Paul Grossinger, Founder, Gaingels + Ben Stokes, Founding Partner, Chasing Rainbows + Densil Porteous, CEO, Pride Fund w/ Julie Ruvolo, Head of Venture Capital Coverage, NYSE (Moderator)
Last month I had the honor of participating in a thought-provoking panel on impact investment, hosted by Julie Ruvolo, Head of Venture Capital Coverage at NYSE. The event brought together leaders in the venture capital community to discuss the importance of diversity and inclusion in investment decisions.
Joining me were Paul Grossinger, Founder of Gaingels, and Ben Stokes, Founding Partner of Chasing Rainbows. Paul’s journey from founding Gaingels to transforming it into a venture firm that has invested over $800 million in 800+ companies, including numerous unicorns, is truly inspiring. His commitment to the LGBTQ+ community through venture capital is a testament to the impact of inclusive investing.
Ben Stokes shared his remarkable career path, from the successful creation and exit of SocialTable to becoming a champion in the venture capital world with Chasing Rainbows. His influence as an Angel Investor and Advisor has led to significant exits and valuable markups, proving his expertise in nurturing potential and generating value.
As CEO of Pride Fund, I emphasized our mission to foster innovation and support diverse entrepreneurs within the LGBTQ+ community. The venture capital industry has traditionally been challenging for underrepresented groups. At Pride Fund, we challenge this status quo by creating opportunities for LGBTQ+ founders to thrive, enabling them to live their most authentic lives and contribute to economic growth.
The discussion underscored the vital role of investment in driving social change. By making investment decisions that consider diversity and inclusion, we not only support marginalized communities but also enhance economic innovation and growth.
A special thank you to Julie Ruvolo for her excellent moderation and to all the panelists for their invaluable insights. Together, we are making strides towards a more inclusive and equitable venture capital landscape.
