“Our model combines a high powered, engaged network of investors, a commitment to learning and added fuel of fund capital to create a system for growing great companies.”
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Women’s entrepreneurship is booming! As of 2019, there were 13 million women-owned businesses in the United States. Between 2014 and 2019, the number of women-owned businesses increased 21%, compared to a 9% increase among all businesses – a growth rate of nearly 2 1/2 times the national average.*
Women entrepreneurs are often determined innovators who have the potential to scale their businesses and contribute to the economy in countless ways. However, ultimate success requires access to capital and influential networks to propel growth – the same qualities that build market-leading companies.
When Golden Seeds was founded in 2005, women entrepreneurs represented less than 3% of all companies receiving start-up capital. The goal was to raise substantial capital for women entrepreneurs and to encourage both women and men to become active investors by providing a venue where they could learn and work together. In 2023, women-led companies represented 55% of all companies receiving early-stage funding, a substantial increase since our founding in 2005, but still a stark contrast to the 47% of all U.S. companies that are owned by women.
At Golden Seeds, investors review hundreds of investment opportunities each year. The companies are actively vetted, coached and advised by our network.
We offer an environment in which many of today’s most exciting women-led businesses receive capital and connections to grow and successfully exit. We aim to achieve market returns for our investors while at the same time creating lasting impact. **
Golden Seeds is proud of its contribution to the growth and vitality of women entrepreneurs.
* 2019 State of Women-Owned Business Report, American Express
** University of New Hampshire, Center for Venture Research
…delivering value to investors and entrepreneurs in a productive investment environment,
…while displaying an unwavering commitment to a core set of values that underpin all our activities.
The values we share, which continue to attract passionate, high-caliber investors and entrepreneurs to Golden Seeds, are:
Underpinning these values is our commitment to investor education. The Golden Seeds Knowledge Institute includes a comprehensive curriculum for angel investors to learn and grow. All courses are taught by experienced members of Golden Seeds who share their knowledge and insights.
Our focus on women-led companies is our differentiator. So is our unique three-pronged business approach.
Golden Seeds brings financial and intellectual capital to our companies and our investors. Our approach employs three primary components:
These components help fulfill Golden Seeds’ objectives for entrepreneurs and investors – whether the goal is wealth creation, increased knowledge, or determination to change the world.
Our organization was founded in 2005 with the mission of gender diversity and inclusion. This powerful idea has informed our 16 years of funding women-led companies.
This commitment to inclusion extends to women entrepreneurs of color, who represent half of all women-owned companies in the United States. We are acutely aware that women entrepreneurs of color, particularly those who are black, face a much steeper climb to achieve funding and success. We strive to create conditions that support the likelihood of funding and the support of diverse entrepreneurs.
With the knowledge that entrepreneurs and investors will benefit immeasurably from a more diverse entrepreneurial ecosystem, here are some of the specific actions we are taking:
We are committed to actively aligning ourselves with organizations that are focusing on these important issues. Such organizations may contact us at inclusion@goldenseeds.com.
This blog of June 2020 summarizes our commitment to this important issue.
