Next Wave Impact

We are working to increase diversity, inclusion, and impact in early-stage investing and our entrepreneurial ecosystem through our innovative learning-by-doing progressive fund model. Our current global fund has 99 women investors, 25 of them women of color, which is led by an experienced investment committee of ten women. We have built a portfolio of 15 companies, diversified across industry and geography, over a three-year investment period and are now focused on follow-on investments. 100% of our portfolio companies are led by women and people of color. We made 6-8 investments in each of the first two years as well as some selected follow-on investments. We are excited about this model, building on two pilots in the United States and Europe We will look to invest in companies that we feel meet the following criteria: -Sustainable Competitive Advantage: Competitive advantages can include high barriers to entry (if no IP, then trade secrets that can allow a reasonable amount of time to become a market leader), disruptive technology, etc. The company should foresee creating some type of unique marketing position. -Strong, Well-Balanced Management Team: Should include knowledge of the industry, their product, and competitor’s product as well as an understanding of where their product fits in the future trending of their industry. Should have the enthusiasm and the ability to execute their plan. -Strong preference for serial entrepreneurs who have successfully exited in the past, are coachable and communicate well with their investors. -Market Opportunity: The market ideally would have room for growth and offer the opportunity to capitalize on attractive industry trends. -Balanced and diverse growth strategy which addresses both vertical as well as horizontal growth. -Product/Service Differentiation (No “Me-too” companies) -Has a Plan B as well as Plan A, in addition to a clear exit strategy (or, in cases of alternative financing vehicles, a clear path to the repayment of investment + return).