Why W Fund?

We’ve seen firsthand the power of underestimated and underfunded founders, and we know our next $1B companies will be led by one of them.

We have a singular focus on fueling the startup ecosystem, aggregating capital, and deploying funds to incredible startups solving the biggest problems and driving the future of tech. Read our Investment Thesis to learn about the ROI of investing in diverse founders.

The W Fund is structured to make the biggest impact possible on as many levels as possible. A few ways we do this:

• Directly investing in outstanding companies with strong potential for venture returns and led by innovative and obsessed leaders from underrepresented backgrounds.

• Normalizing portfolio company diversit of employees, workplace, board, advisors and investors.

• Establishing VC-in-Residence, carry-holding investment positions to open a path to VC for exceptional people who would otherwise not have that access.

• Diversifying our Limited Partners, providing them with investing, operating and leadership skills-building programming, and equipping them to be inclusive in activities outside our fund.

Founded by leaders:

The W Fund’s General Partners Partners are Kate Brodock, CEO of SWITCH, and Allyson Kapin, Founder of Women Who Tech, two of the largest global networks for women-led startups.

They come with 15+ years each of working with, resourcing and capitalizing founders as they start and grow their companies, and have been leaders in initiatives surrounding representation in tech for over two decades.

In the News

• “Shiru’s CEO discusses ‘revolutionary possibilities’ of its protein AI platform.” (FoodDive) 21 November 2024
• “With brand new partnerships, next-gen materials are picking up steam.” (Vogue Business) 10 October 2024
• “Glacier’s AI robots tackle recycling crisis, cutting waste and emissions.” (Mashable) 19 September 2024
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• “One outcome of the Great Wealth Transfer is set to change everything for millions.” (Fast Company) 3 August 2024
• “Sallie Krawcheck built Ellevest into a $2B juggernaut that creates wealth for women. Her advice? Know where the power is.” (Fortune) 2 July 2024
• “Following pivot to enterprise SaaS, Haloo closes $4.3M.” (BetaKit) 28 June 2024
• “These AI-enabled recycling robots are helping businesses be more sustainable.” (Fortune) 12 June 2024
• “LearnExperts uses AI to disrupt traditional learning.” (Ottawa Business Journal) 28 September 2023
• “Agri-Trak is helping farms replace pen and paper with digital tools to track labor and production.” (Techcrunch) 20 September 2023
• “Citizens Bank launches app to connect users to financial advisors.” (Times Union) 14 August 2023
• “Over a difficult year, these robo-advisors performed the best.” (Investment News) 18 May 2023
• “Shiru unveils plant-based fat for next gen meat alternatives: ‘It looks and behaves like animal fat’.” (AgFunder) 13 March 2023
• “This biodegradable shoe doesn’t need stitching because it pops out of a mold.” (Fast Company) 6 July 2022
• “How FOMO could be the secret to building wealth.” (Mastercard) 5 January 2022
• “How trademarking protects your business assets and saves you money.” (Forbes) 16 November 2021
• “This former NFL player is selling shares of Kayne’s $1.8M Air Yeezys for as little as $15.” (CNBC) 29 May 2021
• “A company paid $1.8M for Yeezy sneakers so you could afford them.” (Bloomberg) 26 May 2021
• “Implosion of David Dobrik’s Dispo show dangers of influencer branding.” (NBC) 23 March 2021
• Capitalist (Ad)Venture Podcast with Kate Brodock. March 2021
• “Bumble’s 31-year-old CEO becomes a rare female billionaire.” (Bloomberg) 22 February 2021
• “As venture capital overlooks women entrepreneurs, they find new sources of finance.” (Triple Pundit) 24 November 2020
• “I’m not investing in female founders again’: Women entrepreneurs continue to face bias despite growth of female-led VC firms.” (Generation T) 19 November 2020
• “2020 FLIK Female Founders Report” (FLIK) November 2020
• “How and why to make venture funding more equitable.” (Forbes) 24 October 2020
• “Despite a record venture capital market, quarterly funding for female founders hits its lowest since 2017.” (Business Insider) 9 October 2020
• “Micro, solo and vocal: The new million-dollar lone-wolf VCs.” (Protocol) 25 July 2020
• “Tips for entrepreneurs.” (LegalZoom) 20 July 2020
• “7 tips for pitching virtually.” (Carta) 17 July 2020
• “Doing deals through Zoom? These investors have some tips.” (TechCrunch) 12 March 2020
• “Female entrepreneurs are finally getting more VC bucks.” (Crain’s) 3 March 2020
• “How to make a deal with a VC at a tech conference.” (TechCrunch) 24 February 2020
• VC Investors Panel (Carta) 23 February 2020

Invest Today

If you believe, as we do, that there’s an incredible opportunity in investing in a new class of founders who are creating the future of tech, we’d love to talk with you about becoming an LP.