Impact Investing & Youth Empowerment w/ Rama Chakaki
Learn more about Rama, GP at TRANSFORM VC, a deep tech impact fund, & Co-Founder of VIP.Fund, a platform fostering opportunities to help the youth thrive.
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We spoke with Rama Chakaki, GP at TRANSFORM VC & Co-Founder of VIP.Fund
What are you currently working on?
As a co-General Partner at TRANSFORM VC, I am:
Raising for our $50m impact deep tech fund.
Allocating to startups from what we’ve already raised in that fund.
Growing our fellowship and internship platform.
Touring 6 cities on the Impact a Billion US roadshow to meet founders, and investors and grow our community.
As a co-founder of the VIP.Fund, I spend my time:
Crowdfunding for youth impacted by conflict in our region for their college education. $1m raised so far!!!
Connecting our students with internship opportunities virtually.
Inviting speakers to connect with our students. Many of them have been displaced and have lost their community, so these webinars help connect them with the world and expose them to great learning opportunities.
What's the "origin story" behind your current full-time job(s)?
I’ve always believed that impact and tech can go hand in hand seamlessly and that we don’t have to sacrifice impact for financial returns or the opposite. We already have a great portfolio of impact deep tech startups and are eager to grow it.
I’ve been in the tech startup ecosystem since my late 20s and as a Silicon Valley VC, I can apply what I’ve learned and gained to support the next generation of tech founders who aspire to Impact a Billion and Make a billion each.
Why are you interested in connecting with MENA’s global startup community?
As a member of this community, I can serve founders better than others because I understand the challenges they face and the strengths they have better than other investors in our ecosystem. Typically fund managers invest in people who look and sound like them, this is documented by HBR and others. We want to see more of our community leading successful and impactful deep tech startups.
What's your favorite part of the Viaka Network thus far? Do you have any memorable experiences or helpful connections made that you can share with me?
I love the energy, engagement, and messaging. The pace of communication is great, and the reach is wide. I was particularly touched by the message you sent out in October; it was thoughtful, compassionate, and appropriate for our respective tech and MENA communities.
How can members of the Viaka Network (and beyond) be most helpful to you and your work right now?
Send MENA founders based in the USA our way, and help us own and build platforms that can impact billions and make billions for our communities and beyond.
Share more stats and analytics. Data is key to our success.
Bonus: favorite dish from the MENA world?
Everything eggplant!
Below is a list of upcoming events from the Viaka Network & beyond over the next couple of weeks
Food & Bev Demo Day - March 5th (Virtual)
How to recruit (for non-recruiters) workshop - March 21st (Virtual)
Broader Community:
TMA 2024 Spring Batch Q&A - February 26th (Virtual)
If you’d like to share an event in this newsletter, we encourage you to join the Viaka Network and share the event with info@viaka.net!
Recent job openings from the Viaka Network & beyond. If you apply, let me know so I can also make a personal introduction.
If you’d like to share a job posting in this newsletter, we encourage you to join the Viaka Network and share the event with info@viaka.net!
Network members are encouraged to submit media suggestions to our Reading List
YC’s latest Request for Startups (YC Team)
Why Creativity is AI’s Number One Use Case (Ann Bordetsky & James Kaplan, NEA)
The Trough of Feedback (Kyle Harrison, GP @ Contrary)
Advice from Legendary Tech Founders (Sammy Abdullah, GP @ Blossom Street)
That’s it for this week. Thank you! 👋
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