Village Capital 2024 Impact Report
A year of Cultivating Thriving Ecosystems
Village Capital 2024 Impact Report
Since our founding 15 years ago, Village Capital has taken a unique approach to unlocking social and financial capital for impact-creating entrepreneurs. Through our unique approach – testing, iterating, disseminating, and evolving tools for equitable entrepreneurship – we stay rooted in our mission, driving forward with purpose even amidst change.
Our 2024 impact report sheds light on our ecosystem-building strategy, introduces game-changing Village Capital alumni you should have on your radar, and delves into the themes that will continue to guide our work in 2025 and beyond.
From our CEO, Allie Burns:
"At Village Capital, we are proud to be part of the growing chorus of ecosystem builders looking beyond 'growth at all costs' mentality, toward a vision rooted in nature's steadier, more sustainable rhythms.
With the right investment - time, resources, and patience - we can cultivate lasting impact, much like a gardener tending to young plants, nurturing them into strong, enduring trees. As you explore this report, we invite you to journey with us through a living metaphor of growth, where each seed of innovation is carefully sown and nurtured, spreading deep roots and growing into a thriving, resilient ecosystem."
By the numbers
Since 2009, our team at Village Capital has been helping impact-creating entrepreneurs get the social and financial capital they need to bring their ideas from vision to impact. 2024 was no exception.
VCs and unicorns dominate innovation headlines, yet they represent only a fraction of entrepreneurs from a few places.
We focus on growing ecosystems that center local communities and enable impact-creating startups to thrive.
In 2024, we reduced barriers to capital in a particularly challenging fundraising environment: more than 110 entrepreneurs participated in our investment-readiness programs this year, and we continue to scale our impact to thousands more through our network of ESO partners.
What else is in the report?
Regional Insights and Trends
The conversation around locally-led entrepreneur support has evolved significantly over the past few years. Initially, the debate questioned the necessity of ESOs; now, their critical role is recognized. The focus has turned to identifying 'what works' and optimizing support to enhance their impact, ensuring that investments are channeled into the most effective strategies.
What We’re Watching for in 2025
Ethically deployed, AI can democratize access to essential services like healthcare and financial services, benefiting underserved populations. Yet, it's crucial to ensure AI's fairness and transparency and minimize bias to prevent exacerbating inequalities and instead promote resilience and economic opportunities.
Case Studies
Explore our 2024 case studies, showcasing how innovative entrepreneurs and ESOs are driving impact, overcoming challenges, and implementing solutions across diverse ecosystems.
