Excelestar Ventures LLC

Excited to announce our founding partner Tasneem Dohadwala has won Startup Boston’s Investor of the Year! The award is a true testament to the success of the incredible founders and teams driving innovation in the startup community in Boston and beyond. Learn more about Tasneem and our mission here at Excelestar Ventures below: https://lnkd.in/eRn9sztP

A shocking reality that many investors are unaware of is that women-led startups received only 2% of VC funding in 2024. Where does it stem from? Bias, systemic challenges, and higher standards for female founders perpetuate the cycle. Yet, change is on the horizon: more women are stepping into founder and investor roles, broadening perspectives and networks. Read Morgan Hines' piece on PhocusWire to learn what needs to change and how we can support a more inclusive VC landscape: https://lnkd.in/dZ-EUZyz

According to a recent PitchBook survey, 43% of investors view AI and machine learning as the most disruptive technologies over the next decade. Despite rising interest rates and economic uncertainties, investor confidence remains strong, with 39% maintaining their investment pace and optimism growing in transformative sectors like AI, climate tech, and femtech. The report also highlights progress in diversity, with 72% of firms reporting women in senior roles and 70% investing in women-led startups—a step toward a more inclusive future in tech and venture capital. Learn more about this intersection between innovation and equity in Kangkan HALDER’s article for Delano: https://lnkd.in/gEVuXX9u

Happy Women’s Entrepreneurship Day! ?? At Excelestar Ventures LLC, we’re committed to advancing women in tech, medtech, and beyond. With trailblazers like Tasneem Dohadwala and Emily Giudice leading the charge, we’ve built a portfolio where 50% of companies are female-led and 61% are minority-led. From medtech breakthroughs to game-changing B2B solutions, our female-led companies are making waves and solving real-world challenges and proving that diverse teams aren’t just visionary—they’re unstoppable. Here’s to the women driving progress, building impact, and leading industries forward. We’re proud to stand with you. ? #WomensEntrepreneurshipDay #WomenInTech

Penumbra, Inc.’s new Computer-Assisted Vacuum Thrombectomy (CAVT) significantly reduces hospital stays, complications, and costs for pulmonary embolism patients. For investors, this is a prime example of how cutting-edge medical technology can streamline care delivery, reduce costs, and bring returns to the health system. With CAVT, hospitals gain a solution that’s not only more effective but also more cost-efficient—a model likely to see growing demand as the healthcare sector increasingly prioritizes tech that improves both outcomes and operational efficiency. Read more about the study in below: https://lnkd.in/g5Gfjbsi

With funding sources drying up, a competitive fundraising climate, and talent pools shrinking, today’s startup landscape is tougher than ever. New businesses surged in 2022-23, but capital has become scarce, while economic uncertainty and extended fundraising cycles add pressure. Here’s how founders can avoid common pitfalls and build resilience in this challenging environment: ??Optimize Capital Use: Make every dollar count by streamlining operations and reducing burn rates. ??Understand Customer Needs Deeply: Avoid misalignment by focusing on real customer needs through thorough discovery, not assumptions. ??Adopt a CEO Mindset: Shift from founder vision to strategic leadership, embracing the big picture and effective communication. ??Leverage Support Networks: Tap into mentorship, networks, and alternative funding sources to strengthen your startup. For more tips, read Tiffany Wilson’s article for MedCity News: https://lnkd.in/gGDM-yui

With funding sources drying up, a competitive fundraising climate, and talent pools shrinking, today’s startup landscape is tougher than ever. New businesses surged in 2022-23, but capital has become scarce, while economic uncertainty and extended fundraising cycles add pressure. Here’s how founders can avoid common pitfalls and build resilience in this challenging environment: ??Optimize Capital Use: Make every dollar count by streamlining operations and reducing burn rates. ??Understand Customer Needs Deeply: Avoid misalignment by focusing on real customer needs through thorough discovery, not assumptions. ??Adopt a CEO Mindset: Shift from founder vision to strategic leadership, embracing the big picture and effective communication. ??Leverage Support Networks: Tap into mentorship, networks, and alternative funding sources to strengthen your startup. For more tips, read Tiffany Wilson’s article for MedCity News: https://lnkd.in/gGDM-yui

New insights from Sumerian Foundation reveal that social enterprises led by Black, Asian, and ethnically diverse founders—particularly women—are breaking repayment records! This early evidence challenges traditional perceptions, showing that inclusive investment isn't just the right thing to do; it yields impressive returns. Sumerian's partnership-based approach proves that by building trust, offering pre-investment support, and focusing on resilience, we unlock not only the potential of underrepresented founders but also the impact they bring to their communities. Learn more from Isabelle Irani in the Pioneers Post: https://lnkd.in/eGgPG7yT

The future of healthcare is being spearheaded by the transformative role of 3D printing in advancing customized and patient-specific medical solutions. From custom surgical models to biocompatible implants, this technology enables unprecedented customization, helping medical professionals tailor solutions to individual patient needs. Read more on how additive manufacturing is revolutionizing medtech from Mark Crawford in Medical Product Outsourcing: https://lnkd.in/gtYm9B_b

Exciting News! Our founding partner, Tasneem Dohadwala, will be speaking at the Harvard Business School's Women’s Leadership Summit this Thursday, November 7th! Tasneem will be speaking on the ‘Getting Personal with Trailblazing Fempreneurs’ session, joining an inspiring lineup of leaders including Alexandra Wilkis Wilson, Lara Hodgson, Nina Vaca, Selena Cuffe, and Laurie Stach. Learn more about the event here: https://lnkd.in/gUkbNWrJ