Venture to Learn
april 25-26, 2025
Bringing together founders, investors, and ecosystem builders to foster community around profitable entrepreneurship

opening reception
Friday April 25th, 2025
5:30pm - 7:30pm
Note: Registering for the Opening Reception does NOT register you for the full Summit. Please sign up for both!
2025 YALE BLACK VENTURE SUMMIT
2025 YALE BLACK VENTURE SUMMIT
AGENDA:
registration & breakfast
8:30am - 9:00am
OPENING KEYNOTE
9:15am - 10:00am
MICHAEL GRANGER
MICHAEL GRANGER
Michael Granger is a seasoned private equity and venture capital professional with over 30 years of experience in the U.S. and internationally. He has a strong background in investing in technology companies and founding a Chicago-based venture capital fund focused on minority- and women-owned businesses.
Since 2013, Michael has expanded his expertise into renewable energy projects in Africa, the Americas, and the Caribbean, and helps American businesses explore investment opportunities across these regions. He has been a vocal advocate for increasing access to institutional capital for minority-owned businesses and authored an Op-Ed in the Wall Street Journal on the subject.
Throughout his career, Michael has managed over $500 million in capital. At Cigna, he oversaw a $300 million portfolio and generated significant returns, while at Xerox Venture Capital, he contributed to early-stage tech investments with a 20%+ IRR. He founded Ark Capital Management, which raised $50 million for minority- and women-owned businesses.
Michael is skilled in building relationships with senior executives, entrepreneurs, and investors. His work includes portfolio management, deal negotiation, and helping businesses grow. He is also experienced in navigating diverse environments globally, having worked across Asia, Europe, Africa, and the Americas.
In addition to his professional achievements, Michael is active on industry panels and boards, including the American Association of Entrepreneurs and the American Youth Soccer Organization (A.Y.S.O.). He holds a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Massachusetts and an M.B.A. from Dartmouth College. Michael also served honorably in the U.S. Marine Corps.
Workshop: Developing an Entrepreneurial Mindset 10:05am - 11:05am
Workshop: Effective Business Experiments for Useful Insights 10:05am - 11:05am
Panel: Resources to Develop Black Wealth in NHV
11:10am - 12:10pm
lunch AND NETWORKING
12:15pm - 1:15pm
Panel: Founding and Building Sustainable Businesses
1:25pm - 2:25pm
Pitch Competition
2:30pm - 4:00pm
CLOSING REMARKS
4:00pm - 4:30pm
STAY TUNED
STAY TUNED
SPEAKER
LAST YEAR’S pitch competition finalists
2:30pm - 4:00pm
Our Host
STAY TUNED!
The Location - yale school of management
The Yale School of Management (SOM) is the graduate business school of Yale University located in New Haven, Connecticut
41.3153° N
72.9206° W
2024 conference RECAP















