What does it take to build a venture-backed company in an industry few investors understand?

In this episode of The First 200, host Amira Rasool sits down with Cheraé Robinson, Co-Founder and former CEO of Tastemakers Africa, the travel experiences marketplace she raised $2.6 million in venture capital funding for. Through Tastemakers Africa, Cheraé helped connect travelers with authentic experiences created by locals and became one of the only Black women to raise venture capital in the travel industry.

Together, the entrepreneurs discuss building a company in the travel sector, raising venture capital, the opportunities for members of the diaspora to build businesses in Africa, taking risks, and the power of community in entrepreneurship.

FOLLOW THE FIRST 200
Website: thefirst200.com
Instagram: @firsttwohundred
TikTok: @firsttwohundred

SPONSORED BY THE FOLKLORE
The Folklore helps brands sell better and market smarter with technology that powers retail distribution, affiliate commerce, and AI-powered marketing tools.

Start your free trial: https://thefolklore.com/pages/join-us

How do you build a successful company and a successful life? According to Tiffany Dufu, you don't do it alone.

In this episode of The First 200, host Amira Rasool sits down with Tiffany Dufu, Founder and former CEO of The Cru, the peer coaching platform she launched in 2018, raised $4 million to build, and successfully exited through its acquisition by Luminary in 2023. Today, Tiffany serves as President of the Tory Burch Foundation, helping empower the next generation of women entrepreneurs.

Together, they discuss the power of community, raising venture capital, leadership, navigating an acquisition, and why meaningful relationships are often the foundation of both business and personal success.

FOLLOW THE FIRST 200
Website: thefirst200.com
Instagram: @firsttwohundred
TikTok: @firsttwohundred

SPONSORED BY THE FOLKLORE
The Folklore helps brands sell better and market smarter with technology that powers retail distribution, affiliate commerce, and AI-powered marketing tools.

Start your free trial: https://thefolklore.com/pages/join-us

What does it take to become one of the first? Hosted by entrepreneur Amira Rasool, The First 200 is a podcast documenting the stories of founders from distinct backgrounds who were among the first 200 in their communities to raise more than $1 million in venture capital funding.

Each year we explore a different cohort of trailblazing entrepreneurs, preserving the stories behind the milestones and uncovering the lessons, challenges, and opportunities that shaped their journeys. Through candid conversations, listeners will gain insight into fundraising, leadership, company building, exits, resilience, and what it takes to scale high-growth startup.

Season one focuses on the first 200 Black women founders in the United States to raise more than $1 million in venture capital funding. These founders have built businesses across technology, healthcare, fintech, fashion, beauty, commerce, media, travel, and more—collectively raising billions of dollars while creating lasting impact across industries.

In this special trailer episode, Amira shares why she launched The First 200, the vision behind the platform, and what listeners can expect from the conversations ahead.

The first two episodes premiere on June 24th. New episodes for season one will be released every Tuesday thereafter.

Watch or listen wherever you get your podcasts, and explore the founder index, reports, and more at thefirst200.com.

Because before there were thousands, there were The First 200.