As we begin a new year, we are filled with gratitude for your unwavering support and partnership. Your support has been instrumental in advancing our shared vision of a more inclusive economy. Last year alone, your support enabled us to:
Invest $350,000 in two companies
Why we invested: Magnolia alleviates the emotional and logistical burdens caregivers face, empowering them with education, resources, and actionable insights. Magnolia also reduces dependency on the overburdened healthcare systems while catalyzing a cultural shift toward recognizing and valuing the vital contributions of unpaid family caregivers. HQ: Washington.
Why we invested: SendaRide improves patient care continuity, reduces missed appointments, and enhances healthcare accessibility for underserved populations, particularly those in care desserts. HQ: Oklahoma.
Success Stories from Our Portfolio Companies
Why this matters: The acquisition underscores the transformative potential of women-led innovation in AI and highlights how women—and particularly Black women—are creating solutions so impactful they attract the attention of global tech giants. It also reinforces why we launched this fund: to invest in women entrepreneurs and change the systemic inequities in venture capital. In 2023, startups founded exclusively by women secured only 2% of total VC funding in the United States, with women of color receiving a mere 0.39%.
Why this matters: This recognition is especially meaningful given the underrepresentation of women in AI, where they hold just 22% of AI-related roles globally, 14% of authorship positions, and an even smaller share of founder roles. Without intervention, this imbalance risks driving more women out of launching high-growth companies, perpetuating biased datasets and algorithms, and reinforcing harmful stereotypes that deepen the gender divide.
Why this matters: With caregiving as the second leading reason people leave the workforce and the care economy underfunded—particularly for women-led ventures—this collaboration highlights the critical need for innovative solutions. Employers are increasingly willing to invest in such solutions, recognizing their value in retaining talent and supporting employee well-being. Addressing the care crisis is not just a moral imperative but an economic necessity, leaving it unresolved could cost the economy $290 billion annually.
Support 124 Women Professionals
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Through our professional women's peer network, we provided support to 124 women professionals –– facilitating 22 moderated and peer-to-peer coaching sessions, hosting three in-person events and welcoming 30 new members into our growing community. This strengthens our collective mission to support women as they navigate career trajectories and help build more inclusive work environments.
Provide $325,000 grants to 25 women and minority owned companies
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Through our non-profit organization, StitchCrew, we provided $325,000 in grants to 25 women and minority owned companies that collectively employ 90 people and expect to generate $4M in revenue this year.
A Note to Our LPs and Supporters
Entrepreneurs are the architects of the future, driving growth, innovation, and equity in our economy. Yet, systemic barriers often limit access to the capital, resources, and networks needed to launch and scale businesses—particularly for women. Your support enables us to invest in women-led companies at the forefront of the care economy and the future of work, helping to create a more inclusive economy that works for women, working families, and communities as a whole. Together, we are fostering a future where diverse entrepreneurs thrive, create meaningful jobs, and build stronger, more equitable communities.
Thank you for being part of this journey.
Wishing you a joyous holiday season and abundant success in 2025!
The VEST Her Team