Oftentimes when we hear the words ‘diversity and inclusion,’ the term ‘equity’ is left out of the conversation. Venture capital (VC) firms across the country have pledged to invest in Black-owned startups, but how many have made good on their promises?
Thankfully, Sixty8 Capital led by Kelli Jones, Indiana’s first Black, female VC, has put its money where its mouth is by announcing the first close of its $20 million venture fund this morning May 10. According to PR Newswire, investors include The Indiana Next Level Fund, 50 South Capital, Bank of America, Eli Lilly and Company, First Internet Bank, and the Central Indiana Community Foundation.
The Indianapolis City-County Council approved a fiscal ordinance Monday that will allocate $150,000 to pilot an immigrant defense fund. The money will help immigrants in Indianapolis seeking asylum, pursuing citizenship, or those at risk of deportation with legal information, consultations and representation. Local organizations that are already doing this work are maxed out with their caseload, said Jordan Rodriguez, who works in the city s human resources department and is the former director of the city s Office of International and Latino Affairs. So this would basically provide funds to be able to increase perhaps, you know, personnel for those organizations, and also just help with various (immigration process) fees that immigrants have to pay as well.
New Venture Fund Focusing on Diversity insideindianabusiness.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from insideindianabusiness.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Grocery store coming to food desert on Indy s northeast side
The owners of Wall Street Market at 38th and Sheridan are getting a big boost from a local company to help their community. Author: Sarah Jones Updated: 9:09 PM EDT May 11, 2021
INDIANAPOLIS Construction is underway for a grocery store on the northeast side of Indianapolis.
Residents call the area of East 38th Street and North Sheridan Avenue a food desert. We re from this neighborhood and there s no grocery stores in the area, said Markus Williams.
Williams and Michael McFarland opened a small grocery store a few blocks away from the intersection called Wall Street Market. Although it s now closed, within the course of an hour, several people will come by to see if they can grab a few items.
Sixty8 Capital Announces Close of $20 Million Fund to Support Diverse Startup Founders
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Sixty8 Capital announced the first close of its new $20 million venture fund.
(Image: Sixty8Capital- Facebook)
Indianapolis-based Sixty8 Capital has closed its new $20 million venture fund to primarily invest in underrepresented founders, with an emphasis on providing support in the Midwest.
Investors of the venture fund include the Indiana Next Level Fund, 50 South Capital, Bank of America, Eli Lilly and Company, First Internet Bank, and the Central Indiana Community Foundation.
According to its website, Sixty8 Capital highlights undercapitalized founders and innovators. Kelli Jones is managing partner and Paul Ehlinger is venture partner of the Indianapolis-based, seed-stage venture capital (VC) firm supporting Black, Latinx, women and LGBTQ+ led startups.