IMPACTASSETS 50™
An Annual Showcase of Impact Investment Fund Managers
ImpactAssets 50
An Annual Showcase of Impact Investment Fund Managers
Chasing Rainbows
Community Development
Demographic-based Impact
Diversity, Equity and InclusionFirm Overview
Chasing Rainbows is the preeminent early-stage venture fund investing in generating-defining LGBTQ+-led companies. Less than 0.5% of venture capital dollars are invested in LGBTQ+ founded startups (StartOut). LGBTQ+ founders are systemically overlooked due to deeply entrenched bias; and “friends and family” rounds aren’t always an option once founders come out. The most successful founders— regardless of sexual orientation— are resilient, principled, courageous, and resourceful. LGBTQ+ founders embody these traits and have built these strengths as a result of the discrimination and adversity they’ve experienced for being LGTBQ+. LGBTQ+ founders are high-performing, determined and provide strong growth prospects. Data shows LGBTQ+ founders outperform - they create 36% more jobs, have obtained 114% more patents and achieved 44% more exits (Proud Ventures). Chasing Rainbows is the launching pad for the next generation of LGBTQ+ founded companies. We empower founders with financial resources, along with dedicated advisory and our expansive network.
Years of Operation: Less than 3 years
% of Capital from Top 3 Investors: 100%
Chasing Rainbows invests in LGBTQ+ founded companies. Our only thesis requirement is that one of the founding team members identifies as part of the LGBTQ+ community.** **Please note, we do not ask who, in respect for privacy and safety.
Chasing Rainbows' only thesis requirement is that one of the Founding Team members identifies as part of the LGBTQ+ community. Although we are sector agnostic, we have seen 4 pillars naturally form (companies who create access to healthcare, access to education, environment and sustainability and financial inclusion and equity. Obviously, we should all care about the environment, but the other 3 come from a place of determination to overcome barriers - as a number of people within the LGBTQ+ community have been discriminated against whilst accessing services in these spaces. This creates an almost secondary thesis element - because when you have felt the pain, you know how to solve for it; and therein not only solving for the minorities - these founders have creatively solved for the majority as well! FUND TYPE: TRADITIONAL Initial Investment: $50k-$250k Lead Rounds: Yes Follow-On & co-investment: YES Sector-Focus: Agnostic Geography: 80% US 20% International.
Our network within the LGBTQ+ community is our superpower. We have deep relationships in key LGBTQ+ entrepreneurial networks such as StartOut, Out-in-Tech, Lesbians Who Tech, Reaching Out MBA and Venture Out; as well as other LGBTQ+ non-profits such as The Victory Institute, OutRight International, Lambda Legal, GLAAD and Venture Out; along with deep connections within the public and private corporate sectors. Revere rated Chasing Rainbows with a 5 for the depth of our network. Chasing Rainbows is synonymous with LGBTQ+ entrepreneurship; and we’ve spoken at events across the globe from startup conferences such as SXSW, WebSummit and IIF to hosting roundtables at the White House and UK Parliament House on LGBTQ+ entrepreneurship. We have deployed capital into several companies prior to starting Chasing Rainbows Fund I. We have cultivated partnerships up and down the venture ecosystem ensuring our founders have the support they need to ensure their/our success.
Investment Example
Chasing Rainbows is an early investor in: MarvelLabs (www.marvellabs.com), who’s transforming Materials and Manufacturing - through the lens of sustainability. Their circular economy approach combines seaweed-derived polymers and powders with our proprietary glue formulations, creating a fully sustainable ecosystem that reimagines how consumer products are made; built upon their commitment to zero-carbon and negative-carbon solutions. They’ve created binderjet 3D printing technologies including fully sustainable 3D printing ink alternatives derived from citosan (mushrooms); developed a revolutionary bio-based glue technology, including patent protection which has the potential to fully replace internal sutures and staples. Their groundbreaking work, in partnership with Johnson & Johnson Innovation Center in South San Francisco, is already advancing sustainable manufacturing solutions, and their patent-pending technology has applications ranging from industrial production to medical innovations, including potential suture alternatives. All development is focused on materials that can be reused and recycled, eliminating dependence on petroleum-based products.
Leadership and Team
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Ben Stokes – Founding Partner More Info
Ben stands at the forefront of Chasing Rainbows, having established a remarkable career as a visionary entrepreneur and investor. His journey began with the successful creation and exit of SocialTable, setting the stage for his role as a beacon in the venture capital community. As an Angel Investor and Advisor, Ben has influenced over 20 companies, demonstrating his acumen in identifying and nurturing potential. |
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Leigh Pomerantz – Principal More Info
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Amanda Coopersmith – Principal More Info
As a technical consultant, I help organizations build the bridge between vision and execution: I excel at translating complex technical concepts into clear strategies that drive growth. I am passionate about helping mission driven startups, non-profits, and media professionals design and build impactful tech-first strategies that scale with your organization. My technical experience spans technical operations, web design, and full-stack product development. |
Financial Performance
Impact Performance
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Percentage of Total Assets Under
Management that are Impact Investments: |
100%
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Chasing Rainbows only invests in LGBTQ+ founded companies - therefore we only meet with companies if they answer "yes" that someone in their founding team identifies as part of the LGBTQ+ community.
Somebody in the founding team must identify as part of the LGBTQ+ community. We will not take a meeting if this is not the case. In order to book a meeting, founders fill out the form on our website which after completed takes them to our scheduling link. Founders can
Impact Tracking and Monitoring
Learn More
C/O Ben Stokes; 3960 18th Street, San Francisco, CA 94114 USA
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