Resilience VC Launches $56M Fintech Fund for Financial Inclusion

ResilienceVC Launches $56 Million Seed Fund

ResilienceVC, a newly established seed-stage fintech venture capital firm situated in Washington, D.C., has announced the closing of its inaugural $56 million fund. This information was shared exclusively with TechCrunch.

Focus on Financial Stability

Founded in 2023 by Tahira Dosani and Vikas Raj, ResilienceVC is dedicated to supporting fintech companies that aim to improve the financial well-being of Americans. The firm concentrates its investments on ventures addressing key challenges like homeownership, affordable insurance access, and utilization of government assistance programs.

“Our investment strategy centers on backing innovative entrepreneurs who are employing cutting-edge technologies and novel business approaches to enhance financial resilience across the United States,” Raj stated. “Currently, a significant portion of the American population feels underserved by the existing financial infrastructure.”

Founders’ Background and Experience

Both Dosani and Raj possess extensive experience in fostering financial inclusion through investment. Prior to launching ResilienceVC, they served as co-managing directors at Accion Venture Lab for several years.

• Dosani was instrumental in the launch of Afghanistan’s pioneering mobile payments platform.
• Raj gained early experience in microfinance while working at a microlending institution in Bangalore, India.

During their eight-plus years at Accion, a global seed-stage fintech investor operating in both the U.S. and emerging markets, the duo participated in over 50 investments, including several companies that achieved unicorn status.

Fund Details and Investment Strategy

Capital raising for ResilienceVC’s initial fund spanned approximately 18 months, culminating in a final close in late 2024. The fund, initially targeted at $50 million, was ultimately oversubscribed, reaching $56 million.

ResilienceVC intends to allocate the fund across 25 investments. Current portfolio companies include Alice, Chaiz, EarlyBird, Foyer, Mirza, OS Benefits, PartnerSlate, and Suma. The average initial investment per company is approximately $1 million.

A significant 75% – six out of eight – of the portfolio companies are led by founders from underrepresented groups.

“We anticipate participating in follow-on funding rounds for roughly half of our portfolio companies, potentially doubling our ownership stake in those demonstrating strong performance,” Dosani explained. “This will be contingent on the success of each company, but we are committed to supporting our most promising ventures.”

Limited Partners and Strategic Location

The fund’s limited partners comprise a diverse group, including institutions, banks, family offices, high-net-worth individuals, and foundations. Key investors include MetLife, Skoll Foundation, and Ally Financial.

ResilienceVC deliberately chose to establish its headquarters in D.C. to capitalize on its proximity to regulators and policymakers, as Raj explained to TechCrunch.

“Given the rapid and ongoing changes in the regulatory and policy landscape, particularly within the fintech sector, we believe D.C. is a crucial location,” he added. “Strong relationships with decision-makers, regulators, and agency heads are essential for all financial services companies, especially startups. We aim to serve as a bridge to these entities.”

Dosani further emphasized that a location outside of Silicon Valley provides a unique perspective on the increasing number of founders establishing businesses in cities across the nation.

Addressing a Market Gap

Ultimately, ResilienceVC aims to counter a prevailing trend in fintech investing – a focus on affluent clients or large corporations.

Raj noted that low-to-moderate income individuals and American small businesses are often deemed “too small, too risky, and too difficult to reach,” creating a substantial opportunity for investors concentrating on startups leveraging technologies like AI and embedded fintech to build profitable businesses that serve a broad customer base.

“Our goal is to fill this gap by exclusively investing in the most promising fintech startups dedicated to serving the mass market,” Raj concluded.