Densil R. Porteous named CEO
June 1, 2020–Columbus, Ohio
LOUD Capital, an early-stage venture capital firm, announced Densil R. Porteous as Chief Executive Officer for their LGBTQ+ community-focused venture fund, Pride Fund 1. Navin Goyal, co-founder and CEO of LOUD, adds: “From the inception of the fund, we realized we needed a dynamic representative of the community who not only understood the venture and startup spaces but who also had a desire to shape a legacy. We were lucky to find Densil right here in Columbus.”
With a keen interest in the tech and startup, Porteous has advised and worked with partners like VarsityBooks.com/The Varsity Group, Zinch acquired by Chegg, Vireo Labs, Ulyngo (acquired by Modo Labs), Acceptd, RaiseMe, Rev1 Ventures, Juggle, TicketFire, GetAccepted (acquired by The Princeton Review), and LEAP.
Pride Fund 1, a $10 million fund, aims to empower a generation of LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs through venture capital by investing in early-stage and growth companies led by LGBTQ+ people. In the U.S., less than 1% of deals go in favor of LGBTQ+ founders (Source: Backstage Capital). “I am excited to contribute my talents and passion to the community in this way. We have an opportunity to make a significant impact and leave an enhanced legacy,” said Porteous.
Joining a handful of Black leaders of venture funds, Porteous, who identifies as gay, has served in executive leadership roles on several local, regional, and national boards while having had a notable career in education administration.
Completing the leadership team is Michael J. Smithson, Board Chair; T. Wolf Starr, Managing Partner, and Lindsay Karas Stencel, Legal Counsel. Smithson, is a community activist, entrepreneur, and founder of LEAP. Starr, who brought the fund idea and initial partners to Goyal, is the chief executive officer at Atlas Venture Partners. Karas Stencel, a venture capitalist, is a law firm partner specializing in VC and emerging companies.
The teams at LOUD Capital and Pride Fund 1 are excited to celebrate as part of the LGBTQ+ community this PRIDE!
***
LOUD Capital is an early-stage venture capital firm that provides capital, entrepreneurship, and education to grow impactful companies worldwide. LOUD Capital is Venture For People®
Pride Fund 1 is an early-stage and growth venture capital fund with an aim to empower a generation of LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs to pursue and obtain their “passion” of owning and operating their own business.
Atlas Venture Partners is a connection engine focused on fostering innovation. From events to advocacy, Atlas has become a voice of venture for the midwest to the coasts and beyond.
Press Contact: info@pride.vc
Investor Contact: investor@pride.vc
