Sixty8 Capital

Sixty8 Capital is a seed-stage venture capital firm dedicated to investing in undercapitalized founders and innovators. The firm focuses on entrepreneurs who have historically been overlooked by traditional venture capital, including Black, Brown, women, LGBTQ+, and disabled founders. Sixty8 Capital is industry-agnostic, with a particular interest in tech, tech-enabled, and Direct-To-Consumer (D2C) startups. They aim to generate significant venture returns by shining a light on talent in "flyover states" and the Midwest and South regions of the United States, addressing both geographic and demographic funding disparities.

The firm was founded in 2019 by Kelli Jones and Paul Ehlinger, with a mission to level the playing field for diverse founders. Kelli Jones, as Managing Partner, and Paul Ehlinger, as co-founder, established Sixty8 Capital to build upon years of grassroots work, including Jones's previous efforts running Black tech incubators and pitch competitions through the Be Nimble Foundation. This approach integrates workforce development, accelerators, and capital to create a supportive ecosystem for their portfolio companies.

Sixty8 Capital manages two funds, with Fund I closing at $20 million in 2021 and Fund II at $40 million in December 2024, bringing their total assets under management to $60 million. The firm typically writes initial checks in the $250,000 to $500,000 range and often leads seed rounds. Their portfolio includes companies such as Nopalera, Afterschool HQ, and Bump, spanning industries like personal products, educational software, and financial software. They are open to follow-on investments for companies demonstrating strong growth potential.

The team at Sixty8 Capital, including Managing Partner Kelli Jones and Partner Nassir Criss, brings expertise in identifying and nurturing high-potential startups. They are committed to providing not just capital but also hands-on support, helping founders prepare for subsequent funding rounds, scale their teams, and develop their boards and advisors. The firm's operational presence includes offices in Indianapolis, Indiana, and Los Angeles, California, reinforcing their commitment to supporting diverse entrepreneurial ecosystems across the United States.