MELLA SUPPLY

Right business. Right capital.

We map Black founders, brands and creatives, demystify investment on both sides, and build an active ecosystem of community backers and allies.

For foundersJoin the INDEX

For investors and alliesBecome a backer

Partners and ecosystem

The gap

11% of Black led ventures in Portugal have joined an incubator. The national rate is 40%.

Viable businesses with real revenue in food, beauty, fashion, services and culture are overlooked because they do not fit a narrow tech template.

In Portugal, 56% of Black led ventures name funding as their biggest challenge, and most rely on savings and family. When founders are prepared and supported, the share that secures investment rises from 30% to around half (Foá, 2025).

Closing this gap takes structured preparation, fair terms and direct communication. Not charity.

Source: Foá (2025), Black Entrepreneurship and DEI, Social Inclusion 13. Survey of 200 entrepreneurs and five focus groups in Portugal.

How we work · Black Capital Exchange

Demystifying capital for both sides.

Side 1 · Founders, brands and creatives

Mapping through the INDEX

A confidential intake to understand your real business model, your margins and the capital you need now.

Demystifying investment

What taking investment really means, which instruments exist (equipment finance, revenue share, grants, equity) and how to make a clear ask without pretending to be a tech startup.

Join the INDEX

Side 2 · Backers, allies and institutions

Unlocking hidden capital

Professionals, diaspora leaders and allies who want to support but lack a clear framework. We replace hesitation with structure.

Beyond the cheque

Every role a backer can play: contracts, procurement, distribution, mentorship, credit lines or direct capital. A fair, accountable partnership.

Become a backer

This November

MELLA at Web Summit

Two events during Web Summit week, hosted together by

MELLA Supply × Strategic Disruption Consulting

10 Nov

What Would It Take for Black and Afro Lusophone Businesses to Thrive?

Tuesday 10 November · Evening

district.space, Lisbon · By invitation

Request an invitation

11 Nov

Redefining What Is Investable

Wednesday 11 November · 14:00 · 50 minutes

Web Summit, Lisbon · ticket required · Inside Web Summit

Event details

See the events

Hosting your own event during Web Summit week? Add it to our joint calendar.

Share your event

Three editions · Covered by BANTUMEN

MELLA TABLE. Three editions that shaped Black Capital Exchange.

We ran three editions in Lisbon to listen before building. Edition 1 mapped community, Edition 2 focused on mentorship, and Edition 3 tackled capital and commitment. The feedback from those rooms directly defined our flagship programme.