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Shaping the future of venture capital

Who We Are

What We’re Working On

Venture Forward is driving the human capital, culture, values, and narrative of venture capital to promote a strong and inclusive community that will fuel the economy of tomorrow. Venture Forward’s work revolves around four key areas of focus:

DE&I: Advancing a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive ecosystem
Education: Educating a new generation of VC investors to equip them with the tools to succeed, and informing the general public about the role of VC on the US economy
Research & Data: Conducting and sharing meaningful research on VC trends and impact
History: Capturing the rich history of VC and distilling insights to shape the future

Venture Forward is a 501(c)(3) non-profit and supporting organization to the National Venture Capital Association (NVCA).

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8,400+

high-growth startups—across all 50 states and DC—raised venture funding in 2018 to build and growth their businesses.

42%

of all U.S. IPOs from 1974 to 2015 were venture-backed companies, representing 63% of the market capitalization and 85% of R&D.

2.9 million

is the average net jobs created annually between 1980 and 2010 by high-growth startups, which account for ~50% of gross jobs created in the U.S.

1,300+

U.S. venture firms are active today, managing an aggregate of $444 billion in assets.

Why is shaping the future of venture capital important?

Over the last 50 years, venture capital has fueled the advancement of American innovation, creating immense value, jobs, wealth, and life-changing products and services. Though venture capital as an industry may be young and as an asset class may be small, high-growth startups and their long-term investors have truly changed the world.

While venture capital spurred incredible advances in its first 50 years, the industry systematically excluded women, people of color, and other underrepresented minorities from participating and benefiting from many of those opportunities and benefits. For VC to reach its full potential as an industry, we must expand opportunities for people of all backgrounds to access, participate, and thrive in the venture ecosystem.

We must educate future leaders on best practices and help them learn from the industry’s rich history – both the good and the bad. We must help firms build strong, healthy cultures and values. We must keep the public and the community informed, through qualitative and quantitative insights.

By investing in tomorrow’s leaders today, we shape the future of venture capital.

Learn More About Venture Capital

10,000+

high-growth startups—across all 50 states and DC—raised venture funding in 2019 to build and grow their businesses.

42%

of all U.S. IPOs from 1974 to 2015 were venture-backed companies, representing 63% of the market capitalization and 85% of R&D.

2.9 million

is the average net jobs created annually between 1980 and 2010 by high-growth startups, which account for ~50% of gross jobs created in the U.S.

1,300+

U.S. venture firms are active today, managing an aggregate of $444 billion in assets.

Why is advancing the next era of venture capital important?

Venture capital is an American national treasure. It has fueled the advancement of innovation, economies, and people. It has created value, jobs, wealth, and life-changing products and services. Though venture capital as an industry may be young and as an asset class may be small, high-growth startups and their long-term investors have truly changed the world.

To continue the success of the industry’s past 50 years to the next 50 years and beyond, we must expand opportunities for people of all backgrounds to access the venture ecosystem and thrive. We must educate future leaders on best practices and help them learn from the industry’s rich history. We must help firms build strong, healthy cultures and values. We must keep the public and ecosystem informed through qualitative and quantitative insights.

By investing in tomorrow’s leaders today, we shape the next era of venture capital.

Learn More

10,000+

high-growth startups—across all 50 states and DC—raised venture funding in 2019 to build and grow their businesses.

42%

of all U.S. IPOs from 1974 to 2015 were venture-backed companies, representing 63% of the market capitalization and 85% of R&D.

2.9 million

is the average net jobs created annually between 1980 and 2010 by high-growth startups, which account for ~50% of gross jobs created in the U.S.

1,300+

U.S. venture firms are active today, managing an aggregate of $444 billion in assets.