
Next Wave Impact
Description
Next Wave Impact is a Denver-based early-stage venture capital firm dedicated to investing in high-growth social impact companies led by diverse teams, with a strong emphasis on women and people of color. Founded with a mission to combine financial returns with measurable social and environmental impact, the firm operates with a unique model that leverages a network of experienced investors, many of whom are women, to support its portfolio companies. This collaborative approach provides not only capital but also strategic guidance and access to a robust ecosystem.
The firm's investment strategy targets companies that are addressing critical global challenges across various sectors, including health technology, education technology, sustainable products, and fintech. Next Wave Impact is particularly recognized for its commitment to fostering diversity within the entrepreneurial landscape. For instance, their inaugural Fund I, launched in 2017, successfully invested in 20 companies, an impressive 95% of which were led by women or people of color, demonstrating their tangible impact on inclusive entrepreneurship.
Next Wave Impact focuses on early-stage opportunities, typically providing initial seed capital to promising ventures. Their typical first check sizes generally range from $100,000 to $250,000, positioning them as a crucial early supporter for emerging businesses. Beyond capital, the firm actively engages with its portfolio companies, offering mentorship and leveraging its extensive network of over 100 women investors to help founders scale their ventures and amplify their positive societal contributions.
Investor Profile
Next Wave Impact has backed more than 27 startups, with 0 new investments in the last 12 months alone. The firm has led 1 rounds, about 4% of its total and boasts 8 exits across its portfolio.
Investment Focus Highlights
- Concentrates on Seed, Series Unknown, Series A rounds (top funding stages).
- Majority of deals are located in United States, Canada.
- Strong thematic focus on Health Care, Education, Software.
- Typical check size: $100K – $250K.
Stage Focus
- Seed (44%)
- Series Unknown (33%)
- Series A (7%)
- Series B (7%)
- Convertible Note (4%)
- Series C (4%)
Country Focus
- United States (96%)
- Canada (4%)
Industry Focus
- Health Care
- Education
- Software
- Edtech
- Saas
- E-commerce
- Supply Chain Management
- College Recruiting
- Human Resources
- Recruiting
Frequently Asked Questions
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