Who is Noah Khamanllah? From prison and homelessness to $10 million venture fund

Noah Khamanllah is the founder of Don’t Quit Ventures, a $10 million venture fund focused on supporting founders facing barriers in accessing capital. Khamanllah has built a track record in venture investing, with the fund’s portfolio including companies that have reached billion-dollar valuations, along with one successful initial public offering (IPO) and two exits.

Don’t Quit Ventures recently announced the second close of its Fund I, with the fund reaching 2.5 times the capital committed by investors, according to Fortune. Three of its 17 investments are now valued above $1 billion, while nearly one in five of its portfolio bets have become unicorns, compared with the broader industry average of about one in 70 investments.

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From difficult childhood to venture capital success

Before becoming a venture investor, Khamanllah faced several personal and social challenges. He grew up in Roubaix, a low-income area in northern France, and said he was abandoned by his mother and raised by his 80-year-old grandmother.

He dropped out of school at 16 and said he struggled through his early 20s, becoming involved with the wrong people and committing offences that eventually led to several months in prison.

After his release, Khamanllah said he faced difficulties rebuilding his life, including challenges finding employment, housing and social acceptance due to his past record.

Rebuilt career after facing discrimination

Khamanllah said he faced more than 50 job interview rejections, was dismissed from jobs shortly after joining on multiple occasions and struggled to secure housing.

Instead of giving up, he focused on rebuilding his reputation through work, volunteering and personal development. He worked with NGOs supporting drug addicts, refugees and LGBTQ communities while taking on low-paid jobs.

He later secured a position where he gained recognition for his innovative approach and eventually became a recognised leader in the micro-mobility sector, speaking at industry conferences.

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Don’t Quit Ventures backs underrepresented founders

Khamanllah launched Don’t Quit Ventures to help founders, particularly in Africa, overcome barriers in the venture capital ecosystem and gain access to investors supporting innovative businesses.

He said his own experiences with social and professional barriers shaped his approach to investing, as he aims to support entrepreneurs who may struggle to access traditional funding networks.

Through his fund’s portfolio performance, including unicorn investments, exits and an IPO, Khamanllah has established himself as a venture investor focused on backing founders facing challenges in traditional funding systems.