Less than 5% of venture capital in the US goes to companies with Black, Latino or women CEOs.

Let’s work together to change this!

The Founders of Color Showcase provides visibility to incredible companies of founders of color across the country and arranges a syndication platform for them to raise capital. Next Wave Impact, in partnership with our seven (7) co-hosts (Kachuwa Impact Fund, Beta Boom, Stella Angels, Founders First Capital Partners, Fundr, Women 2.0, and the Angel Capital Association), are looking for like-minded company champions, partners, sponsors, and investors that share our investment thesis of investing in underrepresented entrepreneurs.

Join us in supporting these underrepresented entrepreneurs and changing the future of investing!

Founders of Color Showcase Objectives

Mobilizing investment
Democratizing access to this asset class through the creation of special-purpose vehicles (SPVs)
Widening the network of investors
Creating new syndication partnerships
Providing visibility for founders of color, as well as funders and partners
Streamlining the showcase by having Company Champions bring fully vetted and initially funded opportunities

EVENT CO-HOSTS:

Talent is everywhere.

Opportunity is not.

Welcoming “investor champions” of founders of color

By nomination only, eligibility requirements for companies:

DIVERSE TEAM: Led by a founder(s) who are Black, Indigenous, or People of color (BIPOC), including Latinx
IMPACT-FOCUSED: Company has a potentially significant positive impact on people, communities, & the planet that is intentional & measurable
FULLY VETTED: The nominator (Company Champion) has conducted full due diligence & invested a minimum of $100k ($50K in special cases)
ACTIVELY FUNDRAISING: Company is raising a minimum of $500K in convertible notes, preferred equity, Flex Equity, or Revenue Based Financing; round open until 6/1/2021
COMPANY STAGE: Proof of product-market fit with some market traction.
COMPANY STRUCTURE: US-based C-corp or Public Benefit Corporation (no LLCs)
SCALABLE: Company is scalable with the potential for large impact & provide liquidity (& financial return) to investors within 10 yrs
REASONABLE VALUATIONS: Company valuation must be relevant to entity stage, revenues & market median prices
More information found in FAQs (under construction)

Founders of Color Showcase Timeline

March 22 – Close of Nominations

April 9 – Semi-Finalists Announced (up to 15 startups)

April 20th – Finalists Announced (5-7 startups)

May 3rd – Founders of Color Showcase – 12 noon PST / 3 pm EST

May 4 – June 1 – Investor Due Diligence period with meetings with Champion, Company, and any additional due diligence

May 21 – Due Diligence Reports due

June 1 – SPV Investments due

REGISTER FOR FREE

“Next Wave Impact’s Founders of Color Showcase allowed us to be who we are – social impact solution for our farmers in the USA and across the world. It gave us freedom to accept that it is ok to present a business plan with a human ROI. We are now impacting positively farmers and truly enjoying every minute of it. Selected through Microsoft to work with UN and women farmers across the world this summer is only one of the highlights NWI brought to us, GRACIAS!!! You are all a blessing!”

Martha Montoya, AGTools Inc.

“We had an incredible time pitching and learning from other founders during the Founders of Color Showcase. It was awesome listening to the thoughtful questions that would eventually land in an investment from more that check-writers. We gained partners.”

Marcus Bullock, Flikshop

“Alicia, Galia, and the team at Next Wave Impact were instrumental in our investment round coming together in just 3 months during the pandemic! They galvanized an SPV investment representing ~10% of our total round in a few short weeks following the Founders of Color Showcase. More importantly, their early commitment and network were huge in engaging additional, mission-aligned investors who trusted their rigorous diligence and belief in LiftEd. On-going, they continue to provide active assistance, without “smothering” to support our growth.”

Andrew Hill, LiftEd

Fundr is proud to be a co-host of the Founders of Color Showcase which provides a unique opportunity and commitment to elevating and funding incredible founders that tend to go overlooked in the industry.

Lauren Washington, fundr

THANKS TO OUR WONDERFUL SPONSORS!

Platinum Sponsors:

Gold Sponsors:

Bronze Sponsors:

Become a Founders of Color Showcase 2021 Sponsor

Submit your information to get in contact with the event team.

BECOME A SPONOSR

Platinum

$25K

Pre- and Post-event mention in press releases & social media posts
LARGE Logo listed on program, website & other event materials
Logo on email & social media posts
Verbal acknowledgment during summit and workshop
Speaking Opportunity: Showcase Keynote
Two max at this level

Sold Out

Gold

$10K

Pre- and Post-event mention in press releases & social media posts
MEDIUM Logo listed on program, website & other event materials
Website link on email & social media posts
Verbal acknowledgment during summit and workshops
Three max at this level

Two Left

Silver

$5K

Pre- and Post-event mention in press releases & social media posts
SMALL Logo listed on program, website & other event materials
Website link on email & social media posts
Verbal acknowledgment during summit and workshops
Four max at this level

Four Left

Bronze

$2500

Pre- and Post-event mention in social media posts ONLY
SMALL Logo listed on program, website & other event materials
Website link on email & social media posts
Verbal acknowledgment during summit and workshops
Five max at this level

One Left

THANKS TO OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS!

Nearly a million dollars invested at last year’s Showcase

More than 200 investors from the early-stage investing ecosystem joined us in 2020 as we showcased 10 founders of color. For more info, including a list of the semifinalists and finalists and a recording of the showcase, please see the Founders of Color 2020 Showcase Page