Backstage Capital

Backstage Capital is a venture capital firm that invests in scalable, venture-backable companies led by underestimated founders - women, people of color and LGBTQ+ founders. The firm treats the funding gap facing these groups as an investment opportunity: it cites industry data showing that less than 10 per cent of venture deals go to such founders. Investments span pre-seed through Series A and beyond, and the portfolio is industry-agnostic, with roughly 200 companies backed to date.

Investment decisions are based on founder-product fit, market opportunity and the potential of the business. Beyond capital, the firm provides post-investment support that includes mentorship and fundraising assistance, and gives portfolio companies access to a community of founders and investors.

The firm's stated focus is on closing funding gaps and improving diversity within venture capital. Its model combines early-stage investing across sectors with non-capital support designed to help portfolio companies raise subsequent rounds and scale.