Huge congrats to our friends at Identity VC who have raised Europe's first fund specifically focused on backing LGBTQ+ founders. We look forward to supporting them as they grow from here!
We're excited to announce that we've completed the first close of our €50M fund, raising €15M to support LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs across Europe and beyond. This is the first fund of its kind in European tech, and we’re dedicated to backing founders who often face unique challenges in securing capital. We’re looking to invest between €250k and €1.5M in around 25 startups, from pre-seed to Series A stages. Half of the fund is reserved for follow-on investments to support these companies as they grow. The need for this fund is clear: 35% of LGBTQ+ founders feel their identity affects their ability to raise capital, and 75% don’t disclose their LGBTQ+ status to investors. By creating a supportive and inclusive environment, we aim to change this narrative and build stronger, more open relationships between founders and investors. We’ve already invested in companies like Frontnow, which optimizes pre-sales in e-commerce with AI; Omni, offering vegan dog food and cultivated cat food; and PaxtonAI, an AI legal assistant. Our leadership team includes Til Klein 🏳️🌈 🇪🇺 from Zurich, an ex-BCG partner and FinTech founder; Jochen Beutgen from Berlin, a veteran venture capital investor with 20+ years of experience; and Mari Luukkainen from Helsinki, a former growth operator and pre-seed investor. We invite you to join us in transforming the venture capital landscape and backing LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs! Learn more at www.identity.vc or feel free to reach out to us directly! https://lnkd.in/dy8rfbDX