Include Venture Partners

High-Level Overview

Include Ventures is a San Francisco-based fund of funds manager founded in 2020 that invests at the intersection of alpha (financial returns), inclusion, and sustainability. The firm focuses on accelerating investment into emerging fund managers, particularly those led by women, Black, Latinx, Indigenous, and LGBTQ individuals, aiming to unlock untapped market opportunities and drive both strong financial returns and social impact. Its key sectors include cleantech, edtech, healthtech, fintech, and media, primarily in North America. Include Ventures operates within a holistic ecosystem that supports emerging managers and founders, fostering innovation and sustainable economic growth while addressing diversity and inclusion gaps in venture capital[1][2][5][6].

Origin Story

Include Ventures was launched as part of the broader VC Include platform, which was created in 2018 by Bahiyah Yasmeen Robinson, a recognized thought leader in asset management and impact investing. The firm officially formed in 2020 with key partners including Robinson and Taj Eldridge, who brings experience from banking and entrepreneurship. The idea emerged from the recognition that traditional venture capital overlooks vast opportunities by underinvesting in diverse founders and fund managers. Early traction includes managing a $250 million fund split between investments in Black and Brown-led fund managers and direct investments, emphasizing environmental, social, and governance (ESG) criteria[1][4][6].

Core Differentiators

• Unique Investment Model: Focuses on emerging fund managers from underrepresented groups, combining alpha generation with impact investing.
• Network Strength: Leverages a dynamic platform connecting General Partners and Limited Partners, supported by a broad ecosystem including mentorship and deal flow.
• Track Record: Supports firms managing over $4 billion in targeted assets under management (AUM) and has invested in 15 VC, growth, and buyout funds.
• Operating Support: Provides infrastructure and resources to build institutional-grade asset management firms, integrating United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into investment strategies[1][2][4].

Role in the Broader Tech Landscape

Include Ventures rides the growing trend of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in venture capital, addressing systemic funding gaps for diverse founders and managers. The timing is critical as investors increasingly seek sustainable and impact-driven opportunities alongside financial returns. Market forces such as heightened awareness of social justice, ESG investing, and the economic imperative of inclusive growth favor Include Ventures’ approach. By bridging capital to overlooked talent and sectors like cleantech and healthtech, the firm influences the broader ecosystem by expanding access, improving representation, and fostering innovation in emerging markets[1][2][3][4].

Quick Take & Future Outlook

Looking ahead, Include Ventures is poised to expand its influence by scaling investments in diverse fund managers and direct portfolio companies, further integrating impact metrics with financial performance. Trends such as increased institutional focus on ESG, growing demand for cleantech solutions, and the push for racial and gender equity in finance will shape its trajectory. The firm’s holistic ecosystem model positions it to be a leader in transforming venture capital into a more inclusive and sustainable industry, potentially setting new standards for how alpha and impact coexist in investment strategies[1][2][4]. This aligns with its founding mission to unlock untapped opportunities and drive long-term value for both investors and society.