Finance
Explore funding that fits the business, with attention to its purpose, terms, risks and potential return.
MELLA Supply · Lisbon
Right business. Right capital.
Explore a wider view of impact investing.
MELLA Supply connects overlooked businesses with potential backers, rooted in Black and Afro Lusophone communities. We bring investors, entrepreneurs and people considering their first investment into a conversation about what businesses need to grow.
Different businesses. Different possibilities.
A consumer brand increasing production. A service business building capacity. A founder developing a new technology.
Each brings a different business model, a different set of risks and a different next step.
Our starting point is the business itself: its customers, numbers, capabilities and ambitions. From there, we explore what financial backing could fit and what progress it could make possible.
Already investing for impact, or considering your first step?
You may bring investment experience, knowledge of a particular industry, or an interest in learning how to assess businesses. Black Capital Exchange is an invitation to explore opportunities beyond your existing network and consider the financial and social outcomes you would want to pursue.
We are developing the pilot with founders and potential backers. At this stage, we are inviting conversations and expressions of interest, not financial commitments.
Financial backing, with more around it.
Expertise
Bring operating experience and specialist knowledge to the decisions that sit alongside finance.
Access
Open conversations with customers, buyers, distributors and other relevant partners.
A financial investment, a commercial contract and a mentoring relationship are different contributions. We want each to have a clear purpose, realistic expectations and an agreed next step.
Black Capital Exchange · Pilot planned for Q1 2027
Prepare the ask. Understand the response.
MELLA Supply and Strategic Disruption Consulting are developing a two sided capital readiness programme. Founders examine their operations, finances and next priorities. Potential backers explore how to assess the business, its risks and the contribution they could make.
The proposed approach combines preparation, focused conversations and follow up on agreed actions. We are starting with a small pilot so that what we learn can shape what comes next.
Meet us during Web Summit week
Two gatherings bring founders, potential backers and partners into the conversation. November is an opportunity to meet, explore the approach and hear what we are developing for 2027.
10 November
Black Capital Exchange
Invitation only evening
An evening exploring financial backing, business growth and the relationships around them. Meet founders and potential backers, and hear a first look at the programme.
19:00 to 21:00 · district.space, Lisbon
Request an invitationFree · Approval required
11 November
Redefining investment and innovation
Inside Web Summit
A conversation about recognising opportunity across different businesses and markets.
14:00 to 14:50 · Community Space, inside Web Summit
Register for the conversationValid Web Summit access required.
Built through conversations. Developing through practice.
MELLA TABLE has brought founders, professionals and partners together across three editions in Lisbon. Those conversations, alongside our ecosystem mapping, have shaped the questions behind Black Capital Exchange.
They are the foundation for this next phase, not evidence of investment results. The pilot is where we intend to test the approach and document what happens.
Partners and ecosystem
A wider conversation. A considered next step.
If you invest for impact, are exploring how to begin, or represent an organisation interested in this work, we would like to hear from you. Tell us what interests you and where you would like to contribute.