Latest news with #ZealCapitalPartners
TechCrunch
6 days ago
- Business
- TechCrunch
Zeal Capital Partners announces close of $82M Fund II
Zeal Capital Partners announced on Wednesday the close of its second fund, raising $82 million. Limited partners in the fund include Citi Impact Fund, M&T Bank, Wells Fargo, and Spelman College. It hopes to invest in at least 25 early-stage companies, writing check sizes between $1 million and $2.3 million, with 50% of the fund reserved for follow-on investments. Speaking to TechCrunch, Nasir Qadree, founder and managing partner of Zeal, said Fund II will focus on financial technology, healthcare, and future of work, as its other fund did. It has already invested in at least five companies, including the maternal health platform Seven Starling and the fintech Debbie. Qadree described the funding environment for Fund II as 'undoubtedly challenging' because of macroeconomic uncertainty, LP rebalancing, and tighter allocation windows. 'But these headwinds also sharpened our strategy and reaffirmed the strength of our approach,' Qadree said. 'I'm proud to share that over 80% of our limited partners from Zeal Fund I continued with us into Fund II, a signal of deep conviction in our ability to consistently back category-defining companies.' Black-led and founded funds such as this have been making some sizeable closes lately. Slauson & Co. announced a $100 million Fund II last September, followed by Illumen Capital, founded by Daryn Dodson, announcing the raise of a $32.75 million Fund in November. This year, Sydney Thomas' Symphonic Capital announced the raise of a $13.5 million inaugural fund, while Cherryrock Capital, founded by Stacy Brown-Philpot, announced the raise of its $172 million Fund I. Some of these funds are general in their mission, while others are more explicit in their target of underrepresented communities, showing that appetite still exists for such funds, despite the pressure from the current US presidential administration, and among those that support it, against anything that could be considered 'DEI'. Techcrunch event Save now through June 4 for TechCrunch Sessions: AI Save $300 on your ticket to TC Sessions: AI—and get 50% off a second. Hear from leaders at OpenAI, Anthropic, Khosla Ventures, and more during a full day of expert insights, hands-on workshops, and high-impact networking. These low-rate deals disappear when the doors open on June 5. Exhibit at TechCrunch Sessions: AI Secure your spot at TC Sessions: AI and show 1,200+ decision-makers what you've built — without the big spend. Available through May 9 or while tables last. Berkeley, CA | REGISTER NOW Overall, Zeal, a more generalist fund founded in 2019, has invested in 40 companies. Fund I announced its close at $62.1 million in 2021.
Yahoo
05-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Zeal Capital Partners Promotes Stefanie Thomas-Martin to Partner
WASHINGTON, March 05, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Zeal Capital Partners, a leading Washington, D.C.-based venture capital firm focused on investing in early-stage technology businesses led by exceptional management teams, today announced Stefanie Thomas-Martin's promotion from Managing Director to Partner. Thomas-Martin will join Zeal's Founder and Managing Partner, Nasir Qadree, in overseeing the execution of the firm's portfolio strategy and will serve on the Investment Committee across all mandates. Additionally, Thomas-Martin has assumed a board of directors role at Stratyfy, a cutting-edge fintech company leveraging AI to enable financial institutions to make fairer decisions in credit risk, fraud detection, and compliance. "Stefanie's promotion to Partner is a testament to her exceptional leadership, investment acumen and track record, and unwavering commitment to our mission and values," said Nasir Qadree, Founder and Managing Partner of Zeal Capital Partners. "Her focus, expertise, and vision have been instrumental in launching the Barclays Black Formation Investment (BBFI) initiative and continuing to drive our Inclusive Investing™ strategy forward. "Stefanie's promotion to Partner underscores her pivotal role in driving Zeal's growth and advancing our founding investment thesis. Her leadership will be instrumental as we continue to build the next-generation investment platform and catalyze mission-driven businesses across healthcare, fintech, and the workforce, shaping an enduring legacy of innovation and impact across the venture capital ecosystem." Since joining Zeal in 2023, Thomas-Martin has been spearheading the Barclays Black Formation Investment (BBFI) vehicle, a $50 million pre-seed investment platform backed by Barclays and managed by Zeal Capital Partners. Built to propel the next generation of diverse-led companies, BBFI provides critical early-stage institutional capital and support to founders building high-growth technology companies primarily across the US and UK. She will continue to lead the BBFI strategy and oversee the firm's expanded commitment to Inclusive Investing™. She also pioneered Zeal's inaugural scout program, a critical initiative designed to train the next generation of diverse venture capitalists. "I am honored to take on this new role as Partner at Zeal Capital Partners," said Stefanie Thomas-Martin. "Our work in sourcing, underwriting, and scaling category-leading businesses and nurturing diverse talent across the venture capital ecosystem is more crucial than ever. I look forward to continuing our mission of driving economic mobility to undercapitalized communities while delivering exceptional returns for our investors." Before joining Zeal, Thomas-Martin was a founding member and investor at Impact America Fund (IAF). She also co-founded the pioneering entrepreneurship platform for women, Women Who Launch, after noticing the lack of startup communities available to support aspiring women founders. Earlier in her career, Thomas served as Vice President in Citigroup's global banking division. She received her M.B.A. from the Ross School at the University of Michigan and her B.S. in Economics from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. About Zeal Capital Partners: Zeal Capital Partners, based in Washington, DC, partners with high-growth, early-stage, tech-enabled companies led by exceptional management teams that are rethinking the building blocks of wealth. As a category-specific investment firm, Zeal's focus areas include the future of learning and work, financial technology, and health equity. View source version on Contacts Chanel CatheyZeal Capital Partners / CJC InsightsChanel@ Sign in to access your portfolio
Associated Press
05-03-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Zeal Capital Partners Promotes Stefanie Thomas-Martin to Partner
Zeal Capital Partners, a leading Washington, D.C.-based venture capital firm focused on investing in early-stage technology businesses led by exceptional management teams, today announced Stefanie Thomas-Martin's promotion from Managing Director to Partner. Thomas-Martin will join Zeal's Founder and Managing Partner, Nasir Qadree, in overseeing the execution of the firm's portfolio strategy and will serve on the Investment Committee across all mandates. Additionally, Thomas-Martin has assumed a board of directors role at Stratyfy, a cutting-edge fintech company leveraging AI to enable financial institutions to make fairer decisions in credit risk, fraud detection, and compliance. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: Stefanie Thomas-Martin, Partner, Zeal Capital Partners (Photo: Business Wire) 'Stefanie's promotion to Partner is a testament to her exceptional leadership, investment acumen and track record, and unwavering commitment to our mission and values,' said Nasir Qadree, Founder and Managing Partner of Zeal Capital Partners. 'Her focus, expertise, and vision have been instrumental in launching the Barclays Black Formation Investment (BBFI) initiative and continuing to drive our Inclusive Investing™ strategy forward. 'Stefanie's promotion to Partner underscores her pivotal role in driving Zeal's growth and advancing our founding investment thesis. Her leadership will be instrumental as we continue to build the next-generation investment platform and catalyze mission-driven businesses across healthcare, fintech, and the workforce, shaping an enduring legacy of innovation and impact across the venture capital ecosystem.' Since joining Zeal in 2023, Thomas-Martin has been spearheading the Barclays Black Formation Investment (BBFI) vehicle, a $50 million pre-seed investment platform backed by Barclays and managed by Zeal Capital Partners. Built to propel the next generation of diverse-led companies, BBFI provides critical early-stage institutional capital and support to founders building high-growth technology companies primarily across the US and UK. She will continue to lead the BBFI strategy and oversee the firm's expanded commitment to Inclusive Investing™. She also pioneered Zeal's inaugural scout program, a critical initiative designed to train the next generation of diverse venture capitalists. 'I am honored to take on this new role as Partner at Zeal Capital Partners,' said Stefanie Thomas-Martin. 'Our work in sourcing, underwriting, and scaling category-leading businesses and nurturing diverse talent across the venture capital ecosystem is more crucial than ever. I look forward to continuing our mission of driving economic mobility to undercapitalized communities while delivering exceptional returns for our investors.' Before joining Zeal, Thomas-Martin was a founding member and investor at Impact America Fund (IAF). She also co-founded the pioneering entrepreneurship platform for women, Women Who Launch, after noticing the lack of startup communities available to support aspiring women founders. Earlier in her career, Thomas served as Vice President in Citigroup's global banking division. She received her M.B.A. from the Ross School at the University of Michigan and her B.S. in Economics from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. About Zeal Capital Partners: Zeal Capital Partners, based in Washington, DC, partners with high-growth, early-stage, tech-enabled companies led by exceptional management teams that are rethinking the building blocks of wealth. As a category-specific investment firm, Zeal's focus areas include the future of learning and work, financial technology, and health equity. SOURCE: Zeal Capital Partners Copyright Business Wire 2025. PUB: 03/05/2025 09:09 AM/DISC: 03/05/2025 09:09 AM
