Saamra Mekuria-Grillo
CEO & Co-Founder, Formation Ventures
Overview:
Formation Ventures accelerates emerging Black entrepreneurs ages 16 to 26 as they explore, connect, launch, and grow their visions into wealth-building ventures. Our approach incorporates identity-affirming online learning, peer learning groups, venture launch support, and funding. We meet Black young people where they are, center their multiple identities and experiences, and provide the radical freedom to learn and grow in an environment where it's okay to take risks and learn from missteps. We believe in, uplift and affirm Black entrepreneurial genius, and see the infinite potential that young people have to achieve success through launching their visions for the future and for their communities.
Bio:
Saamra Mekuria-Grillo is the CEO and co-founder of Formation Ventures, a nonprofit that is dedicated to accelerating emerging Black entrepreneurs, ages 16-26, through educational and new venture support programs. Prior to founding Formation Ventures, she served as the founding Chief Operating Officer of the Pahara Institute, an education leadership development organization. Before Pahara, Saamra held roles at Bain & Company, and at Google, where she helped to launch Google’s Hyderabad office.
Saamra currently serves on the boards of Compass Rose Public Schools and Instruction Partners and is a Cambiar Education Fellow. She holds an MBA with a certificate in Public Management from the Stanford Graduate School of Business, and a bachelor’s degree from Yale University. She is also a proud graduate of the Boston Latin School, the first public school in the United States. Saamra lives in San Antonio, TX with her husband, Brandon, and their two sons.