Business leader Ben Stokes is the founding partner of Chasing Rainbows, one of the first venture capital funds to invest only in companies established by LGBTQ+ people. āAt its core, my work shifts who gets access to capital and proves that inclusion drives both innovation and returns,ā he says.
āBeyond the fund, I speak, mentor, and work with nonprofits to create visibility and opportunities for those within the LGBTQ+ community around the world,ā Stokes adds. His work has been honored by organizations including the Milken Institute and ImpactAssets, as well as Fast Company magazine.
āThe hardest obstacle has been building credibility in an industry that wasnāt designed for people like me ā an LGBTQ+ founder of color without traditional networks or privilege,ā says Stokes, a gay/bi man who was adopted from an orphanage in Sri Lanka. āI overcame it by remaining relentlessly focused on results.ā
āLGBTQ+ leadership belongs everywhere,ā he says. āWhen weāre given the chance, we donāt just participate; we lead, innovate, and outperform.ā With his new fund, Fetch Capital, he can offer that chance to even more LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs. @chasingrainbows.vc
