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Dear Mama Ventures is a venture capital firm founded on Veterans Day, November 11, 2021. The organization is dedicated to investing in startups and nonprofits led by veterans and underestimated entrepreneurs. The firm operates with a mission to deploy both financial and social capital to enhance access to the tech and capital ecosystem for diverse founders.
Currently, Dear Mama Ventures manages a $50 million fund, focusing on early-stage investments. The firm emphasizes sectors such as climate and clean energy, food and agriculture, healthcare, and education. The team is composed of diverse leaders, including women and veterans, who bring a wealth of experience from various industries.
Dear Mama Ventures is based in the United States and aims to create a significant impact by uplifting Black, brown, female, and veteran-led companies that have been traditionally overlooked by investors. The firm has ambitious goals, including a target fund size of $1 billion, although its current operations are centered around the $50 million fund.
Dear Mama Ventures focuses on early-stage investments across several key sectors: climate and clean energy, food and agriculture, healthcare, and education. The firm specifically targets startups led by Black, brown, female, and veteran entrepreneurs, aiming to address the disparities in funding that these groups face. The check sizes range from $500,000 to $5 million, allowing for flexibility in supporting various stages of growth.
The firm’s investment strategy is designed to uplift diverse founders who have been historically overlooked by traditional venture capitalists. Dear Mama Ventures seeks to improve access to the tech and capital ecosystem for BIPOC, women, and military veteran entrepreneurs. The organization emphasizes the importance of mentorship and resource access, providing not just financial backing but also a supportive network to help these entrepreneurs succeed.
Currently, Dear Mama Ventures does not publicly list specific portfolio companies. However, the firm is known to target sectors that include climate and clean energy, food and agriculture, healthcare, and education. The focus remains on supporting diverse founders, particularly those who are Black, brown, female, or veterans.
While no specific companies are named, the firm’s commitment to uplifting traditionally overlooked entrepreneurs suggests that future investments will align with its mission to enhance representation in the startup ecosystem. The absence of publicly listed portfolio companies does not diminish the firm’s active engagement in these sectors.
Alicia Hanf — Founder and Managing Partner. Alicia is a US Army Veteran with over 10 years of experience in startups, venture capital operations, fundraising, and business development. She previously launched the LA chapter of Bunker Labs, scaling it from 10 to 35 locations in just 15 months. Her background includes roles at Walt Disney, the Department of Defense, the NFL, and the US Army.
The leadership team at Dear Mama Ventures is described as diverse, comprising women, veterans, and multicultural leaders. Specific names beyond Alicia Hanf have not been disclosed, but the team collectively brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the firm.
Dear Mama Ventures prefers pitches to be made through direct introductions or professional networks. Founders should include a detailed pitch deck that outlines their business model, market opportunity, and team background. While specific response time expectations are not provided, timely follow-ups are encouraged to maintain engagement.
Dear Mama Ventures launched on November 11, 2021, coinciding with Veterans Day, marking its commitment to supporting veterans and diverse entrepreneurs. The firm has been actively fundraising and hosting events throughout 2022, although no specific post-2022 deal announcements have been found.
Despite the expiration of their website limiting access to recent updates, the firm has been recognized in various media outlets for its mission to uplift underrepresented founders. Coverage includes features in GlobeNewswire and POCIT, highlighting its focus on creating an inclusive investment environment.
What are Dear Mama Ventures' investment criteria?
Dear Mama Ventures invests in early-stage startups, particularly those led by Black, brown, female, and veteran entrepreneurs. The firm focuses on sectors such as climate, healthcare, food-agtech, and edtech, with check sizes ranging from $500,000 to $5 million.
How can founders pitch to Dear Mama Ventures?
Founders interested in pitching to Dear Mama Ventures should prepare a comprehensive pitch deck that outlines their business model, market opportunity, and team background. While specific application channels are not detailed, reaching out through professional networks or direct introductions is advisable.
What makes Dear Mama Ventures different from other VCs?
Dear Mama Ventures is distinct in its commitment to supporting diverse founders, particularly those who are often overlooked by traditional investors. The firm combines financial investment with social capital, aiming to create a more inclusive startup ecosystem.
What is the geographic focus of Dear Mama Ventures?
The firm primarily focuses on investments within the United States, with a particular emphasis on supporting startups in North America.
What kind of support do portfolio companies receive?
Dear Mama Ventures provides not only financial backing but also access to a network of resources and mentorship. This support is designed to help diverse entrepreneurs navigate the challenges of building and scaling their ventures.
What is the fund size and structure of Dear Mama Ventures?
Dear Mama Ventures operates a $50 million early-stage fund, with aspirations to grow to a $1 billion fund in the future. The fund is structured as a Donor-Advised Fund (DAF), allowing for tax-deductible donations and investments.
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