Chingona Ventures

Chingona Ventures, founded in 2019 by Samara Hernandez and based in Chicago, focuses on early-stage investments, particularly in startups led by women and minorities. The firm emphasizes sectors such as fintech, food technology, health tech, wellness, and the future of work and learning. Chingona Ventures has made significant investments in companies like Career Karma, EarlyBird, and Suma Wealth. The firm recently closed a $52 million Fund II, with contributions from prominent partners including PayPal Ventures and Melinda Gates’ Pivotal Ventures. This fund allows them to increase their typical investment size to between $250,000 and $1 million. The firm is known for backing founders who are often overlooked and operates primarily in the Midwest. Their mission is to support innovative solutions and diverse leadership in the tech industry. The leadership team, including Senior Advisor Sonia Nagar and Associate Grisel Hernandez, brings extensive experience in venture capital and strategic guidance.