With a distinguished career spanning nearly two decades in corporate finance, venture capital, and operations, Ajamu Baker brings a wealth of executive leadership to his role at The Center for Black Entrepreneurship (CBE). Prior to his role at CBE, Ajamu has led or helped guide the successful execution of nearly $9 Billion in technology deals across varied sectors including consumer electronics and cloud software. At Google, Ajamu co-led the $100 Million Racial Equity Fund focused on Black-led VC firms, startups, and organizations. Ajamu also worked with business leaders to formulate inorganic strategies and to quarterback successful acquisitions/divestments/investments efforts in support of Google Cloud (Industry Solutions and AI/ML groups) and Alphabet Bets (Loon and Wing).
Ajamu is spearheading two pivotal initiatives for CBE:
Ajamu is leading the development and national launch of the virtual version of CBE’s popular incubator program, Launch Incubator For Traction (LIFT). This 16-week program, which will be open to early-stage, STEM-based companies throughout the US, aims to make founders more investor-ready and improve the performance of their startups.
Ajamu is also the program lead for CBE’s Georgia FAST program focused on the metropolitan Atlanta area. This initiative is a partnership with the University of Georgia (UGA) Innovation Gateway to increase access to Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) grants for businesses in Georgia by providing funding for grant writing consultants, providing impactful workshops/programs, and leveraging its expansive professional network.
Ajamu is a graduate of the dual-degree engineering program at Morehouse College and Georgia Tech where he obtained BS degrees in Applied Physics and Mechanical Engineering. He also holds a Masters in Mechanical Engineering from Georgia Tech and a MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University. Ajamu is also co-founder of Deal Team SIXX, an early stage VC fund and executive advisory firm based in Atlanta.