Description

Innovation Conversation: Building Businesses, Community, and Resilience with Akil Benjamin

In this episode of Innovation Conversation, host Ricardo Pascual sits down with Akil Benjamin, entrepreneur and founder of Kamusi, to discuss his journey from launching a design studio to supporting small businesses and underrepresented entrepreneurs. Akil shares lessons learned from creating the Black Business Residency at Somerset House and how it's empowering a new generation of founders.

They dive into:

• Why starting small and testing ideas early is crucial for entrepreneurs.
• How to build meaningful relationships and align goals with partners and investors.
• Navigating the conservative nature of the UK market and proving traction before raising funds.
• The importance of having a strong support system — including therapy, prayer, and community.
• Redefining balance and staying present throughout the entrepreneurial journey.

Tune in for a real-world conversation about entrepreneurship, resilience, and community building from someone who’s helping shape the future of small business growth.

Brought to you by Startup Summit 2025 — Europe’s leading startup and investor summit, happening September 18–19, 2025, in Lisbon.

🎟️ Learn more and secure your spot at www.startupsummit.io