The Only Time I’ve Raised Money For My Business Was As An Investor

Would you believe me if I told you that the only time I actually raised money for my own business venture was when I launched my own investment fund? I did not raise money after successfully launching and scaling my first business. Despite all the work on my end, my second startup was unable to attract the necessary funding. It wasn’t until I created Gen Y Capital Partners that I was able to shift the funding norm for women entrepreneurs.?

After 2021’s record-high investment levels, this year is proving particularly bleak for Black entrepreneurs, who have experienced a steep decrease in funding so far.? And given that August is Black Business Month, my focus is sounding a collective call to action for consumers, investors, corporations and allies to take a focused audit of their commitment to Black-owned businesses. The stark reality is that, as we continue to see a general pullback in venture dollars invested, Black and Latina women founders will continue to be the first to feel the hit. We have yet to break from a punitive environmental norm for a group that’s less likely to fail than U.S. startups overall. And I know firsthand how much reward is lacking for the communities we serve at digitalundivided.

Following digitalundivided ’s series of programs on Martha’s Vineyard where the conversation continually came back to valuation in particular, I am even more motivated to dismantle this shared core obstacle.?

There’s nothing quite like summers on Martha’s Vineyard. But hosting sessions for InvestHER and FundHER on the island was intentional. Martha’s Vineyard has long served as a space of retreat and ideation for Black leaders in spaces including the arts, policy, education and business. For generations, August in Martha’s Vineyard marks the convening of leaders committed to building legacy and transforming society. In the past two weeks, I have sat alongside women of color funders unpacking angel investing, venture capital, growth equity, and the types of capital that women of color need to achieve meteoric success and thrive in the public markets. Within each and every exchange, I was reminded that it is not just by effort but also by community that legacy is set in motion. Thanks to the time and focus of our dedicated partners and speakers, I am fired up and ready to reenvision the Black and Latina founder norm from bleak to promising.

As we continue to mark our 10-year anniversary with a capital campaign, we encourage the digitalundivided community to review our research and resources for navigating investors this Black Business Month. Spark conversation. Share the data. Convene with peer founders.? Listen to and study investors. Together, the hard work of solving deeply rooted systemic issues continues.

Onward,

Lauren Maillian