Arlan Hamilton, founder at Backstage Capital and HireRunner.co, is a serial entrepreneur, author, and prolific speaker.
She founded Backstage Capital in 2015 to invest in founders who are people of color, women and/or LGBTQ. Since its founding, Backstage has raised nearly $30 million and invested in 200 startups led by underestimated founders. Arlan is also the founder of HireRunner.co, a startup that connects outstanding employee talent with inclusive companies.
Arlan published her book, “It’s About Damn Time,” in 2020, detailing her journey from homelessness to venture capital trailblazer. Arlan also hosts the popular podcast “Your First Million”, and in 2018, was the first non-celebrity Black woman to grace the cover of Fast Company magazine. Arlan's latest book, "Your First Million: Why You Don't Have To Be Born Into A Legacy Of Wealth To Leave One Behind" is available for preorder and will be out on January 2nd, 2024.
Arlan is a big proponent of paying it forward and supporting other underestimated people in the tech industry and beyond. She’s a limited partner in 27 funds led by emerging, underestimated managers, and she and her mother, Mrs. Earline Butler-Sims, have established scholarship programs for Black students at Oxford University, HBCU Dillard University, and Harvard Law.
Speaking Topics:
Write Your Own Headlines
Arlan Hamilton, founder at Backstage Capital and HireRunner.co, is a serial entrepreneur, author of “It’s About Damn Time", and master multi-tasker. Despite not having a background in finance or venture capital, she has raised millions of dollars in funding for over 200 companies and has become a leading advocate for diversity and inclusion. Hear her remarkable journey from homelessness to successful venture capitalist and entrepreneur, and be prepared to be inspired to write your own headlines.
Being the Change You Want to See
Breaking Rules While Breaking Ground
Black Women in Tech
Bootstrapping a Venture Capital Fund
“We loved having Arlan. She has an amazing stage presence and asked so many compelling questions to the startups on stage. We were lucky to have her!”
“We loved having Arlan. She has an amazing stage presence and asked so many compelling questions to the startups on stage. We were lucky to have her!”