Arlan Hamilton, the founder of Backstage Capital, has announced her decision to step down from the company and take on an advisory role.
“After 12 years of being deeply involved in the day-to-day operations, I’ve decided to become a chairperson and advisor,” she said in a statement shared on Instagram.
Backstage Capital Enters New Chapter
Arlan Hamilton’s Backstage Capital has invested in over 200 companies, including the fintech platform Guava, fashion tech brand Xo, digital news platform The Plug, and career resource Career Karma.
She was previously a managing partner at the firm. “This move will allow me to focus on what I do best — amplifying Backstage’s mission, hosting office hours with founders and investors, chairing the advisory board, and bringing new opportunities to the table through my platform.”
As part of the transition, Backstage Capital has formed a strategic collaboration with 360 Venture Collective, a woman-founded and led venture firm with an intentionally inclusive investment thesis.
The Collective will acquire a significant stake in Backstage’s management entity, co-manage operations, and contribute capital to help scale the firm. In addition, the two venture firms will ” launch a $200M fund in 2025,” Hamilton said in her announcement.
“This partnership ensures Backstage remains sustainable while multiplying our ability to support underestimated founders and create a lasting legacy,” Hamilton explained.
“I’m confident this next chapter will take us to incredible heights, and I’m honored to continue being part of the journey in this new capacity.”
Arlan Hamilton is Staying Firm on Her Vision Despite Challenges
Founded in 2015, Backstage Capital has invested in over 200 companies, including the fintech platform Guava and career resource Career Karma. However, the firm has faced challenges recently, including downsizing its team from 12 staff members to three and focusing on existing portfolio investments.
Hamilton has been candid about the hurdles firms like Backstage face, noting the limited support from institutional investors. The funding and support ecosystem for diverse founders, particularly Black founders, has experienced a significant slowdown since 2022. This challenging environment has created increased obstacles for firms like Backstage and the companies they invest in.
Despite these challenges, Hamilton remains confident in Backstage’s mission. With Hamilton’s advisory role and the partnership with 360 Venture Collective, Backstage Capital is set for its next phase.
In her advisory role at Backstage, Hamilton intends to continue to bring opportunities to the table for the fund, she says, be they new companies or investors – and says she will continue to “work on this mission till the day I die.”
“I encourage others to look at what they’re really great at…what drives them, what they should be doing for themselves, rather than what other people say they should be doing,” Hamilton told Inc.com. “Because it’s really freeing, and it also will probably help the other people in your life and in your orbit.”
