The Champagne Fund partners with Market Square Ventures, bringing more women into the region’s venture capital ecosystem
The Champagne Fund is about more than just investing in businesses. It's about investing in women and the future of Knoxville.
Pop the champagne! Knoxville’s startup community is welcoming a new initiative designed to bring more women into the region’s venture capital ecosystem. The Champagne Fund, a women-centric venture investment and networking opportunity, is launching in partnership with Market Square Ventures (MSV).
Led by Knoxville commercial broker Savannah Mosier, the initiative aims to educate women about venture capital, build a supportive network of women interested in investing and entrepreneurship and create opportunities to support promising startups in Knoxville and the surrounding region.
The story behind the bubbles
The idea took shape at a spring capital series for women hosted by Catherine Porth of Let Her Speak. Through the series, Mosier learned about the JumpFund, a Chattanooga-based network of women investors. She began thinking about how a similar community could take shape in Knoxville.
She soon met John Bruck, who introduced her to Brandon Bruce, the co-founders of MSV. Over lunch, Mosier shared her vision for creating an approachable way for more women to learn about venture investing and become involved in Knoxville’s startup ecosystem.
MSV was on board. The firm backs early-stage startups, primarily in Tennessee, and brings together founders, investors and community leaders. Through the partnership, they will be responsible for managing the investment vehicle and evaluating potential investments through its established diligence and investment process.
For Mosier, the women-centric focus is personal. A single mother who rebuilt her life and career, she sees access to relationships, knowledge and financial opportunity as transformative.
“I want more women to feel comfortable participating in conversations about investing, entrepreneurship and wealth creation,” Mosier said. “Women are already leaders, business owners, executives and community advocates throughout Knoxville. This creates another place for them to learn from one another and participate in the growth of our entrepreneurial community.”
Raising a glass to education and connection
To Mosier and MSV, this initiative isn’t just about creating another source of startup capital. It’s bigger than that.
“The Champagne Fund is meant to be an opportunity for women to learn about venture capital and connect locally,” Mosier explained. “A big part of it will be education. Venture capital isn’t something most people have much exposure to, and my goal is to grow a network of women who can learn from each other and become more engaged in Knoxville’s entrepreneurial community.”
Members will have opportunities to gather throughout the year, while additional networking and educational programming will introduce a broader group of women to topics such as startup investing, venture capital, entrepreneurship and the growth of Knoxville’s innovation economy.
Save the date for the first pour
The Champagne Fund officially launches Oct. 29 from 4-6 p.m. at 121 Tech Hub.
The launch event is free and open to anyone interested in learning more about the initiative, including men and women. Attendees will have an opportunity to meet the organizers, learn about the vision behind the Champagne Fund and connect with members of Knoxville’s startup and investment community.
“Knoxville is a beautiful place to start this, with so much growth happening across the region,” Mosier said. “Women-focused investment communities exist in other cities, and we have an opportunity to build something meaningful here—something that connects women to one another and to the companies and entrepreneurs building Knoxville’s future.”
And if Mosier’s vision catches on, Champagne Fund membership pins may soon start popping up all over the city!
Register for the launch party here.
The Champagne Fund and related investment vehicles are in development. This article is intended to describe the initiative and its educational and community activities and is not an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to purchase any security. Any offering of interests will be made only through applicable offering documents and in accordance with applicable federal and state securities laws. Investments in venture capital involve substantial risk, including potential loss.
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