Vince Martin

I'm a software and platforms entrepreneur with 30+ years of battle-hardened experience. I love entrepreneurship and helping people to grow and learn—the latter of which I came to realize as a computer science tutor back in my college days. I also have a passion for justice. <br> <br>I started my career at IBM's Software Solutions Division, developing tools for other developers (primarily, multi-platform debuggers), before building out IBM's Boxing Results System for the 1996 Olympics. Thereafter, I finished my tenure at IBM on various other projects before departing to launch a consulting business. <br> <br>After some years, consulting for companies—ranging in size from startups to Fortune 100—across various industries, I built and launched an online rewards platform. This bootstrapped business went on to generate $500MM in GMV, paying out millions of dollars to members in cash back and referral commissions. The business ran profitably for well over a decade and saw me filling every role before hiring a team. I then continued to serve as CEO and CTO, forging partnerships, setting the strategic direction, and managing my direct reports. <br> <br>The business remained lean and, on the technology front, I built out a shopping portal, community features, fraud detection systems, payment systems, and more—i.e. the entire frontend+backend. I later brought in additional developers and creative agencies as needed to augment our efforts. <br> <br>The hands-on experience there prepared me well to build and grow the BlackShares platform. It was virtually a training ground—nothing by coincidence. <br> <br>The ideas for BlackShares itself—and similar—have been with me for over two decades. I decided the time was right to launch it upon seeing the dramatic attacks on our community's progress that threaten to set us back decades. <br> <br>I believe that empathy, respect and compassion must be restored. I believe in the audacity of big ideas, coupled with action. And, most of all, I believe in our community. <br> <br>Much love. Let's go!