Diversity Archives - Page 4 of 4 - National Venture Capital Association

Category: Diversity

Highlighting the Importance of Diversity During National Entrepreneurship Month

blog, Diversity, Venture Forward November 30, 2016/by

This November is National Entrepreneurship Month, a month dedicated to celebrating and supporting the entrepreneurs who serve their communities and strengthen the U.S. economy. Supporting greater opportunity for more entrepreneurs to grow new ideas into companies is central to the mission of NVCA. In addition, we believe diversity and inclusion are core to the success and competitiveness of the industry.

In honor of National Entrepreneurship Month, NVCA is participating in the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy National Entrepreneurship Month Fact Sheet to highlight how NVCA members are working together to support an inclusive, diverse and thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem. Read the White House Fact Sheet. We also want to take the opportunity to provide an update on our work to support diversity and inclusion. Read more

Diversity is Core to Competitiveness: A Report On Actions Across The Ecosystem

blog, Diversity, Venture Forward July 28, 2016/by

This week we issued our first-ever report on diversity and inclusion in the entrepreneurial ecosystem. Building a More Inclusive Entrepreneurial Ecosystem, showcases the efforts being made to improve diversity in the venture capital industry. There is still a great deal of work to be done to expand the number of women and underrepresented minorities in venture capital firms and startups. Our report focuses on the actions. By showcasing what NVCA members, entrepreneurs and nonprofits are doing in their firms and in their communities, we want to share and promote ideas that can inspire action. Read more

Believeland: How Collaboration and Inclusion Drive Innovation in Ohio

blog, Diversity, Venture Forward, Venture Investment June 29, 2016/by

“Welcome to Believeland!,” was the enthusiastic greeting from Ray Leach, CEO of JumpStart, Inc., to an audience of entrepreneurs, venture capital investors, nonprofits, foundations, government entities, universities, and corporations, who were among the hundreds gathered for JumpStart, Inc.’s Second Annual Startup ScaleUp event in Cleveland. Read more

From Entrepreneur to Founder to Funder: Monique Woodard Champions a Diverse Ecosystem

blog, Diversity, Venture Forward March 30, 2016/by

Monique Woodard personifies a healthy diverse entrepreneurial ecosystem.

As a Founding Partner of Black Founders, a network of African American entrepreneurs, an entrepreneur herself and a former Fellow in the San Francisco Mayor’s Office of Civic Innovation, Monique’s experience spans all areas of the entrepreneurial ecosystem. Her continued efforts around diversity and inclusion tied into a robust work experience have marked her as a trailblazer in the technology and innovation sectors, a designation that landed her a role as 500 Startups newest Partner, and its first African American partner. Read more

New Industry Partner Spotlight: Heads Apart

blog, Diversity, Venture Forward February 18, 2016/by Hannah Munizza

Since we launched our Industry Partner program in 2015 we have built a community of industry-leading service providers that work with venture capital investors to help startups reach the next milestone. Today we are featuring our newest Industry Partner, Heads Apart Group, a boutique executive search consulting firm that optimizes NVCA’s commitment to diversity.

NVCA, the venture capital industry and leaders across the entrepreneurial ecosystem are determined to develop solutions for expanding inclusion in the innovation ecosystem as a key pathway to greater competitiveness. Gary Bembridge, CEO and Founder of Heads Apart Group, has been laser-focused on building those solutions his entire career. We spoke with Bembridge to discuss the approach Heads Apart has taken to support a more diverse tech industry. Read more

5 Observations on The Gender Equation in Tech

blog, Diversity, Venture Forward October 29, 2015/by

By Thanasis Delistathis and John Backus, New Atlantic Ventures

Ask most in the venture capital ecosystem for their take on the issue of gender diversity and you’ll get a mixed reaction. Some men avoid the topic for fear of stepping on a land mine. Some women tell us it’s passé. We hear that the tech industry has a big problem. For us, the topic of diversity isn’t an issue to simply brush under the rug. The trouble is, the topic can be tough to talk about. But if we do, it opens up the chance to help everyone figure out why the gender balance is off and how to potentially change the ratio.

Advancing women in the entrepreneurial ecosystem

blog, Diversity, Venture Forward October 23, 2015/by

NVCA is dedicated to advancing diversity throughout the entrepreneurial ecosystem. We believe in the value of public and private sector collaboration to develop and discuss solutions that promote the importance of diversity to the innovation ecosystem. Last week, we joined Empowered Women, a nonprofit focused on convening next-gen women leaders, for Hacking the New Economy, a discussion on public policies that can empower women in the new economy. Read more

Everyone in the startup ecosystem can advance inclusion, here’s how

blog, Diversity, Venture Forward July 29, 2015/by

This week, the National Venture Capital Association (NVCA) Diversity Task Force together with Dow Jones VentureSource, and CrunchBase have launched the 2015 Venture Census to take on the critical challenge of measuring the demographics of the U.S. entrepreneurial ecosystem. We invite every employee of venture capital firms and startups to participate in the 2015 Venture Census to anonymously contribute data about their personal and professional backgrounds. Read more

Ray Leach, NVCA Board Member: True diversity goes beyond investment portfolios

blog, Diversity, Venture Forward February 19, 2015/by

Speaking before an audience of diverse entrepreneurs and investors at the 18th Annual Rainbow PUSH Wall Street Project Economic Summit, Ray Leach, NVCA Board Member and NVCA Diversity Task Force Member, made clear the future of innovation depends on expanding opportunities for women and minorities in the venture capital and innovation ecosystems. In The Huffington Post yesterday, Ray wrote about the realities of the lack of diversity in the venture capital industry and NVCA’s focus on creating new pathways for women and minorities to succeed in venture capital and as entrepreneurs.

View from Ohio on Increasing Diversity in the Entrepreneurial Ecosystem

blog, Diversity, Venture Forward December 10, 2014/by

Based in Independence, Ohio, MainStreet Inclusion Advisors (MSIA) is a national consultancy and entrepreneurial development firm specializing in connecting historically disconnected and underserved populations. Whether entrepreneurs or investors seek deal flow, capital or talent, MSIA focuses on building bridges between minority communities and mainstream communities. Read more

NVCA Member Spotlight: Nationwide Ventures

blog, Diversity, Member Spotlight January 6, 2022/by Sabrina Fang

Welcome to our Member Spotlight series where we give a profile overview of our many diverse members. For this deep dive, we spoke to Amelia Gandara, Principal at Nationwide Ventures to learn more about her firm.

Building Better: Amex Ventures and Philanthropi

blog, Building Better December 15, 2021/by Sabrina Fang

Welcome to the NVCA Blog series, Building Better, where we celebrate the dynamic relationship between our VC members and their innovative portfolio companies around the nation. For today’s Building Better, we spoke with Harshul Sanghi, Founder and Global Head of Amex Ventures, and with Dr. Keith Leaphart, Founder of Philanthropi, an Amex Ventures portfolio company.