The September edition of the Black Venture Network brought together an inspiring panel of founders and innovators to unpack what it really takes to scale a business, from the first few customers to sustainable growth.

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Moderated under the theme “Scaling Smarter: From Zero to 100+ Customers,” the discussion featured Jason Pinto, COO & Co-founder of PACE; Gwera Kiwani, Global Expansion & Partnerships at Sling Money; Fayola-Maria Jack, CEO & Co-founder of Resolutiion; and Woundioun Sissoko, Founder and former Growth & GTM lead at Lovable. Together, they shared invaluable insights into building teams, refining go-to-market strategies, and leveraging technology, particularly AI, to accelerate growth.

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The speakers discussed the importance of:

- Hiring with culture and purpose

- Creating adaptable systems that support scale

- Maintaining authenticity as founders navigate fast-changing markets

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Jason emphasized the need for “clarity and consistency” in how teams communicate growth goals to beta users, while Gwera highlighted the power of partnerships and alignment in entering new markets.

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The event celebrated the innovation and leadership of Black founders driving change across industries, leaving attendees with practical takeaways on leadership, resilience, and the future of scaling in a digital world. It was an evening of knowledge-sharing, connection, and empowerment, a true reflection of BVN’s mission to elevate and amplify Black excellence in the startup ecosystem.

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