Ada Ventures, based in the U.K., is a unique VC that focuses on founders addressing inclusivity and diversity, rather than just SaaS or AI. The fund has successfully raised $80 million for the final close of its second fund, with key LPs including British Business Bank, The University of Edinburgh, and Atomico, among others.
The second fund will invest between £250,000 and £1.5 million in pre-seed and seed-stage startups with a focus on climate equity, economic empowerment, and healthy aging. Ada Ventures has made 12 investments from the second fund so far, including companies like Alive, BlackBear, and Greenwork.
Since its launch in 2019, Ada Ventures has prioritized diversity in its portfolio, claiming to be 14x more diverse than the average U.K. VC in terms of gender and race/ethnicity. The company attributes this success to its diverse Scout and Angel network, and a program offering emergency childcare for founders in need.
Co-founder and CEO Check Warner emphasized the importance of diversity and inclusion in the VC industry, responding to recent controversies and advocating for a collective effort to attract the best talent. Ada Ventures is committed to fostering a supportive and inclusive environment for founders and aims to lead by example in promoting diversity and equity in the venture capital space.
