Lise Birikundavyi, born in Burundi and raised in Canada, co-founded BKR Capital to address the critical funding gap faced by Black entrepreneurs in North America and beyond. With a background in hedge funds, impact investing, and experience in emerging markets including China and Africa, Birikundavyi has built a venture capital firm focused on investing in technology startups led by Black founders. Since its inception, BKR Capital has raised over $42 million across two funds, with the first fund raising more than $22 million in 2021 and the second $20 million in 2026, backed by major Canadian financial institutions like the Royal Bank of Canada and the Business Development Bank of Canada.

BKR Capital primarily invests in early-stage companies at the pre-seed to seed phase, focusing on sectors like the future of work and living, with investment amounts ranging from $250,000 to $1.5 million. The firm has actively backed four startups in diverse fields such as physical AI and property technology. Despite the conservative nature of the Canadian investment landscape and some resistance to diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, the firm remains committed to diversifying the entrepreneurial ecosystem by funding Black-led companies, mostly based in Canada, and aiming to amplify their economic impact.

In addition to capital deployment, BKR Capital has launched the BKR Catalyst Institute, a nonprofit established in 2022 that equips mid-career Black professionals with venture capital skills through mentoring and training. It also runs a newer program designed to foster aspiring fund managers, helping them develop their track records and launch their own funds. Two participants from this initiative have already launched their own funds, marking an important step toward building a more inclusive and representative venture capital industry in Canada.

Looking ahead, Birikundavyi hopes that the funding gap for Black founders in Canada will eventually close, which could enable BKR Capital to expand its mission globally while maintaining its Black-focused investment thesis. Their ongoing efforts are part of a broader movement to change the narrative on Black entrepreneurship, promote financial sovereignty, and demonstrate that impact-driven investing can deliver strong financial returns while creating meaningful social change.