e0028a794~mv2.webp)
Jul 27, 20201 min read
Dream Maker's Diversity Fund Is Ready to Change the Narrative for VCs, Entrepreneurs, and Tech
For the past six-months, the coronavirus has affected billions of people across the world, and continues to make its impact on the U.S.
![City of Toronto becomes next leading supporter of Black Innovation Fellowship](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/50b9fc_aeb61125772e4df59052476c6febcd6b~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_454,h_341,fp_0.50_0.50,q_95,enc_auto/50b9fc_aeb61125772e4df59052476c6febcd6b~mv2.webp)
Jul 23, 20201 min read
City of Toronto becomes next leading supporter of Black Innovation Fellowship
Mayor John Tory announces the City’s commitment of $250K to build on the success of DMZ program
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/50b9fc_b44a92383c134f5a8e8ac6186bc33f49~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_250,h_250,fp_0.50_0.50,q_30,blur_30,enc_auto/50b9fc_b44a92383c134f5a8e8ac6186bc33f49~mv2.webp)
![DMZ receives overwhelming support from Canadian leaders to expand Black Innovation Fellowship](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/50b9fc_b44a92383c134f5a8e8ac6186bc33f49~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_454,h_341,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/50b9fc_b44a92383c134f5a8e8ac6186bc33f49~mv2.webp)
Jun 28, 20201 min read
DMZ receives overwhelming support from Canadian leaders to expand Black Innovation Fellowship
Leading Canadian entrepreneur and investor Michael Hyatt joins as Black Innovation Fellowship Champion
![Ryerson’s DMZ reaches $400,000 of $1 million goal to expand Black Innovation Fellowship](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/50b9fc_c332feb0b6d04bf094b92737fc88bb33~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_454,h_341,fp_0.50_0.50,q_95,enc_auto/50b9fc_c332feb0b6d04bf094b92737fc88bb33~mv2.webp)
Jun 23, 20201 min read
Ryerson’s DMZ reaches $400,000 of $1 million goal to expand Black Innovation Fellowship
The DMZ, is gearing up for a $1 million expansion. So far, the DMZ has reached $400,000 of its $1 million goal from six program donors.
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/50b9fc_1e07f6da6c744555bcff64b1f90fdb61~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_250,h_250,fp_0.50_0.50,q_30,blur_30,enc_auto/50b9fc_1e07f6da6c744555bcff64b1f90fdb61~mv2.webp)
![DMZ to expand programming for Black entrepreneurs with announcement of additional financial support](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/50b9fc_1e07f6da6c744555bcff64b1f90fdb61~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_454,h_341,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/50b9fc_1e07f6da6c744555bcff64b1f90fdb61~mv2.webp)
Jun 22, 20201 min read
DMZ to expand programming for Black entrepreneurs with announcement of additional financial support
With support from leading Canadian innovators, the DMZ BIF program will pave pathways to success for Black-led startups
![ThisFAR doc (Episode 15) - Isaac Jr Olowolafe](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/50b9fc_9a2760c068c046808bd3da861b075b13~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_454,h_341,fp_0.50_0.50,q_95,enc_auto/50b9fc_9a2760c068c046808bd3da861b075b13~mv2.webp)
Apr 22, 20201 min read
ThisFAR doc (Episode 15) - Isaac Jr Olowolafe
Isaac Jr Olowolafe (Dream Maker Inc.) for ThisFAR doc
![Lessons learned attending eight days of tech events for International Women’s Day](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/549f7a_1c065611a82c4e5d9e9c6e5cd5572bad~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_454,h_341,fp_0.50_0.50,q_95,enc_auto/549f7a_1c065611a82c4e5d9e9c6e5cd5572bad~mv2.webp)
Mar 10, 20201 min read
Lessons learned attending eight days of tech events for International Women’s Day
by Danielle Graham March 10, 2020 My past eight days have been a true whirlwind of launches and activity in the women entrepreneurship...
![Dream Maker Ventures launches network to connect underrepresented founders, funders](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/549f7a_f8a430016d84445ca2a037bebb5f6324~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_454,h_341,fp_0.50_0.50,q_95,enc_auto/549f7a_f8a430016d84445ca2a037bebb5f6324~mv2.webp)
Mar 6, 20201 min read
Dream Maker Ventures launches network to connect underrepresented founders, funders
by Meagan Simpson March 6, 2020 On Wednesday, Dream Maker Ventures held the official launch for its new Dream Network, an initiative...
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