Starting and maintaining a business is no small undertaking, especially financially. Luckily, venture capital financing allows entrepreneurs to raise funding to get their businesses off the ground.
The best VC funds for female-led fashion businesses include Trust Fund, 500 Global, Amplifyher Ventures, BBG Ventures, Serena Ventures, and Female Founders Fund. Some celebrities are also angel investors that may engage in VC.
This article will explore all these VC funds in fashion in detail. If you’re a female entrepreneur or a woman in business, keep reading, and take notes of these amazing funds!
Best VC Funds for female fashion businesses
Trust Fund (Sophia Amaruso)
One of the most significant people all women in business should know about is Sophia Amoruso. You may already know her as the creator of Nasty Gal and Girlboss, but now she is a notable name in VC with her venture firm, Trust Fund.
This firm gives out checks between $50,000 and $150,000, mostly to digital consumer companies. If you own or want to start an online fashion business, Trust Fund may be just the investment you need.
500 Global
500 Global venture capital firm has over $2.5 billion in assets, and they are particularly interested in retail and fashion innovation, which makes it an excellent option for fashion business owners.
They provide funding for female entrepreneurs as well as LGBTQ+ founders. The firm has an impressive portfolio, with over 150 companies valued at over $100 million.
Amplifyher Ventures
This New York City-based venture capital fund invests in businesses built by women. They focus on fashion, E-commerce, and internet businesses. One of founder Tricia Black’s main goals is to put more women in leadership roles, so this VC focuses greatly on female-led business ventures.
BBG Ventures
BBG ventures only make investments in businesses with at least one female founder. They usually invest between $100,000 and $250,000 in companies that will reshape the way people live in the following areas:
Health
Wellbeing
Education
Work
Climate-friendly products
Overlooked consumers
Serena Ventures (Serena Williams)
One of the most influential celebrity-turned-investors is Serena Williams, whose VC fund Serena Ventures focuses on investing in early-stage companies.
The VC firm gives money to founders with diverse points of view, especially women. Their portfolio includes e-commerce, wellness, and health companies.
Female Founders Fund (Anu Duggal)
One of the most well-known VC funds for women is the Female Founders Fund. This VC fund focuses on women building businesses that challenge the status quo in their industry, including community-driven consumer brands and fashion businesses such as ELOQUII.
The goal is to buoy female-founded companies in the male-dominated business world. To date, FFF has invested in more than 50 women-led startups.
The founding partner of the Female Founders Fund is Anu Duggal, one of the most known female startup investors. She was the co-founder of Exclusively.in, which was a successful private sale e-commerce company.
Celebrity Angel Investors
Many celebrities are turning to angel investing which has opened up a whole new realm in the world of VC.
Demi Moore
Demi Moore isn’t a huge name in the VC world, but she is a relevant name for fashion businesses, as her first investment was Fashism, an outfit application. While many celebrity investors focus on tech and travel companies, Moore seems willing to think outside the box.
Gwyneth Paltrow
These days, Gwyneth Paltrow seems more focused on her company, Goop, which is in the lifestyle and wellness space, than her acting career. She has also made significant angel investments in many types of companies, including wellness and fashion.
Ashton Kutcher
Kutcher is one of the most well-known celebrity angel investors, with nearly 70 investments under his belt. He focuses mostly on tech and travel, though his portfolio is varied, and he likely wouldn’t be opposed to the right fashion company.
Conclusion
The world of business can seem challenging, particularly for female entrepreneurs in the fashion industry. However, as we've explored, there's a wealth of resources, support, and venture capital funding available, designed to fuel your dreams and business objectives.
These venture capital funds and angel investors, such as Trust Fund, 500 Global, Amplifyher Ventures, BBG Ventures, Serena Ventures, and the Female Founders Fund, stand as powerful advocates for female-led businesses.
They're not just providing funding, but also championing diverse perspectives and innovation, pushing the boundaries, and reshaping the future of the fashion industry. Inspiring figures like Sophia Amoruso and Serena Williams, alongside celebrities like Demi Moore, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Ashton Kutcher, are investing in the dreams of entrepreneurs like you, amplifying the voices and visions of women in the business world.
Their efforts are helping to level the playing field, diversify the business landscape, and contribute to a more equitable and vibrant fashion sector. So, whether you're at the beginning stages of your venture or looking to expand, these venture capital funds and angel investors offer a viable path forward.
They represent an exciting opportunity for female entrepreneurs to turn their innovative ideas into reality and challenge the status quo. Keep their names in your notes, aim high, believe in your ideas, and remember, in the world of fashion and entrepreneurship, the world is your runway!