Inspiring Conversations with B. Pagels-Minor of DVRGNT Ventures

Today we’d like to introduce you to B. Pagels-Minor.

Hi B., thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I kick-started my journey as a graduate from Northwestern University back in 2008. Just like many of my fellow classmates, I landed a consulting job right after college, but unfortunately, I was let go pretty quickly. After that, I hopped around a few jobs that weren’t exactly my dream gigs, but they helped me pay for grad school.

It was at a career fair where things took an exciting turn. I snagged my first tech job with a marketing tech company. That experience made me realize that tech was my true passion and led me into the world of product management. I soaked up knowledge like a sponge and put it to good use over a decade at companies like Cars.com, Sprout Social, Apple, and Netflix. But as someone with a curious nature, I found myself getting bored with the tech scene.

The reason for my boredom stemmed from how technology had changed. It had shifted from being all about innovation to massive companies that spent more time shutting down ideas than nurturing creativity. Feeling a need for something different, I made a shift toward consulting. In this role, I helped incredible startups find their place in the market and grow on a larger scale.

During my consulting work, I noticed that the most challenging part for startups in Middle America was securing investments. Frustrated by missed opportunities, I voiced my concerns to venture capitalists and investors. Surprisingly, they encouraged me to take matters into my own hands. So, I heeded their advice and founded DVRGNT Ventures.

DVRGNT Ventures was born out of a desire to bridge the gap between innovative startups in Middle America and the investment community. With my firsthand experience and unwavering determination to make a difference, I embarked on this entrepreneurial journey, ready to create a lasting impact and help promising startups thrive.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I must admit, my journey wasn’t a walk in the park. However, I consider myself incredibly fortunate to have an incredible support system and the ability to resource myself. It’s important to acknowledge that I am a Black, trans non-binary lesbian hailing from Mississippi. This meant that at every stage of my career, I had to actively seek out mentors and teachers who could guide me along the path I was carving and who could provide me with access to opportunities.

The truth is, I didn’t fit the mold of the typical individuals occupying the spaces I found myself in. These spaces were predominantly filled with white men from prestigious Ivy League backgrounds. So, I quickly realized the importance of creating my own personal brand. For me, that brand meant being an exceptional connector and facilitator, someone who could forge meaningful relationships with others. By doing so, I aimed to make people want to keep the door open for me, allowing me to confidently walk through and seize opportunities.

We’ve been impressed with DVRGNT Ventures, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
DVRGNT Ventures is not your typical $10MM seed fund. With a focus on empowering tech-enabled startups in Middle America, we proudly support high-potential ventures that often go unnoticed by traditional investors. As far as we know, our firm is the world’s first founded by a transgender lead, breaking barriers and paving the way for greater inclusivity in the industry.

What sets us apart is our commitment to a data-driven approach. We recognize the untapped potential within Middle America, where despite contributing over 60% of the GDP, being home to 67% of the population, and witnessing 36% of annual company formations, only a mere 20% of venture capital investments are directed towards this region. At DVRGNT Ventures, we aim to bridge this gap by connecting the capital with opportunity.

Our founder’s extensive network and outstanding reputation play a crucial role in our mission. We leverage these valuable assets to foster meaningful connections that open doors for startups in Middle America, allowing them to access the capital and resources they need to thrive. To guide our investments and shape our purpose, we rely on three fundamental pillars:

Here are the three key pillars that drive our investments and mission at DVRGNT Ventures:

1. Promoting economic equity: We recognize the significant impact that even a modest increase in annual salaries can have on families’ trajectories. That’s why we are dedicated to driving economic equity in the regions we serve. By striving to raise annual salaries by $5,000 to $10,000, we aim to create positive change and empower individuals and their communities.

2. Addressing systemic bias: At our firm, we are committed to fostering an ecosystem that actively combats systemic bias. We believe in the transformative power of education, mentorship, and leadership development. By creating sustainable communities that champion diversity and inclusion, we can pave the way for a more equitable society for all.

3. Cultivating a talent funnel for long-term growth: We firmly believe in the strength of investing in talent as a catalyst for long-term growth. To evolve industries and drive sustainable progress in the regions we serve, we focus on building a robust talent funnel through our ecosystem. By doing so, we not only mitigate investment risks but also fuel continuous growth for years to come.

1. Economic Equity: Increasing annual salaries by $ 5k- $ 10k can impact families’ trajectory significantly, and we are committed to driving economic equity in the regions we serve.

2. Combatting systemic bias: Our firm is dedicated to creating an ecosystem that addresses systemic bias through education, mentorship, and leadership development. Building sustainable communities supporting diversity and inclusion can drive positive change for individuals and society.

3. Talent funnel for long-term growth: We believe in the power of investing in talent to drive long-term growth and evolve industries in the regions we serve. By creating a talent funnel through our ecosystem, we can derisk investment returns and drive sustainable growth for years.

What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
In my experience, I’ve come to realize that relationships are absolutely everything. Whether you’re aiming to make your mark in the tech world or venture capital, it’s vital to build strong connections that can accelerate your learning and help you navigate the ins and outs of these industries. Having the right network and context is the secret sauce for achieving success. Without that invaluable support system and understanding, the odds are stacked against you, making failure a likely outcome. So, remember, in this realm, nurturing relationships is truly the key that unlocks doors and paves the way to triumph.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://dvrgntventures.com/
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/dvrgntventures
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dvrgntventures
• Linkedin: https://linkedin.com/company/dvrgntventures
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/dvrgntventures
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@dvrgntventures

Image Credits
First 4 are: ALEVTINA KALASHNIK Logo is B. Pagels-minor Next to last us Emmeline Ventures Last is Chasing Rainbows VC