Victoria Chu Pao

Backstage Capital is a venture capital fund investing in the best startups led by underrepresented founders in the U.S.

AIDONIC is a Swiss social technology enterprise. Our mission is to empower NGOs, UN and Government Agencies, Global Donors, and Philanthropic Organizations with innovative digital tools that streamline fundraising, enhance aid delivery, and provide indisputable transparency to private and institutional donors. Leveraging blockchain, AI, and payment aggregation, we guarantee swift, secure, and effective aid delivery to those who need it most. Ultimately, we envision a world where humanitarian and philanthropic efforts are more efficient, accountable, and responsive to the ever-evolving needs of people and communities affected by disasters, emergencies, conflicts, and poverty. Learn more: http://www.aidonic.io/

The JumpFund is a women-led micro VC firm investing in female-led ventures across the Southeast U.S. Our investors and fund partners understand that investments in early stage ventures led by women have greater potential to produce higher returns and are historically underfunded. Since its founding in 2013, the JumpFund has helped change the conversation in our regional start-up ecosystem and exponentially increased investment in female entrepreneurs and gender diverse teams. With $7.7mm under management, the JumpFund has invested in 22 companies and has had one company successfully exit. Our investments and portfolio company partnerships have also leveraged over 19x additional capital from co-investors for our portfolio companies. The JumpFund was founded on the assumption that there is an untapped market opportunity for early stage investors to seek and fund women-led ventures which have had less access to capital for growth. Strong data now indicates that women-led companies are outperforming their all male counterparts in VC portfolios (First Round Capital, 2015). Also, as women engage more as active angel investors, they are making a significant difference in the growth and success of women-led ventures (HBR, 2016). From an economic standpoint, women are an undervalued sector of potential entrepreneurs that make over 80% of the consumer purchasing decisions (including healthcare and electronics) and represent 60% of those with advanced degrees. The JumpFund has also encouraged more women to become “angel” investors, helping to diversify the investor landscape and grow women’s access to capital. With over 80 investors, the majority of which are female, we are contributing to the growing number of women-led firms focused on “gender lens” investing.

Investing in the future is exciting. It’s about the facts, numbers, opportunities and ideas, and the people behind them. Our ecosystem offers access to the most exciting asset class; curating connections between highly experienced individuals ready to invest, and people at the forefront of innovation with the talent, drive and determination to succeed. Through our Climate Action portfolio programme, our vision is to finance the solutions for a low-carbon, resilient global economy. #angelinvesting #businessangels #innovation #startups #climateaction #impactinvesting #sustainability

SICTIC is a Switzerland based non-profit association that connects smart money investors to innovative seed and early stage tech startups. Since 2018, SICTIC is the largest and most active business angel network in Switzerland. SICTIC itself does not invest and also does not take any commission on investments.

Golden Seeds is an investment firm dedicated to pursuing market returns through the empowerment of women entrepreneurs and the people who invest in them. The group was founded in 2005 and is headquartered in New York City, with active chapters in Arizona, Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Houston, New Jersey, and Silicon Valley – and active members throughout the country. Golden Seeds’ Angel Network has grown to become one of the largest in the country with around 280 members nationwide. Since 2005, over 3200 companies have applied to Golden Seeds for funding. All companies are evaluated, many proceed through due diligence and receive extensive guidance from Golden Seeds investors. In total, Golden Seeds has invested over $170 million in nearly 235 companies through its angel network and its venture funds. Moreover, the firm and its investors have provided important leadership in this investment sector. www.goldenseeds.com

The New York Women’s Foundation creates an equitable and just future for women and families by uniting a cross-cultural alliance that ignites action and invests in bold, community-led solutions across the city.

Literacy Partners strengthens families through a two-generation approach to education. With our free classes, low-income parents in New York City develop the literacy and language skills they need to succeed in today’s world. Our research-based curriculum also incorporates child development and parenting support to help parents boost their children’s early reading, school readiness, and social-emotional growth.

Citizens Committee for New York City’s mission is simple: to help New Yorkers – especially those in low-income areas – come together and improve the quality of life in their neighborhoods. We do so through a proven combination of micro-grants, one-on-one project planning assistance, capacity-building workshops, and networking opportunities.

Backstage Capital is a venture capital fund investing in the best startups led by underrepresented founders in the U.S.