1776 Ventures

1776 Ventures, based in Washington, D.C., is a seed-stage venture capital firm with a focus on transformative startups addressing critical societal needs. Notable investments include Twiga Foods, a Nairobi-based agriculture and e-commerce platform; MPOWER Financing, providing financial services for higher education; and HopSkipDrive, a transportation solution for children. The fund primarily invests in sectors like healthcare, education, energy, smart cities, and fintech. Geographically, 1776 Ventures has a diverse portfolio with significant activity in the United States, particularly in California, Washington D.C., and New York, as well as international investments in Kenya and Brazil. Their strategy emphasizes early-stage investments, mostly seed and occasionally Series A rounds. They prefer to follow rather than lead, with an average check size of $3 million and typically around ten rounds per year. The firm was co-founded by Donna Harris and Evan Burfield, who bring extensive expertise and networks to support portfolio companies. They actively seek startups with strong potential for social impact and scalability. To approach 1776 Ventures, it is beneficial to have a clear demonstration of market need and a scalable business model. For startups looking to engage with 1776 Ventures, highlighting innovation in complex and high-impact sectors is crucial. The firm values proactive outreach from founders who can articulate a clear vision and demonstrate a tangible plan for growth and impact​.