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The 98 is an early stage venture capital firm founded in 2022 by Lynda Clarizio and Joy Marcus. Based in the United States, the firm focuses on investing in technology businesses led by women. The organization addresses the significant funding gap for women-led startups, which receive only 2% of venture capital dollars despite demonstrating higher returns on invested capital and quicker exits. This commitment to supporting women founders is central to The 98's mission.
Since its inception, The 98 has built a portfolio of 8 companies, all founded or co-founded by women. The firm emphasizes not only financial investment but also operational expertise and a robust network to help these entrepreneurs navigate the challenges of building successful companies. The 98's approach is designed to empower women-led startups across various sectors, including commerce, media, healthcare, fintech, and legaltech.
As of now, The 98 continues to expand its influence in the venture capital space, actively promoting its mission to support women-led startups. The firm is positioned to make a significant impact in the venture capital landscape by focusing exclusively on technology businesses led by women.
The 98 invests in early stage technology businesses led by women, specifically targeting sectors such as commerce, media, healthcare, fintech, and legaltech. The firm operates at various stages of investment, including pre-seed, seed, and seed-plus, allowing it to engage with startups at critical points in their development. The check sizes are tailored to meet the needs of early stage companies, although specific amounts are not disclosed.
The firm provides not only capital but also operational expertise and access to a network of resources that can help women entrepreneurs succeed. The 98's investment thesis is centered around addressing the disparity in venture capital funding for women-led startups, which have historically received a fraction of the total venture capital available. The firm seeks to partner with exceptional women founders who demonstrate the potential for high returns and impactful innovation.
The 98's portfolio consists of 8 notable companies, all founded or co-founded by women:
These companies span various sectors, showcasing The 98's commitment to investing in diverse technology businesses led by women. Each portfolio company reflects the firm's focus on supporting innovative solutions that address market needs.
Lynda Clarizio: Co-Founder, General Partner. Lynda has extensive experience in the technology sector and has held leadership roles in various organizations.
Joy Marcus: Co-Founder, General Partner. Joy brings a wealth of knowledge in venture capital and has a strong track record of supporting women-led startups.
Ameneh Atai: Operating Advisor. Ameneh has a background in technology and entrepreneurship, providing valuable insights to portfolio companies.
Sunny Bates: Operating Advisor. Sunny is known for her expertise in scaling startups and has worked with numerous successful ventures.
Lisa Bettinger-Buckingham: Operating Advisor. Lisa has a strong background in operational strategy and supports portfolio companies in their growth journeys.
Eric Bosco: Operating Advisor. Eric specializes in technology and has experience in guiding startups through early stage challenges.
Sheila Buckley: Operating Advisor. Sheila brings expertise in business development and helps portfolio companies expand their market reach.
Joanna Burton: Operating Advisor. Joanna has a background in finance and provides strategic guidance to portfolio companies.
Michele Calhoun: Operating Advisor. Michele specializes in marketing and helps startups refine their branding and outreach strategies.
Rong Cao: Operating Advisor. Rong has experience in product development and supports portfolio companies in their innovation efforts.
Alex Collmer: Operating Advisor. Alex has a strong background in technology and entrepreneurship, providing insights to help startups succeed.
Kevin Conroy: Operating Advisor. Kevin specializes in operational efficiency and helps portfolio companies streamline their processes.
Ashley Davis: Operating Advisor. Ashley has experience in venture capital and provides strategic insights to portfolio companies.
Diane deCordova: Operating Advisor. Diane specializes in business strategy and supports startups in their growth efforts.
Kate Delhagen: Operating Advisor. Kate has a background in technology and helps portfolio companies navigate industry challenges.
Erin Enright: Operating Advisor. Erin specializes in marketing and helps startups refine their messaging and outreach.
Sara Fagen: Operating Advisor. Sara has experience in finance and provides strategic guidance to portfolio companies.
Karen Fichuk: Operating Advisor. Karen specializes in operational strategy and supports startups in their growth journeys.
Craig Forman: Operating Advisor. Craig has a background in technology and provides insights to help startups succeed.
Beth Gostanian: Operating Advisor. Beth specializes in business development and helps portfolio companies expand their market reach.
Steve Greenberg: Operating Advisor. Steve has experience in venture capital and provides strategic insights to portfolio companies.
Michael Henry: Operating Advisor. Michael specializes in operational efficiency and helps portfolio companies streamline their processes.
Elinor Hirschhorn: Operating Advisor. Elinor has a background in technology and provides insights to help startups succeed.
Katrina Holt: Operating Advisor. Katrina specializes in business strategy and supports startups in their growth efforts.
Susanna Hong: Operating Advisor. Susanna has experience in marketing and helps startups refine their branding and outreach strategies.
Michelle Hulst: Operating Advisor. Michelle specializes in product development and supports portfolio companies in their innovation efforts.
Tom Iler: Operating Advisor. Tom has a strong background in technology and entrepreneurship, providing insights to help startups succeed.
Mia Jung: Operating Advisor. Mia specializes in operational strategy and supports startups in their growth journeys.
Louise Keely: Operating Advisor. Louise has experience in venture capital and provides strategic insights to portfolio companies.
Joanna Lambert: Operating Advisor. Joanna specializes in business development and helps portfolio companies expand their market reach.
Faye Landes: Operating Advisor. Faye has a background in finance and provides strategic guidance to portfolio companies.
Lori Tauber Marcus: Operating Advisor. Lori specializes in operational efficiency and helps portfolio companies streamline their processes.
Sarah-Marie Martin: Operating Advisor. Sarah-Marie has experience in technology and provides insights to help startups succeed.
Marta Martinez: Operating Advisor. Marta specializes in business strategy and supports startups in their growth efforts.
Martha McCully: Operating Advisor. Martha has a background in marketing and helps startups refine their messaging and outreach.
Susan Meisel: Operating Advisor. Susan specializes in product development and supports portfolio companies in their innovation efforts.
Wenda Harris Millard: Operating Advisor. Wenda has experience in venture capital and provides strategic insights to portfolio companies.
Dr. Ann Miller: Operating Advisor. Ann specializes in operational strategy and supports startups in their growth journeys.
Macy Mills: Operating Advisor. Macy has a background in technology and provides insights to help startups succeed.
Helen Murphy: Operating Advisor. Helen specializes in business development and helps portfolio companies expand their market reach.
Frost Prioleau: Operating Advisor. Frost has experience in venture capital and provides strategic insights to portfolio companies.
Heather Rafter: Operating Advisor. Heather specializes in operational efficiency and helps portfolio companies streamline their processes.
Tracey Frost Rensky: Operating Advisor. Tracey has a background in technology and provides insights to help startups succeed.
Annette Rodriguez: Operating Advisor. Annette specializes in business strategy and supports startups in their growth efforts.
Kenneth Rona: Operating Advisor. Kenneth has experience in marketing and helps startups refine their branding and outreach strategies.
Lisa Manowitz Rowley: Operating Advisor. Lisa specializes in product development and supports portfolio companies in their innovation efforts.
Marcy Shinder: Operating Advisor. Marcy has a strong background in technology and entrepreneurship, providing insights to help startups succeed.
Deborah Stambaugh: Operating Advisor. Deborah specializes in operational strategy and supports startups in their growth journeys.
Diane Teed: Operating Advisor. Diane has experience in venture capital and provides strategic insights to portfolio companies.
Mike Vorhaus: Operating Advisor. Mike specializes in operational efficiency and helps portfolio companies streamline their processes.
Rachel Weiss: Operating Advisor. Rachel has a background in technology and provides insights to help startups succeed.
Shira White: Operating Advisor. Shira specializes in business development and helps portfolio companies expand their market reach.
Linda Yaccarino: Operating Advisor. Linda has experience in marketing and helps startups refine their messaging and outreach.
Dr. Chia-Shing Yang: Operating Advisor. Chia-Shing specializes in product development and supports portfolio companies in their innovation efforts.
To pitch to The 98, founders should visit their website at the98.com. The firm prefers pitches that include a clear overview of the business model, market opportunity, and the team behind the startup. Founders should be prepared to discuss their growth strategy and how they plan to utilize the investment.
Response times may vary, but The 98 encourages warm introductions to increase the likelihood of engagement. Founders should ensure their pitch decks are concise and focused on the key aspects of their business.
Since its founding in 2022, The 98 has actively promoted its mission to support women-led startups. The firm has highlighted its focus on addressing the funding disparity in venture capital through various updates on its website. Notable portfolio companies have been showcased, emphasizing the firm's commitment to investing in technology businesses led by women.
As of March 2023, The 98 continues to expand its portfolio, which currently includes 8 companies. The firm remains dedicated to bridging the funding gap for women entrepreneurs, ensuring that they receive the necessary support to build successful technology companies.
What are The 98's investment criteria?
The 98 focuses on early stage technology businesses led by women. They invest in sectors such as commerce, media, healthcare, fintech, and legaltech. The firm looks for exceptional women founders who demonstrate the potential for high returns and impactful innovation.
How can I apply or pitch to The 98?
Founders can pitch their startups by visiting The 98's website at the98.com. The firm encourages women-led startups to reach out and share their business ideas.
What makes The 98 different from other venture capital firms?
The 98 is dedicated to addressing the funding gap for women-led startups, which receive only 2% of venture capital dollars. The firm not only provides capital but also operational expertise and a robust network to help women entrepreneurs succeed.
What is the geographic scope of The 98's investments?
The 98 focuses exclusively on startups based in the United States, ensuring that they can provide localized support and resources to their portfolio companies.
What is the typical check size for investments?
While specific check sizes are not disclosed, The 98 invests at various stages, including pre-seed, seed, and seed-plus, allowing them to tailor their investments to the needs of early stage companies.
What kind of post-investment involvement does The 98 have?
The 98 offers operational expertise and access to a network of resources to help portfolio companies navigate challenges and scale effectively. This support is integral to their investment strategy.
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