Chasing Rainbows

We are so PROUD of you, Ben. You show so much compassion for that inner self! We are also sooo PROUD of Densil Porteous, CEO, Pride Fund 1 and Fabrice C Houdart, Executive Director, Association of LGBTQ+ Corporate Directors for leading the conversation and continuing to make a meaningful impact. Tune in to hear "What does PRIDE mean to you?" from these three and many other great LGBTQ+ leaders. Happy NYC PRIDE Day! 🌈 #PRIDE #LGBTQ #ChasingRainbows #Impact #Kindness #BeProud

🌈 A Landmark Event for LGBTQ+ Founders and Funders 🌈 We had an inspiring and impactful session at the first ever White House LGBTQ+ VC roundtable, highlighting the immense potential and success of LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs and investors. Here are some important key takeaways. **Event Highlights**: - Mayor Steve Benjamin from the White House Office of Public Engagement kicked off the event with powerful remarks on the significance of inclusive economic policies. - Navtej Dhillon, Suzanna Fritzberg and Jonathan Lovitz shared insights on how the administration is fostering growth and support for LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs. - Brian Richardson and Dr. Vivienne Ming provided an overview of LGBTQ+ entrepreneurship and the incredible work being done by StartOut and Socos Labs. - Lorine Pendleton and Amy Siskind shared personal stories and discussed the importance of intentional representation and the growing influence of LGBTQ+ in the venture capital space. - Inspirational outreach and coordination from Patrick Driscoll and Kate Balcerzak - 7 Chasing Rainbows team members, investors and portfolio companies were at the roundtable including Ben Stokes, Maddie Stenger, Leigh Pomerantz, Patrick Driscoll, Mark Bernstein, Brian Richardson, Annie Brown and more to come! Key Takeaways: - **Grant Opportunities**: Enhanced support for data collection and program funding for LGBTQ+ businesses. - **Access to Capital**: Strengthening community lenders and leveraging AI for better business underwriting. - **Economic Impact**: Recognizing the contribution of LGBTQ+ founders to job creation and innovation. - **Policy Support**: Continued commitment to economic policies that foster growth and equity for LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs. Next Steps: - **Expand Networks**: Further open channels and formal pipelines to resources and capital sources in Washington. - **Promote Representation**: Continue advocating for intentional inclusion in the venture community in a measured way. - **Leverage Innovation Hubs**: Integrate LGBTQ community into tech hubs and grants to support small LGBTQ businesses in scaling up. Thank you to all of our fellow LGBTQ+ community members - speakers and participants of this important roundtable - for making this event a success. Let's continue to support and invest in LGBTQ+ founders and funds to drive meaningful change and economic growth for the LGBTQ+ and wider communities. #LGBTQEntrepreneurship #InclusiveInvesting #EconomicGrowth #ChasingRainbows #VentureCapital #DiversityAndInclusion #Whitehouse

We are excited for this NYSE trading floor event aimed at pulling our community together to learn and celebrate diversity and inclusion! #pride #Tradingfloor #LGBTQ #equitablecapital

StartOut continues to drive meaningful programming and improve equity in the entrepreneurial space. 👏 Join to hear from Ben Stokes and other amazing community members!

Chasing Rainbows continues to push for LGBTQ+ representation in capital allocation and in the startup ecosystem. We were thrilled to be featured by Out along with our amazing colleagues, Colorful Capital, StartOut and MISTR. Read more about the state of VC funding and why LGBTQ+ founders and investors are changing the game below! Special shout out to the VC Include team for making the photo 😎. If you want to learn how to be an investor with Chasing Rainbows and become part of our family, please contact Ben Stokes. #VentureCapital #DiversityMatters #LGBTQ #QueerCapital https://lnkd.in/dGS_4VFc

We wouldn’t be here without VC University! Thanks Adam Sterling for the shoutout and to Maryam Haque and Venture Forward for the support 🌈.

Calling all LPs and Emerging Managers! 📢 Are you going to New York Tech Week? Join us on June 6th from 5:30 - 8PM in Midtown! 🏙 Chasing Rainbows is hosting an LP Perspectives for Emerging Managers panel in partnership with StartOut and Lowenstein Sandler LLP—special thanks to our sponsor, Mercury. We have stellar panelists who will discuss what the market looks like for those raising their first funds. What do closing timelines look like? How can you really "wow" an LP? What types of LPs are liquid and willing to invest in the emerging manager ecosystem? Our panel includes: Claude Grunitzky, CEO, The Equity Alliance Daria Siegel, Vice President of Initiatives, New York City Economic Development Corporation Jeremy Cantor, Associate, Lowenstein Sandler Maegan Moore, Executive Director, Catalyze Lowenstein Sandler's Latoya Bethune will moderate with hard-hitting questions 😎! Our RSVP guest list is stacked with amazing LPs and top-tier emerging managers. We hope to see you there! #NYTW #LimitedPartners #EmergingManagers #VentureCapital https://lu.ma/0k859s4x

Chasing Rainbows was selected by Fast Company as a World Changing Idea! 🎉 Chasing Rainbows, a small yet powerful firm, stands out in the VC space for its unique mission to empower often overlooked LGBTQ+ founders with both capital and network, making a significant impact in the entrepreneurial landscape. Fast Company’s annual World Changing Ideas Awards honor the businesses and organizations developing creative solutions to the most pressing issues of our time. If you'd like to invest or learn more about our fund, contact Patrick Driscoll or Ben Stokes. https://lnkd.in/g-54dSGc

Keeping our Limited Partners aware of our progress and portfolio success is incredibly important as stewards of their capital. Something else that's important... keeping them ENTERTAINED! We were super excited to host Chasing Rainbows' inaugural LP & founder meet-up with Cloud Poker Night. Laughs were had, secret poker sharks were discovered, and our LPs had the opportunity to engage with our amazing portfolio companies. https://lnkd.in/gvY43UQf

Check out our recap video of last week's VC panel event, which was a collaboration between Pegasus Angel Accelerator and TCA Venture Group Los Angeles. We had a fantastic discussion about current market conditions, VC trends, and emerging opportunities to watch for. Once again, a huge thank you to our excellent panelists - Nardo Manaloto of Qubits Ventures, James Shecter of Fika Ventures, Brandon Maier of LvlUp Ventures, and Patrick Driscoll of Chasing Rainbows Their invaluable contributions enriched our understanding of navigating the venture capital investment landscape! #vc #startups #investors #venturecapital