Although expanding diversity is often mentioned in conversations, Latinos account for only one percent of America's venture capital industry. According to a recent study, Latino-owned businesses have limited access to early-stage equity investments and face lower bank approval rates. Instead, those business owners turn to pricey debts, such as hard-money lending, but all of that can change with L'attitude Ventures.

As a result, a group of Latino venture capitalists in San Diego came together to found L'Attitude Ventures, with the purpose of assisting peers in starting or advancing their careers, raising new venture funds, and connecting with limited partners throughout Latin America.

“Latino-owned enterprises are as rare as billion-dollar unicorns in the world of venture finance,” said Kennie Blanco, the managing partner and CIO of L’attitude Ventures in San Diego.

“According to a Stanford Graduate School of Business analysis that examined over 1,800 businesses, only about 1% of all Latino-owned businesses established in the United States between 2007 and 2012, received angel investments or Latino venture capital. One of the primary reasons for this is that only a few Latino-owned businesses ever enter venture capital companies. Our company was founded to open a door and directly address a severe economic cost to the country: the underfunding of Latino entrepreneurs in the United States,” he added.

The portfolio of L'Attitude Ventures is uniquely diverse and captures the New Mainstream Economy, specifically the US Latino cohort, which is responsible for 80 percent of net new business creation in the US and represents a $2.6 trillion economy that accounts for nearly 30 percent of net growth in US real income. The company invests in Latino-owned businesses and provides technology-enabled solutions, clear paths to grow in big markets, and alignment across its main impact areas.

For example, Agua Bonita is a Latina-owned company that distributes non-carbonated agua fresca healthy drinks in aluminum cans to both B2B and B2C channels. The company creates Mexica-inspired flavored drinks in authentically designed recyclable cans by combining repurposed still water, fruit, and traditional spices without adding sugar. This company is currently in the Pre-Seed stage of development with L’Attitude Ventures.

According to the National Venture Capital Association, only two percent of principals in venture capital firms with decision-making positions are Latino or African-American, but L'Attitude Ventures' goal is to invest in start-up businesses that develop its own 'acceptable' diversity targets, which typical investors in the United States do not value the same way.

Visit their extensive website and browse their portfolio to learn more about the company and the services they offer. You may also pitch your submission form online, or send an email to them directly through their website.

About us
L’attitude Ventures is a mission-driven venture fund that invests in early-stage Latino-led and owned businesses in the United States with substantial and high-growth potential that may be realized through technology. The company was founded in 2019 by L'ATTITUDE co-founders Sol Trujillo and Gary Acosta, as well as Kennie Blanco, to address a disturbing economic cost to our country: the underfunding of US Latino entrepreneurs. Our fund is sizable, and it will stimulate a significant number of Latino entrepreneurs from the Seed to Series A stages, with significant investor round participation; initial check sizes range from $200,000 to $1,500,000. We also act as a trustworthy intermediary, bringing cash from investors of all stages and types together to support the success of Latino entrepreneurs today and in the future. Please visit our website at https://lat.vc/ for more information.