# Backstage Capital

Backstage Capital is an Asset Manager based in Brooklyn, United States.

## Overview

- **Organization type:** Asset Manager
- **Headquarters:** Brooklyn, United States
- **Region:** North America
- **Address:** Brooklyn, NY, United States
- **Assets under management:** Undisclosed
- **Website:** backstagecapital.com

## Regulatory record

- **Reports private funds:** No

## About

Backstage Capital was founded by Arlan Hamilton, an entrepreneur who built the firm from a trajectory of homelessness to becoming a venture investor. The firm explicitly targets startup founders who identify as women, people of color, or LGBTQ, citing that diverse teams deliver stronger business outcomes. The firm invests across a broad range of sectors including AI, B2B, B2C, FinTech, Health, and Education. It provides capital via an accelerator program: $100k for 5% equity over a three-month program that includes free co-work space. Portfolio companies include over 200 named headliners in categories spanning 30+ tags from AI to Wedding. Backstage operates from Brooklyn, New York. The firm runs a weekly newsletter called The Mixtape and accepts applications for funding and accelerator cohorts. The team includes Arlan Hamilton and Christie Pitts, both listed on the contact page for media and event requests. Backstage's structural differentiator is its explicit mandate to back underestimated founders — a focus that most venture funds avoid or treat as a pipeline problem. The firm positions itself as the opportunity in that gap, not a charitable side project.

## Sectors

- AI/ML
- FinTech
- Digital Health
- Enterprise Software
- ClimateTech
- EdTech
- Real Estate

## People

- Arlan Hamilton — Founder
- Christie Pitts — Crew member

## Questions

### Who runs investment decisions at Backstage Capital?

Arlan Hamilton is the founder and leads the firm. Christie Pitts is also listed as a key contact for event, podcast, and press requests. No formal CIO or managing partner titles are disclosed on the website (per firm website).

### How does Backstage Capital source proprietary deal flow?

The firm accepts applications directly on its website and runs an accelerator program. It also builds community through city teams and its weekly newsletter The Mixtape. There is no public information on sourced deal flow via intermediaries.

### Does Backstage Capital participate in fund commitments or only direct deals?

The firm makes direct equity investments through its accelerator program — $100k for 5% equity per startup. There is no public evidence of fund-of-funds or LP commitments to other managers.

### What investment stages does Backstage Capital typically target?

Backstage Capital focuses on early-stage startups, as evidenced by its accelerator program. The program provides $100k in capital, which aligns with seed or pre-seed stage investments.

### Which sectors does Backstage Capital explicitly avoid?

The firm does not publicly list any sectors it avoids. Its portfolio tags span 30+ categories including AI, Beauty, Blockchain, Drones, FinTech, and Real Estate. No negative screens are disclosed.

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- [Team Technologies](https://altss.com/profile/team-technologies)
- [Empower Community Care](https://altss.com/profile/empower-community-care)

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Last updated: 2026-06-03T20:00:00.000Z

Canonical page: https://altss.com/profile/backstage-llc

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