Upcoming Venture Capital Investments in 2024 by UrbanGeekz (50)

U.S. Venture Capital: Pioneering Leaders Shaping the Industry

Aaron Holiday is a renowned name in the venture capital world, co-founding 645 Ventures in 2014. As Managing Partner, he has played a significant role in shaping the firm's investment strategy and guiding early-stage companies. His portfolio includes Goldbelly, Iterable, and FiscalNote - businesses that have become industry leaders with notable market impact.

Born and raised in New Orleans, Holiday's mathematical and scientific inclinations were evident from a young age, leading him to a career in computer science. He honed his technical prowess at Goldman Sachs and GFI Group, where he developed advanced trading software and derivatives systems. This technical foundation forms the backbone of his venture capital approach, blending deep financial savvy with a keen sense for groundbreaking technology.

At Cornell Tech, Holiday served as the first Managing Entrepreneurial Officer. Collaborating with Greg Pass, former CTO of Twitter, they designed a pioneering Studio culture that bridged academia and the real-world startup ecosystem. This work formed the foundation of Holiday's reputation as a mentor and guide for aspiring entrepreneurs, helping propel startups like Nanit to success.

Alongside his role at 645 Ventures, Holiday is an active member of Cornell Tech's governing board and the Young Presidents Organization (YPO). His leadership and vision led to a spot on Forbes' Midas Brink List, identifying him as one of the most promising up-and-comers in venture capital.

Arlan Hamilton founded Backstage Capital in 2015 as a seed investment fund dedicated to providing opportunities to underrepresented startup founders. She is now a sought-after public speaker, one of the highest-paid speakers in the United States. Backstage Capital's portfolio encompasses nearly 150 investments, prioritizing funding for people of color, women, and members of the LGBTQ+ community.

Hamilton, who lacks a college degree or connections in Silicon Valley, recently released her second book, 'Your First Million: Why You Don't Have To Be Born Into A Legacy of Wealth To Leave One Behind.' She is committed to creating 1,000 more millionaires in the next decade and challenging the existing gatekeepers that limit access to resources and opportunities.

Brian Dixon is one of the first and youngest Black American Managing Partners at a Silicon Valley firm, Kapor Capital. Based in Oakland, CA, the firm has invested in over 175 tech startups since 2012, helping create new economic opportunities andaddressing inequalities across every sector. In 2022, Dixon raised a historic $126M fund, making it one of the largest VC funds ever led by Black fund managers.

Dixon serves on several boards, including the NAACP, The Joint Center, and Jobs for the Future (JFF). He is also a Kauffman Fellow, Management Leadership for Tomorrow (MLT) Fellow, and two-time tech startup founder. Dixon holds an MBA from F.W. Olin Graduate School of Business at Babson College and a Bachelor of Science in Computer and Information Science from Northeastern University.

Candice Matthews Brackeen founded the Lightship Foundation, working tirelessly to inspire change and advancement, especially among underrepresented founders. Through her leadership, she has helped more than 3,000 minority-owned tech businesses raise over $225 million. Her commitment and contributions were recognized in 2022 by the Cincinnati Bengals and in 2023 by Doritos and Pepsi Co.

Stacy Brown-Philpot, best known as the former CEO of TaskRabbit, led the growth of the company into a global business, operating in over 70 major markets. After just three years, she became CEO, overseeing the successful acquisition by IKEA. She has served on the boards of HP, Nordstrom, Noom, StockX, and Joy and is a founding member of the SoftBank Opportunity Fund, launched to invest in Black, Latinx, and Native American founders.

Maria Toler is the Founding and Managing Partner of SteelSky Ventures, a $73 million VC fund focusing on women's healthcare. She has become a notable figure in the industry, named to prominent forums such as the Milken Institute, the Aspen Institute, and the American Hospital Association. In 2022, she was selected to work with the first-ever White House Initiative on Women's Health Research and joined the UNFPA Leadership Council to promote women's health globally.

While Wave Ventures and South Loop Ventures are also highlighted in related UrbanGeekz content, additional details beyond their founders and managing partners were not readily available.

Holiday's technical foundation, developed at Goldman Sachs and GFI Group, forms the backbone of his venture capital approach at 645 Ventures, blending deep financial savvy with a keen sense for groundbreaking technology.
Arlan Hamilton, founder of Backstage Capital, is dedicated to providing opportunities to underrepresented startup founders, with her portfolio prioritizing funding for people of color, women, and members of the LGBTQ+ community.
Brian Dixon, Managing Partner at Kapor Capital, raised a historic $126M fund in 2022, making it one of the largest VC funds ever led by Black fund managers.
Candice Matthews Brackeen, founder of the Lightship Foundation, has helped more than 3,000 minority-owned tech businesses raise over $225 million, earning recognition from the Cincinnati Bengals and Doritos in 2022 and 2023, respectively.
Stacy Brown-Philpot, former CEO of TaskRabbit, led the company to global success with operations in over 70 major markets and is now a board member of several companies, including HP, Nordstrom, Noom, and StockX.
Maria Toler, Founding and Managing Partner of SteelSky Ventures, has become a notable figure in the industry, focusing on women's healthcare. She was selected to work with the first-ever White House Initiative on Women's Health Research in 2022 and joined the UNFPA Leadership Council to promote women's health globally.
news about additional venture capital firms like Wave Ventures and South Loop Ventures are highlighted in related UrbanGeekz content, but more details beyond their founders and managing partners were not readily available.

In addition, these leaders have impacted business, startups, innovation, funding, technology, the world, lifestyle, sports, and weather through their work in the venture capital industry, shaping the future of entrepreneurship and technology.