Less than 1% of American venture capital backed founders are Black and the percentage of Black people in decision making roles within the venture capital arena is not much higher. This lack of diversity within investment firms ultimately translates to a lack of diversity in the companies that they invest in.
The good news is that there are a growing number of Black owned venture capital and other investment firms run by people of color who understand that Black founders present a large and untapped market.
These investors make it a point to include Black startups in their portfolio, and in some cases, focus solely on underrepresented entrepreneurs.
Black Owned Venture Capital, Private Equity & Angel Investment Firms
Collab Capital is an investment fund leveraging financial, human, and social capital to help founders build sustainable, technology enabled businesses
Black Star Fund is an angel/venture fund that focuses primarily on early-stage technology companies.
Serena Ventures focuses on early stage companies and giving them the opportunity to be heard.
GenNx360 Capital Partners is a private equity firm that focuses its investments in industrial and business services companies in the U.S. middle market.
Authentic Ventures is a seed and early stage Venture Capital Firm that believes that a strong, inclusive network of founders, operators, and investors can accomplish great things.
Lindsay Lee, Founder & Managing Partner of Authentic Ventures
Impact America Fund is an investment company that funds market opportunities that use technology to enhance the lives of all Americans.
645 Ventures is a seed to Series A VC firm that applies a data-intensive approach to investing in top software and Internet companies.
Backstage Capital is a venture capital fund that invests in new companies led by underrepresented founders in the U.S.
Founder & Managing Partner – Backstage Capital
Harlem Capital Partners is a diversity focused venture capital fund that invests in early stage companies focused on tech-enabled services, retail, and real estate.
Precursor Ventures operates as an early-stage venture capital firm. The company invests in seed and early-stage consumer, digital health, education, Fintech, hardware, and SaaS companies.
KICVentures is an investment holding company that creates, invests and manages several portfolio companies in the health-tech sector.
Fairview Capital Partners is a leading venture capital and private equity investment management firm. They implement innovative fund of funds, co-
The Bronze Venture Fund makes and manages innovative investments that align strong financial returns with positive social impact.
DiverseCity Ventures (Sacramento, CA) invests in scalable, technology-
Cross Culture Ventures invests in and develops companies that fuel shifts in cultural trends and behaviors within an increasingly diverse global marketplace.
Vista Equity Partners is a private equity and venture capital firm focused on financing and forwarding software and technology-enabled startup businesses.
Base Ventures is a seed-stage fund investing in technology companies.
Reinventure Capital is a growth-stage equity and debt investment practice focusing on founders of color and women.
founding partner and President – Reinventure Capital
Syncom Venture Partners is a leading venture capital firm primarily focused on growth stage investments in emerging and underserved segments of the media and communications industry.
Cleo Capital is an early-stage venture capital fund that invests in pre-seed and seed stage tech and tech enabled investments.
CRE Venture Capital is a venture capital firm that invests in technology-enabled startup companies.
Plexo Capital is a hybrid venture capital (VC) firm investing both in emerging VC funds and in early stage companies.
Base 10 is an early-stage venture capital firm investing in the automation of the real economy.
lllumen Capital is a venture capital firm that invests in early-stage and start up companies.
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This is amazing information. I am a 33yo African American with a few great business ideas but haven’t had success with white investors. They are either very condescending or just don’t take interest much so I’ve stopped reaching out. I believe I will feel alot more comfortable having someone I can relate to, guide me. Its not racist, it’s just the way things are apparently.
Excellent! The missing link for Black African American Uplift and Empowerment.
This Information is amazing
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This article was very nice to see so many different successful black entrepreneur investors. I want to create my own Fitness business the best In the DMV area and Beyond
Im an entrepreneur seeking seed money for a start-up real estate development company. I plan to use the funding to purchase land,property in the local market to improve living conditions in the local community. Thank you.
I would like to speak with someone regarding your investors and how they could possibly help my dreams come into fruition. I need personal guidance to help me finalize the last 3 phases of my invention work. I have a provisional patent in place, have a design company in Pillar, and we are currently producing the prototype, however, I have placed that on hold, because I need further guidance and support of someone or group of people that can help myself complete this project with advice and mentorship.
Hi Lorrie – email us at info@shoppeblack.us
Im an entrepreneur seeking seed money to purchase an commercial property that use to be an skating rink. I would like to have this rink remolded and add to it making it and entertainment center and event venue for different types of activities I can host. This entertainment center and venue will be like no other if I can get funding to help me.
Very enthusiastic entrepreneur, interested in urban revitalization and hydroponics. Open to any advice or suggestions. Currently providing low cost property management initiatives in regards to property maintenance.
I’m an entrepreneur seeking seed money for a start-up real estate development company. I plan to use the funding to purchase rehab and rental property in the local market to improve living conditions in the local community.
Thanks for sharing this information. Access to capital is one of the keys to starting and scaling a business.
What I would like to see as a follow-up article is a report that shows how many of these companies have made investments and to whom.
There also appear to be many folks seeking funding visiting this page – based on the comments. My question would be to those folk – have you considered bootstrapping, asking your family or friends, and do you have any traction in your current endeavor.
Thanks for the comment Kyle. We’re also interested to know which companies have been funded so far.
Thank you for this posting. We are a family in need of financing for small wig store. Help!
This might be the blessing I’ve been waiting on for my business I have totally funded my business from my personal finances business all the lenders and banks don’t want to invest on terms I can work with
Email us at info@shoppeblack.us so we can connect you.
I am trying to raise money to launch my invention.
I need funding to finishing building my mountain property which I would use for wholistic healing retreats and Airbnb rentals
I am in the early stages of a business that is a win/win for both investors and homeowners at risk of forclosure. The upside potential is tremendous. This article has helped enormously as I did know where to start to move forward with bringing this idea to fruition. I didn’t see a lot in the way of real estate…are there any additional recommendations for this area? (Residential RE – not flipping or new construction)
This site is a godsend. For the past 33 years,I have brokered dozens of viable projects founded by African American entrepreneurs who have a vision and a heart of love to start or expand their businesses that will create opportunities for others. I’m currently consulting and representing project principals from the film,entertainment, and real estate development industries. I and several successful colleagues are forming an investment consortium to expedite funding options and opportunities for serious entrepreneurs. I would like to talk with someone for further direction.
Wow I’m truly amazed.i am 38yrs old with many ideas and products(56)to be exact but my primary focus is the 2 app that I have drawn up and the pulse locket I have designed and am in process of getting a provisional Patten for…I really appreciate reading this and I will be reaching out to allit of these successful black vc for a start up investment maybe even partnership…my app will change the game …facts be on the look out for the app named “challenge”and the “pulse”..game changers forreal..
Only 1% of Startups are Successful at Raising Capital
For an investor of any type to invest money into your company, you must show cash flow to prove you can pay them back. For example, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), Letter of Intent (LOI), a commitment from a client to buy your solutions, or have a pre-existing customer base. INCOME, NOT IF COME. Partnerships alone, will not do it. Strategy alone, will not do it. Management team alone will not do it. Leadership alone will not do it. Technology alone will not do it.
It is the combination of all those things, but the most important is SHOWING PROFIT and CASH FLOW. It does not matter what type of investor you seek: Venture Capitalists (VC), Angel Investors, Private Banks, Private Investors, or the UHNW. They are all the same, people with money to invest.
Employ my advisory service for perfecting and designing portfolio business summary to pitch to investors for successful outcomes.
Terell Jones
Business Intelligence Advisory
(210) 867-1100
Thank you for sharing this information about venture capital. It was useful and interesting. You indeed have written it in a layman way so that anyone can understand and work accordingly. You have done a great job… Great post!!