Village Capital

Village Capital is a Washington, D.C.-based venture capital firm founded in 2009, focused on early-stage and seed investments in sectors such as agriculture, education, energy, financial services, and healthcare. The firm aims to empower entrepreneurs by fostering a unique peer-selection model, allowing participants to award pre-committed seed funding to the top ventures identified during their programs. Village Capital supports entrepreneurs globally, with a significant presence in regions including North America, Sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, Latin America, Europe, and the Middle East. Through its programs, the firm has engaged over 1,000 entrepreneurs and has facilitated the growth of more than 550 enterprises, leading to substantial job creation and revenue generation. Village Capital also operates a nonprofit to provide training for founders and investors, and manages a for-profit investment fund that invests in top graduates of its programs. Its innovative approach to investment and support has garnered recognition, including the M-Prize for innovation.

Heather Matranga

Vice President

Past deals in District of Columbia

ASEEL (Internet Retail)

Non Equity Assistance in 2023
ASEEL is your gateway to original products from the furthest reaches of the world. We have started with our first pickup country (Afghanistan) and have finalized the whole supply chain to ship to our customers homes globally. ASEEL currently has 14 small businesses from Afghanistan that deals in handmade carpets, cashmere, leather, ceramics etc.

Utiva

Non Equity Assistance in 2021
Utiva provides digital skill training for individuals and organizations. It combines classroom training with online learning experiences; and provides a platform that allows remote interaction with facilitators and AI support for knowledge and skills. The company offers training in the areas of data science, agile development, growth hacking, product innovation, machine learning and AI, and platform development. Utiva was founded in 2017 and is based in Washington, District of Columbia with additional offices in Edinburgh, United Kingdom and Lagos, Nigeria.

K'ept Health

Seed Round in 2021
K'ept Health is a dermatology telemedicine company that specializes in personalized skincare and lifestyle-based medicine. The company focuses on redefining dermatology with a root cause, culturally competent whole-person approach, and a focus on data, technology, and real doctor-patient connections.

Grapevine Health

Seed Round in 2021
Grapevine Health is a data-driven health media company focused on improving health literacy among underserved communities. By utilizing technical expertise and trusted communicators, the organization provides culturally appropriate health information that is both relatable and understandable. Their services assist health systems, insurers, and medical providers in enhancing community outreach and engagement, ensuring that health information is accessible and empowering for patients. Through empathetic storytelling and tailored communication strategies, Grapevine Health aims to democratize health information and support the maintenance of healthy behaviors within these communities.

All Compliance Services

Non Equity Assistance in 2019
All Compliance Services (ACS) is a platform-as-a-service that specializes in regulatory technology, delivering compliance and security software tailored for government regulators, financial institutions, healthcare providers, and energy companies. By integrating cybersecurity with emerging technologies, ACS aims to enhance compliance operations and address the evolving needs of its clients. The platform serves as a comprehensive solution for regulatory compliance, helping organizations reduce costs, mitigate risks, and improve efficiency. ACS's diverse team, which includes professionals from software firms, government agencies, and financial institutions, is dedicated to expanding the RegTech ecosystem and strengthening cybersecurity measures to counteract malicious activities while promoting access for underserved communities globally.

Localized

Seed Round in 2019
Localized, Inc. operates a platform designed to connect aspiring professionals with industry experts for knowledge sharing and mentorship. Founded in 2017 and based in Washington, D.C., the company focuses on early-stage recruitment in growth markets, facilitating virtual career fairs and year-round recruitment services. It collaborates with universities and talent hubs across the Middle East, North Africa, India, China, and the United States, enabling students and alumni to engage with industry professionals and potential employers. By providing access to experienced mentors and resources, Localized aims to enhance the recruitment process for both companies and aspiring professionals, addressing the needs of a global workforce in emerging markets.

Localized

Seed Round in 2019
Localized, Inc. operates a platform designed to connect aspiring professionals with industry experts for knowledge sharing and mentorship. Founded in 2017 and based in Washington, D.C., the company focuses on early-stage recruitment in growth markets, facilitating virtual career fairs and year-round recruitment services. It collaborates with universities and talent hubs across the Middle East, North Africa, India, China, and the United States, enabling students and alumni to engage with industry professionals and potential employers. By providing access to experienced mentors and resources, Localized aims to enhance the recruitment process for both companies and aspiring professionals, addressing the needs of a global workforce in emerging markets.

MPOWER Financing

Series B in 2018
MPOWER Financing is a Public Benefit Corporation based in Washington, D.C., that provides educational loans to international and DACA students studying in the United States and Canada. Founded in 2014, the company offers loans ranging from $2,001 to $50,000, which can be used for various student-related expenses, including tuition, housing, and books. Notably, MPOWER does not require a co-signer, collateral, or a U.S. credit history, utilizing a proprietary credit algorithm that assesses future potential instead. Loans are structured as 10-year fixed-rate agreements, with repayments beginning six months after graduation. The company also offers additional support services, such as interest discounts, personal finance education courses, credit-building resources, and job placement assistance. By partnering with universities, MPOWER identifies potential loan candidates and directly disburses funds to educational institutions for tuition and related expenses.

Sorcero

Non Equity Assistance in 2018
Sorcero, Inc. develops and offers office suite software. The company's no code platform enables deploying of AI (artificial intelligence) powered decision support and knowledge management applications. Sorcero, Inc. was founded in 2017 and is headquartered in Washington, District Of Columbia.

The Mentor Method

Pre Seed Round in 2017
The Mentor Method is a social enterprise that provides curated mentor matches, connecting the next generation of tech leaders with change-making mentors at the top of their game. ā€‹ Their process focuses on people and value-fit first, to foster authentic, lasting connections. The result is stronger teams and inclusive workplace cultures. ā€‹ They started The Mentor Method because they wanted to create a world where minorities and women in tech are viewed as assets, not a way to check a box.

We Are Marcus

Seed Round in 2017
We Are Marcus is a digital mentoring platform for student engagement and reflection in school and at home. The company aims to fill the mentoring gap by delivering purpose-built content to students of color. It leverages student data to nurture student development during critical times in there lives. We Are Marcus was founded on 2017 and is headquartered in Washington, DC.

SkillSmart

Non Equity Assistance in 2017
SkillSmart is a company focused on enhancing the connection between employers and job seekers by identifying the specific skills required for various roles. The platform facilitates this by matching job seekers with opportunities that align with their talents, helping them navigate their career paths effectively. Additionally, SkillSmart collaborates with training and educational institutions to ensure that job seekers acquire in-demand skills relevant to the job market. By providing tools that allow organizations to track compliance and report on talent needs, SkillSmart helps streamline the hiring process, enabling employers to find suitable candidates while allowing job seekers to highlight their existing skills in accordance with market demands.

WorkAmerica

Non Equity Assistance in 2017
WorkAmerica specializes in developing tailored workforce retraining programs for students, employers, community colleges, and training institutions. The company provides a range of in-house and external training courses, catering to various sectors, including call centers, warehouses, hospitality, trucking, and manufacturing. Based in Washington, D.C., WorkAmerica aims to bridge the gap between trained individuals in the skilled trades and employers seeking qualified talent. By leveraging its recruiting platform, the company connects credentialed candidates from community colleges, technical schools, and vocational training centers with job opportunities in an evolving job market. The need to match skilled graduates with employers has become increasingly important as the dynamics of recruiting and hiring in traditional trades change. WorkAmerica operates as a subsidiary of Climb.Jobs.

MPOWER Financing

Seed Round in 2015
MPOWER Financing is a Public Benefit Corporation based in Washington, D.C., that provides educational loans to international and DACA students studying in the United States and Canada. Founded in 2014, the company offers loans ranging from $2,001 to $50,000, which can be used for various student-related expenses, including tuition, housing, and books. Notably, MPOWER does not require a co-signer, collateral, or a U.S. credit history, utilizing a proprietary credit algorithm that assesses future potential instead. Loans are structured as 10-year fixed-rate agreements, with repayments beginning six months after graduation. The company also offers additional support services, such as interest discounts, personal finance education courses, credit-building resources, and job placement assistance. By partnering with universities, MPOWER identifies potential loan candidates and directly disburses funds to educational institutions for tuition and related expenses.

Hybrent

Seed Round in 2015
Hybrent Inc. is a provider of a mobile ordering application designed to enhance inventory and supply chain management in healthcare settings, particularly within hospitals. Founded in 2012 and headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, Hybrent's platform focuses on improving supply chain visibility, reducing expenses, and automating workflows for nurses, technicians, and materials management personnel. The company's software integrates procurement, inventory management, invoicing, and reporting tools, allowing healthcare organizations to automate manual processes and significantly lower supply costs. By leveraging innovative technology, Hybrent aims to address the evolving challenges of the healthcare industry, helping organizations improve efficiencies and quality while managing non-salary expenses.

Iron Goat

Seed Round in 2015
Iron Goat, based in Fairfax, Virginia, specializes in the automated production of pelleted and cubed products derived from hay and other grassy crops. The company employs mobile robots that operate without fuel to facilitate the manufacturing process, resulting in reduced costs for livestock feed and grass pellet fuel compared to traditional haying methods. By utilizing innovative in-field techniques, Iron Goat aims to provide farmers with more affordable and efficient feed solutions.

UBELONG

Seed Round in 2013
UBELONG LLC is an international volunteering and talent development organization that facilitates short-term volunteering opportunities across Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Founded in 2008 and headquartered in Washington, D.C., with an additional office in Lisbon, Portugal, the company aims to connect individuals from diverse backgrounds to foster humanitarian efforts and promote positive social change. Led by volunteers and university professors, UBELONG emphasizes safe and affordable volunteer experiences, allowing participants to make meaningful contributions while gaining valuable skills and insights.

MyMaryland

Seed Round in 2013
MyMaryland.net is the easiest and most meaningful way to contact your elected officials in the Maryland General Assembly and Congress.
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