Breaking Barriers and Building Networks: A Conversation with June Angelides MBE

The Grinders Table

In this episode of the Grinders Table podcast, I sit down with June Angelides MBE, a trailblazer and advocate for diversity in the startup ecosystem.

June is the founding partner at Levare Ventures which backs early-stage startups across E-commerce, Fintech, Healthtech, Future of Work and B2B Saas across sub-saharan Africa. She has invested across Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa and Ghana. She also invests in European startups with Samos Investments.

June shares her inspiring journey from growing up in Lagos to studying economics in London, and how she found her passion for supporting female founders and breaking down barriers in the tech industry.

June's story is one of resilience and determination as she navigated different industries, from working in finance to founding a child-friendly coding school for moms. She opens up about the challenges she faced and the lessons she learned along the way, including the importance of authenticity, building meaningful relationships, and embracing failure.

June also delves into the power of networking, the value of curiosity, and the importance of creating opportunities for others. This episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to make a difference in the world.

Timestamps:

• 00:00:00 Introduction

• 00:00:15 June's background and journey to the UK

• 00:02:02 Joining Silicon Valley Bank and learning the world of startups

• 00:03:16 Founding Moms-in-Tech and the challenges of building a business

• 00:05:57 Transitioning to Venture Capital

• 00:06:30 Investing in Africa and the exciting startup ecosystem

• 00:08:46 Overcoming challenges and staying motivated

• 00:11:28 Motivating others and building a strong network

• 00:14:46 The importance of authenticity and storytelling

• 00:18:18 Addressing the lack of capital for diverse founders

• 00:23:05 The role of female investors in allocating capital

• 00:26:12 Learning to swim and the power of networking