About EVO
EVO VC & Startups Community was founded in 2025 as a venture-driven platform connecting startups with capital and offering a structured path to growth.
Its founder, Gozel Akeyeva, has over 25 years of experience in managing international trade in oil and aluminum, as well as organizing international conferences, working with sponsors such as Shell, BP, GE, Petronas, and Aramco. Later, she co-founded the Tech + Startups Community and, within just 15 months, scaled it from 1,000 participants in Miami to over 22,000 across 35 cities in 15 countries with zero external investment. She also launched the first Tech + Startups Conference in Miami.
EVO builds on this foundation, combining the spirit of community with a clear venture focus and a mission to accelerate global innovation through collaboration, transformation, and meaningful impact.
Community
EVO is more than a fund — it's an ecosystem.
- Pitch sessions and private events.
- Direct access to mentors and thought leaders.
- Knowledge sharing and partnerships inside the community.
For Startups
From idea to global market
- Preparing for investment and connecting with venture capital.
- Scaling teams, products, and operations.
- Mentorship from industry experts and access to our partner network.
Outcome: your startup gets everything it needs to grow faster and lead its category.
For Investors
High-quality deal flow and strong portfolio support
- Access to vetted, tech-driven startups.
- Opportunities to join funding rounds.
- Portfolio support through expertise, mentorship, and community connections.
Outcome: better deals, stronger portfolio performance, and a reputation as a true value-add investor.
The team behind EVO
The people running the community — and answerable for it.
Gozel Akeyeva
Founder & CEO
Over 25 years in international trade, marketing, consulting and financial management — and the builder of a 22,000-member tech community across 35 cities in 15 countries.
Merdan
CTO
The engineer behind the EVO platform — events, human-led vetting and the rooms that outlive each evening.
Inna Dubrovina
Head of Communications
PR and content strategist with 15+ years of experience in brand communications, media relations, and storytelling.
The room is filtered. That's the point.
Join a community where verification is the product.