SPANVentures
SPANVentures. was born out of a simple yet powerful question: “Why not?”
Why do only 3% of venture capital dollars go to diverse founders? Why do most venture-backed entrepreneurs come from the same backgrounds, networks, and ecosystems? And why aren’t there more firms committed to rewriting this narrative—providing access to capital for the underestimated founders shaping the future?
At SPANVentures., we don’t just ask these questions—we act on them. As a venture firm focused on investing in pre-seed and seed-stage opportunities across consumer and insurtech, we are committed to backing primarily diverse founders to make the entrepreneurship landscape more equitable. We believe that investing in underrepresented entrepreneurs isn’t just about driving social impact—it’s about unlocking high-potential opportunities that have been historically overlooked.
We invest on a deal-by-deal basis, allowing us to remain flexible, founder-focused, and highly selective in backing exceptional teams with disruptive ideas. By supporting founders at the earliest stages, we lay the groundwork for their Series A success and beyond.
Our thesis is simple: Diverse founders create innovative solutions that drive the economy forward. Through our capital, deep operational expertise, and strong network of investors, we help founders navigate the journey from 0 to 1—and 1 to scale.
SPANVentures. is more than just a capital provider; we’re a platform for change. Through our investments, strategic partnerships, and curated events, we are building a new era of venture—one where access, opportunity, and innovation are available to all.
Because the future of venture isn’t exclusive. It’s inclusive. And we’re here to prove why not.
Laurent Span
Laurent Span is a former Division I golfer and competitive skier turned venture investor and entrepreneur. He manages SPANVentures, an early-stage investment firm focused on backing overlooked yet exceptional Black, Brown, and women founders across insurtech and consumer. SPANVentures invests through SPVs with accredited co-investors and is actively raising its $15M Fund I to scale its mission-driven approach to investing.
Laurent also leads Breaking Barriers of VC, a media and events platform dedicated to convening the next generation of fund managers, LPs, founders, and operators through curated panels, community dinners, and ecosystem-building initiatives.
A two-time college founder and former Wall Street broker, Laurent brings an operator’s grit and an investor’s lens to every deal. He is passionate about building companies, creating access in venture, and proving that diversity is not a constraint but a market-shaping advantage.
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