Backstage Launches Multi-City Tour to Invest in Underestimated Entrepreneurs and Ecosystems
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LOS ANGELES - Californer -- Backstage Capital, a boutique venture capital firm that invests exclusively in women, people of color, and members of the LGBTQ+ community, announced this week the launch of Backstage Tour 2020 - a multi-city, one-day event series bringing knowledge, investment, and connection to underrepresented founders and the ecosystems that help them grow. Events will feature entrepreneur and investor workshops, speaker panels, a live investment opportunity, and a special spotlight on Backstage Founder and Managing Partner Arlan Hamilton's new book, It's About Damn Time. The series of events will take place in ecosystems serving underrepresented entrepreneurs in partnership with national and local partners and ecosystem builders in each city.

Backstage has partnered on this initiative with national sponsors PayPal and Mailchimp to bring attention and resources to underrepresented founders and investors in each ecosystem and nationally through venture investment and founder education. "In every city I've visited I've met people working hard to help underestimated founders succeed. Backstage Tour 2020 gives us a chance to unite these ecosystem efforts, invest directly in each city, and bring access and attention to more founders and investors that deserve support," said Founder and Managing Partner of Backstage Capital, Arlan Hamilton.

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The agenda for Backstage Tour 2020 events include premium daytime programming in select cities where founders and investors (via two concurrent tracks) can participate in actionable, interactive workshops followed by an AMA with Arlan Hamilton, and exclusive networking. At all events, general admission evening programming will feature expert panels, selected founder pitches, a $25,000 investment announcement, a fireside chat and book signing with Arlan Hamilton, an interactive ecosystem experience, and networking opportunities.

Backstage has invested more than $7M in over 120 companies led by excellent underrepresented founders and run a successful global startup accelerator with programs in Detroit, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, and London.

"Effective ecosystems optimize connections between entrepreneurs and resources, underrepresented founders lack many of these connections despite proven skill and innovation. I am excited to work with Backstage in this crafted effort to highlight these founders, invest in their companies, and enhance the amazing work already being done in these cities," said Monica Wheat, Founder and Executive Director of Venture Catalysts, and Co-Producer of Backstage Tour 2020.

Launching with 12 cities, Tour 2020 officially kicks off May 5, 2020, in New York City to coincide with the release of Arlan's new book, It's About Damn Time, published by Penguin Random House. The book is an approachable guide for anyone who's ever felt underestimated, offering actionable insights and advice along with anecdotes from Arlan's inspiring personal story. A hardcover copy of the book comes with every Tour 2020 ticket.

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North American Tour 2020 stops announced to date:

• May 5 / NYC, NY
• May 6 / Los Angeles, CA
• May 8 / Bay Area, CA
• May 12  / Dallas, TX
• May 14 / Atlanta, GA
• May 19 / Washington, D.C.
• TBA / Miami, FL
• TBA / Portland, OR
• June 9 / Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN
• June 11 / St. Louis, MO
• June 18 / Chicago, IL
• June 20 / Detroit, MI

Backstage exists to eliminate disparities in venture funding for underrepresented founders. Backstage Tour 2020 is co-produced with Venture Catalysts, a large-scale ecosystem development group based out of Detroit. Founders interested in investment consideration in each city should apply by March 31, 2020. Interested partners and sponsors for Tour cities should contact tour@backstagecapital.com. Attendees can learn more about Tour and purchase tickets (starting at $30) at the official website: https://backstagecapital.com/tour2020/

About Backstage Capital

Backstage Capital is a venture fund dedicated to reducing funding disparities in tech by investing in high-potential founders who identify as a woman, person of color, and/or LGBTQ+. To date, Backstage Capital has invested over $7M in more than 120 companies led by underrepresented founders. Backstage has operated multiple venture funds, accelerator programs, founder and investor networks, and resources globally. www.backstagecapital.com

Contact
For sponsorship, investment, and all inquiries, contact:
tour@backstagecapital.com