MassMutual
First Fund

Investing outside the status quo

The First Fund Initiative is a $150m commitment by MassMutual to invest catalytic capital in Black, Latinx, and Indigenous led emerging managers. All the capital will be dedicated to venture capital and innovation finance funds with the purpose of advancing racial equity.

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About the First Fund
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Talent is equally distributed. Opportunity is not.

Let’s seed the diverse institutional VC funds of the future.

Less than 2% of capital is managed by diverse owned firms*. Impact Investing’s First Fund Initiative is a commitment from MassMutual to invest catalytic capital in Black, Latinx, and Indigenous emerging managers to advance capital equity. First Fund’s allocation strategy centers on funds that are systemically overlooked by financial institutions and have a differentiated investment thesis with the ability to generate positive social impact as well as risk-adjusted market rate financial returns.

Emerging Fund

Investing in pre-insitutional scale funds, with a fund size of $25-$250M

Intentional Capital

Pre-Seed through Series B Venture Funds, Revenue Based Financing or related venture debt strategies, lower-market PE strategies

Equitable Approach

1/3 Black, Latin X and/or Indigenous partners and founder

Geography

Focusing on funds based in the US and Canada with that geography as their primary investment focus
Powering progress
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Equitable Participation

Although the First Fund Team applies a social impact lens to fund investments, qualifying funds need not have an explicit impact thesis or branding to be considered. Fund portfolios should be inclusive in practice or by mandate. We therefore center on funds with partner teams and portfolios that more accurately reflect the general population, with at least 1/3 Black, Latin X and/or Indigenous partners and founders.

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Rooted in finance. Built for impact.

First Fund investments are made from the General Investment Account with the same rigorous investment process as traditional investment strategies, seeking market rate financial performance in accordance with industry benchmarks for a given fund strategy. We apply an operational due diligence process in fund selection and apply a consultative approach to support emerging funds seeking move to the next stage of growth and partnership with institutional LPs.

Current Fund Investments

Logo: Plexe Capital
Logo: Vamos Ventures
Logo: The 22 Fund
Logo: Reinventure Capital
Logo: Raven Indigenous Capital Partners
Logo: L'Attitude Ventures
Logo: Impact America Fund - Dark blue block text over white background.
Logo: Supply Chain Capital.  A maroon stylized S next to orange text

take the next step

Apply to the First Fund

Think you are a good fit for the First Fund? We’re ready to help. Begin the application process by completing our online submission form.

Impact Investing Home

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The Catalyst Fund II

Our $100M investment fund fuels diverse and impactful companies, creating opportunities for big ideas and innovative solutions to thrive.

Frequently Asked Question

Learn more about our startup funding opportunities and what we look for in future applicants.

Impact Investing News & Updates

Find out what’s happening with the fund, our portfolio companies, and more.