# African Diaspora Network

> African Diaspora Network is a Silicon Valley nonprofit connecting Africans, descendants of Africa, and allies through convenings, entrepreneurship accelerators, mentorship, philanthropic grants, and scientific collaboration. Founded by Almaz Negash in 2010, it supports enterprise development in Africa and diaspora communities.

- **Founded:** 2010
- **Headquarters:** Santa Clara, United States
- **Founders:** Almaz Negash (Founder and CEO)
- **Products:** African Diaspora Investment Symposium (ADIS), Builders of Africa’s Future (BAF), Impact and Innovation Forums, Accelerating Business Leadership and Entrepreneurship (ABLE), Start Your Social Enterprise (SYSE)
- **Notable:** ADN reports more than 200 entrepreneurs supported and 1,634 jobs created and sustained., BAF reports 93 African entrepreneurs supported since 2018., ADN reports close to $20 million collectively raised by alumni and 57% attributing enterprise growth directly to ADN.

## Products & services

- **African Diaspora Investment Symposium (ADIS)** — Annual gathering connecting Africa-focused entrepreneurs, investors, philanthropists, policymakers, and diaspora professionals. ADN first hosted it in Silicon Valley in 2016.
- **Builders of Africa’s Future (BAF)** — Training, mentorship, visibility, and connections for early-stage African businesses and nonprofits.
- **Impact and Innovation Forums** — Convenings for knowledge exchange, policy discussion, and cross-border collaboration.
- **Accelerating Business Leadership and Entrepreneurship (ABLE)** — Fully funded accelerator for impact-oriented, early-stage, revenue-generating U.S. ventures led by diaspora entrepreneurs; previously named Accelerating Black Leadership and Entrepreneurship.
- **Start Your Social Enterprise (SYSE)** — Entrepreneurial training and mentorship for Catholic Sisters developing sustainable community enterprises.
- **African Diaspora Innovation Fund (AfDIF)** — Philanthropic fund with Myriad USA supporting African and African-descendant social entrepreneurs with grants up to $25,000.
- **Grand Challenges African Diaspora Engagement Accelerator (GC-ADEA)** — Gates Foundation collaboration to connect African and diaspora researchers in health innovation, including vaccine research and drug discovery.

## Achievements

- ADN reports more than 200 entrepreneurs supported and 1,634 jobs created and sustained.
- BAF reports 93 African entrepreneurs supported since 2018.
- ADN reports close to $20 million collectively raised by alumni and 57% attributing enterprise growth directly to ADN.
- Almaz Negash joined the inaugural U.S. President’s Advisory Council on African Diaspora Engagement in 2023.

## Latest updates

- **2026-07** — ADN publicized the opening of a Washington, D.C., office.
- **2026-09** — ADN announced Dr. Pierre R. Theodore’s appointment to its board; press release dated September 17.
- **2026-10** — ABLE’s announced October 22 Pitch Day at EY San Jose will feature 20 founders; future event as of October 8.

## Links

- Website: https://africandiasporanetwork.org/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/african-diaspora-network/
- Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/AfricanDNetwork
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/AfricanDiasporanetwork/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/africandiasporanetwork/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/africandiasporanetwork

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/african-diaspora-network
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-08