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Visible Hands is a venture capital firm founded in 2020, dedicated to empowering underrepresented founders, particularly women and people of color, in launching high-growth startups. Based in the United States, the firm has raised an $11 million fund and has made over 57 investments to date. The founders, Justin Kang, Daniel Acheampong, and Yasmin Cruz Ferrine, established Visible Hands to address the barriers faced by these founders in accessing capital, resources, and connections. The firm is recognized for its commitment to fostering a more inclusive startup ecosystem, providing not only financial support but also a comprehensive development platform for its portfolio companies.
Visible Hands operates various programs, including the VHNYC and VHBOS Founder Fellowships, which are designed to support early-stage entrepreneurs through mentorship, resources, and networking opportunities. The firm has built a reputation as a trusted partner for underrepresented founders, focusing on the pre-seed and seed stages of company development. By leveraging partnerships with organizations like Google for Startups and Amazon, Visible Hands enhances its support network, ensuring that founders receive the guidance and resources necessary to succeed in their ventures.
Visible Hands invests primarily in early-stage, underrepresented founders who are building high-growth, tech and tech-enabled businesses. The firm focuses on the pre-seed and seed stages, with a commitment to sectors such as consumer products, fintech, healthcare, and beauty. The investment strategy includes check sizes ranging from $25,000 to $200,000, allowing for initial investments and follow-on funding as companies grow. Visible Hands seeks to identify and support founders who demonstrate potential for venture-scale growth, particularly those who face systemic barriers in accessing traditional funding sources.
The firm emphasizes a tailored approach to support, providing resources that extend beyond capital. This includes a 14-week accelerator program that equips founders with the skills and knowledge needed to navigate the startup landscape effectively. Visible Hands is particularly interested in companies that leverage technology to create innovative solutions within their respective industries. By focusing on underrepresented founders, the firm aims to create a diverse portfolio that reflects a wide range of perspectives and experiences, ultimately contributing to a more equitable startup ecosystem.
Visible Hands has built a diverse portfolio of over 57 companies, showcasing its commitment to supporting underrepresented founders across various sectors. Notable investments include **Akoma Health**, a healthcare startup based in Lagos, Nigeria, which aims to improve health outcomes in underserved communities. **Candoor**, an education-focused company located in Ann Arbor, MI, is another key portfolio company that addresses educational disparities. In the beauty sector, **Parfait** is disrupting the wig industry, while **Swella** is revolutionizing hair braiding with innovative solutions.
Other significant investments include **Aura Finance**, a financial services company in San Francisco, CA, and **Drooler**, a sports and entertainment startup. Additionally, **Crafted**, a creator tools company based in New York, NY, exemplifies the firm's focus on tech-enabled businesses. The geographic diversity of the portfolio spans major cities such as New York, Boston, Chicago, Lagos, and Nairobi, reflecting Visible Hands' global investment strategy and commitment to fostering innovation in various markets.
Justin Kang - Co-founder, focused on empowering underrepresented founders and fostering an inclusive startup ecosystem.
Daniel Acheampong - Co-founder, dedicated to supporting early-stage entrepreneurs through mentorship and resources.
Yasmin Cruz Ferrine - Co-founder, passionate about addressing barriers to access for diverse founders.
Founders interested in pitching to Visible Hands should apply through their website at visiblehands.vc. The firm prefers applications through their fellowship programs rather than cold pitches, allowing them to better assess the potential of each founder and their business.
Visible Hands operates the VHNYC and VHBOS Founder Fellowships, which provide tailored support to underrepresented founders. These programs include mentorship, resources, and networking opportunities designed to help entrepreneurs succeed in their ventures. The fellowship programs are a key component of Visible Hands' commitment to fostering a more inclusive startup ecosystem.
Visible Hands primarily invests in the pre-seed and seed stages of company development. This focus allows the firm to support founders at the earliest stages of their entrepreneurial journey, providing the necessary resources and capital to help them build and scale their businesses.
Founders interested in pitching to Visible Hands should apply through their programs rather than cold pitching. The firm encourages applications to their fellowship programs, which provide tailored support and resources to selected founders.
Visible Hands invests in a variety of sectors, including consumer products, fintech, healthcare, and beauty. The firm is particularly interested in tech and tech-enabled businesses that demonstrate potential for high growth.
The typical check size for investments made by Visible Hands ranges from $25,000 to $200,000. This includes initial investments and potential follow-on funding as companies progress.
Visible Hands has a global investment strategy, with a strong focus on the United States. The firm has also made investments in international markets, including notable companies in Lagos, Nigeria, and Nairobi.
In addition to capital, Visible Hands offers a comprehensive founder development platform, including a 14-week accelerator program, fellowship programs, and wellness retreats. These initiatives are designed to equip founders with the skills and resources needed to succeed in their ventures.
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