Backstage Capital, which focuses on supporting women and entrepreneurs of color, invested undisclosed amounts in clean-energy provider Solstice and Pilotly, a digital research provider for media companies.
Solstice, led by Ugwem Eneyo and Cole Stites-Clayton, makes a smart meter that helps households and businesses in Nigeria monitor energy consumption and switch between the electric grid and local sources when the grid goes out.
Pilotly lets video creators test their products on audiences. Founder James Norman shares Backstage Capital’s mission to support women entrepreneurs and entrepreneurs of color. He’s a co-founder of Transparent Collective, which helps underrepresented entrepreneurs meet investors.
Backstage Capital founder Arlan Hamilton called Norman “a CEO who truly believes in all boats rising with the tide.”