Pre-seed VC, US
Backstage Capital
Venture capital firm · Los Angeles · Founded 2015
Quick read
Backstage Capital is a pre-seed and seed-stage VC firm founded in 2015 by Arlan Hamilton, headquartered in Los Angeles, US. It focuses exclusively on startups led by underrepresented founders — women, people of color, and LGBTQ+ individuals — and has backed over 200 companies since inception. A planned $200M fund in partnership with 360 Venture Collective was announced for 2025, marking a significant scale-up from its earlier micro-fund model.
Key facts
- Founded
- 2015
- Founders
- Arlan Hamilton
- Employees
- 1-10
- Sectors
- generalist
- Website
- backstagecapital.com
Investment thesis
Backstage Capital invests at pre-seed through seed stage in US startups founded by underrepresented founders — specifically women, people of color, and LGBTQ+ individuals — across sectors from consumer to enterprise, aiming to close the structural funding gap in tech.
Recent activity
- Dec 2024leadershipArlan Hamilton announced she's stepping back from day-to-day operations at Backstage Capital, transitioning to a chairperson and advisory role after leading the firm for roughly 12 years. techcrunch.com
- Dec 2024fundraiseBackstage Capital announced a strategic partnership with 360 Venture Collective, which is acquiring a significant stake in Backstage's management entity and will co-manage operations and provide additional capital. techcrunch.com
- Dec 2024fundraiseBackstage Capital disclosed plans to raise a $200 million fund in 2025, a major step up from its historical fund sizes. The firm currently holds around $20 million in AUM. f4.fund
- Feb 2025investmentBackstage Capital participated in a Series A round for Audiomob, a mobile gaming audio-ad platform. The firm's portfolio stands at 171 companies with 1 new investment recorded in the prior 12 months. tracxn.com
- 2023leadershipArlan Hamilton announced a transition from day-to-day operations into a chairperson and advisory role at Backstage Capital, after 12 years of direct involvement in running the firm. zoominfo.com
- Sep 2023pressBackstage Capital partnered with AnitaB.org to co-host the PitcHER pitch competition at the Grace Hopper Celebration, offering $100,000 in total investment to competing founders. linkedin.com
- Apr 2026pressArlan Hamilton participated in a Your First Million LIVE fireside chat, continuing active public engagement as founder and managing partner. linkedin.com
- Feb 2026pressBrittany Davis Wilson, General Partner, participated in the H. Naylor Fitzhugh Conference at Harvard Business School, representing Backstage Capital. linkedin.com
- 2025fundraiseBackstage Capital announced a planned $200M fund in partnership with 360 Venture Collective, a major step up from its prior micro-fund model that raised over $15M since 2015. superscout.co
- 2024investmentPortfolio reached over 200 companies backed since 2015, with 1 new investment recorded in the prior 12-month period — a Series A round in Audiomob. tracxn.com
- Apr 2021fundraiseBackstage Crowd, the firm's community funding platform on Republic allowing accredited and non-accredited investors to co-invest alongside Backstage, successfully closed its raise. republic.com
- Jun 2022leadershipBackstage Capital cut 75% of operational staff, citing fundraising and growth challenges both externally and internally. peopleofcolorintech.com
Notable investments
- AudiomobSeries AEarly 2025tracxn.com
- Career KarmaSeedtracxn.com
- CareAcademySeedtracxn.com
- PluralSeedtracxn.com
- Novoron BioscienceSeedMar 2018tracxn.com
Key people
Named individuals at the firm. We don't expose direct email or phone — use their LinkedIn for outreach.
- Arlan Hamilton · Founder & Managing Partner
- Brittany Davis Wilson · General Partner
Sources
- Backstage Capital – Official Website
- Backstage Capital – Crew
- Backstage Capital: The Early Stage Founder's Guide
- Backstage Capital – Tracxn Investor Profile
- Backstage Capital – Crunchbase
- Backstage Capital – Republic
- Backstage Capital Cuts 75% of Staff – People of Color in Tech
- Backstage Capital – LinkedIn
- https://www.zoominfo.com/c/backstage-capital/429629632
- https://techcrunch.com/2024/12/14/arlan-hamilton-announces-changes-at-backstage-capital-will-step-into-advisory-role/
- https://f4.fund/firms/backstage-capital
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Frequently asked
What is Backstage Capital?+
Backstage Capital is a pre-seed and seed-stage VC firm founded in 2015 by Arlan Hamilton, headquartered in Los Angeles, US. It focuses exclusively on startups led by underrepresented founders — women, people of color, and LGBTQ+ individuals — and has backed over 200 companies since inception.
Where is Backstage Capital headquartered?+
Backstage Capital is headquartered in Los Angeles, United States.
When was Backstage Capital founded?+
Backstage Capital was founded in 2015 by Arlan Hamilton.
What sectors does Backstage Capital invest in?+
Backstage Capital focuses on generalist. They primarily invest in these sectors.
How do I prepare for a meeting with Backstage Capital?+
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