Analysis: For Black founders, venture funding remains elusive despite new funds

Donnel Baird (C) sits with other Echoing Green Black Male Achievement Fellows in New York, U.S (PHOTO: Reuters)

When Donnel Baird first pitched his idea in 2014 to create a technology platform that could help small apartment buildings and other urban structures become energy efficient, he got the U.S. government to promise him $2.1 million, provided he could raise a similar amount from elsewhere.