Afghan Future Fund (AFF) is investing in the next generation of refugee-led businesses and startups through micro-grants that support innovation and growth.
In 2025, AFF awarded three social impact micro-grants to alumni of its Refugee Entrepreneurship Program (REP), now known as Ventures Beyond Borders (VBB). VBB is an initiative incubated by AFF that builds a global network of refugee founders through accelerators and startup support.
By supporting these entrepreneurs now, AFF is empowering refugee talent to build a better future, ensuring that promising founders can sustain momentum, access key resources, and position their ventures for long-term success.
Founder Spotlight
Kolank LLC
Kolank aims to make artificial intelligence accessible to everyone with a single interface and API—a set of tools that lets different software systems communicate—so users can integrate and manage multiple AI providers. The platform lowers technical and financial barriers, enabling startups and underrepresented entrepreneurs to build AI-powered products more easily.
The AFF micro-grant helps Kolank expand its infrastructure, improve user experience and roll out new features, including video models and enhanced image tools.
The company has already processed hundreds of millions of tokens, generated steady revenue, and attracted more than a thousand customers—evidence of strong demand and a scalable model.
Founder Shir Danishyar, who began his journey in AFF’s Refugee Entrepreneurship Program, said the grant will help the company move faster.
“Our mission is to make AI simple and affordable for everyone, and this support lets us scale Kolank and launch new tools like AI agents for freight brokers—cutting costs and automating work so businesses can grow without extra staff.”
Vital Language Line
Vital Language Line (VLL) delivers accurate, culturally sensitive translation and interpretation services to immigrant communities, law firms, government institutions and businesses. Its work ensures that non-English speakers can access healthcare, legal assistance and education while helping institutions meet compliance requirements.
Funding will support the integration of AI-powered tools and customer relationship systems, expand interpreter capacity and secure key certifications. With growing revenue and proven demand, VLL is positioned to strengthen operations and reach more clients, fostering inclusive communication for underserved communities.
“Programs like VBB are essential,” said Mohammad Abid Yadgaary, VLL founder. “Because they don’t just provide resources; they mentor, open doors, build confidence, and help immigrant founders like me turn ideas into real ventures.”
Yadgaari has since expanded VLL with a co-founder to create Vital Tech Solutions (VTS). The company is developing QueSync, an app designed to simplify visitor check-ins at more than 190,000 public-facing offices across the United States, reducing lobby waits and improving reporting efficiency.
Tawila LTD
Many small restaurant owners are skilled chefs but lack managerial experience or access to technology, leaving them vulnerable to financial difficulties and potential closure. Tawila aims to prevent this.
Tawila (طاولة) helps immigrant and underserved restaurant owners succeed by providing them with the simpler, more affordable digital infrastructure they need. This includes innovative 0% commission food-ordering systems, point-of-sale technology, and marketing support.
Ahmed Mohammed and Ahmed Elsir, co-founders of Tawila, once worked as dishwashers, food delivery drivers and chefs before starting their own company.
“The start was incredibly hard,” Mohammed said. “We had to juggle so many personal and professional challenges while building the business. But after signing our first and second customers, it became deeply rewarding—we were solving problems for people we care about in a way that works for them and aligns our interests.”
The grant empowers Tawila to onboard new restaurants, enhance its platform, and expand its customer base, moving from a pilot phase to a scalable growth model. This will be achieved by investing in digital marketing, expanding their team, and purchasing the necessary devices and hardware to support these restaurants.
With these grants, AFF underscores its commitment to turning refugee potential into progress—helping founders not only survive displacement but create businesses that drive inclusion, economic growth and hope.
About REP and VBB
The Refugee Entrepreneurship Program, launched by Afghan Future Fund, equips aspiring refugee entrepreneurs with the tools to turn ideas into thriving businesses and startups. The program pilot combined a four-week online training with a one-week in-person accelerator tech workshop, culminating in a pitch session where participants present their ventures to a panel of judges.
Building on this foundation, VBB will be launched and established as an independent entity at the end of 2025 and will carry the work forward—offering refugees the skills, mentorship and early capital needed to scale their companies and drive lasting change in their communities and beyond.
Both AFF and VBB believe entrepreneurship can unlock the extraordinary potential of refugees worldwide, transforming displacement into opportunity and economic growth.
To learn more about Venture Beyond Borders, visit venturesbeyondborders.com.
