Equity Raise

Each year, less than 3% of venture capital funding is invested in startups led by founders of color and women. Today, we share the story of an underrepresented founder who did find investment - Denise Woodard, who has raised almost $10M for her company Partake Foods. Denise shares how she started her company and her journey to funding. And we bring on one of her investors, Karen Howland, General Partner at CircleUP, which provides capital and resources to emerging consumer brands.

Show Notes

Each year, less than 3% of venture capital funding is invested in startups led by founders of color and women. Today, we share the story of an underrepresented founder who did find investment - Denise Woodard, who has raised almost $10M for her company Partake Foods. Denise shares how she started her company and her journey to funding. And we bring on one of her investors, Karen Howland, General Partner at CircleUP, which provides capital and resources to emerging consumer brands. 

Equity Raise is hosted by Naya Fela Powell, presented by American Underground, sponsored by The Diversity Movement, and produced by Earfluence.

This episode is brought to you by DEI Navigator from The Diversity Movement, a new, monthly membership service designed exclusively for small- to medium-sized businesses who are committed to DEI action and results.  It’s everything you need all in one place - access to proven business leaders and certified diversity executives, expert curated content, how-to guides, training, and a community of peers sharing their ideas and lessons learned — all at a fraction of the cost of hiring a full-service DEI consultancy. 


What is Equity Raise?

Welcome to Equity Raise: Leveling the Landscape for Diverse Founders and their VCs. Each year, less than 3% of venture capital funding is invested in startups led by founders of color and women.

On this podcast from the American Underground, we’ll learn from some of these entrepreneurs who have successfully raised venture capital, despite the struggles and systemic barriers they’ve faced.