PledgeLA

?? Check out this spotlight on gender and median deal size in 2024, from our new Venture Data Report, released in partnership with the UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs. ??Black and Latina women remain the least represented groups across the PledgeLA portfolio, making up only 1% and 2% of 2023 companies, respectively. However, in terms of median deal size for startups, the gap between women-only teams and all-men teams shrank considerably, to $700k less versus $3.8M less in 2022. The report analyzes public investment data to create one of the most comprehensive regional analyses of portfolio diversity in the nation, and allows Los Angeles to hold an industry vital to all Angelenos' future accountable. ?? Learn more about our key findings from the full report here: https://lnkd.in/g5TTJrmw #AccesstoCapital #LongLA #VC

?? TONIGHT: Join us for LA CHECK IN, streaming live from the FYI Campus starting at 6pm PST! Stream Here: https://lnkd.in/gp8C7bRD The Annenberg Foundation, in collaboration with global music icons will.i.am, D-Nice, and DJ Hed (TMZ Hip-Hop; Lil Wayne, Kendrick Lamar), along with actor-philanthropist Etienne Maurice (WalkGood LA), and event partner the i.am Angel foundation is proud to present LA CHECK IN, a livestream benefit to support individuals and organizations impacted by the devastating wildfires across Los Angeles. ?? Donate now at: https://lnkd.in/gX2R6Dqs OR text LACHECKIN to 707070 Consider making a gift of $100 or more- all donations will be divided equally among 12 orgs working on the wildfire response.?Thanks to our generous partners the Acevedo Foundation and Pledge, 100% of your donation goes to our partner nonprofits - no fees! With a single gift, you can support ??:? LAFD Foundation CA Fire Foundation Los Angeles Unified School District Foundation Baby2Baby Project:Camp World Central Kitchen Compton Cowboys? Musicares Instituto de Educacion Popular del Sur de California (IDEPSCA) Inclusive Action for the City PASADENA ALTADENA COALITION OF TRANSFORMATIVE LEADERS Team Rubicon

Being part of the Los Angeles community, we feel the impact of the wildfires deeply. We're committed to sharing resources to aid both individuals and small businesses through these challenging times. ?? See below for the latest information on shelters, resources, and disaster relief. For updated information on the fires, please visit?fire.ca.gov. NBCLA Resource List ???View here:?https://lnkd.in/e_-Y-eiy Locale Lifestyle Magazine Resource List ???View here:?https://lnkd.in/gTrN4a3Z LA Fire Resource List ???View here:?https://lnkd.in/g87aK2Hc Hotel Association of Los Angeles Housing & Shelter Resources ???View here:?https://lnkd.in/gCgxY5_R The Valley Economic Alliance Small Business Disaster Relief Webinars ???Register here by 1/14:?https://lnkd.in/gy7uch3 The Twelfth House Small Business Relief Opportunities ???View the list here:?https://lnkd.in/gKsX-Ybc $10k | Restaurant Disaster Relief Fund with DoorDash & Hello Alice ?? Apply by 3/3:?https://lnkd.in/g3TyMNvQ $2k | Etsy Disaster Relief Fund with CERF plus ?? Apply on a rolling basis:?https://lnkd.in/gFt8DprY $3k | Emergency Relief Grants through CERF plus ?? Apply on a rolling basis:?https://lnkd.in/dfR7rjef The Insurance Deductible Relief Fund through Michelle O'Grady, M.A., Found Coffee, Jodi Jacobs, and J. Elizabeth Portraiture ???Fill out the form here:?https://lnkd.in/gTVFGsKY U.S. Small Business Administration Loans ???Learn more here:?https://lnkd.in/gkqDSMyC #LongLA SKNMUSE Emergency Resource Support ???Fill out the form here:?https://lnkd.in/gPic4q6w #LAWildfires #DisasterRelief #SmallBusinessSupport #CommunityResources #WildfireRecovery

?? Job opportunity!! We’re still accepting applications for our new Program Assistant role, under AnnenbergTech. The position is ideal for a current student (undergrad or grad) with experience in community engagement, a passion for social impact, and a strong interest in working with underrepresented communities. ?? Learn more and apply here: https://lnkd.in/dZFjHb-Y

?? Join our team!! Our new Program Assistant role is ideal for a current student (undergrad or grad) with experience in community engagement. If you’re passionate about social impact and working with underrepresented communities, submit your application! ?? Apply here: https://lnkd.in/dZFjHb-Y

Last week, we had the honor of hosting the first-ever PledgeLA Catalyst Awards at the iconic El Rey Theatre—an unforgettable celebration of innovation and excellence!??? Our community came together to recognize powerhouse founders, VCs and leaders making an impact on the L.A. ecosystem. A huge congratulations to all of our trailblazing awardees and nominees for their inspiring leadership! We’re grateful to our incredible network of partners, including Mayor Karen Bass, Kwanza Jones, and José E. Feliciano, for making the night a success. ?? As we close out the year, this event reminds us of the magic that happens in inclusive spaces built by and for community. We can’t wait to build on this momentum and see what’s in store for 2025! City of Los Angeles / Annenberg Foundation

????? ONLY A FEW WEEKS LEFT! Don’t miss the chance to apply to our VC Fellowship, hosted in partnership with Cinematica Labs. All graduate students from underrepresented backgrounds interested in breaking into venture capital are encouraged to apply! ?? Submit your application by the final deadline on January 5: https://lnkd.in/gycsQNVM ?? Have questions? Visit our website to learn more about program eligibility and dates:? https://lnkd.in/d3vm_Tzi?

On behalf of PledgeLA and the Annenberg Foundation, we’re thrilled to announce the winners of the first-ever PledgeLA Catalyst Awards! ? In recognition of their dedication to the L.A. ecosystem, each awardee received a custom-designed blown glass award designed by Cedric Mitchell.?? ?? Please join us in celebrating our winners and all of the incredible nominees who joined us last night: ?? Limited Partner Catalyst Honoree: Kwanza Jones & José E. Feliciano - Kwanza Jones & José E. Feliciano Initiative ?? Most Inspiring Entrepreneurs: Angeline Vuong & Jaclyn Johnson - Cherub and Kameale C. Terry & Evette Ellis - ChargerHelp ?? Ecosystem Builder: Amiah Sheppard, MAIO - USC Marshall School of Business ?? Most Inspiring Emerging Manager: Noramay Cadena - Supply Change Capital ?? Portfolio Catalyst Honoree: Austin Clements Ajay Relan - Slauson & Co. ?? Pathbreaker Catalyst Honoree: Dana Settle - Greycroft

??? There are only a few weeks left to apply to our VC Fellowship! Hear from powerhouse alumna Valeria Martinez about what she gained from the program.? Hosted in partnership with Cinematica Labs, the fellowship is open to graduate students from underrepresented backgrounds interested in breaking into venture capital. ?? Visit our website to learn more about program eligibility and dates:? https://lnkd.in/d3vm_Tzi ?? Don’t miss the priority application review deadline on December 15— final submissions are due by January 5: https://lnkd.in/gycsQNVM?

We’re thrilled to share our list of finalist nominees who will be recognized at next week’s PledgeLA Catalyst Awards!? Join us on December 18 at the El Rey Theatre to celebrate and cheer on these powerhouse leaders– all in one unforgettable night! ?? ??? Registration closes soon– RSVP now to claim your spot: https://lu.ma/bxrfv4pb ??Most Inspiring Entrepreneur Nominees:? Angeline Vuong & Jaclyn Johnson - Cherub ? Kameale C. Terry & Evette Ellis - ChargerHelp!? Montré Moore & Angel Lenise Pyles - AMP Beauty? Tony Gonzalez - Mundial Media? Val Emanuel & Rebecca Caputo - Rif care Selena Watkins - SOCANOMICS ?? Ecosystem Builder Nominees:? Espree Devora ??? - WeAreLATech Raychel Espiritu - Walking Softer Derek S. - Plug In Ventures Amiah Sheppard, MAIO - USC Marshall School of Business? Sophie Nazerian - J.P. Morgan ?? Most Inspiring Emerging Manager Nominees:? Noramay Cadena - Supply Change Capital Madeline Darcy - Kaya Ventures Brandon Hoffman - Sunset Ventures? Tracy Gray - The 22 Fund? Kimberley Nixon - Open Venture Capital City of Los Angeles / Annenberg Foundation