Valuable. Validated. Vital.
être Venture Capital believes it has identified opportunities in underserved markets that will increase returns to limited partners. être invests in entrepreneurial women, minority leaders, and those outside traditional networks whose science and technology companies work to solve big societal challenges that have a large market demand. Our two primary strategies are to invest at key early stages and collaborate with startup teams to commercialize their technology.
What We Do
1. We identify founders that have developed a validated solution that addresses a critical gap that has high market demand.
2. We know it's crucial to invest in early stages, when a startup needs a first investor or a first lead investor who can unlock capital waiting in the wings.
3. We supercharge the startup team’s potential with coaching, fundraising prep, investor introductions and networking in an inclusive venture capital ecosystem.
4. We partner with startups for the long haul as they scale operations and commercialize.
Join our community as an investor, fund manager, founder, fractional talent or service provider.
être Capitalizes on Two Gaps in US Venture Capital Market:
Overlooked founders are hungry for investment + work 2X harder!
By some estimates 40% of VC investors are alumni of Harvard or Stanford, and only 2% of venture capital was invested in female-founded companies in 2021. These market inefficiencies represent untapped opportunities.
Traditional VCs favor software but it can’t halt climate change or build affordable housing.
There's a lack of early-stage investment into science and technology companies that manufacture products that have high market demand.
Meet Our Portfolio Companies
Learn about their solutions here.
Worldwide, the primary sources of fuel have been either plant-based wood or fossil fuels. Neither is sustainable. Hexas developed a solution: a proprietary low-cost crop, XanoGrass™, that yields more biomass per acre than any other non-wood biomass, is carbon negative in production, can be harvested on demand, grows on marginal land in multiple climates, and has low input requirements.
The US Department of Agriculture is now a partner with Hexas in XanoGrass™ production and soil carbon measurement. The Department of Energy granted $1.75M to derisk the use of XanoFiber™ in biofuel applications (to test and optimize the biorefining process). Hexas was selected to work with the National Renewable Energy Laboratory on biolubricants made from XanoFiber™ by Shell Gamechanger in 2023. Hexas has customers and collaborators working on industrial-scale pilots and product development. être Venture Capital was the first to invest in Hexas with a goal to fund international patents.
Why Invest with être?
“être is bringing about actionable change by providing capital, mentorship and strategic thinking to teams like Obatala Sciences. Their knowledge of the venture capital landscape from both the existing and historical perspectives, and their willingness to step up to lead are invaluable to traditionally under-invested founders.”
— Trivia Frazier, PhD, MBA | Co-Founder & CEO | Obatala Sciences
“At être's Women in VC class I learned how venture capital should accelerate innovation and not stifle it with onerous investment terms. être was the first to invest in Hexas and is prepared to lead our seed round if other VCs undervalue what we are building.”
— Wendy Owens | Founder & CEO | Hexas Biomass
The Latest
Support in Action
Venture capital has been a male-dominated field with only 2% of venture capital invested into female-founded companies. être is opening up this field. We're developing an inclusive ecosystem, education, and resources to supercharge the potential of talented founders, managers, and investors.
Venture Capital Ecosystem
We're building an ecosystem of diverse fund managers, limited partners, founders, talent, and service providers who will mutually gain from — and contribute back to — the community.
Open Access Venture Capital Education
We provide educational resources to increase the knowledge, imagination, and opportunity that was often stifled by the exclusivity that dominated VC.
Transparent Templates & Documents
We provide open access to the term sheets and closing documents être uses to close deals. Series A closing documents can cost $50,000+. We are demystifying the process to set up founders and fund managers for success.
Upcoming Events & Class
Venture Capital 101 for Women Begins in October 2nd, 2024
être managing partner Jennifer Kuan, Ph.D. teaches Venture Capital 101 for Women twice a year in fall and winter to explain how venture capital works.
Who should take this class?
- Women who are curious about venture capital
- New fund managers, limited partners, entrepreneurs, fractional talent and service providers
- Seasoned industry veterans who want to learn more about the history of venture capital and how collaboration led to its success
Fund Managers
Limited Partners
Startups
