Bobbie Racette Launches Tapwi to Support Underserved Entrepreneurs
Bobbie Racette, an Indigenous tech entrepreneur and former CEO of Virtual Gurus, announced her new startup, Tapwi, at the NACO Summit in Ottawa. Motivated by her own challenging journey, which included facing over 170 investor rejections before successfully raising a Series A round, Racette aims to provide the support she lacked. Tapwi, meaning 'truth' in Cree, is designed as a platform to empower underserved founders, particularly Indigenous entrepreneurs. Initially functioning as a resource tool for early-stage businesses due to capital constraints, the long-term vision involves operating as a search fund. This model would acquire small businesses for trainees to manage before eventual ownership transfer. With a waitlist of over 700 industry partners, Tapwi seeks to open doors for the next generation. Additionally, Racette serves as an angel investor, prioritizing mentorship and community support over financial returns, embodying her role as an Indigenous 'knowledge keeper.' Her previous company, Virtual Gurus, was recently acquired by Zirtual, marking the end of her tenure as CEO but reinforcing her commitment to paying it forward within the tech ecosystem.
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Bobbie Racette Launches Tapwi to Support Underserved Entrepreneurs
Bobbie Racette, an Indigenous tech entrepreneur and former CEO of Virtual Gurus, announced her new startup, Tapwi, at the NACO Summit in Ottawa. Motivated by her own challenging journey, which included facing over 170 investor rejections before successfully raising a Series A round, Racette aims to provide the support she lacked. Tapwi, meaning 'truth' in Cree, is designed as a platform to empower underserved founders, particularly Indigenous entrepreneurs. Initially functioning as a resource tool for early-stage businesses due to capital constraints, the long-term vision involves operating as a search fund. This model would acquire small businesses for trainees to manage before eventual ownership transfer. With a waitlist of over 700 industry partners, Tapwi seeks to open doors for the next generation. Additionally, Racette serves as an angel investor, prioritizing mentorship and community support over financial returns, embodying her role as an Indigenous 'knowledge keeper.' Her previous company, Virtual Gurus, was recently acquired by Zirtual, marking the end of her tenure as CEO but reinforcing her commitment to paying it forward within the tech ecosystem.
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