JEWEL BURKS

Jewel Burks stands as a prominent figure in the venture capital landscape, particularly recognized for her unwavering commitment to fostering diversity and inclusion within the tech and startup ecosystem. As the Managing Partner at Collab Capital, she plays a pivotal role in leading an innovative investment fund specifically designed to provide capital and strategic resources to Black founders. Collab Capital's unique approach addresses systemic funding disparities by offering patient capital, often through revenue-based financing models, which allows founders to retain more equity and control over their companies compared to traditional venture capital structures.

Before co-founding Collab Capital, Jewel Burks built an impressive career marked by entrepreneurial success and leadership in major tech companies. Her journey began with the founding of Partpic, an image recognition technology company that streamlined the process of identifying replacement parts using a smartphone camera. Partpic's innovative solution quickly gained traction, leading to its acquisition by Amazon in 2016. This significant exit not only validated her vision and leadership but also provided her with invaluable experience within one of the world's largest technology enterprises.

Following her tenure at Amazon, Burks transitioned to Google, where she served as the Head of Google for Startups US. In this role, she was instrumental in developing and implementing programs aimed at supporting underrepresented founders across the United States. Her work at Google deepened her understanding of the challenges faced by diverse entrepreneurs and solidified her resolve to create more equitable access to capital and mentorship. This experience was a direct catalyst for co-founding Collab Capital alongside Justin Dawkins and Barry Givens, transforming her passion into a powerful platform for change.

At Collab Capital, Jewel Burks focuses on identifying high-potential, early-stage companies led by Black entrepreneurs. While specific public investments are often managed by the fund, the overarching investment thesis targets sectors ripe for innovation, including SaaS, e-commerce, consumer technology, healthcare technology, and fintech. Her expertise helps guide these companies through critical growth phases, leveraging her operational experience and extensive network.

Jewel Burks' career trajectory exemplifies a powerful blend of entrepreneurial grit, corporate leadership, and a profound dedication to social impact. Through Collab Capital, she is not just investing capital; she is investing in a more equitable future, empowering a new generation of Black founders to build successful, scalable businesses and create lasting economic impact within their communities and beyond. Her work continues to inspire and drive meaningful progress in closing the wealth gap and diversifying the face of innovation.