Level Up Ventures

Level Up Ventures is a mission-driven venture capital firm based in New York that focuses on closing the racial wealth gap by investing in high-growth startups led by Black and Latino founders. Founded in 2021 and backed by Hearst, the firm offers $300,000 in pre-seed or seed funding along with strategic support and services. They concentrate on tech and tech-enabled companies across various sectors, with a clear emphasis on diversity and inclusivity in their portfolio companies. Level Up Ventures aims to help founders scale through access to Hearst's resources, mentorship, and networks. The firm seeks startups that have validated solutions, demonstrated market traction, and are committed to building diverse teams. Some of the notable companies in their portfolio include Options MD, a healthcare SaaS platform for treatment-resistant depression, and Sunthetics, which uses AI to enhance the development of sustainable materials. They avoid investing in biotech, hardware, or capital-intensive projects. By providing more than just capital, Level Up Ventures combines financial investment with operational expertise, making it a key player in promoting underrepresented founders in the tech space.