Village Capital
Overview
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Posted Opportunities 0
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Founded Since 2009
Company Description
About Us
Our mission is to reinvent the system to back the entrepreneurs of the future. Our vision is a future where business builds equity and long-term prosperity.
Unlocking capital for impact startups solving the world’s biggest problems
Who we are
At Village Capital, we fuel the growth of sustainable and impactful businesses by unlocking capital for early-stage entrepreneurs who are building emergent solutions for social, economic, and environmental challenges around the world.
Our Story
A group led by Ross Baird and Bob Pattillo launched Village Capital in 2009 as a radical experiment to democratize entrepreneurship. As we celebrate our 10th anniversary in 2019-2020, we’re reflecting on the growth of that movement, what we stand for, and where we’re headed in the next ten years.
2009
Village Capital launches as a pilot of First Light Ventures, an affiliate of impact investing pioneer Gray Matters Capital.
Village Capital runs its first accelerator in New Orleans, with the IDEA Village. Kickboard CEO Jen Medbery becomes the first peer-selected entrepreneur.
2010
Peer-selected investment expands internationally
The first peer-selected company outside the US, Under the Mango Tree, helps revive India’s declining honeybee population by selling fair trade honey.
2012
Launch of first formal fund
Village Capital begins to pilot worldwide, with investment programs in China, Brazil, and East Africa. Village Capital also launches its first formal fund with Victoria Fram as co-founder.
2013
Peer-selected investment wins the McKinsey/Harvard prize for “Innovating Innovation”
The model was described as “if angel investing and micro-finance had a baby”.
2015
VilCap Investments closes $18 million fund
Village Capital closes VilCap Investments, a global seed stage fund that will be one of the most active impact investment vehicles worldwide.
2016
Our team reaches 40 people
Meet our team — we have team members on the ground on four continents.
2018
VilCap Investments makes its 100th investment
Learn about a cross-section of our fund and how these companies are building healthy communities.
2018
Village Capital named “best-networked” in impact investing
According to data compiled by the Case Foundation in their Impact Investing Network Map.
2019
Study: Peer-selection process mitigates bias against female founders
Read more in Vox about our study, with Emory University and the Global Accelerator Learning Initiative
How we work
Founders
We help them accelerate their investment readiness through milestone-based approach and expanding access to social and financial capital.
Entrepreneur Support Organizations
We equip them with unique tools to increase their efficiency, sustainability, impact and inclusiveness.
Investors
We provide tools, strategies, and pipeline to increase the flow of capital to impact-creating, diverse-led businesses.
Capital Providers
We structure, manage, and support funds that offer a variety of financing tools to impact-creating startups including equity, debt, and revenue-share, among others.
Our ecosystem approach is driven by a relentless focus on creating a more inclusive system. We build, test, and scale unique approaches.
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