Using finance as a tool for social change
Leveraging each investment for good
Our Investments
Bay Area Medical Academy
Bay Area Medical Academy provides job-oriented training in high-growth, high-demand areas of the healthcare field, fulfilling the workforce needs of the medical facilities in the Bay Area. BAMA prepares individuals (predominantly women) from different socio-economic, cultural and educational backgrounds for successful, long-term careers in the field.
When I first met Simonida, I was thoroughly impressed with her mission to educate and help find employment for some of the Bay Area’s least advantaged women. I was blown away by the care and the professionalism with which she treats each of her students, as well as her dedication to building relationships with large hospitals and care centers. As an immigrant woman herself, Simonida has had many barriers to overcome and at the same time is effectively helping other women succeed.
Better Ventures
Better Ventures is a venture fund for technology startups building innovative solutions to big and important problems, from work and education to health and sustainability. Wes and Rick are currently pursuing opportunities in three investment themes:
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Better Access - Companies leveraging technology to democratize access to essential services that equalize opportunity, including education and employment;
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Better Information - Companies utilizing data analytics to produce positive societal outcomes, ranging from health & well-being to environmental sustainability;
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Better Business - Companies building sustainable and ethical supply chains, including product re-use & up-cycling and sustainable production.
I met Wes when I first got involved with the HUB in 2010. I wanted to support his efforts and his fund of innovative tech startups.
Certifiably
Certifiably's mission is to make it easier for like-minded, certified, values-based businesses to connect, because the more successful each becomes, the greater impact each can have. Their dream is that someday every business purchase made will be measured by the impact that purchase can have in making progress against the United Nation's Sustainable Development Goals.
Emerging Women
Emerging Women exists to support and inspire women to express themselves authentically through the work that they do. This awesome team provides the tools, knowledge, and network to help women lead, start and grow their businesses in a way that integrates core feminine values like connection, collaboration, intimacy, beauty and heart. They provide a platform for leaders and entrepreneurs to come together, to explore and express their inner truths in the hope that women have a strong voice in the shaping of our world’s future.
Chantal is a force of nature and her leadership is exemplary. I was thrilled to become one of her investors on this path to empower women to be all they can be.
Impact America Fund
Impact America Fund is a GIIRS rated private equity fund led by Kesha Cash. Its mission is to generate financial returns while enhancing the quality of life for underserved communities in America. IAF invests in high growth companies that are scaling solutions in the Health & Wellness, Education, Essential Services, and Financial Inclusion sectors.
ProfHire
ProfHire helps colleges and universities save time, money, and improve hiring results. With a comprehensive and scalable solution ProfHire helps busy administrators attract, hire, onboard, and retain high quality part-time faculty. Using data analytics, the online platform quickly identifies pre-screened candidates that meet each organization’s criteria.
SJF Ventures
SJF Ventures is a venture fund focused on the resource efficiency, sustainability and technology-enhanced services sectors. Representative investment areas include efficiency and infrastructure, asset recovery including reuse and recycling, sustainable agriculture and food safety, health and wellness technology, education technology and digital media and marketing services.
Nia is invested with SJF because they are active in job creation.