Diversity

The early-stage VC will also expand its geographic reach by investing in African companies for the first time.

Making seed investments into founders from underrepresented groups would have a more material impact for diverse founders than quotas, writes Sarah Barber, CEO of Jenson Funding Partners.

More than 20 firms with diverse management teams are coming to market each year, says private markets firm RCP Advisors.

Entrepreneurial talent is undeniably diverse, but opportunity is not, and VCs are falling back on familiar patterns that overlook underserved communities.

Progress has been slow, but the venture industry has made some noteworthy gains in diversifying the companies that get funded and the teams that make investment decisions.

The number of woman- and minority-owned venture capital and private equity firms grew 25 percent from 2020 to 2021, according to a new report from Fairview Capital.

As they enter the workforce, members of Gen Z see venture capital as a viable career path. And it seems they have already started to shake up the industry.

Investors typically take board seats in companies they fund. Still, as the lack of diversity within boards of directors becomes highlighted, it is up to venture capital to lead the way and be more diverse themselves.

With the topic of VCs and racism in the news, Jeff Bussgang of Flybridge Capital Partners addresses the question that is being posed: How do we explain the fact that only 1% of VC capital goes to Black founders?

Diversity continued to be a hot topic in 2021 as firms moved to diversify their own ranks and step up investments in underrepresented founders. VCJ covered many of these moves to further diversify the industry.