Capital F Launches $17M Fund to Empower the Female Economy

Capital F, a pioneering venture capital firm led by women, has successfully closed its inaugural fund at $17 million, focusing on businesses that cater to the "female economy." This term encompasses sectors where women significantly influence demand, including women’s health, digital commerce, and artificial intelligence tools.

Co-founders Margaret Coblentz and Dawn Dobras bring over 30 years of combined experience from their previous corporate roles, including leadership positions at Credo Beauty and Gap. Their decision to launch Capital F stemmed from a shared realization of the lack of female representation in venture capital. "If you had asked me maybe 15 years ago, ‘are you going to go into venture?’ I don’t know that I would have said yes," Coblentz remarked.

Through their fundraising journey, which included salon events aimed at engaging more women in investment, they managed to ensure that nearly 80% of their limited partners (LPs) are women. Notable LPs include Jenny Ming, CEO of Rothys, and Marta Benson, former CEO of Pottery Barn. Dobras highlighted that women often face barriers to accessing investment opportunities, stating, "We realized that many times women aren’t invited into the rooms to invest in funds."

Capital F adopts a collaborative approach, requiring potential founders to consult with at least two of their LPs before receiving funding. This strategy has fostered valuable relationships that extend beyond financial support, facilitating connections that lead to advisory roles and sales introductions. The firm has already invested in 13 early-stage companies, providing funding between $250,000 and $1 million.

Notable portfolio companies include telemedicine startup Hey Jane and the hormone-tracking platform Stardust. Dobras expressed excitement over their early exit with Steller Sleep, which was acquired by Google even before officially closing the fund: "That was a fun LP letter to write because we hadn’t even closed the fund and we’ve already had an exit."

Source: techcrunch.com