Stefanie Thomas Joins Zeal Capital as Managing Director

Stefanie Thomas has been named Managing Director of Zeal Capital Partners, a mission-driven venture capital firm focused to investing in early-stage technology startups with diverse management teams. Thomas, who has a decade of venture deal-making expertise, will oversee the firm's pre-seed investment strategy and portfolio of high-growth, early-stage digital businesses.

Previously, Stefanie was a founder member and investor at Impact America Fund (IAF), where he helped increase the firm's assets under management from $7 million to $110 million. Zeal Capital Partners seeks to further its commitment to Inclusive InvestingTM through the Barclays Black Formation Investments (BBFI) project. This ground-breaking pre-seed investment platform, managed by Zeal and supported by Barclays, focuses on giving critical early-stage money and assistance to Black-led digital firms across the United States.

Nasir Qadree, Founder and Managing Partner of Zeal Capital Partners, expressed enthusiasm for Thomas's contribution to the company's purpose. He stressed the necessity of assisting various entrepreneurs and businesses in shaping the future of technology and business.

Stefanie’s appointment is opportune, considering the historical barriers that Black entrepreneurs have experienced in obtaining venture capital investment. Despite achieving competitive returns, Black founders obtain fewer than 2% of total venture capital funding. Venture capital investment for Black company entrepreneurs will have dropped by more than half by 2022. Zeal Capital Partners seeks to alter this narrative by empowering creative people and entrepreneurial concepts.

In her new post, Stefanie Thomas commented, "I'm thrilled to join Zeal Capital Partners to support the mission of democratizing capital access so that the most talented teams and business ideas can thrive."

Stefanie Thomas is well-positioned to have a substantial impact at Zeal Capital Partners as the company continues to support inclusive investment in the technology industry, thanks to her considerable expertise in venture capital and dedication to diversity and inclusion.