We are a discerning group of investors committed to funding and supporting high-potential, women-led businesses that create lasting impact
"It is a vital ingredient in life to receive a ‘golden seed’ early on from someone you respect, a compliment or expression of confidence in you that fortifies self-belief."
-Charles Handy, philosopher and author
In 2004, Golden Seeds was established to create an environment where women entrepreneurs would have the opportunity to be seriously considered for capital investment and angels could gain access to invest in these innovative companies.
Today, Golden Seeds is one of the largest angel investor groups in the United States, with a proven track record of investing in women-led companies across technology, health care, and consumer sectors.
At the time of our founding, women were starting nearly 25% of all new companies, yet women-led companies were only 3% of companies receiving start-up capital. Investors came together to support the innovation of companies led by women and were able to present opportunities to invest in these companies. These investors, known as “angels”, developed a membership network investing directly and through funds that have become the hallmark of Golden Seeds.
When Golden Seeds was founded in 2004, women entrepreneurs represented less than 3% of all companies receiving start-up capital. Our goal was ambitious and urgent: to raise meaningful capital for women entrepreneurs and to encourage both women and men to become active investors - creating a collaborative environment where members could learn, invest, and work together.
For more than 20 years, Golden Seeds has been recognized for being at the forefront of this movement of investing in women-led companies and we are proud of our many contributions to its growth. We have invested in virtually every sector and have become widely known for the significant impact we’ve had in increasing access to capital for women entrepreneurs - helping to reshape the early-stage investment landscape.
Today, our membership is a nationwide community of women and men dedicated to evaluating, funding, and supporting high-potential companies with at least one woman in a management role. Together, our members continue to advance a more inclusive, innovative, and equitable future for entrepreneurship.
Create lasting impact by championing women entrepreneurs and inspiring investor opportunity.
Women’s entrepreneurship is booming! As of 2024, women owned approximately 14.5 million businesses in the United States, representing nearly 40% of all enterprises. Between 2019 and 2024, the number of women-owned businesses jumped by 17%, outpacing the growth of men-owned firms (12%) by over 40%. Employment at women-owned businesses rose nearly 20%, and revenues expanded by over 50% over five years.*
Women entrepreneurs are often determined innovators who have the potential to scale their businesses and contribute to the economy in countless ways. However, ultimate success requires access to capital and influential networks to propel growth – the same qualities that build market-leading companies.
When Golden Seeds was founded in 2004, women entrepreneurs represented less than 3% of all companies receiving start-up capital. The goal was to raise substantial capital for women entrepreneurs and to encourage both women and men to become active investors by providing a venue where they could learn and work together. In 2024, women-led companies represented 25% of all companies receiving early-stage funding, a substantial increase since our founding in 2004, but still a stark contrast to the 47% of all U.S. companies that are owned by women.**
At Golden Seeds, investors review hundreds of investment opportunities each year. The companies are actively vetted, coached, and advised by our network.
We offer an environment in which many of today’s most exciting women-led businesses receive capital and connections to grow and successfully exit. We aim to achieve market returns for our investors while at the same time creating lasting impact.
Golden Seeds is proud of its contribution to the growth and vitality of women entrepreneurs.
* Wells Fargo 2025 Impact of Women-Owned Business Report
** 2025 Angel Funders Report, Angel Capital Association
We deliver value to investors and entrepreneurs through meaningful opportunities and a productive investment environment — while upholding the values that guide our work and shape our community. These principles come to life through our dedication to investor education, most notably through the Golden Seeds Knowledge Institute, led by experienced members
Our investment thesis rests on extensive research with a compelling conclusion: gender diverse teams produce better return on equity.
The data based on publicly traded companies is clear:
By seeking companies where women hold leadership positions and own substantial equity, we fund companies likely to have diverse perspectives that will contribute to ultimate success.
Golden Seeds is an angel investor group where members bring their expertise, networks, and capital to support women-led startups. More than 1,150 investors have joined our network, investing over $200 million in more than 275 companies. With nine chapters nationwide, we’re a community advancing women-led innovation. Learn more about membership with Golden Seeds.
If you have started a business, we want to get to know you! There are many ways to interact with Golden Seeds, including attending an Information Session, attending Office Hours, and applying for funding. Discover more about our organization and evaluate our investment criteria.
Golden Seeds has these distinguishing characteristics: a commitment to invest only in companies led by at least one woman; a national footprint, with nine chapters and members in 28 states, Washington, D.C., and internationally; and a willingness to consider investments in most industry sectors. Golden Seeds is also known for its structured due diligence process and its extensive investor training program, the Knowledge Institute.