For partners
Leadership support for the businesses you back
For development finance institutions, investors, family offices and foundations backing Black-owned and Black-led businesses in the UK and across Africa.
Capital alone does not close the gap
In October 2026, British International Investment and Swedfund estimated a $209 billion funding gap for Black-owned and led businesses across five African markets. As more capital reaches these businesses, the leaders receiving it face intense demands: scaling teams, managing international boards and investors, and making high-stakes decisions with little support around them. Leadership risk is investment risk.
What we offer
| Offer | What it includes |
|---|---|
| Portfolio CEO support | A performance diagnostic and an ongoing one to one partnership for selected founder-CEOs, funded by the institution. |
| Cohort programmes | Structured development for groups of portfolio founders or accelerator cohorts. |
| Leadership team workshops | Half-day sessions for portfolio leadership teams on decision-making, feedback and performance under pressure. |
| Portfolio insight | Anonymised, aggregate themes across sponsored engagements, so you can see where leadership risk sits without compromising any individual's confidentiality. |
How sponsored engagements work
- You fund the work, the leader owns it. What is discussed and the data produced belong to the leader.
- One clear agreement. Scope, fees, reporting and confidentiality are set out in a partnership agreement before work begins.
- Pricing that fits the market. Fees for African founders are set to reflect local market realities.
Why Spark
Founders who bridge Africa, the UK and the US. A partnership between a senior executive and a registered psychologist. Clinical and data standards that protect your founders and your reputation.