---
title: 'Black Founders Matter urges venture capital industry to engage BIPOC women'
date: '2022-06-03T14:48:03-07:00'
type: post
word_count: 258
char_count: 1981
tokens: 336
categories:
  - Oregon
  - Portland
  - VC
tags:
  - bipoc
  - black
  - 'black founders matter'
  - 'marceau michel'
  - pledge
  - TechCrunch
  - VC
  - 'venture capital'
  - Women
---

# Black Founders Matter urges venture capital industry to engage BIPOC women

Local venture capital firm [Black Founders Matter](https://www.blackfoundersmatter.org/) is encouraging their entire industry to be more intentional about engaging BIPOC women through both investments and employment. And they’ve launched an effort called the [25 by 25 VC Diversity Pledge](https://www.blackfoundersmatter.org/25-by-25-r2) to formalize it.

> Black Founders Matter presses VCs to pledge commitment to diversity <https://t.co/PDgbya9Pf9> by [@dominicmadori](https://twitter.com/DominicMadori?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)
> 
> — TechCrunch (@TechCrunch) [June 3, 2022](https://twitter.com/TechCrunch/status/1532759538973261824?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)



> Statistics have shown that BIPOC women are underrepresented across the spectrum of venture capital; from venture investment to hiring at all levels across venture firms. In the last 5 years, with increased diversity efforts, issues related to overlooking intersectionality have left BIPOC women behind.
> 
> …
> 
> The 25 by 25 VC Diversity Pledge is a commitment for venture capital firms that by 2025, 25% of all firm investments will be dedicated to BIPOC women founders; 25% of all firm hires- across the firm- will be BIPOC women.

“This is about changing the power dynamics in venture capital,” [Black Founders Matter founder Marceau Michel told TechCrunch](https://techcrunch.com/2022/06/03/black-founders-matter-presses-vcs-to-pledge-commitment-to-diversity/). “You have to start at who is left behind and bring them to the starting line.”

For more information, see the [TechCrunch article](https://techcrunch.com/2022/06/03/black-founders-matter-presses-vcs-to-pledge-commitment-to-diversity/). Or to sign the pledge, visit [Black Founders Matter 25 by 25 VC Diversity Pledge](https://www.blackfoundersmatter.org/25-by-25-r2).

*\[Full disclosure: Black Founders Matter is a PIE alum. I am the cofounder and general manager of PIE.\]*