Backstage Capital
Venture capitalLos Angeles · Pre-Seed–Series A · 4 people tracked
Also known as Backstage Capital Accelerator
Investment thesis
Backstage Capital invests in early-stage startups led by underestimated founders — people of color, women, and LGBT entrepreneurs — with the goal of minimizing systemic funding gaps in technology. Founded in 2015, the firm has raised more than $15 million and backed over 170 companies. Its affiliated Backstage Studio launched accelerator programs for underrepresented founders across Detroit, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, and London.
Source: firm website, verified Aug 3, 2026.
Team · 4 people
from the firm's website & curated & public directories
What they invest in
from 95 of 205 portfolio companiesConsumer ×35AI & Machine Learning ×16Fintech ×15Healthtech ×13Media & Entertainment ×13SaaS ×13Hardware ×10Wellness & Fitness ×9
HQs:United States×60Canada×1United Kingdom×1Taiwan×1
Investments · 205 tracked
founders shown can be your intro path
Airfordable offers flexible payment plans for flight and hotel bookings, allowing customers to pay over time without requiring upfront costs or credit checks.
B2B MarketplacesFintechTravel & HospitalityChicago, US
Reflekt creates an enterprise e-commerce platform that enables shoppers to view products modeled by people who match their own characteristics, focusing on diversity and body representation in fashion and beauty retail.
Creator EconomyE-commerceMarketing TechRetail TechSaaSSandy Springs, US
Dr. Gerald Mitchell(Co-founder)Tope(Founder)
The Juggernaut is a media technology company that publishes original journalism about South Asia and the South Asian diaspora, targeting both diaspora communities and general readers interested in the region.
ConsumerMarketing TechMedia & EntertainmentNew York City, US
Snigdha Sur(Founder)in
Adventurely is a global club membership offering pay-as-you-go access to workspaces including hotels, restaurants, coworking studios, spas, and third spaces across a worldwide network.
B2B MarketplacesFuture of WorkPropTechWellness & FitnessNew York City, US
AfroSpace is a community clubhouse that provides physical space and organizes gatherings for community groups, particularly focused on Black women, LGBTQ+ individuals, and allies.
SocialCharlotte, US
Afrocenchix creates vegan, cruelty-free hair care products designed specifically for Afro, tightly coiled, and curly hair.
ConsumerDirect to Consumer
A tech-enabled brick-and-mortar community space offering personalized wellness products and curated self-care for Black women and people with afros.
Akash Systems develops thermal management technology for AI servers and semiconductors using diamond cooling, enabling improved performance and energy efficiency across data centers, automotive, and communications applications.
AI & Machine LearningHardwareSemiconductors
Alex Carter(Founder & CEO)
A Kids Company produces children's books and podcasts covering challenging and important topics for kids, plus a companion app.
ConsumerEdTechMedia & Entertainment
AMP is an online beauty marketplace curating clean, non-toxic beauty products for all textures, genders, and shades with a focus on sustainability and eco-friendly brands.
ConsumerDirect to ConsumerE-commerceWellness & FitnessLos Angeles, US
A producer of wireless, cable-free professional loudspeaker systems with patent-pending technology reducing setup time and location constraints.
Ava Carrington designs and sells luxury handbags made from vegan leather and sustainable fabrics, targeting consumers who prioritize ethical fashion.
ConsumerDirect to Consumer
Greenville, US
KWAME ANKU(Director)ARSHAD SYED(Executive Officer)SAMOTRIA HOLMES(Executive Officer)HAROLD HUGHES(Executive Officer)GREG SMITH(Director)
Beautycon hosts educational events and conferences centered on beauty, makeup, and hair culture, bringing together creators, brands, and enthusiasts for masterclasses, product discovery, and community experiences.
ConsumerCreator EconomyMedia & EntertainmentLos Angeles, US
Moj Mahdara(Executive Officer, Director)Kelly Mullins(Director)Elizabeth Braiman(Director)
Boulder, US
Andrea Guendelman(Executive Officer, Director)Silvia Travesani(Executive Officer, Director)
A sustainable personal care line made with bamboo fibers offering an eco-friendly alternative to traditional toilet paper.
A tech ecosystem in underserved cities that teaches people to code, builds companies to solve major challenges, and develops infrastructure for talent and opportunity.
A subscription video platform that helps Black viewers discover and watch content created by and featuring Black creators and performers.
ConsumerMedia & EntertainmentNew York City, US
Blue Fever is a social platform designed for young people to express themselves and find mental health support through private AI conversations, group journaling, and peer support communities.
AI & Machine LearningHealthtechMental HealthSocialWellness & FitnessMarina del Rey, US
Lauren Tracy(Executive Officer)
A platform connecting readers and authors through reader-to-reader communities, dynamic content, live events, and videos.
A life management tool helping users collect, complete, and track tasks with community support and personalized insights.
CareAcademy provides training, certification, and workforce management software for healthcare providers including home care agencies, home health services, senior living facilities, and hospice organizations.
EdTechHealthtechHR TechCambridge, US
Madhuri Reddy(Executive Officer)Helen Adeosun(Executive Officer, Director)
Career Karma is a platform that matches individuals with career training programs across tech, AI, trades, and skilled careers.
B2B MarketplacesEdTechFuture of WorkSan Francisco, US
Timur Meyster(Executive Officer, Director, Promoter)Ruben A. Harris(Executive Officer, Director, Promoter)Garry Tan(Director)Artur Meyster(Executive Officer, Director, Promoter)
A corporate fertility solution expanding access to comprehensive fertility services and coverage for all employees.
Carrot is a global fertility and family-building platform that provides access to fertility care, maternity support, and family-building guidance for individuals and families.
FemTechHealthtechSan Francisco, US
Plural is an AI-powered platform that helps enterprises and organizations analyze legislation and anticipate policy impacts through bill summarization, topic detection, advanced search, and tracking across state and federal jurisdictions.
AI & Machine LearningGovTechLegalTechMounds View, US
DAMOLA OGUNDIPE(Executive Officer, Director)
CloudNine AI provides an associative enterprise context infrastructure that unifies and governs complex data across legacy systems without modifying source data.
AI & Machine LearningData & InfrastructureDeveloper ToolsEnterprise SoftwareSanta Monica, US
A production company creating diverse, premium film, TV, and digital content featuring underrepresented talent and voices.
Color Farm Media is a media production company that creates content and campaigns, including impact-focused projects.
Media & Entertainment
Couplet Coffee operates specialty coffee shops and sells coffee beans and brewing equipment online.
ConsumerDirect to ConsumerFoodTechLos Angeles, US
A holistic programming language and infrastructure platform designed to simplify backend web service development and make coding more accessible.
Dollaride accelerates electrification of passenger van fleets in New York City by providing access to electric vehicles, charging infrastructure, financing, and workforce development for underserved communities and small fleet operators.
CleantechFintechImpact & Social GoodMobility & TransportationNew York City, US
A platform offering machine learning voicebots for small to mid-sized businesses to automate customer interactions and workflows.
An e-learning platform using cognitive gaming to help student-athletes understand their position and improve preparation through virtual practice.
AI compliance management software that runs enterprise-scale governance, risk, and control protocols integrated into engineering workflows.
An industrial IoT company enabling secure communications and private exchanges between devices through distributed network technology.
A commercial fleet management company providing labor supply and goods movement with a technology-driven platform for efficiency.
Pierre Laguerre(Executive Officer)
An app and community founded by musician Kehlani making mindfulness accessible and enjoyable through challenges and community engagement.
A platform helping individuals and organizations achieve wellness goals through team challenges and behavior change support.
Ann Arbor, US
Rachna Govani(Executive Officer, Director)Josh Hendler(Director)Ellen Gustafson(Director)
An investment app providing personalized wealth journeys and comprehensive wealth management through subscription-based financial planning.
FintechCharlotte, US
Browse all 205 investments with full details →
▶5 more tracked companies
Frequently asked questions
- What stage does Backstage Capital invest at?
- Backstage Capital invests at the Pre-Seed, Seed, Series A stages.
- What is Backstage Capital's typical check size?
- Backstage Capital typically writes checks of $50K.
- What sectors does Backstage Capital focus on?
- Backstage Capital focuses on Sector Agnostic.
- Where is Backstage Capital located?
- Backstage Capital is headquartered in Los Angeles, US.
- Does Backstage Capital lead rounds?
- Backstage Capital typically participates in rounds rather than leading them.
Media · Podcasts & interviews
featuring the teamArlan Hamilton of Backstage Capital
SXSW · Arlan Hamilton
Your First Million with Backstage Capital Founder Arlan Hamilton
Technically Speaking · Arlan Hamilton
Arlan Hamilton, Founder & Managing Partner of Backstage Capital, joins NYSE Floor Talk
New York Stock Exchange · Arlan Hamilton
Investing in Underrepresented Tech Founders with Arlan Hamilton's Backstage Capital
Scott Hanselman · Arlan Hamilton
From homeless to millionaire & venture capitalist, meet Arlan Hamilton of Backstage Capital #podcast
The Style That Binds Us · Arlan Hamilton
Backstage Capital Founder Arlan Hamilton On The Secret To Writing Better Emails
ForbesWomen · Arlan Hamilton
Images
Co-investors · 45
Both backed Career Karma · EDLYFT · Planet FWD · Uncharted
Both backed BeautyCon · Mahmee · SoLo Funds
Both backed Infinite Objects · SoLo Funds · SoLo
Both backed CurlMix · Haute Hijab · Healthy Roots Dolls
Both backed Civic Eagle · Shop Latinx · Kiira
Both backed Carrot Fertility · The Juggernaut
Both backed Planet FWD · Uncharted
Both backed Loop · Squad
Both backed Maven
Both backed Maven
Both backed Dollaride
Both backed Maven
▶33 more co-investors
Vista Venture PartnersBread And Butter Ventures, LlcChingona VenturesMotley Fool VenturesCraft VenturesBessemer Venture PartnersPioneerQueensBridge Venture PartnersUpfront VenturesWEEKENDVibe CapitalLOI VentureBedrockShaan All Accessfoobar.vcK2 GlobalBasementActive CapitalBECO CapitalForum VenturesParadox CapitalColor CapitalThe ClubSaaSholicGanas VenturesOVO FundSUPPLY CHANGE CAPITALHyperplane Venture CapitalInterlock CapitalCollab Capital42Phi VenturesInclude Venture PartnersRareBreed Ventures
Firms observed investing alongside Backstage Capital, from public investor directories. Shared companies are the overlap with Backstage Capital's recorded portfolio.
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