Daniel Kawah

 FOUNDER

Daniel is a serial entrepreneur, founder coach, and builder of ecosystems that empower underestimated entrepreneurs to scale with strategy and purpose. As the founder of CDS84, he works directly with founders and small business teams through high-impact strategy sprints, cohort-based programs, and tailored advisory services designed to unlock clarity, traction, and long-term growth.

Daniel brings over 15 years of entrepreneurial experience—launching and scaling his own ventures across industries including fashion, creative consulting, clean tech, and community engagement. His companies and collaborations have intersected with globally recognized brands like Nike, Adidas, Jordan Brand, and Red Bull, and his work has consistently centered on culturally grounded, impact-driven innovation.

In addition to building his own companies, Daniel has played a critical role in helping others launch and grow theirs. He’s held leadership and advisory roles at leading founder-focused institutions including the University of Southern California’s Marshall School of Business, where he earned his Master's and served in multiple capacities with the Brittingham Social Enterprise Lab, Blackstone LaunchPad, and USC Marshall Venture Fund.

He previously led incubation services at the Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator (LACI) and served as an advisor to the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce, helping early-stage founders refine their models, raise capital, and navigate growth with confidence.

In 2024, Daniel launched InnovateDMV, a new platform dedicated to supporting Black and Brown-led ventures across the DC-Maryland-Virginia region. Through this and CDS84, he continues to architect programs and strategies that meet founders where they are—with practical, honest, and founder-first solutions.

Daniel is a proud graduate of Morgan State University and a product of Washington, DC, where he now lives and works. A former college basketball player and lifelong midfielder, Daniel brings a coach’s mindset to every room he’s in: high standards, high support, and a deep commitment to helping others win.