AFTER HISTORIC ANTI-DEI LAWSUIT DISMISSAL, FEARLESS FUND EXPANDS GLOBAL IMPACT WITH MICROFINANCE FUND LAUNCH IN AFRICA

Special to BlackPressMediaUSA

Atlanta, GA—(Monday, February 16, 2026) Fearless Fund, the world’s first venture capital firm built by women of color for women of color and a premier global leader in economic inclusion, is making Black history once again with the launch of a new microfinance fund in Ghana, fueling formalized strategic collaborations with local partners across the region. As part of its Ghana activation, Fearless Fund will host a national pitch competition awarding GHS 100,000 to women entrepreneurs building high-impact businesses.

“Expanding our mission to Africa has always been central to closing the global wealth gap,” said Queen Wa Arian Simone, CEO and Founding Partner of Fearless Fund. “Africa represents one of the world’s most dynamic economic frontiers, powered by a booming youth population and relentless innovation. Our presence in Ghana ensures founders have the critical access to capital needed to build and scale. Fearless Fund is a beacon of what’s possible when women of color lead with vision and power.”

Backed by global brands including Bank of America, JPMorgan Chase, PayPal, Costco, and Mastercard, Fearless Fund’s work has been recognized by leading outlets including CNN, Bloomberg, Inc., The Wall Street Journal, and Forbes.

Fearless Fund’s impact to date includes:

• Raising two eight-figure venture capital funds, with average check sizes ranging from $500,000 to $2 million across multiple vehicles.

• Launching a groundbreaking loan program through a historic partnership that secured a $240 million debt facility for under-resourced entrepreneurs.

• Awarding more than $5 million in non-dilutive grants to women of color founders across the U.S. and globally.

• Equipping more than 1,000 women founders through its Get Venture Ready (GVR) program with mentorship, capital readiness, and investor training.

In addition to its U.S. footprint, Fearless Fund has built a significant global presence:

• Deployed multi-millions into startups across Africa, Australia, and Canada.

• Awarded grants through ecosystem partners in Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, and Botswana.

• Educated more than 200,000 entrepreneurs through its partnership with TRACE Academia, co-creating digital business courses and immersive learning experiences to support the next generation of African entrepreneurs.

Fearless Fund’s expansion into Africa addresses a critical global financing gap. Ghana ranks #1 globally for women-owned businesses (46.4%), yet women-owned enterprises earn 34% less profit on average than male-owned firms due to financial, social, and structural barriers to capital access.

The new microfinance fund will provide small, high-impact loans to underserved women entrepreneurs in its inaugural year, offering culturally responsive financial services designed to unlock business growth and long-term wealth creation.

As part of the Ghana expansion, loans ranging from GHS 10,000 to GHS 30,000 will be deployed. Fearless Fund will rigorously track and report on social impact metrics, including:

• Job creation and revenue growth among supported businesses

• Total number of women financed and regional distribution

• Digital inclusion and support for first-time borrowers

This initiative aligns capital deployment with measurable outcomes—ensuring investment flows not only fuel businesses, but also drive inclusive economic growth, employment, and long-term opportunity for women across Ghana.