Investor of Month Spotlight: Pocket Sun, SoGal Ventures

Asia Tech Daily takes pride in acknowledging and celebrating the remarkable achievements of influential investors shaping the future of venture capital. Through our special feature, “Investor of Month Spotlight,” we honor the impactful contributions of leaders in the investment industry. In this edition, we shine the spotlight on Pocket Sun, Co-founder and Managing Partner at SoGal Ventures, recognizing her outstanding dedication to encouraging diversity, innovation, and excellence in the startup ecosystem. 

Pocket Sun is the Co-founder and Managing Partner at SoGal Ventures who shapes the direction of diversity and innovation in the venture capital space! An empathetic leader and diligent investor, Sun has supported several women-led startups and diverse entrepreneurs worldwide.

Pocket Sun, alongside her co-founder Elizabeth, has spearheaded a movement to empower founders from diverse backgrounds and stages. Since its inception in 2015, the two founders of SoGal Ventures have invested in over 150 startups globally, with a track record that includes backing five $1B+ unicorns from the earliest stage. 

Sun’s investment focus on the future of living, working, and staying healthy has transformed tech and science innovations into consumer-grade products catering to diverse demographics’ unmet needs.

Her journey to becoming a venture capitalist was rooted in addressing the gender and diversity disparities prevalent in the industry. Reflecting on her path, Pocket shares, “I created the SoGal community in LA, which later became one of the largest global networks for women entrepreneurs and investors.” This grassroots initiative laid the foundation for SoGal Ventures, driven by a mission to break the status quo of the VC industry.

Pocket Sun has shattered barriers and challenged norms throughout her career, earning accolades such as Forbes’ recognition as one of the youngest cover stars. Her advocacy for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) has garnered widespread acclaim, with features in prominent media outlets and prestigious awards, including Entrepreneur Magazine’s “100 Most Powerful Women.”

With SoGal Ventures expanding its footprint globally, Sun navigates unique opportunities and challenges inherent in working with startups and entrepreneurs from diverse regions and cultural backgrounds. She emphasizes the importance of respecting differences while finding alignment on the broader vision of empowering the next generation of entrepreneurs.

As an investor, Sun foresees trends shaping the future of core sectors like consumer tech, digital health & wellness, and the future of work. She underscores the transformative potential of AI and tech-enabled healthcare experiences in responding to evolving consumer needs and addressing pressing global challenges.

Pocket Sun’s commitment to investing in diverse founders comes from a belief in the competitive advantage that diversity, particularly women’s leadership, brings to startups. She notes, “Our founders love having us on their side,” highlighting SoGal Ventures’ unparalleled support and understanding of women entrepreneurs, investors, and consumers.

In navigating the fundraising process, Sun acknowledges the challenges faced by women entrepreneurs, including capital confidence and lengthy fundraising journeys. Through SoGal Ventures’ second fund, she aims to streamline the process by providing greater support and resources to early-stage founders.

Beyond her professional endeavors, Sun is active in social causes. Her vocal advocacy against workplace sexual harassment and close involvement with marginalized groups has shown her dedication to driving positive change beyond the boardroom.

Looking ahead, Pocket Sun sees a future where diversity gaps in the startup ecosystem are closed within our generation. With SoGal Ventures, she strives to be ahead in her mission to empower women leaders and drive inclusive innovation in venture capital.

In honoring Pocket Sun’s contributions, we celebrate her relentless pursuit of diversity, equity, and inclusion, shaping a more inclusive and vibrant startup ecosystem for generations to come. 

As we recognize Pocket Sun as the Investor of the Month, we invite you to join us at the Innovation Exchange program, a virtual event where she will share insights and experiences from her outstanding journey in venture capital.