Fundraising Fox
Phirst Market Ventures
Venture capitalPhiladelphia · Pre-Seed–Seed · 3 people tracked
Find your way into Phirst Market Ventures
116 people in our graph share verified history with the Phirst Market Ventures team — schools, employers, funds. One of them is your warm intro.
Investment thesis
Phirst Market Ventures backs early-stage (seed and pre-seed) companies led by underestimated founders, with a core focus on startups having at least one black or brown female founder or C-suite executive. The firm looks for diverse teams, big ideas targeting $1B+ markets, and companies pursuing product-market fit where it can be the first institutional capital. It is industry agnostic but concentrates where its team can add value. Geographically it invests along the central Atlantic coast from Washington, DC to New York City, giving preference to Philadelphia-based companies, and aims to support businesses that positively impact local economies. It offers integrated capital through grants, loans and patient equity.
Source: firm website, verified Aug 7, 2026.
Team · 3 people
from public directories
What they invest in
from 5 of 12 portfolio companiesConsumer ×4Direct to Consumer ×3E-commerce ×2AI & Machine Learning ×1Circular Economy ×1FoodTech ×1Impact & Social Good ×1Media & Entertainment ×1
HQs:United States×4
Investments · 12 tracked
founders shown can be your intro pathAn innovation-focused venture founded in 2014 by an investor and executive coach with experience coaching venture-backed founders.
Lenore Champagne Beirne(Founder)in
Elari produces a fiber-rich breakfast cereal made from tigernuts (root vegetables) and rice, formulated to be allergen-free and naturally sweet without artificial ingredients.
ConsumerDirect to ConsumerFoodTechWellness & Fitness
KennySola
Provides analysis and strategic insight to the philanthropic and social sector through tools for collaboration, tracking, and data analysis.
Grant Blvd was a Philadelphia-based fashion company founded in 2017 that designed and produced garments using sustainably sourced materials while employing individuals facing barriers to work and paying living wages.
Circular EconomyConsumerImpact & Social GoodPhiladelphia, US
Kimberly
Honey Blowout is a direct-to-consumer hair care brand that sells branded hair products including the Honey Blowout and Melt product lines.
ConsumerDirect to ConsumerE-commerceNew York, US
Carla Clarkson(Founder)in
Philly Experiences offers cultural tours, food experiences, and community events in Philadelphia that center Black history, art, and local businesses.
ConsumerMedia & EntertainmentSocialTravel & HospitalityPhiladelphia, US
Chrissy Watts(Founder/Experience Curator)in
Sledge Scarves sells scarves and offers "The Strand Sistah," an AI companion, on a subscription basis bundled with scarf purchases.
AI & Machine LearningDirect to ConsumerE-commerce
Other
Tracked investments with no reachable website or further public details — typically companies that wound down, renamed, or were absorbed.
AshayBiolaticeElariTrapezium Math ClubTribaja
Frequently asked questions
- How many investments has Phirst Market Ventures made?
- Phirst Market Ventures has 12 tracked investments.
- What stage does Phirst Market Ventures invest at?
- Phirst Market Ventures invests at the Pre-Seed, Seed stages.
- What is Phirst Market Ventures's typical check size?
- Phirst Market Ventures typically writes checks of $10K – $250K.
- What sectors does Phirst Market Ventures focus on?
- Phirst Market Ventures focuses on Consumer, Direct to Consumer, HR Tech, Impact & Social Good, SaaS.
- Where is Phirst Market Ventures located?
- Phirst Market Ventures is headquartered in Philadelphia, US.
- Does Phirst Market Ventures lead rounds?
- Phirst Market Ventures typically participates in rounds rather than leading them.
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