Arlan Hamilton
Biography
Hamilton began her career in the music industry before moving into venture capital. In 2015, she founded Backstage Capital and built the firm around investing in founders who have historically been overlooked by traditional venture capital. Backstage's current materials state that the firm has invested in 200 companies led by underrepresented founders. Hamilton has also publicly identified with the communities Backstage serves, including women, people of color, and LGBTQ+ people.
Hamilton is the author of It's About Damn Time: How to Turn Being Underestimated into Your Greatest Advantage (2020), which draws on her experience building a venture-capital firm and navigating professional environments in which she was underestimated. She has also created and hosted Backstage podcast programming, including ArlanWasHere and The Bootstrapped VC.
Backstage Capital's current website identifies Hamilton as the firm's Founder + Managing Partner. She continues to be associated with the firm's mission of investing in and supporting underestimated founders.
BQW Impact
Hamilton's significance to BQW comes from the intersection of her identity as a Black lesbian woman and her work challenging structural exclusion in venture capital. She built Backstage Capital around increasing access to investment for founders from communities historically overlooked by the industry.
Her career expands the visibility of Black queer women in entrepreneurship, investment, and economic leadership. Through venture capital, writing, podcasting, and mentorship, Hamilton has used her platform to challenge assumptions about who can build, fund, and lead successful companies.
Notable Works
Backstage Capital (2015)
Venture capital firm founded by Hamilton to invest in founders who are women, people of color, and/or LGBTQ+.
It's About Damn Time (2020)
Memoir and business book about Hamilton's career and her experience turning being underestimated into an advantage.
Backstage Studio (2018)
Initiative co-founded by Hamilton to support underestimated founders through accelerator programs.
The Bootstrapped VC
Backstage Capital podcast hosted and executive produced by Hamilton, focused on venture capital and building a fund.
Learn More
Hamilton's official website
Hamilton's venture-capital firm and its current mission, portfolio, and resources.
It's About Damn Time Simon & Schuster
Publisher information about Hamilton's book.
Hamilton's public Instagram account.
Hamilton's professional profile.