Keith Ippel, the founder & Co-CEO of Spring, a leading early-stage impact investing ecosystem, is working towards democratizing access to wealth creation and funding. Despite centuries of wealth remaining within the same families and communities, Ippel believes that a shift is happening where people are creating their own wealth movements. As someone who leads a venture capital enterprise that prioritizes diversity and human health, Ippel emphasizes the need to change how capital is provided in order to change the face of who benefits from the business and entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Venture capital has a diversity problem, with only a small percentage of funding going to women, Black, Indigenous, and disabled founders. Ippel stresses the need to address this issue by investing in opportunities that align with both return targets and purpose, which he calls ROI Squared. By investing in underrepresented founders who are making a difference, opportunities can be created for more diversity in the startup ecosystem. Examples such as Bobbie Racette, Lise Birikundavyi, and Julie Angus showcase the importance of investing in underrepresented leaders to encourage diversity of thought in the entrepreneurial space.
Ippel believes that investors have the power to reshape what the transfer of wealth looks like and drive diversity in entrepreneurship. He emphasizes the importance of opening pathways for different people to access the funds they need to bring their ideas to life. To make this happen, Ippel provides recommendations for those interested in early-stage investing, including empowering oneself through education, crafting an investment thesis, and exploring where to invest. By making intentional choices with how wealth is distributed, early-stage investors can create new pathways for underrepresented entrepreneurs.
As an investor, it is important to have a clear understanding of why you are investing and to seek out opportunities that align with your investment thesis. By connecting with organizations that are actively investing in underrepresented founders, such as accelerators, angel groups, and VC funds, investors can make a greater impact in creating diversity in the entrepreneurial ecosystem. By making intentional choices with how wealth is distributed, early-stage investors have the potential to create new pathways for underrepresented entrepreneurs and foster diversity in the startup space.
