Yonas Fisseha is a biographical subject worthy of admiration. As a successful entrepreneur as well as the founder and CEO of Juniper Square, Yonas has proven himself to be a leader in the commercial real estate technology industry. He stands out in his field as a Black entrepreneur who has made remarkable contributions to the tech industry. Fisseha’s journey from entrepreneur to black founder and the inspiring biographies of his success are what makes him an inspirational story.
Early Life
Yonas Fisseha was born in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, in 1981. His parents were refugees who fled from Eritrea due to civil war. During his childhood, Fisseha moved from place to place with his family as they sought refuge before settling in the United States when he was 13.
He experienced culture shock but soon adjusted to his new home and started focusing on his academic goals. He was raised in a family that valued education and hard work.
Schooling
Yonas Fisseha attended high school in San Francisco and did very well in his studies. He was accepted into the University of California, Berkeley, where he studied history and economics. After completing a dual degree program, he earned two bachelor’s degrees in 2002.
He then attended Harvard Business School for his MBA, graduating with honors in 2007. Fisseha then pursued a doctorate at the Harvard Kennedy School, earning his Ph.D. in 2011.
Early Career
Fisseha started his career as a management consultant at Bain & Company, one of the most respected consulting firms in the world. He worked hard and quickly rose through the ranks to become a partner. During his time at Bain, Fisseha gained valuable experience in business strategy, operations, and finance.
He left the company to become a venture capitalist at Benchmark Capital. At the firm, he was responsible for investing in early-stage tech startups. His experience as a businessman soon started to take off when he founded Juniper Square, a real estate investment software platform.
Juniper Square
Yonas Fisseha founded Juniper Square in 2016, a real estate investment software platform. The company is designed to make investing in commercial real estate more efficient and accessible. Juniper Square’s software facilitates the entire process, from property selection and due diligence to closing and post-closing management.
The platform provides investors with tools to search and compare properties and automate the process of due diligence, closing documents, and the management of post-closing activities. The software is also integrated into existing real estate investment firms’ systems, making it easier for them to manage their investments.
Yonas Fisseha has been instrumental in the success of Juniper Square. He is recognized as a leader in the industry and has been featured in several publications such as Bloomberg, Forbes, Fortune, and Inc.
Business Accomplishments
Yonas Fisseha has achieved great success with Juniper Square. He was the first entrepreneur in the United States to raise $100 million from venture capitalists for a real estate tech startup. His accomplishments include being named to TechCrunch’s 50 Most Influential People in Real Estate Technology and Forbes Magazine’s 30 Under 30 list.
Fisseha is also an entrepreneur in residence at the Stanford Graduate School of Business and has been invited to speak and mentor entrepreneurs around the world. He has also been recognized for his philanthropic work, partnering with organizations such as Code for America and Kiva to help bring tech education and opportunities to underprivileged communities.
Today, Juniper Square is used by more than 500,000 users worldwide, and Fisseha’s success story inspires aspiring entrepreneurs. He continues to be a tech industry leader and a black excellence champion.
Future Goals
Yonas Fisseha’s future goals are to continue to grow and improve Juniper Square as well as invest in new projects. He is also passionate about giving back, and his philanthropic work will continue to be a priority. Fisseha plans to use his experience in the tech industry and entrepreneurism to mentor the next generation and help them achieve their goals. He is also a vocal advocate for Black founders, speaking at conferences and events to encourage more diversity in tech. Ultimately, Yonas Fisseha hopes to create an environment where everyone has access to the same opportunities regardless of race or background. His inspiring story serves as a reminder of what can be accomplished with dedication and hard work.
Yonas Fisseha is a businessman, philanthropist, and leader in tech who has achieved incredible success. From his time as a venture capitalist to founding Juniper Square, he continues to be an inspiration to aspiring entrepreneurs. His successful profiles are a testament to the power of black excellence, and he hopes to continue to be an advocate for greater diversity in technology. Fisseha’s story serves as a reminder that with dedication and hard work, anything is possible.
From his humble beginnings to becoming one of the most influential figures in real estate tech, Yonas Fisseha is an example of the power of black excellence. His story continues to inspire and motivate those around him, and his contributions to the tech industry will be remembered for years to come.
Yonas Fisseha is part of our Black Founders50 Series. Download the complete 2023 BBVA Founders50 list here.