Village Capital, founded in 2009, aims to democratize entrepreneurship and provide capital to impact-driven entrepreneurs who are often overlooked. This brand's story began as a radical experiment led by Ross Baird and Bob Pattillo, with the goal of revolutionizing the entrepreneurial landscape. As they commemorate their 10th anniversary in 2019-2020, Village Capital reflects on their growth, values, and future.

Over the years, Village Capital has achieved significant milestones. They started by running their first accelerator in New Orleans in 2009 and expanded their peer-selected investment model internationally, supporting companies like Under the Mango Tree, which revived India's declining honeybee population by selling fair trade honey. In 2012, Village Capital launched its first formal fund and began piloting programs worldwide, including China, Brazil, and East Africa.

Their innovative approach garnered recognition, winning the McKinsey/Harvard prize for Innovating Innovation. Additionally, they closed an $18 million fund, VilCap Investments, becoming one of the most active impact investment vehicles globally. With a diverse team spread across four continents, Village Capital continues to make an impact and has been named best-networked in impact investing.

They strive to overcome bias against female founders through their peer-selection process, as highlighted in a study conducted with Emory University and the Global Accelerator Learning Initiative. To be a part of Village Capital's journey and learn more about their programs and initiatives, visit their website and consider getting involved