NEW REPORT: Intentionally Investing in Disruptive Tech 2022
Read our 2022 Intentional Investing report here
We continue to have great optimism for forging a future with technologies that are thoughtful, human-centered and necessary for the health of our planet and ecosystems. Despite the current realities of supply chain challenges, market fluctuations, global unrest, and an unstable national political atmosphere, our portfolio companies inspire us as we strive to invest in and build a better future.
It has always been our privilege to support diverse founders at the intersection of disruptive innovation in technology and medical breakthroughs. Plum Alley applies a thesis-driven mindset investing across sectors including environment, advanced systems, human health and inclusive growth. For us, tech advancement, a good product, and eventual profit is inextricably linked to driving positive outcomes. The best companies have a vision for a more equitable future with a product that is important and indispensable to the market.
Diversity has always been central to Plum Alley’s values, and we are proud to continue championing technologists with lived experiences that have informed their discoveries. Last year alone, Pitchbook reported that $56B of venture funding was allocated to companies with at least one woman founder. Investing in our founders is an opportunity to bring a unique perspective based on their personal experiences, as well as the expertise they have amassed. It is a unique combination of being able to understand the minutiae of a deeptech discovery and the disruptive potential in a market.
Founder Facts:
- 100% of our portfolio companies have at least one woman founder
- 48% of our founders are BIPOC and 30% of our companies are founded by at least one Black or LatinX founder
- 30% of our founders have immigrant backgrounds
- 81% of our founders have Advanced Degrees
- 47% of our founders have PhDs
We believe that great founders who set intentional visions on how to achieve outsized growth and impact will attract top talent — a key to long term success. Our companies see that potential and also have a vision for a better future. Our case studies in the report demonstrate how our companies are reducing GHG emissions, improving water and air quality, job safety, human health, and much more.
Impacting the Globe:
- Plum Alley portfolio companies have impacted the lives of 133M people (through environmental data analytics, advanced mental health solutions, jobs created, students trained and clinical trials underway)
- 7441 jobs have been created by our portfolio companies
- Our portfolio has direct impact on 6 of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (“SDGs”) with broader impact on all 17 SDGs
- The report highlights case studies on how our companies are reducing GHG emissions, improving water and air quality, job safety, human health, and much more
While it’s early in the lifespan of our companies, we can already see that these companies are building more inclusive cultures, in addition to developing products that are good for our lives and the planet. We are so impressed with the commitment of our founders to create spaces and a workforce with inclusion, equity and diversity top of mind. For instance, the Bitwise Industries’ team reflects their local demographics, with over 50% Black, Brown and Native, and over 50% women and LGBTQ+, and has always considered the challenges new employees may face. We encourage you to listen to co-founder Irma Olguin Jr.’s Ted Talk here on “How To Turn Around A City.”
We hope you are inspired by these visionaries, as well as the exponential impact we look for when identifying standout performers. There is nothing better than growing our relationships and supporting our founders to achieve new milestones and a greater global impact.
Please find the Intentional Investing report here. And Abby Schultz’s piece in Barron’s on “Future Returns: Plum Alley ‘Intentionally Invests’ in Disruptive Tech’ here.
