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 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
GenNx360 Capital Partners (New York, NY) is a private equity firm that focuses its investments in industrial and business services companies in the U.S. middle market.
Authentic Ventures (Oakland, CA) 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 – Authentic Ventures
Impact America Fund (Oakland, CA) is an investment company that funds market opportunities which use technology to enhance the lives of all Americans.
Founder and General Partner – Impact America Fund
645 Ventures (New York, NY) is a seed to Series A VC firm that applies a data-intensive approach to investing in top software and Internet companies.
Co-Founder & General Partner – 645 Ventures
Backstage Capital (Los Angeles, CA)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 (New York, NY) is a diversity focused venture capital fund that invests in early stage companies focused on tech-enabled services, retail, and real estate.
Precursor Ventures (San Fransisco, CA) 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 (Maiden, MA) is an investment holding company that creates, invests and manages several portfolio companies in the health-tech sector.
Fairview Capital Partners (West Hartford, CT) is a leading venture capital and private equity investment management firm. They implement innovative fund of funds, co-
CO-FOUNDER / MANAGING PARTNER – Fairview Capital Partners
The Bronze Venture Fund (East Palo Alto, CA) makes and manages innovative investments that align strong financial returns with positive social impact.
DiverseCity Ventures (Sacramento, CA) invests in scalable, technology-
Founder and CEO -DiverseCity Ventures
Cross Culture Ventures (Culver City, CA) invests in and develops companies that fuel shifts in cultural trends and behaviors within an increasingly diverse global marketplace.
Vista Equity Partners (TX, IL, CA) is a private equity and venture capital firm focused on financing and forwarding software and technology-enabled startup businesses.
Founder & CEO – Vista Equity Partners
Reach Capital (San Fransisco, CA) invests in early-stage tech tools, applications, content, and services to improve education opportunities for all children.
Base Ventures (Berkley, CA)is a seed-stage fund investing in technology companies.
Reinventure Capital (Boston, MA & San Fransisco, CA) is a growth-stage equity and debt investment practice focusing on founders of color and women.
founding partner and President – Reinventure Capital
Caerus Investment Partners (Chicago, IL) is a micro-venture capital firm that provides seed capital to early-stage technology companies.
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.
-Tony Oluwatoyin Lawson (IG: @thebusyafrican)
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
Sincerely
Bobby McGirt Host of The McGirt Show Global Media @ BlogTalkRadio.com/TheMcGirt
& CEO of The Carbuddy Corp LLC @ Facebook.com/The Carbuddy
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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
Hi Cass – we have partnered with a business funding company that may be able to help you out. 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.