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Dr. Freada Kapor Klein

Founder of SMASH, Founding Partner of Kapor Capital, and Co-Chair of the Kapor Center.

Dr. Freada Kapor Klein is a prominent entrepreneur and activist renowned for her unwavering dedication to promoting organizational culture and diversity. Her impactful journey commenced with the co-founding of the groundbreaking organization, the first of its kind in the U.S., aimed at addressing sexual harassment issues back in 1976. Later in 2003, she went on to establish SMASH.org, a pioneering initiative that offers essential resources and steadfast support to empower underrepresented students of color, particularly in excelling within the STEM domains.

Currently, Dr. Freada Kapor Klein's remarkable contributions extend to her role as a Partner at Kapor Capital, a venture capital firm that primarily focuses on nurturing seed-stage tech startups designed to generate positive social impacts. Furthermore, she serves as the Co-Chair at the esteemed Kapor Center, where her efforts are dedicated to fostering diversity and inclusivity within the technology ecosystem and entrepreneurship realm. Additionally, she holds positions on various startup and non-profit boards, including the NAACP National Board of Directors, showcasing her commitment to making a difference across diverse platforms.

Dr. Freada Kapor Klein's academic background is equally impressive, having pursued a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Social Policy and Research from The Heller School for Social Policy and Management at Brandeis University, along with earning a Bachelor's degree in Criminology from the University of California, Berkeley. Adding to her plethora of accomplishments, she is notably recognized as a co-author alongside her husband, Mitch Kapor, for the impactful publication 'Closing the Equity Gap,' which illuminates strategies for creating wealth while simultaneously tackling inequalities prevalent in startup investing.

Highlights

Jul 31 · linkedin

Today, we join other VCs and #tech leaders like Reid Hoffman, Aileen Lee, and Mark Cuban to collectively endorse Vice President Kamala Harris for President of the United States. Our support for her is rooted in a long history of collaboration, from her time as San Francisco District Attorney to her recent efforts on responsible #AI policy as Vice President. She has consistently championed tech innovation, #STEM education, and digital equity, making her the ideal leader to guide our nation through rapid technological advancements.

As President, we believe Vice President Harris will continue to advocate for responsible, ethical, and inclusive AI, while addressing critical societal challenges like climate justice, educational progress, and #healthcare access. At Kapor Capital, we invite fellow #investors and #policymakers to join us in asking, “Who benefits?” from any investment decision. Together, we can close gaps and build a more inclusive tech sector that benefits all Americans. Join us in supporting a brighter, more equitable future for technology and society.

#VentureCapital #TechforGood

Apr 21 · linkedin

Brilliant coverage by GreenBiz Group.

Thoughtful questions about #ClosingtheEquityGap, the importance of cultivating diverse talent, redefining VC investing, and more.

Thank you for the write-up!

Full article below.

Dr. Freada Kapor Klein
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Location

Oakland, California, United States