Name: True Wealth Ventures
Location: Austin, Texas
Website: https://truewealthvc.com/
What it is: Founded in 2015, True Wealth Ventures is focused on investing in women-led startups who have proven the ability to financially outperform, in high growth markets of sustainable consumer and consumer health and where women are making the vast majority of purchase decisions. The fund raised $19 million and plans to invest in Texas companies and throughout the U.S.
True Wealth Ventures has a gender impact investment strategy and over 80% of True Wealth Ventures limited partners are women.
Minimum Investment: Unknown
Leadership: Founded by Sara T. Brand and Kerry Rupp, both long-time financiers and entrepreneurs.
Investment style/track record: The firm makes seed stage investments of $500,000 with follow-on investments. The fund seeks companies where the founders see an acquisition exit opportunity within 5 years at a valuation of $100 million or more. In 2018, the fund invested in UnaliWear, a smart watch for the senior population to guard against falls and other risks, and BrainCheck, a startup that exists as a cognitive testing platform to manage mental health.
Quote: “We’ve seen the statistics: companies led by women show consistently higher performance. Continuing to look away from this massive investment opportunity doesn’t make business or economic sense,” said General Partner Kerry Rupp. “With women making 85% of consumer purchase decisions and 80% of healthcare decisions, there’s an additional advantage for companies with women on the management team in designing products for, selling to and servicing this customer base.”
This story and others on Times of E are made possible by a sponsorship from the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation. The Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation is a private, nonpartisan foundation that provides access to opportunities that help people achieve financial stability, upward mobility, and economic prosperity – regardless of race, gender, or geography. The Kansas City, Mo.-based foundation uses its grantmaking, research, programs, and initiatives to support the start and growth of new businesses, a more prepared workforce, and stronger communities. For more information, visit www.kauffman.org and connect with www.twitter.com/kauffmanfdn and www.facebook.com/kauffmanfdn.
