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Justin Dawkins is the Co-founder and Managing Partner of Collab Capital and the Founder of Hometown Equity Partners, based in Atlanta, Georgia. At Collab Capital, he co-managed the close of an oversubscribed $51 million inaugural fund in 2021, securing capital from 99 limited partners including Apple, Goldman Sachs, and Google. The firm writes initial checks ranging from $500,000 to $1 million for early-stage, Black-led technology startups across sectors like artificial intelligence, fintech, and enterprise software. Prior to his current venture capital roles, Dawkins served as a Managing Director at Techstars, co-founded the nonprofit Goodie Nation, and operated as Atlanta's first Google Digital Coach, supporting over 5,000 entrepreneurs. Drawing on two decades of experience as a full-stack software engineer and agency founder, his current focus centers on bridging funding gaps and advancing economic equity for underrepresented founders.
Justin Dawkins stands as a pivotal figure in the venture capital landscape, serving as the Managing Partner at Collab Capital. This innovative investment fund is uniquely positioned to address the racial wealth gap by providing capital and strategic support to Black-founded, high-growth businesses. Dawkins' leadership at Collab Capital is instrumental in driving its mission to foster economic empowerment and create generational wealth within the Black community.
At Collab Capital, Justin Dawkins focuses on identifying and nurturing early-stage companies that demonstrate strong potential for scalability and market disruption. The fund employs a distinctive investment model, often utilizing structured equity or revenue-based financing alongside traditional equity, designed to align incentives and provide founder-friendly capital. Dawkins and his team are sector-agnostic but prioritize companies with robust business models, innovative technology, and clear pathways to significant impact. Their portfolio spans various industries, including SaaS, fintech, consumer tech, and healthcare, all led by exceptional Black entrepreneurs.
Dawkins' career background is deeply rooted in entrepreneurship and technology. Before co-founding Collab Capital, he established himself as a serial entrepreneur, successfully building and scaling multiple tech ventures. Notably, he co-founded Fuse.cloud, a cloud communications provider that was later acquired by Birch Communications. This hands-on experience as a founder gives him a unique perspective and empathy for the challenges and opportunities faced by the entrepreneurs he now funds. His journey from building companies to funding them provides invaluable insights into product-market fit, team building, and strategic growth.
Beyond his direct investment activities, Justin is a recognized thought leader and advocate for diversity and inclusion in venture capital. He frequently speaks on topics related to equitable access to capital, the importance of supporting underrepresented founders, and innovative financing models. His commitment extends to mentorship and community building, often engaging with initiatives like Goodie Nation, which supports diverse entrepreneurs. While specific individual investments are often attributed to the fund rather than a single partner, Collab Capital's portfolio reflects Dawkins' vision for backing transformative companies that not only generate returns but also contribute to a more equitable economic future. His work at Collab Capital is not just about financial transactions; it's about building a more inclusive and prosperous ecosystem for all.
Justin Dawkins is the Managing Partner at Collab Capital, an investment fund dedicated to supporting Black-founded, high-growth companies. He is also a serial entrepreneur with a strong background in technology.
Justin Dawkins, through Collab Capital, invests in early-stage, high-growth companies led by Black founders. Their focus areas include technology, SaaS, fintech, consumer tech, and healthcare, among others, with an emphasis on creating economic impact.
Justin Dawkins works as the Managing Partner at Collab Capital, an innovative investment fund based in Atlanta, Georgia, with a national reach in supporting Black entrepreneurs.
