Black Investor, Kobie Fuller, during his business sojourn made mistakes while finding solutions to problems in areas where he wasn’t a specialist. At that time, he realized that there was no online tool or community that brings Black Professionals together. This realization inspired him to create Valence, a social networking app that serves as an online community for black professionals. The app was launched on Tuesday, 5th November 2019.
According to Fuller, Valence aims to “unlock the global combined power of Black professionals to create massive economic wealth and social progress that impacts current and future generations.”
Venture Capitalist Kobie Fuller co-founded the platform with La Mer Walker and Emily Slade. He is also a partner at Upfront Ventures. The other aim of Valence aside from gathering black professionals is to help companies that are finding it challenging to launch their ideas, become a partner, and have access to a community of excellent black talent.
It took two years for the complete development of the app. The app was created by black professionals and for black professionals. The name given to the app connotes the main objective of the app because Valence in science means the combining power of an element. That is what the app does, combining the power of black professionals. Also, the app will serve as a hub showcasing job opportunities from top firms, as well as provide users with capital and startup tips. Finally, Valence will tell the extraordinary story of Black Professionals.
The network is based in Los Angeles and open to any Black person who passes the vetting process by existing members of the platform.
The network was able to raise $2.5 million capital from Upfront Ventures, Sinai Ventures, High Alpha and angels Paul Judge, and Willie and Peggy Alford.
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