2022: An Impactful Year

We’re proud to celebrate another year of achievements towards leveling the playing field in tech.

The Kapor Family
of Organizations

Amid a constantly changing political and economic climate, 2022 has been a constant reminder that our mission to fight for racial justice in tech is needed now more than ever.

We have remained steadfast when it comes to mobilizing for racial justice and providing innovative solutions to create a level playing field in tech. Through our research, programs, and partnerships across the Kapor Foundation, investments in gap-closing startups with Kapor Capital, and taking a holistic approach to STEM/computer science education for underrepresented scholars and alumni with SMASH, the Kapor family of organizations has continued to lead efforts to build a more equitable tech sector, economy, and society for all.

We’re proud to celebrate a year of impactful work.

Kapor Foundation

In 2022, the Foundation continued its work to computer science (CS) equity, advance DEIB in tech workplaces, and promote systemic policy change. We published the State of Tech Diversity: The Black Tech Ecosystem report, in collaboration with the NAACP, and co-authored Moving Towards a Vision of Equitable Computer Science with the CSTA and AiiCE to examine the CS teacher landscape. During CS EdWeek, we launched a set of resources for teachers and school leaders to deliver equitable, culturally responsive computer science education.

Kapor Foundation

In 2022, the Foundation continued its work to computer science (CS) equity, advance DEIB in tech workplaces, and promote systemic policy change. We published the State of Tech Diversity: The Black Tech Ecosystem report, in collaboration with the NAACP, and co-authored Moving Towards a Vision of Equitable Computer Science with the CSTA and AiiCE to examine the CS teacher landscape. During CSEdWeek, we launched a set of resources for teachers and school leaders to deliver equitable, culturally responsive computer science education.

To promote equitable alternative pathways to tech jobs, we launched the Equitable Tech Apprenticeship Toolkit, co-designed with Opportunity at Work and tech industry experts. In an effort to prepare Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging leaders to impact organizational change in tech, we piloted our first-ever virtual DEIB Certificate program. And to fight for systemic change across the tech ecosystem, we launched the Equitable Tech Policy Initiative which outlined 9 tech policy priorities at the intersection of racial justice and tech policy, and provided $5M+ in grants to support national racial justice and tech organizations. In total, we provided grants totaling $12M to organizations across the education and tech ecosystem, working to advance racial equity and inclusion.

We wrapped up the year by joining the STEMM Opportunity Alliance led by with the White House Office of Science & Technology Policy to eliminate systemic barriers in STEMM.

KAPOR FOUNDATION

By The Numbers

Distributed $12M in funding to 40+ organizations to expand racial equity in CS education, promote tech accountability, build a cadre of tech policy experts, invest in entrepreneurs of color, and support civic engagement and voter mobilization

Equipped over 1000 educators with training, tools, and resources to deliver equitable CS pedagogy and curriculum

Hosted 17 Kapor Summer VC Fellows, the largest class to date

Kapor Capital

Through Kapor Capital, we’ve continued to invest in early-stage startups that close gaps of access and expand economic opportunity. Under new leadership, Co-Managing Partners, Ulili Onovakpuri and Brian Dixon raised Fund III, our largest fund to date at $126M with 50+ Limited Partners for the first time in Kapor Capital history. We’re proud to be one of the largest Black-led funds in Venture Capital, deploying over $19M in follow-on and new investments this year.

Kapor Capital

In 2022, we also released our Impact Report where we provide an in-depth look into our practices and methodology. We brought over 75 Kapor Capital founders and CEOs together for a day of networking and learning for our bi-annual Kapor Capital Founders’ Summit and hosted 5 Kapor Summer Fellows, creating pathways for underrepresented individuals to enter the world of Venture Capital.

Portfolio Highlights

Video Based learning platform Numerade has served close to 100M students since their founding.
Queer owned and run neobank Daylight launches a first of its kind financing platform to target high costs of LGBTQ Family planning.
Maternity Health Access Startup Cayaba Care secured a 12M series A round, served over 3800 moms, secured a partnership with BCBS and opened an in person clinic.
Healthsherpa has helped more than 9 Million people enroll in high quality and affordable health plans. In 2022 alone, 3.4 million people (up 54% from last year) have enrolled, most of them finding a plan for $6/month or less (72% lower than last year).
Fintech star TomoCredit closed a 22M series B, surpassing 60,000 cardholders.
Sustainability startup ChargerHelp landed a partnership with Tesla servicing their California Charging Network, with over 35,000 locations.

KAPOR CAPITAL

By The Numbers

Launched Fund III, Kapor Capital’s largest fund to date at $126M

Deployed $19M in Total Capital in 2022

90% of Fund III Founders identify as Underrepresented

45% of Fund III Founders identify as Women

Graduated 5 Underrepresented Kapor Summer Fellows

Kapor Capital made the Impact Assets 50 list (top Impact Firms of 2022)

SMASH

At SMASH, we’ve continued to take a holistic approach with our scholars and alumni to address the root causes of why the underrepresentation of people of color in STEM persists. From SMASH Academy to SMASH Rising, Admit, Persist, and Career Catalyst, we’ve continued to SMASH barriers throughout 2022.

SMASH

This fall, we launched Career Catalyst, a digital learning platform designed to provide information and inspiration to young people across the country to the expansive list of careers within STEM.

For the first time, SMASH Academic Year Program adopted a hybrid model serving 600+ scholars both virtually and in-person on various college campuses with 24 hours of intense computer science programming across 9 sites, including electives and workshops focused on STEM career exploration. SMASH Academy expanded its footprint in Atlanta launching on the campus of Spelman College and continued our biggest-yet long-term partnership with Raytheon Technologies.

Through our SMASH Rising partners including Meta, Autodesk, Canary Center at Stanford, Raytheon Technologies, and more, we’ve placed 400+ SMASH alumni into tech internships and jobs.

SMASH

By The Numbers

87% of SMASH Seniors Committed to Majoring in STEM

SMASH Alumni Secured $3.2M in scholarships

SMASH Rising placed 400+ alumni into tech internships, with $1.6M in wages earned across 25+ industry-leading tech partners

Career Catalyst has reached ~1,800 youth during its pilot phase

Impacting More Lives in 2023

As we face a new year, with continued national dialogues shaping the way we learn, work and coexist, the Kapor Foundation, Kapor Capital, and SMASH are doubling down on our work — creating a more inclusive technology sector for all. In 2023, we look forward to impacting more lives, fighting for larger changes, and leveling the playing field for all in tech.

2022: An Impactful Year

The Kapor Family
of Organizations

Kapor Foundation