This EDA investment funds the stitchcrew vest her ventures project, one of the first accelerators in oklahoma to develop public-private-partnerships and programs to connect traditionally overlooked…

This $3,060,344 Project Grant from the Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration's BUILD TO SCALE program funds the Stitchcrew Vest Her Ventures project. The project establishes one of Oklahoma's first accelerators to connect traditionally overlooked entrepreneurs with capital, networks, and resources needed to build and scale companies. It provides executive coaching to over 100 members annually and uses its extended network as a talent bank and trusted pipeline.

Stitchcrew and Vest Her Ventures have partnered to raise and deploy a $25M venture capital fund investing in promising women-led companies in the Southwest region. The partnership aims to increase underrepresented investors who can co-invest in the fund while building stakeholder support for leveling entrepreneurial opportunities. Both organizations will establish an education platform and partner with the University of Tulsa to train 100 aspiring investors annually on early-stage investment vehicles. The project is expected to support 36 entrepreneur workshops and 9 angel investor sessions. By investing in an estimated 40 startups, the portfolio anticipates creating 160 new jobs.

This EDA investment funds the stitchcrew vest her ventures project, one of the first accelerators in oklahoma to develop public-private-partnerships and programs to connect traditionally overlooked entrepreneurs with the capital, network and resources needed to build and scale companies. Vest her INC (vest) provides executive coaching to more than 100 members year-round and its extended network uses the community as a talent bank and trusted pipeline to fill career opportunities, board appointments, investments and more. Stitchcrew and vest have joined forces to raise and deploy vest her ventures, a $25 million dollar venture capital fund investing in the most promising women-led companies in the southwest region. The partnership also aims to increase the number of investors from underrepresented groups so they can become CO-investors in the fund while building a strong coalition of stakeholders committed to leveling the playing field for entrepreneurs in our region. Both organizations will also set up an education platform and workshops in partnership with the university of tulsa to educate 100 aspiring investors on how to invest in early-stage companies through funds, direct investments, equity crowdfunding, special purpose vehicles (spvs), and others. Once implemented, the project will help stitchcrew host 36 workshops for entrepreneurs in the care and future of work economy and 9 quarterly workshop sessions for aspiring angel investors. On average, startups create an average of 4 jobs within the first and second year of operations. This portfolio aims to invest in 40 companies, resulting in the creation of 160 new jobs under this program.