Venture Forward turns one today! After several years in the making, we publicly launched on June 16, 2020 as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit supporting organization to NVCA, to meet the growing needs of the VC industry related to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), education, research, and history preservation.
In a year filled with extraordinary change and focusing events, from the quick adoption and adaption to a new normal of remote work, to a dramatic presidential election, a national rollout of a COVID vaccination and more, some would say the most significant cultural shift was the sharpened national focus on social justice and racial equity.
The VC community has met the rising challenges and opportunities presented by a global pandemic, playing a pivotal role in the country’s economic recovery, and galvanizing an internal industry-facing focus on DEI – and throughout our inaugural year, Venture Forward has been there on the frontline of these efforts to create a stronger, more diverse, equitable, and ultimately, a more just VC ecosystem.
Since our launch a year ago, Venture Forward has led several programs and initiatives to further our mission of driving the human capital, culture, values, and narrative of VC to promote a strong and inclusive community that will fuel the economy of tomorrow.
Here are five highlights from the past year:
Venture Forward’s work would not be possible without the leadership and financial support of our founding donors: Silicon Valley Bank, Deloitte, and Gunderson Dettmer, and 80+ individuals and VC firms. We also thank our board, including two recently appointed directors—Elliott Robinson of Bessemer Venture Partners and Nicole Walker of Arboretum Ventures—who started their four-year term this month.
If you’re interested in getting involved, please contact hello@ventureforward.org and be sure to sign up for Venture Forward communications.
Our small (but mighty!) team looks forward to another impactful year of shaping the future of VC. We hope you will engage with us as either a participant, volunteer, or donor. Onward and forward!
© 2023 The Venture Capital Foundation
