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  • October 2018 (Revised October 2019)
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Arlan Hamilton and Backstage Capital

By: Laura Huang and Sarah Mehta
  • Format:Print
  • | Language:English
  • | Pages:20
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Abstract

Frustrated by an inability to convince existing venture capital firms to invest in companies led by women, people of color, and LGBT founders, Arlan Hamilton started her own firm, Backstage Capital, in 2015. Hamilton understood the untapped potential of companies run by underrepresented founders, a group historically excluded from venture capital funding, and was eager to demonstrate the significant returns on investment in such companies. This case explores Hamilton’s nontraditional VC background and her mission to fund startups where at least one founder of the company identifies as a woman, person of color, or LGBT. Now, three years after its founding, Hamilton is considering launching both an accelerator and a fund that will invest exclusively in Black women.

Keywords

Black Leadership; LGBTQ; Women; People Of Color; Entrepreneurship; Mission and Purpose; Venture Capital; Corporate Social Responsibility and Impact; Identity; Personal Characteristics; Prejudice and Bias; Social Issues; Diversity; Gender; Race

Citation

Huang, Laura, and Sarah Mehta. "Arlan Hamilton and Backstage Capital." Harvard Business School Case 419-029, October 2018. (Revised October 2019.)
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Related Work

    • July 2019
    • Faculty Research

    Arlan Hamilton and Backstage Capital

    By: Laura Huang
    • October 2018 (Revised October 2019)
    • Faculty Research

    Arlan Hamilton and Backstage Capital

    By: Laura Huang and Sarah Mehta
Related Work
  • Arlan Hamilton and Backstage Capital By: Laura Huang
  • Arlan Hamilton and Backstage Capital By: Laura Huang and Sarah Mehta
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