Meet the Investors Funding the Next Generation of Women Founders

For women looking to launch and expand their businesses, one of the most daunting challenges can be finding investors. According to PitchBook’s 2024 US All In report, over the past decade women-founded startups have secured only 2.3% of all venture capital funding. While most people view this statistic as a roadblock, we see it as an opportunity to create even more opportunities for women founders and investors .
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At Entreprenista, we know firsthand the dedication and creativity women founders bring to the table when building businesses. We also believe strongly that, when women founders support each other, everyone wins. That’s why we asked our community  to share the names of angel investors and venture capitalists who have played a key role in their success. When we speak each other's names in rooms we are not in, both online and in person, we create opportunities for meaningful connections and introductions that can lead to business and funding success. 

The good news? There are active investors out there who are passionate about championing women-founded businesses. And they offer much more than capital. 

These investors are mentors who understand the challenges of expanding a business. Many of them are founders themselves and can offer insight into how they overcame obstacles. They can provide access to new networks and help you reach different audiences while staying true to the message of your brand. 

Meet some of the investors who are funding the next generation of women founders, and right here you can get access to the full list we’ve compiled for you here. 

Jessica AI Hussaini is a venture capitalist at the New York-based firm Globivest. Globivest’s mission is to champion purpose-driven founders building companies that balance profit with positive change. The firm provides strategic and operational support to achieve sustainable growth. In her role, Hussaini works with emerging companies at the seed or series A+ stages. She has recently invested in several women-founded businesses such as BioSapien, Vibrant Planet, Kwara and Lyris.

Ruffin Mitchener is the founder of Brydge Club, a Los Angeles-based syndicate that backs primarily early-stage startups at the pre-seed and seed stages. Brydge Club’s mission is to bridge the gap between women in venture capital and female founders. Brydge Club has recently deployed over $200,000 to female founders. Mitchener has supported a variety of women-founded companies including GOB, Alinea Invest, Cadence, Hey Jane, August, Yardsale, Bumo and Offe Market. She also shares the stories of other inspiring female innovators and founders on her podcast Brydge Club.

Melissa Facchina is a co-founder of Siddhi Capital, a food and beverage growth equity firm based in NYC. She brings over 25 years of experience in the beverage and food industry to her role as an investor in seed, series A and series B brands. She has supported women-founded businesses including Mid-Day Squares,, Thistle, Abbots Butcher, Tea Drops, Little Spoon, Sakara and Hint. Additionally, Faccina co-founded a nonprofit organization in 2019 called the Women on Boards Project. The organization works to ensure that board seats are filled by diverse women in the consumer-packaged goods industry.

Amanda Schutzbank is the co-founder of Willow Growth Partners, a Los Angeles-based venture capital firm that works with founders during the early stages of their journeys. The firm's areas of focus include health & wellness, beauty, personal care, apparel & accessories, food & beverages, and baby & home. Willow Growth Partners provides both strategic guidance and operational expertise to accelerate scalable growth. Prior to Willow Growth Partners, Schutzbank worked in New York where she built one of the city’s most renowned portfolio support platforms, helping founders with recruiting, mentorship and board development. She also has experience in marketing and investment banking. 

Jesse Draper is a founding partner of Halogen, a venture capitalist firm based in Los Angeles. Halogen invests in seed, series A+, series B and C brands with a female in the founding team. Draper was the first solo female general partner in Los Angeles and is a fourth-generation venture capitalist. She has built a portfolio of over 70 companies including theSkimm, Babylist and ThirdLove. She is also the host of the MOMumental podcast and is a strong advocate for investing in women-founded businesses. 

Jessica Kamada is a managing partner of Swizzle Ventures, a Seattle-based firm investing in purpose-driven startups. Swizzle Ventures focuses on companies that strive to enhance health, community and well-being at the pre-seed and seed stages. Swizzle Ventures’ portfolio includes many women-founded or co-founded companies such as Ginko, Alinea, Trellis and Eli. Swizzle Ventures’ goal is to advance women’s health and wealth through pivotal life stages.  

Julie Castro Abrams is a managing partner of How Women Invest, a San Francisco-based venture capital firm. The firm funds women-led companies at the seed, series A+ and series B stages. Abrams is a gender and racial justice activist dedicated to changing laws to place more women on corporate boards. Her career is focused on creating more economic and leadership roles for women. Her portfolio includes women-founded companies such as BabyQuip, Hello Alice, Gaiascope and Statusphere. Abrams contributions have been recognized with numerous awards, and her work continues to create a more equitable future for women in business and leadership. 

Karen Chin is the COO and partner of Village Search Partners, a San Francisco-based investment fund dedicated to investing in women-led businesses. Village Search Partners is built on the belief that success stems from collaboration, community and mentorship. The fund works with businesses at the pre-seed and seed stages using a mentorship-driven approach to ensure founders are not only funded but also supported by advisors who understand them.  

Marcia Dawood is a venture partner with Mindshift Capital and a member of Golden Seeds, one of the largest angel groups in the U.S. She supports women-led companies at various stages working on solutions to global issues including access to clean water, medical advances and climate change. Dawood is also the author of Do Good While Doing Well, and she hosts a podcast. Through her work, she strives to inspire a new generation of entrepreneurs to use their businesses as a force for good. 

Tracey Chadwell is the founder of 1843 Capital, a Washington D.C.-based venture capitalist firm. The firm works with technology companies at the seed, series A and series B stages focused on improving the future of work, health and longevity. Named to Forbes’ “50 over 50” list and Entrepreneur Magazine’s “100 Powerful Women,” Chadwell is a recognized leader in the venture capital industry. 

Serena Williams is the founder and managing partner of Serena Ventures, a San Francisco-based venture capital firm dedicated to empowering diverse founders. Serena Ventures backs startups focusing on fintech, health & wellness, and deep tech, and has invested in women-founded companies including Parfait and HUED. Serena Ventures’ broad and diversified portfolio demonstrates its strategy of pairing capital with a strong commitment to empowering underrepresented founders and creating systemic change in the venture ecosystem.

Anu Duggal is the founding partner of Female Founders Fund, a New York-based venture capital firm. Female Founders Fund invests in early-stage technology companies founded by women. Duggal is a leader in the venture capitalist industry, named to Fortune’s “40 Under 40” list and featured in Business Insider’s “Ultimate List of Female Startup Investors.” She has backed some of the most influential women-led startups across fintech, healthcare and consumer industries, establishing herself as a leading advocate for gender equity in venture capital.

These women are just a few of the incredible investors shared by the Entreprenista community. You can view the full list here! 

Are you an investor who supports women-owned businesses? Connect with us here to be added to our investor list!