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§ Venture Capital · USA
Learn which startups Reinventure Capital invests in, what size check sizes they write, and who their partners are (e.g. Edward Dugger III).
Reinventure Capital operates as a venture capital firm, strategically investing in early-growth, post-seed companies. The firm focuses on enterprises led by founders often overlooked by traditional capital sources, specifically Black, Latina/o, Indigenous, people of color, and women. Through its investment approach, Reinventure Capital aims to generate robust financial returns while simultaneously fostering significant social impact as these companies scale.
The firm was founded in 2014 by Edward Dugger III and Julianne Zimmerman. Edward Dugger III, a seasoned veteran with over thirty years in the venture capital sector, established Reinventure Capital to re-implement a high-return, high-impact investment strategy he had successfully pioneered in a previous fund. Julianne Zimmerman brings her expertise as a serial pioneer to the firm's leadership.
Reinventure Capital's primary engagement is with the entrepreneurs and ventures within its portfolio, providing growth capital to founders from diverse backgrounds. The firm's overarching vision is to cultivate these businesses into substantial mainstream American enterprises, thereby demonstrating that intentional investment in overlooked leadership can yield both superior financial outcomes and profound societal advancement.
Key people at Reinventure Capital.
Reinventure Capital has 7 tracked investments across 7 companies. The latest tracked deal is $20K Seed in Watermelon in June 2024.
| Date | Company | Round | Lead Investor(s) | Co-Investor(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 1, 2024 | Watermelon | $20K Seed | — | Parallel18 |
| Jun 1, 2023 | AGTools | $2.0M Seed | — | Parallel18 |
| Apr 1, 2023 | BeeReaders | $4.0M Seed | — | EWA Capital |
| Apr 1, 2022 | Livegistics | $6.0M Seed | Refinery Ventures, James Norman | Black OPS Ventures, First Round Capital, LvlUp Ventures, Newlin, NEW Stack Ventures, Osney Capital, Quake Capital, Grant Newlin, Detroit Venture Partners, Tappan Hill Ventures |
| Feb 24, 2022 | Canela Media | $42.0M Debt / Series A | Rodrigo Garcia, Richard Wolpert, Angeles Investors | Gregory Baker, Alumni Ventures, BBG Ventures, BMO Capital Partners, Link Ventures, Mighty Capital, Portfolia, Powerhouse Capital, Samsung Next, TEGNA |
| Dec 1, 2021 | Adventr | $5.0M Seed | Paladin Capital Group | Alumni Ventures, Andreessen Horowitz, Future Shape, Mayfield, Parkway VC, SOSV, Susa Ventures, Eric Anschutz, George Godula, John Legend, Rick Johanson, Invisible Ventures |
| Mar 1, 2021 | Cargofy | $1.0M Seed | — | EWA Capital, Seed Round Capital, Soma Capital, Martin Villig |
Key people at Reinventure Capital.
Reinventure Capital is a U.S.-based venture capital firm that invests exclusively in companies led and controlled by BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) and/or female founders. Their investment focus is on companies that are at breakeven and poised for profitable growth, spanning various sectors including digital media, fintech, clean tech, and next-generation internet. The firm emphasizes not only financial returns but also equitable hiring, promotion, and compensation practices within its portfolio companies, aiming to create wealth and opportunity for underrepresented founders[1][2][3].
Founded in 2014 and headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, Reinventure Capital was established with a mission to support diverse founders who have proven business models and are ready to scale profitably. The firm is led by veteran impact investor Edward Dugger III, alongside key partners such as Langston Dugger and Shaun Paul. Over time, Reinventure has evolved to focus on growth-stage investments in U.S.-based companies led by BIPOC and female founders, raising over $35 million since inception and building a portfolio that reflects a commitment to both financial success and social impact[1][3][5].
Reinventure Capital rides the growing trend of impact investing combined with diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives in venture capital. The timing is critical as there is increasing recognition of the systemic barriers faced by BIPOC and female founders, alongside a market demand for authentic representation and equitable economic participation. Reinventure’s approach aligns with broader societal and investor shifts toward sustainable, inclusive growth, helping to reshape the startup ecosystem by channeling capital and operational support to historically underfunded entrepreneurs[1][3].
Looking ahead, Reinventure Capital is positioned to deepen its influence by expanding its portfolio and continuing to champion equitable growth models. Trends such as increased corporate and institutional focus on DEI, alongside rising consumer demand for diverse-led innovation, will likely shape its journey. Reinventure’s commitment to binding equity and hiring practices may set new standards for impact investing, potentially inspiring other firms to adopt similar models. As the firm scales, its role as a catalyst for both financial returns and social equity in the U.S. startup ecosystem is expected to grow[1][3][5].
