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Washington, D.C.-based Zeal Capital Partners has raised $82M for its second fund, backing early-stage startups focused on closing the wealth and skills gap. With strong LP support—including Citi Impact Fund, M&T Bank, and Spelman College—Zeal continues to champion “inclusive investing” as a core strategy.
• Targeting 25+ early-stage startups across fintech, healthcare, and future of work
• Initial check sizes range from $1M to $2.3M
• 50% of capital reserved for follow-ons
• LP base includes repeat investors from Fund I, signaling high confidence
• Early investments include maternal health startup Seven Starling and fintech platform Debbie
• Zeal’s thesis: underserved communities are untapped markets for transformative tech
• The firm backs companies building for mass-market access, not just high-income users
• Fintech and care delivery are areas where inclusive solutions can scale fast
• Founded by Nasir Qadree, Zeal is part of a wave of Black-led VC firms reshaping the funding landscape
• The firm pairs capital with “growth experience” support to guide portfolio startups
• Zeal’s model offers a replicable blueprint for mission-aligned venture at scale
Zeal isn’t just diversifying cap tables—it’s betting that inclusion is the next frontier of alpha.