VC Include

"When I was six, [my father] founded his first company in the basement of our home." ?? ?? This is how VCI Fellow Douglas Watson, Founder and General Partner of Measured Capital, began his entrepreneurial journey. From watching his father's business grow from an idea to scale then to a successful exit, Douglas learned invaluable lessons that shaped his path to venture capital. Measured Capital is working to redefine investment in the Southeast with a focus on empowering Black founders and diverse-led companies. Their focus? Revolutionizing how we live, work, and retire through strategic investments in startups outside major tech hubs. But Measured Capital is more than just a fund - it's also part of a broader vision: ?? The Measured Access platform, fostering sustainable economic development ?? Black Founder Fellowship Program, providing crucial early-stage support ?? Partnerships with HBCUs, nurturing the next generation of entrepreneurs Sharing about his time in the VCI fellowship, Douglas notes "It's been great being around other like-minded individuals who are building firms just like me... having other people along the journey that you can reach out to leads to organic connections." Read the full blog at https://lnkd.in/dignRtwC Thank you, Douglas, for your work in creating more access and opportunity in the VC ecosystem. #emergingmanagers #diversityandinclusion #genderequality #impactinvesting #venturecapital #privateequity #alternateinvestments #DiversityInVC #ImpactinAction #VC #VCI

As Climate Week NYC approaches, we are excited to invite you to an evening focused on advancing #climate justice and #equitable solutions.??? ?? ?? ? Join us on Thursday, September 26, from 5:30 PM to 8:00 PM for an energizing panel discussion and cocktail reception! We are honored to have Sherrell Dorsey, the brilliant host of TED Tech, moderate this conversation with: ?? ?Rossie Turman, Partner at Lowenstein Sandler LLP ?? ?Tracy Gray, Managing Partner of The 22 Fund ?? ?Milton Speid, Executive Director of VC Include If you are an innovator working to address the climate crisis through #inclusive and #sustainable investments, we would be delighted to have you in the room. Please RSVP at?https://lnkd.in/ddWu5kZs We hope to see you there! #ClimateWeekNYC #ClimateJustice #SustainableInvestment #emergingmanagers #diversityandinclusion #genderequality #impactinvesting #venturecapital #privateequity #alternateinvestments #DiversityInVC #ImpactinAction #VC #VCI

Forward-thinking #LPs: join us at the INCLUDE Impact Conference in Washington DC on October 10! Executive Director Milton Speid shares what to expect: ??? Keynote Speeches, Panel Discussions, and TED-style Talks: Hear from industry leaders and fellowship alumni pioneering new paths in venture capital and private equity. ?? GP-LP One-on-One Meetings: Engage in curated conversations with emerging managers, giving you direct access to innovative funds with high potential. ?? Networking Opportunities: Enjoy intimate settings, from a dinner dine-around in the Union Market District to an evening at a local speakeasy, where meaningful connections can flourish. RSVP at: https://lnkd.in/eNqpRFrZ #emergingmanagers #diversityandinclusion #genderequality #impactinvesting #venturecapital #privateequity #alternateinvestments #DiversityInVC #ImpactinAction #VC #VCI

Wrapping up the summer with inspiration and connection??? ?? The VC Include team had the pleasure of a Martha's Vineyard retreat which culminated in a gathering of folks from the VCI family. The relaxed and intimate reception was both productive and joyful. During the retreat, the team held thoughtful discussions on VCI's future and strategized new programs that we can't wait to share with you all! As we return to our desks this week, we are carrying forward the energy and insights gained. We'd love for you to be part of our journey this fall. Follow VCI to stay updated on our upcoming initiatives! Here's to feeling inspired and rejuvenated ? #emergingmanagers #diversityandinclusion #genderequality #impactinvesting #venturecapital #privateequity #alternateinvestments #DiversityInVC #ImpactinAction #VC #VCI

The career and life journeys of Sonam Velani and Laura Fox, co-founders of Streetlife Ventures, are nothing short of extraordinary. Both grew up in Chicago and always felt passionate about protecting the environment. Laura grew up on the South Side and witnessed firsthand the ways that under resourced areas experience the impacts of structural inequities. It took her 90 minutes and four modes of transportation to get to a good high school. This and other experiences made her curious about how cities work and why such inequities exist, eventually seeding in her a passion for local, place-based economic development. Velani, on the other hand, immigrated to the U.S. with her family from Mumbai. When she was growing up, she lived next to a water plant in an apartment that often flooded. She credits this experience for starting her fascination with infrastructure. Velani was also a Dreamer for many years, learning only in her teens that she and her family were undocumented. She earned a full scholarship to Harvard before securing legal status halfway into her time there. The co-GPs have been working at the intersection of cities and climate for their full careers. Among her long list of accomplishments, Fox was General Manager of Citi Bike for Lyft, building it into a $100M+ ARR business and one of the largest transportation systems in the U.S. Velani started out in project finance before spending five years working in a regulator seat in New York City. Her work during this time includes financing $10 billion of transportation, energy, and water infrastructure projects at Goldman Sachs and developing NYC’s $15 billion Green New Deal at the NYC Mayor's Office. Streetlife Ventures is the culmination of their life’s work – investing in pre-seed and seed-stage B2B companies across North America and Europe at the intersection of cities and climate. ?? Learn more about this powerful pair at https://lnkd.in/eGPy7e_v #impactinvesting #esg #fundmanagers #venturecapital #DiversityInVC #ImpactinAction #emergingmanagers #alternateinvestments #vc #pe #climatetech #justtransition #energytransition #climateinvesting #greentech #womeninfinance #womeninvestors #womeninventure #womeninVC

A warm welcome to Niysha Anderson, VC Include’s new Administrative Coordinator! Niysha’s journey is deeply rooted in community engagement and perseverance. From navigating systemic barriers to finding purpose in roles that empower others, Niysha is passionate about creating spaces that drive positive change. "I am eager to support and build a strong and tight-knit team," Niysha shares, "VCI has a huge network of amazing partners that contribute to developing a more inclusive economy which will lead to positive social and economic stability across all demographics and investment industries. I am excited to be a part of the team and manage administrative operations across all programs and events that help us foster powerful relationships and create equitable impact.” Learn more about Niysha at: https://lnkd.in/dzqREFm2 Welcome to the team, Niysha! We can’t wait to see the impact you’ll bring. #emergingmanagers #diversityandinclusion #genderequality #impactinvesting #venturecapital #privateequity #alternateinvestments #DiversityInVC #ImpactinAction #VC #VCI

Starting the week with good news: Cadence Design Systems, a partner of VC Include, has launched?Fem.AI?to narrow the gender gap in tech/AI! We are grateful to be supported by Cadence and be a part of this important work. Here are some #stats on the leakage points that?Fem.AI?is looking to tackle: Around 20% of computer science graduates are female, while 45% of women who started in STEM majors in college left to pursue another degree. Women hold just over 20% of AI roles in US tech companies as they face more unemployment challenges post-graduation. Over 56% of women in tech are likely to leave the industry before mid-career. The 2023 pilot program distributed grants to assess how to make the biggest impact. Along with VC Include, other nonprofit partners include Break Through Tech, Fast Forward, Generation, Global Semiconductor Alliance’s Women’s Leadership Initiative (WLI), Last Mile Foundation Fund, and Reboot Representation. So far this year, Cadence's grants have already impacted over 14,000 women.??? We are proud to partner on this incredible initiative to meaningfully increase equity in tech! Nicole Johnson, Stephanie Kim-Poston, Monica Faustina Salvador #ImpactInvesting #EmergingManagers #VentureCapital #InclusiveGrowth #diversityandinclusion #genderequality #privateequity #alternateinvestments #DiversityInVC #ImpactinAction #womeninvc #womenintech #VCI

Here is VC Include's Q3 #Newsletter with lots of updates including a recent spotlight in Essence Magazine, where our work to champion diversity in venture capital and private equity was front and center. We are also thrilled to announce the addition of two esteemed advisory board members and the introduction of our dynamic new Head of Programs. Plus, RSVP to our upcoming Climate Week Reception on September 26! Learn more about VCI's latest events, fellowship updates, and new initiatives ?? #emergingmanagers #dei #diversityandinclusion #genderequality #impactinvesting #venturecapital #privateequity #alternateinvestments #DiversityInVC?#ImpactinAction

How do you bring together six foundations and move more than $6 million in funding, especially when you are a new fund? Guest blog by Cindy Willard, Senior Director of Capital Activation at Impact Charitable, tells the story and strategies behind finding creative pathways for capital to flow in support of Dearfield Fund For Black Wealth. Cindy walks us through how innovative financial mechanisms can: Convert a program-related investment (PRI) into equity stakes ?? Use fiscal sponsorships to tap into grant funding and gain early momentum ?? Leverage first-loss positions to de-risk investment for other investors ? Read "Creative Capital in Support of Emerging Fund Managers" at https://lnkd.in/dT5bcpRj Thank you, Cindy, for sharing detailed, invaluable insights with the VC Include community! About: Impact Charitable helps close the gaps between the sources of impact-first capital (capital that focuses on impact over return), and the communities, ventures, and funds who have traditionally faced systemic barriers to accessing critical financial resources. To date, the organization has mobilized over $70 million in funding into the communities that have been left out of traditional finance. #ImpactInvesting #DEI #EmergingManagers #VentureCapital #InclusiveGrowth #diversityandinclusion #genderequality #privateequity #alternateinvestments #DiversityInVC #ImpactinAction

We are honored to be featured in Essence for our work to evolve the investment industry by accelerating investment into historically underrepresented venture capital and private equity fund managers. With the leadership of Executive Director Milton Speid, we’re continuing to expand a broad and powerful network that empowers diverse GPs, providing them with more access to capital, mentorship, and a wider support network. We’re grateful to our founder, Bahiyah Yasmeen Robinson for her thoughtful insights that have led to the amplification of a historic moment in #PE and #VC for hundreds of impactful emerging managers to create their own seat at the table. Thank you, Jasmine Browley, for not only sharing our story but also underscoring the importance of breaking down the systemic barriers that have long existed in the world of finance. Read the full article at:?https://lnkd.in/eHew-pM8 #emergingmanagers #dei #diversityandinclusion #genderequality #impactinvesting #venturecapital #privateequity #alternateinvestments #DiversityInVC #ImpactinAction