Harlem Capital

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Overview

Harlem Capital is a New York-based venture capital firm that invests in early-stage startups founded by underrepresented groups, particularly Black, Latino, women, and minority founders in the US, Africa, and LatAm. It focuses on sectors including consumer, fintech, health, and enterprise, with over 70 investments across more than 10 cities and check sizes ranging from $500K to $3M in pre-seed, seed, and Series A rounds.¹²³

History

Harlem Capital was founded in 2015 by Henri Pierre-Jacques and Jarrid Tingle, who began as first-time managers transitioning from an angel syndicate. The firm closed its first fund in December 2019, followed by Fund II in March 2021, and launched Fund III in May 2024 targeting $150 million, its largest to date. It has grown to manage multiple funds while maintaining a focus on diverse founders.³⁴

Reputation

Harlem Capital is recognized in the VC community for its commitment to diversity, investing in underrepresented founders and tracking progress toward 1,000 investments over 20 years. Professionals note its active fundraising and portfolio expansion as signs of momentum, though as a smaller firm it competes with larger VCs. No major criticisms appear in available sources.¹³⁴

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