Arlan Hamilton is an author, venture capitalist, founder, tech icon, and, perhaps most importantly, the world's biggest Janet Jackson fan. Her nontraditional background has allowed her to approach the tech and venture capital world with a uniquely impactful perspective.
Hamilton began her career in the music industry, managing a Norwegian pop-punk band on tour. She continued to carve out a successful career in music, producing and managing tours for major artists, including Toni Braxton, Pharrell Williams, Chromeo, and CeeLo Green. However, her life took a pivotal turn in 2015 when she founded Backstage Capital.
When founding Backstage Capital, Hamilton was homeless, after putting her established career on hold to pursue venture funding. With a relentless passion for leveling the playing field, she launched Backstage Capital to support underrepresented founders—women, people of color, and LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs—who historically have been overlooked in tech and startup funding. Her visionary approach set out to close the equity gap in venture capital by creating a more diverse and inclusive ecosystem. Remarkably, Hamilton went from being homeless to building one of the most prolific VC firms in the world. Since its inception, Backstage Capital has invested in over 170 companies and continues to grow.
In 2020, Hamilton released her first book, It's About Damn Time, where she shares her journey and offers insight into finding your voice and achieving your biggest dreams. This wasn’t her first time writing—she had previously gained notoriety as a blogger on Your Daily Lesbian Moment and as the creator of INTERLUDE magazine. Her passion for storytelling continued in 2024 with the release of her second book, Your First Million.
In 2018, Arlan Hamilton was honored with Fortune’s 40 Under 40 award, and in 2021 and 2022, she was named to Fast Company’s Queer 50 list. Through her remarkable career and advocacy work, Hamilton has redefined the industry by pushing for a more diverse and inclusive tech ecosystem. Despite her success, she stays deeply connected to her roots and mission. She often credits her mother, Earline Butler-Sims, for instilling in her the values of perseverance and empathy—qualities that drive Hamilton’s commitment to ensuring that everyone, no matter their background, has the opportunity to pursue their dreams.
Readings & References
‘I’ll be doing this for decades’: Arlan Hamilton’s challenging the status quo of VC
Memo to the Silicon Valley boys’ club: Arlan Hamilton has no time for your BS
Persistence, Abundance, and the Power of Capital
VC Arlan Hamilton's Plan To Grow 1000 Black Millionaires
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