Elevate Capital Newsletter

February 2021

Celebrating 10 Inspiring Black Entrepreneurs During Black History Month

The 2021 theme for Black History Month is “The Black Family: Representation, Identity and Diversity.” These words resonate in Elevate Capital's vision of diversity and inclusion, creating awareness, and investing in underrepresented minority entrepreneurs' dreams.

In honor of this month, we celebrate Black entrepreneurs we have invested in, who we support through mentor capital. We also celebrate and recognize members of the Elevate team and its investors, who work tirelessly to make it all happen. Our 10 inspiring Black entrepreneurs share advice on overcoming challenges and keeping their vision clear. 

Lateef Jackson Joins TiE Oregon Board

Congratulations to Lateef Jackson, Venture Partner with Elevate Capital, on joining the TiE Oregon Board. Lateef is an entrepreneur, advisor, and investor focusing on healthcare technology. He is passionate about investing in non-traditionally funded founders.

"I am humbled to not only be the first African American Board Member in Oregon but also in the 22 US /North American TiE Chapters. I am excited at the opportunity to be more involved with such an amazing group of individuals who are involved with TiE Oregon,” said Lateef.

Wevo Hires Vice President of Customer Success & Strategic Alliances

WEVO, an Elevate Capital portfolio company, recently welcomed Jenni Bruckman as Vice President of Customer Success & Strategic Alliances. 

WEVO’s human augmented AI model allows marketers to optimize not only live websites but also concept designs, without the need for live traffic. Wevo is a customer experience company that offers the fastest platform for pinpointing why visitors are not engaging.

Elevate Capital in the News

• Geekwire: Elevate Capital raises $26M for second fund to invest more dollars into minority-led startups (read article)

• Portland Business Journal: Elevate Capital secures $26M of Fund II, makes 6 investments (read article)

• Wall Street Journal: Fund Brings Returns From Diverse Portfolio (read article)

• Afrotech: Elevate Capital Launches $40M Fund to Queue Up Investments in Six Startups All Led By Black Founders (read article)

• Blue Mountain Eagle: Elevate Capital Launches $40 Million Fund II to Expand Mission of Inclusive Investing (read article)

Portfolio Companies Are Hiring

• Blendoor

• Bumped

• BrandLive

• GrowthPlug

• LegUp

• Obatala Sciences

• Minnow

• Time Study

• ToolBelt

• TrovaTrip

• True Lark

Upcoming Virtual Events

February 17 (5:30 pm) – Pitch Club, Mock Investor Meeting, TiE Oregon

February 22 (10:00 am) – Bizwomen Mentoring Monday, Portland Business Journal

February 23 (Noon) – Conversation with Josh Harwood, City Economist for City of Portland, TiE Oregon

February 24 (2:00–4:00 pm) – Confessions of an Entrepreneur with Allison Hartsoe, TiE Oregon

April 6 (5:30 pm) – TiE University State Pitch Competition, TiE Oregon

May 6-8 – TiEcon 2021, Silicon Valley’s Annual Flagship Conference, TiE Silicon Valley