Supporting Diverse Entrepreneurs

By 2053, Black wealth could fall to zero if current trends continue. This isn't just a number—it’s a stark reminder of systemic inequities and the urgency of collective action. But here’s the thing: statistics like this don’t tell the full story. They don’t account for the power we hold to shift the narrative. As leaders, innovators, and culture-makers, we must embrace wealth equity as a core strategy. Here’s how we can start rewriting the script: 1️⃣ Build Financial Resilience Through Ownership: Ownership—whether it’s businesses, real estate, or intellectual property—is one of the fastest paths to generational wealth. Minority-owned small businesses, for example, often overlook opportunities like supplier diversity programs or university procurement partnerships. Tapping into these underutilized resources can accelerate growth. 2️⃣ Invest In Community-Centric Innovation: Many of the apps, services, and products we rely on don’t center our lived experiences. Imagine if our $1.8 trillion in buying power was directed toward solutions built for us, by us. It’s time to create platforms that reflect our values and needs, not just consume them. 3️⃣ Prioritize Financial Literacy and Intentional Spending: Knowledge is power. From understanding the compounding effect of investments to teaching the next generation how to save and build credit, we must normalize financial conversations. Similarly, supporting Black-owned businesses should be an everyday practice—not just a seasonal one. 4️⃣ Collaborate and Scale Thoughtfully: Sometimes, intentional smallness is the path to big impact. Entrepreneurs, for example, don’t need to scale at the expense of sustainability. We can focus on profitable, community-centered growth without being pressured into rapid expansion. This isn’t just about avoiding a financial cliff—it’s about building a future where our contributions are valued, our stories are told, and our wealth is sustained. So, let’s not wait for solutions to come from elsewhere. Let’s lead. Let’s invest in ourselves, our communities, and our collective power. What steps are you taking today to shift this trajectory? I’d love to hear your perspective.

Every investor wants alpha returns.    But somewhere along the line, VCs got stuck thinking alpha founders had a certain look, voice, or background. 'Pattern matching' was born: identifying and backing founders who resemble previous success stories. So ingrained, so automatic, it’s easily mistaken for a gut instinct. *This person just feels right. They are 'backable'. I believe in them.* And so investors double down. And funding gaps widen 📈 The landmark research we released earlier this month debunks this approach. In partnership with Synaptiq, we found that the psychological traits behind unicorn-level success aren’t exclusive to any gender, ethnicity, or socio-economic background. And now we’re using these findings to help the industry spot potential, not patterns. In my latest piece for Forbes, I set out four steps investors can take to uncover billion-dollar talent: 1️⃣ Don’t mistake familiarity for potential – remember gut instinct is often just familiarity bias 2️⃣ Understand the traits driving success – look for the psychological profile that signals potential  3️⃣ Recalibrate for subtle differences – understand how adaptive strengths show up in diverse founders 4️⃣ Tailor post-investment support – take what you know about a founder’s psychology to back them better Enormous thanks to Suranga Chandratillake from Balderton Capital, Adam Shuaib, PhD from Episode 1 Ventures, Yvonne Bajela from LocalGlobe, Meghan S. from Diversity VC, and Carmen Alfonso Rico 🍫 Rico from Cocoa 🍫 for providing their invaluable input! You can check out the piece here ➡️ https://lnkd.in/eCBJegPa Or dive into the full findings of the research via the link the comments ⬇️

Good news! Gulf’s first woman-led private equity firm raises a $200 million debut fund. In a region where private equity has long been a male-dominated game, this is nothing short of historic. Huda Al-Lawati, founder and CEO of Aliph Capital, just closed a $200 million debut fund, making it the first woman-led private equity firm in the Gulf to raise this kind of capital. The final close was 20% below the original $250M target. But in today’s volatile fundraising climate, closing a first-time fund is a massive win. So, what makes this even more powerful? 1/ Institutional Backing Big names like ADQ, Jada Fund of Funds (Saudi PIF), and SVC-backed Aliph. That’s trust in a new kind of leadership. 2/ Focused, Purpose-Driven Investing The fund, Aliph Capital, will invest $15M–$40M per company in mid-sized Gulf businesses, with a clear focus on: > Infrastructure & industrials > Healthcare > Education > Consumer industries These are sectors with massive growth potential but often need capital, modernization, and digital transformation. Already in the portfolio: —>  The Petshop Acquired in 2022, now 12+ locations, new vet services, and a complete digital overhaul. A great bet, given rising pet ownership in the region. —> SANIPEX GROUP A 25% stake in this premium bathroom and outdoor products supplier, helping with acquisitions and succession as the Gulf’s luxury real estate market continues to boom. ✅ It signals that the MENA financial ecosystem is evolving, not just in how capital is deployed but also in who deploys it. And most importantly, it opens the door for many more women to build and lead in high-stakes investment environments. It’s a moment of change for regional finance, gender equity in leadership, and the next generation of Gulf-grown businesses. What do you think this means for the future of women in finance in the Gulf and globally? #Gulf #Womenfounder #VC #startup 

The venture-capital world has a serial-entrepreneur problem, and it is gendered. New National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER) research comparing male and female co-founders of the same startups reveals disparities that cannot be explained by founder quality or ambition: → Women make up only 4% of founders with 3+ startups (vs 13.3% of all VC-backed founders) → After a startup failure women are 22.5% less likely to secure venture-capital backing for their next venture → Female serial entrepreneurs raise 53.3% less capital after failures and 24.6% less after successes → Men receive larger deals for founding experience regardless of outcomes. Women are penalized for failures and barely rewarded for successes → When an unrelated women-founded startup fails, it hurts funding prospects for all female founders. However, successes do not create positive spillovers.

Money, trees, and trust Three Indigenous communities in Peru have spent a year receiving a guaranteed income, and the results are intriguing, reports Sonam Lama Hyolmo. The initiative, among the world’s first directed at Indigenous communities, provides direct cash transfers with no conditions attached. An internal assessment suggests that it is helping to curb destructive forest activities. The 2-year pilot, launched in Nov 2023 by Cool Earth, provides $69/mo to all 188 adults in 3 Indigenous Asháninka & Yánesha communities in Junín, Peru. With these funds, the recipients no longer rely on illegal logging or renting their lands for agriculture. Instead, they have enough for food, medical care & education. “By having less economic stress and food insecurity, the income allows local people, especially women, to lead conservation efforts & have more decision-making capacity,” said ONAMIAP's Ketty Marcelo. Deforestation in the Amazon is often driven by economic necessity, yet conditional conservation payments have had limited success. “Market-based conditional conservation instruments often don’t achieve their goals at all,” argued Bram Büscher, who proposed the idea of a conservation basic income in 2020. The alternative, he says, is to let people decide how to use the money themselves. Whether such an approach works remains uncertain. The latest assessment focused on qualitative impacts rather than forest cover data. An evaluation in 2025, developed with community leaders, will attempt to measure the scheme’s effect on conservation. Not everyone is convinced. Some researchers warn that such schemes may create dependency on cash economies or attract outsiders seeking a free payout. Studies of similar projects elsewhere have found mixed results. In Sierra Leone and Mexico, for instance, deforestation initially rose, as communities used their new income to buy tools for land clearance or migrated to untouched areas. Others note that subsistence is just one driver of deforestation; illegal logging, infrastructure projects & commodity markets all play a role. Despite the uncertainties, the pilot has already reshaped local economies. Women have launched small businesses in weaving & jewelry, and some are reviving traditional agricultural practices. Nurseries have been set up to restore lost plant species, from medicinal huayruro trees to fruit-bearing anonilla. “While it is true that the money is temporary, we try to see it as seed capital that allows us to build initiatives that will help us in the future,” said one Asháninka leader. Beyond this pilot, conservationists continue to debate whether unconditional payments are a viable tool for forest protection. Some argue that the best approach is not cash transfers but ensuring that Indigenous communities have reliable access to education, healthcare & infrastructure, allowing them to manage their forests on their own terms. In Peru, 3 communities are putting this theory to the test.

Less than 2% of venture capital goes to women. Two percent. And if you’re a woman of colour, the number gets even smaller. I’ve seen it firsthand. When I started fundraising for indē wild, I walked into rooms where no one looked like me. Where I was questioned more, doubted more, and had to prove myself in ways my male counterparts didn’t. I came prepared with numbers, a solid business, a brand that already had a community behind it, and still, the skepticism was there. And yet, research proves that when women-led businesses get funded, they don’t just succeed. They outperform. According to Boston Consulting Group (BCG), women-founded companies generate more than twice as much revenue per dollar invested as those led by men. Forbes research shows that startups backed by First Round Capital performed 63% better when they had a female founder. Women-led businesses have also proven to be more resilient during economic downturns and foster higher employee engagement. Women aren’t lacking ideas or drive or results. We’re lacking access. That’s the part that needs to change. Funding shouldn’t be about who looks the part or who fits a certain mold, it should be about vision, strategy, and impact. Women don’t need more confidence. We need capital. And it’s time for investors to realize that betting on women isn’t just the right thing to do…it’s the smart thing to do. If you've been through this, I see you. If you're in a position to change this, I hope you do. #womeninbusiness #vc

So, I read a really interesting article in the Financial Times by Ashley Armstrong, highlighting Rachel Reeves' comments that one of the reasons female entrepreneurs still miss out on funding is that male-led investment committees often feel more confident backing founders who resemble themselves. She also referenced the task force the Chancellor is supporting that has facilitated over £635m being directed toward female-led businesses. It is a conversation we have been having for a long time, but one that still needs far more attention. As Rt Hon Rachel Reeves pointed out, only 1.3% of equity investment in the UK has gone to female-led businesses so far this year. Her support for the Invest in Women taskforce is encouraging, and the capital being channelled into these businesses will make a meaningful difference. But funding alone is not enough. Alongside investment, female founders also need something equally essential. They need support. They need guidance. They need someone firmly in their corner. And they need community. This year I’ve had the privilege of working closely with many female entrepreneurs across the country, both through my work with the BUY WOMEN BUILT community and through the Women’s Growth Initiative with HSBC. I see first-hand the bias and barriers these women face, how deeply this can affect their confidence, and how much more they can achieve when they have the right backing around them. As someone who has built and scaled a business, navigated raising investment in male-dominated rooms, and experienced many of the challenges we are still discussing today, I feel strongly that we all have a responsibility to support the women coming up behind us. There is so much talent, ambition and potential in this community. When we combine investment with real support and human connection, the impact can be transformative. #WomenInBusiness #FemaleFounders #Entrepreneurship #Leadership #InclusiveInvestment #EquityFunding #WomenInLeadership

This 65 year old billionaire was raised by a single mom in public housing, before becoming the first ever Black female Fortune 500 CEO. And you might have never heard of her. Meet Ursula Burns, former CEO of Xerox. Born in New York City to a single immigrant mother from Panama, Ursula spent her earliest years in public housing. Ursula recalled her mother's words: “This is where you’re going to grow up, but this is not what defines you.”  Quickly, Ursula excelled in engineering from a young age and went on to attend the New York University - Polytechnic School of Engineering. In 1980, Ursula went on to take an internship at Xerox. Ursula's internship would not only give her experience, but also fund her Master's Degree at Columbia University. At the time, Xerox was one of the only companies in the world to provide an internship program for underrepresented groups in STEM. Ursula went on to spend the decade working in various roles at the company, until another big opportunity presented itself: she was offered a role of executive assistant to corporate leadership. By 1991, Ursula became executive assistant to the CEO. But she had her sights set high... and she used her time under executive leadership to make her mark. While assistants at Xerox had traditionally been expected to be quiet in meetings, Ursula defied the norm. She shared her opinions. Loudly. And the opinions got her noticed. By 1999, Ursula made Vice President, before becoming SVP under then-CEO, Anne Mulcahy. At the time, Anne was one of very few women to ever become CEO of a Fortune 500 company. And Anne knew that Ursula could become her successor one day. So, Anne brought Ursula's name to the Board as their future CEO. Meanwhile, Ursula took her role and ran with it, reinventing Xerox's industry position from a dinosaur to an innovator of 30-40 new products per year. By 2007, Ursula became President. By 2009, Ursula succeeded Anne as CEO. Ursula would go on to lead Xerox until 2017 -- first, as CEO, then as Chairwoman. She also became a self-made billionaire in the meantime! Today, Ursula holds a variety of board roles, including American Express, ExxonMobil, & Nestlé. There are so many lessons to learn from Ursula's story. First, she is a living testament to the value of #DEI, long before most companies were even thinking about it. Second, Ursula's journey shows the crucial role of sisterhood in executive leadership and the power of women championing other women. Lastly, Ursula refused to sit quiet, like she was expected to do. She shows why it is important for women to make their voices heard. Unsurprisingly, Ursula is ranked as one of the Most Powerful Women in the World by Fortune. Yet, this post may be the first time you've ever heard of her. That's why I'm going to be sharing the stories of more women execs and founders like Ursula every Wednesday for #WomenFounderWednesday. Subscribe for more. 🔔 #womeninbusiness #womenempoweringwomen

Less than 2% of VC funding goes to women founders. As a female VC, I want to spotlight funds and networks actively backing women entrepreneurs. If you’re a female founder, these are great doors to knock on: 🔹 Female Founders Fund – https://lnkd.in/g-NN8jqf The first VC fund exclusively investing in female-founded startups across tech, commerce, and media. 🔹 BBG Ventures – https://lnkd.in/gjtmBEwz NYC-based early-stage fund investing in companies with at least one female founder. 🔹 Golden Seeds – https://goldenseeds.com A pioneering angel network funding women-led businesses for over 15 years. 🔹 Halogen Ventures – https://halogenvc.com LA-based early-stage VC focused on female-founded consumer technology startups. 🔹 SoGal Ventures – https://sogalventures.com The first female-led, millennial VC firm, backing diverse founders globally. 🔹 Backstage Capital – https://lnkd.in/gNdfgyCU Founded by Arlan Hamilton, investing in underrepresented founders, including women. 🔹 Fearless Fund – https://fearless.fund VC fund investing in women of color at pre-seed, seed, and Series A stages. 🔹 XFactor Ventures – https://xfactor.ventures Seed-stage VC investing in female founders building billion-dollar businesses. 🔹 Portfolia – https://portfolia.co An investing platform designed for women backing female-led startups. 🔹 Mindshift Capital – https://lnkd.in/gfgwnYcD Global VC fund investing in early-stage women-led technology and fintech companies. 🔹 Astia Angels – https://astia.org Global angel investor network supporting high-growth women-led startups. 🔹 Chloe Capital – https://chloecapital.com VC + accelerator investing in women entrepreneurs across the U.S. 🔹 Hannah Grey – https://hannahgrey.com Female-led VC backing early-stage startups redefining work, wellness, and finance. 🔹 HearstLab – https://hearstlab.com Funds and supports women-led, tech-enabled startups with operational resources. 🔹 The Helm – https://thehelm.co An early-stage VC investing exclusively in women-founded companies. 🔹 How Women Invest – https://howwomeninvest.com A network of women executives investing in female-led companies at Seed and Series A. 🔹 Illuminate Ventures – https://illuminate.com Early-stage VC led by Cindy Padnos, investing in B2B/enterprise cloud and women founders. 🔹 Inspired Capital – https://lnkd.in/g7YZbJWj Founded by Alexa von Tobel and Penny Pritzker, backing diverse early-stage founders. #Womenpower 🔹 Cowboy Ventures – https://cowboy.vc Aileen Lee’s seed-stage VC, backing diverse and often women-led startups. 🔹 Revenge Capital – https://revengecapital.com London-based £50M fund focused on overlooked female entrepreneurs. 🔹 Serena Ventures – https://serenaventures.com Founded by Serena Williams, investing in women and minority founders globally. 🔹 Ulu Ventures – https://uluventures.com Data-driven VC, majority of portfolio includes women, immigrants, and minority founders.

You cheer for women one day and ignore them tomorrow. Two weeks ago, my LinkedIn was flooded with brands paying anything to book women creators for Women’s Day. It happens every year. The grand celebrations, the inspiring quotes, the LinkedIn love. But what happens on March 9th? As a woman entrepreneur, I don’t just deal with challenges once a year, I fight them every damn day and every woman entrepreneur will relate to it. The funding battles, the societal expectations, the constant need to prove myself. And yet, once the hashtags stop trending, nobody talks about it. Here’s what people conveniently forget: → Investors hesitate when they see a woman at the helm. Less than 2% of VC funding goes to women-led businesses. The bias is real. We’re told to “think big,” but when we do? We’re “too ambitious.” → Women are expected to run businesses like they don’t have families and manage homes like they don’t have businesses. The pressure is relentless and the guilt is huge. → Speak up, and we’re “aggressive.” Play it safe, and we’re “not leadership material.” We’re stuck in a game where the rules were never made for us. Women don’t need a holiday. We need funding, hiring, investments, opportunities and recognition EVERY DAY. Not just when it’s trending. So if you really want to support women in business, put your money where your mouth is. Invest in them. Hire them. Fund them. Amplify their voices. And don’t just remember us when it’s convenient. #womenentrepreneurship #womencreators