Community Highlights: Meet Malik Mbaye of Black Lotus Ventures

Today we’d like to introduce you to Malik Mbaye

Malik, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
From Silicon Valley to ATL: Meet the Consultant Empowering Black Founders and Future Leaders

Malik Mbaye is a name that echoes in the halls of Silicon Valley and resonates deeply within the Black entrepreneurial community. His journey isn’t just a story of personal success—it’s a mission to elevate others, to break barriers, and to open doors for the next generation of innovators.

Malik’s career began at Howard University, where he honed his entrepreneurial spirit. In college, he built a 6-figure e-commerce startup that he scaled to 23 countries across the U.S., South America, Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. But this was only the beginning. His hunger to learn and grow pushed him to intern at prestigious firms like L’Oréal, Accenture, JP Morgan, and Morgan Stanley, where he absorbed the intricacies of business, finance, and technology.

After graduating, Malik broke into the top of the tech world, joining Meta as a Product Marketing Manager. At Facebook Marketplace, he launched new features that made it easier for millions of people to buy and sell products on the platform. At Facebook Messenger, he led the company’s most successful marketing campaigns, helping people around the world stay connected to their friends and family during the pandemic.

As the world faced unprecedented challenges during COVID-19, Malik sought opportunities to work on the issues that mattered most. This led him to Lyft, where he worked on one of the company’s largest national marketing campaigns in response to the pandemic. Malik helped launch essential transportation solutions, providing rides for frontline workers and helping people access vaccine sites. Not only that, but he helped the company launch a new line of business, Lyft Rentals, which transformed how people interacted with the company and expanded Lyft’s services beyond rideshare.

Recognizing the lasting impact of the pandemic on the workforce, Malik transitioned to Upwork to focus on shaping the future of remote work. At Upwork, he helped empower creators, freelancers, and small businesses, equipping them to thrive in the evolving digital economy. He played a pivotal role in launching Upwork’s first contract-to-hire and full-time hiring solutions. These innovations helped both big companies and small businesses find high-quality remote workers faster and more affordably, redefining how businesses adapt to the remote work landscape.

Each step in Malik’s career was fueled by an insatiable curiosity and a determination to solve real-world problems through technology. His journey—from scaling a college startup to navigating the complexities of Silicon Valley—reflects a profound commitment to making a meaningful impact wherever he goes.

While climbing the ranks in Silicon Valley, Malik’s entrepreneurial spirit remained unshaken. He founded Black Lotus Venture Studio, an Atlanta-based consultancy dedicated to helping founders turn their visions into reality. From designing investor pitch decks to building apps and launching companies, Malik has helped minority-owned startups raise over $50 million in venture capital from top firms like SoftBank, Twitter, Techstars, and Google Ventures. His clients are alumni of companies like PayPal, Microsoft, Snapchat, Deloitte, and more—proof that even the best in Silicon Valley turn to Malik to bring their ideas to life.

Malik has always had a passion for giving back and serving his community. As a career coach, he has guided over 100 students and professionals across six countries—completely free of charge—to land roles at companies like EY, Deloitte, McKinsey, and Goldman Sachs. Many of his mentees have also gained admission into elite universities, including Harvard, Columbia, and Wharton. Malik’s dedication shines through in every aspect of his work, whether he’s mentoring young women in Ghana or leading workshops on professional development.

But Malik’s story didn’t stop there. He moved to Atlanta, bringing the spirit of innovation and bold thinking that defines Silicon Valley to the heart of Georgia. In Atlanta, he combined his expertise with his passion for community empowerment. He joined forces with Abraham Robertson, a successful Atlanta-based entrepreneur, investor, and Howard alum, to launch a community for professional development and financial literacy. Thanks to Abraham, they’ve helped their community members invest over $1 million into the stock market, Atlanta real estate, and more. Malik has dedicated himself to helping Black businesses in Atlanta thrive, unlock new opportunitiesm and build sustainable growth. It was here in Atlanta that Malik reached new levels of success, as he scaled his consulting firm past 7-figures and solidified his role as a trailblazer in the Atlanta metro area.

Today, Malik is redefining what it means to be a consultant, mentor, and changemaker. His mission is clear: to take the lessons learned at the top of Silicon Valley and bring them back to the communities that need them most. Whether it’s helping Black founders raise millions, creating new categories in e-commerce, or inspiring the next generation of leaders, Malik’s story is one of impact, innovation, and empowerment.

“I’m not just here to succeed; I’m here to make sure others succeed with me,” Malik says. “It’s about showing what’s possible and creating opportunities where they’ve never existed before.” Because when we lift each other, we all rise.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The road to where I am today has been anything but smooth—it’s been a journey of perseverance, learning, and growth. When I started my first company, I was doing everything on my own. I didn’t have a team to lean on or a roadmap to follow. Every decision, every late night, every mistake—I had to shoulder it alone. That experience taught me resilience, but it also highlighted the importance of building a community.

As an entrepreneur, one of the biggest challenges I faced was finding a network of people who understood my journey. That’s why teaming up with my business partner from college, Abraham Robertson, a successful Jamaican-American entrepreneur in Atlanta, was such a pivotal moment. Together, we built a community of like-minded individuals—a space where we could support each other, share resources, and navigate the ups and downs of entrepreneurship. It’s something I wish I’d had when I first started, and it’s been a cornerstone of the work I do now.

Breaking into the tech world as a Black man came with its own set of hurdles. Black professionals are underrepresented in tech, and the barriers to entry are often systemic and deeply ingrained. For me, this made it all the more important to open doors for others. That’s why I dedicated myself to coaching over 100 people, helping them break into top companies. I wanted to ensure that talented individuals from underrepresented communities could start their careers with momentum, confidence, and the opportunities they deserved. Seeing them thrive has been one of the most rewarding parts of my journey.

When it comes to venture capital, the disparities are even starker. Black entrepreneurs receive less than 1% of venture capital funding annually, despite having incredible ideas and innovations. This statistic has fueled my passion for helping Black founders overcome these barriers. Through my consultancy, I’ve helped minority entrepreneurs raise over $50 million in venture capital funding, launch their companies, and generate over $10 million in revenue. But my motivation goes deeper than just the numbers. When I think back to my first company, I remember how isolating and overwhelming it felt to do everything on my own. That struggle inspired me to create Black Lotus Ventures—a consultancy focused on helping the people who need it most. I wanted to be the person who could step in, hear someone’s big idea, and help bring it to life. Because I know firsthand what it feels like to have a vision but lack the resources or guidance to make it real. Helping others avoid the mistakes I made early in my journey and empowering them to succeed has been one of the most meaningful parts of my career.

Of course, not every venture was a success. I’ve launched projects that didn’t work out, and I’ve made my share of mistakes along the way. But I see those moments as stepping stones, not setbacks. Every failure taught me something invaluable—about strategy, about resilience, and about myself. Those lessons became the foundation for the successful companies and initiatives I’ve built since.

At its core, my journey has been about finding purpose in the struggle. The challenges I’ve faced—working alone, navigating systemic barriers, balancing a full-time career with my passion for empowering others—have shaped me into the person I am today. And through it all, I’ve learned that the most important thing we can do is lift each other up. Because when we support each other, we all rise.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
At Black Lotus Venture Studio, we specialize in helping entrepreneurs and businesses bring their ideas to life. Whether it’s crafting pitch decks to secure funding, designing and building custom applications, or launching go-to-market campaigns, we’re here to turn big ideas into thriving businesses.

Black Lotus was born from a simple realization: the journey of entrepreneurship can be overwhelming, especially for those without access to the right resources or expertise. I built this venture studio to be the partner I wish I’d had when I was starting out—someone to help navigate the complexities of design, development, and strategy. Today, we’re a team of designers, developers, and marketers committed to empowering entrepreneurs to create remarkable products and build sustainable businesses.

Our expertise lies in product design, development, and marketing strategies. We’re known for creating beautiful, user-centered designs and breakthrough product strategies that drive real results. From pitch decks and branding to full-scale app development and go-to-market execution, we provide end-to-end solutions tailored to the needs of each client.

One project that perfectly encapsulates the mission and impact of Black Lotus is my work with MOGL.online. The company was founded by my mentor, Ayden Syal, who helped me land my first role at Morgan Stanley, alongside his former classmate, Brandon Wimbush, the starting quarterback who led Notre Dame to a 12-3 record. Together, they combined Ayden’s experience in private equity and Brandon’s perspective as an elite athlete to create the first-ever NIL-compliant NCAA influencer marketplace. Their vision was clear: to empower college athletes to monetize their name, image, and likeness (NIL) rights in a way that had never been done before.

I was honored to help bring this groundbreaking idea to life. I led the product strategy, designed and built the app, and crafted their go-to-market approach. With our collaboration, MOGL launched just as the NIL law changed, allowing NCAA athletes to finally profit from their likeness. The results were extraordinary: the platform scaled to millions in revenue, raised $2.6 million in funding, and won the prestigious SXSW annual pitch competition. The founders were even recognized on the Sports Journal 30 Under 30 list for their innovation and leadership.

For me, MOGL represents the full scope of what Black Lotus Venture Studio can do. It’s a testament to our ability to transform ideas into impactful products, guide them to market, and create real, measurable success. Watching Ayden and Brandon take their idea, build upon it, and achieve such incredible milestones is deeply inspiring. It’s a reminder of why I started this journey—to empower others to turn their visions into reality and make a difference in the world.

At Black Lotus, we know that every entrepreneur has a gift to share with the world, but not everyone speaks the language of design or development. That’s where we come in—to bridge that gap and ensure great ideas aren’t left behind. Whether it’s creating stunning branding, building intuitive apps, or crafting viral marketing campaigns, we help businesses stand out in a crowded marketplace.

At the heart of Black Lotus is a belief that every idea deserves the chance to bloom. We’re here to guide, support, and empower entrepreneurs to rise above challenges, build extraordinary products, and create lasting impact. If you’re ready to bring your idea to life, let’s get started.

Are there any books, apps, podcasts or blogs that help you do your best?
When it comes to resources that have shaped how I approach life and work, a few stand out as particularly transformative.

First, the Naval Podcast by Naval Ravikant is a must-listen. Naval delivers essential insights on business, technology, investing, wealth creation, and how to succeed in life. It’s not just advice—it’s a framework for thinking critically and strategically. One of the most impactful concepts he discusses is the “half-life of knowledge” and why studying older materials can teach you more about the future. That idea inspired me to dive into classic works from the 1800s, like P.T. Barnum’s The Art of Money-Getting (1880) and Barnum’s Own Story (1855). Barnum’s writing is timeless, offering lessons on marketing, resilience, and the power of storytelling that remain just as relevant today.

I’d also like to highlight Hacking Growth by Morgan Brown and Sean Ellis. Having had the honor of working on Morgan’s team at Meta, I’ve seen firsthand the impact of his pioneering approach to growth hacking and marketing. His book has been an invaluable resource in my consulting work with startups, helping me craft strategies to scale businesses and create lasting impact. I credit Morgan for many of the strategies I’ve used to help clients succeed, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to learn from him directly.

These resources—whether a podcast that sharpens your thinking, a classic book that connects the past to the present, or a modern guide to innovative strategies—have profoundly influenced my journey. They remind me that inspiration and insight can come from anywhere if you’re willing to keep learning.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://blacklotusventures.co/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/malick.io/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@MalikTheStartupGuy
• Other: https://www.launchpass.com/educo-community/moremoneymindset

Image Credits
All original photographs