Zeal Capital Partners Closes $82M Fund For "Inclusive Investing"

Zeal Capital Partners, a Washington, D.C.-based venture capital firm, has closed an $82 million second fund to invest in early-stage startups targeting financial inclusion, healthcare access, and technology for the future of work. The fund is structured to address persistent gaps in wealth and skills in the United States, with a focus on underserved markets that have been largely neglected by traditional venture capital.

According to announcements from the firm, Zeal’s investor base includes prominent institutions such as the Citi Impact Fund, M&T Bank, and Spelman College. The participation of these limited partners (LPs)—many of whom also invested in Zeal’s first fund—indicates sustained confidence in Zeal’s approach, which prioritizes “inclusive investing.” Zeal Capital’s managing partner, Nasir Qadree, has publicly described underserved populations as “untapped markets for transformative tech,” underscoring the firm’s thesis that inclusion and financial returns can be mutually reinforcing.

The fund will target more than 25 startups across fintech, healthcare, and future of work sectors, with initial investments between $1 million and $2.3 million per company. Half of the fund’s capital has been reserved for follow-on investments, a strategy intended to provide long-term support to high-performing companies in Zeal’s portfolio. Recent investments include Seven Starling, a maternal health technology company, and Debbie, a fintech platform focused on consumer financial health.

Zeal’s investment model is situated within a broader movement in U.S. venture capital, marked by the emergence of Black-led firms and new strategies for deploying capital to both fuel growth and address social inequities. Qadree has positioned Zeal as an example of “mission-aligned venture at scale,” offering portfolio companies both financial resources and operational guidance designed to accelerate growth.

The firm emphasizes that the companies it backs must develop solutions aimed at mass-market access, rather than serving only high-income populations. Areas such as fintech and healthcare—which have demonstrated the ability to scale rapidly—are central to Zeal’s strategy. In addition to traditional venture investment, Zeal combines its capital with what it calls “growth experience” support, helping founders navigate challenges related to business development, regulatory compliance, and customer acquisition.

As U.S. venture capital continues to contend with criticism for persistent disparities in capital allocation, Zeal Capital Partners’ approach reflects a growing consensus among some institutional investors that inclusion and financial performance are not mutually exclusive. Its second fund represents an effort to operationalize that belief at scale.

For additional context and updates, see the original post from V3V Ventures.