The W Fund

The W Fund is a venture capital firm headquartered in New York that invests in technology startups led by overlooked and underfunded founders from underrepresented backgrounds. The fund writes cheques from Seed through Series B, backing companies working on significant problems and advancing the future of technology. Investment size, fund vintage and assets under management are not disclosed.

The firm is led by two general partners, who between them bring more than 15 years of experience working with, resourcing and capitalising founders. It was co-founded by Kate Brodock, chief executive of SWITCH, and Allyson Kapin, founder of Women Who Tech.

Alongside direct investing, the firm runs three programmes aimed at structural change in the venture ecosystem. A portfolio representation initiative works to normalise the representation of underrepresented groups among portfolio-company employees, boards, advisers and investors. VC-in-residence roles are designed as a route into venture capital for people from underrepresented backgrounds. Separately, the fund delivers investing, operating and leadership skills-building programming intended to diversify the base of limited partners.

The combination places the firm within a wider effort to widen access to both capital and careers in technology investment; its mandate spans sector-agnostic technology startups at Seed through Series B.