Mentorship programs, accelerators, targeted investment funds, and industry bootcamps are helping underrepresented entrepreneurs build networks and gain access to capital, hiring resources, and strategic partnerships. At Excelestar Ventures, we have seen firsthand how diversity drives innovation. Across our portfolio, 61% of companies are minority-led, and 50% are run by women. Many operate in technology, healthcare, and medical device sectors, which tend to have strong traction that needs capital to scale. But improving access to capital ultimately requires more than individual success stories. It requires a dedication–a real passion, to diversify the ecosystem itself. The most effective way to invest in women is to ensure they hold more leadership roles across the industry, as founders, investors, and decision-makers. When women participate in investment decisions, they help broaden networks, identify overlooked opportunities, and support the next generation of entrepreneurs. Women in business must also continue to mentor and support those coming behind them. Throughout my career, I have made a deliberate effort to identify and mentor female-led companies, because representation and guidance matter. If the venture ecosystem is serious about innovation and economic growth, it must also be serious about expanding opportunity. Increasing diversity among founders is not simply about fairness. It’s about building stronger companies and a more dynamic marketplace. TASNEEM DOHADWALA is the Founding Partner of Excelestar Ventures, where she and her team are active investors in founders that exhibit compelling promise in medical technology, deep technology, and beyond. Previously, her experience included working in financial services on the sell-side at Lehman Brothers and Matrix Partners. Notable investments during her time at Excelestar Ventures include Augmenix (acq. by Boston Scientific), nVision (acq. by Boston Scientific), Conformal Medical, Diesel Labs, Instylla, and Altiostar Networks. Excelestar Ventures has been named one of the top 100 Women-Led Businesses in Massachusetts by The Boston Globe. Tasneem is also the Managing Partner of the Golden Seeds Boston Chapter. She is a graduate of Wellesley College and Harvard Business School. enterprising Women 17 A CREATIVE AGENCY KNOCKINC.COM ACCELERATING THE SUCCESS OF ALL WOMEN. ESTd 2001
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