Historically, underrepresented founders have had less access to startup venture capital and greater difficulties in securing funding to bring ideas to fruition. Amazon teams will also work with the startups to identify partnership and product collaboration opportunities that could accelerate their growth. In addition to capital, the companies in the funds’ portfolios will receive mentorship from Amazon executives and gain access to resources to support their business and technical strategy. “We hope that our investment will be catalytic-sparking a force-multiplying effect by inspiring others to invest in these companies, fostering inclusion and innovation, positively impacting communities, and creating generational wealth and financial return.'įounder and CEO of fintech startup EMTECH We want to ensure that these companies and their founders have the same access to capital as anyone else,' said Peter Krawiec, Amazon’s senior vice president of worldwide corporate development. “We’ve seen incredibly innovative ideas from underrepresented entrepreneurs-from companies offering inclusive health services for women to startups helping companies mitigate climate impact for underserved communities-and we’re convinced that an inclusive investment strategy leads to better returns and innovation. Amazon expects to support more than 10 funds and over 200 companies through the next year. The company will invest in funds that focus on Black, Latino, Indigenous, women, and LGBTQIA+ founders. Amazon is launching Amazon Catalytic Capital, a new initiative to invest $150 million into venture capital (VC) funds, accelerators, incubators, and venture studios that provide funding to entrepreneurs from underrepresented backgrounds, primarily at the pre-seed/seed stage of venture capital funding.

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