Athlete Ventures In Action: How Kriol Star Is Transforming The Basketball Landscape In Cape Verde

As the lines between sport, business, and culture continue to blur, today’s athletes are no longer just performers, they’re founders, investors, and storytellers. But what Cape Verdean brothers Joel and Ivan Almeida are building with Kriol Star goes beyond the familiar athlete-to-entrepreneur trajectory. Founded in 2024, Kriol Star is a rare example of athletes creating a scalable, values-driven venture while still competing professionally.

Positioned at the intersection of grassroots development and international opportunity, the team is Cape Verde’s first representative in the Basketball Africa League (BAL) and a case study in strategic legacy-building. By leveraging their credibility, connections, and shared vision, the Almeidas have not only created a pathway for local talent but also attracted global investment, turning their on-court credibility into long-term, community-driven capital.

In an interview with Forbes.com, Almeida shared more about the inception of the team, the funding behind it, their path to the continent’s biggest stage as well as the competition so far.

A Dream Born from the Ground Up

Kriol Star’s origin story is rooted in community and vision. The team, which grew out of a foundation which shares the same name is, a grassroots initiative focused on empowering youth through sport and opportunity. What began as a social project soon evolved into a professional mission, fuelled by the brothers’ shared love for basketball and a commitment to creating something lasting for future generations.

At the heart of Kriol Star’s mission are Joel and Ivan, whose journey from Cape Verde to international play has driven the team’s vision. “We’ve shared the court since we were young,” says Joel. “It’s always amazing to do this with your brother, someone you’ve been to battle with.” This bond, forged through years of playing together, is central to their ambition: to build not just a successful team, but a lasting legacy for Cape Verdean basketball. “It’s important to leave a legacy and create a pathway for the next generation,” Joel insists.

From the outset, the Almeidas understood they needed to combine their passion for the game with strategic thinking. They recognised Cape Verde’s untapped talent but also the lack of structure to harness it. This insight led them to create the Cape Verdean Basketball League (CBL), a platform designed to identify and elevate local players. The league became a cornerstone of their strategy, paving the way for their team’s entry into continental competition.

“We had a vision from the very beginning, and we stayed true to our core values,” Joel shared. “The execution was key.”

Entering the Continental Stage

The team made history in the Road to the BAL 2025, becoming the first team from Cape Verde to compete in FIBA’s elite continental qualifying tournaments. Their presence alone was a statement: Cape Verde was ready to join Africa’s basketball renaissance.

Behind that leap was not only talent but strategic thinking and key investment. A pivotal figure in The CBL and Kriol Star’s journey is Paul Bragiel, a prominent Silicon Valley investor and founder of an early-stage technology fund. Known for backing over 200 startups, Bragiel saw in Kriol Star a unique blend of potential, vision, and impact.

“Paul Bragiel was one of our main investors,” Joel explains. “He played a significant role in helping us compete on the Road to the BAL. We brainstormed how to get a CBL team into the BAL. I said, ‘We have the talent, we just need to put everything together, enter the Road to the BAL, and qualify.’”

That belief, coupled with Bragiel’s support, helped unlock the resources Kriol Star needed to only dream big, but also execute with precision. His backing signalled a larger shift: African basketball was becoming a viable destination for global capital and strategic partnerships.

Facing the Giants, Playing with Grit

Kriol Star’s debut in the Sahara Conference of the BAL, currently taking place in Senegal, hasn’t been without challenges. Going up against some of Africa’s most experienced and well-resourced teams was always going to be tough. Their campaign began with a hard-fought loss to reigning champions, Angola’s Petro de Luanda, but instead of faltering, the team responded with resilience.

“It’s not about how hard you fall, it’s about how quickly you bounce back,” Joel emphasised. And bounce back they did. In a defining moment, Kriol Star claimed a crucial victory over Senegal’s ASC Ville de Dakar, a gritty performance highlighted by Joel’s 16 points and five three-pointers. That win was more than just redemption; it was a statement: Kriol Star wasn’t here to participate; they were here to compete.

“We showed a lot of character, resilience, and guts,” Joel said. “We imposed our rhythm and played with grit.”

Following their loss to Tunisia’s US Monastir to close out the first round, they now approach the final stretch of group games, holding a 1-2 record and ranked 4th in the standings. The pressure is on. With a -42 goal difference, every rebound, every defensive stop, and every possession matters as they fight for a spot in the next round. But their story is far from over. For a debut team, the odds may be steep, but belief runs deep.

A Movement, Not Just a Team

Kriol Star represents more than a team’s entry into elite competition, it’s the embodiment of a new kind of sports entrepreneurship. By building infrastructure, mobilising investment, and anchoring their brand in purpose, Joel and Ivan Almeida are reshaping how we think about athlete-led ventures. Their story is about vision in motion, about lifting others as they climb, and proving that long-term impact doesn’t have to wait until after retirement. For Cape Verde, it’s a moment of arrival. For African basketball, it’s a model of what’s possible when ambition meets alignment. And for global investors, it’s a signal: the future of sport is collaborative, community-rooted, and already here.