FoundHer: Carrie Colbert on Redefining Venture Capital and Championing Women-Led Businesses

In this installment of our FoundHer series, we’re highlighting Carrie Colbert, a former engineer turned investor who’s boldly transforming the venture capital landscape with her firm, Curate Capital. After nearly two decades in the oil and gas industry, Carrie left the corporate world to follow her passion: empowering women. What began as angel investing evolved into a mission-driven VC firm that has already raised over $15 million—80% of which came from women.

Carrie opens up about the inequities that inspired her leap into venture, how her background as a content creator influenced her investment model, and why being underestimated has only fueled her resolve. From redefining success to balancing entrepreneurship with motherhood, Carrie shares a candid look at building Curate Capital, embracing influential investing, and leaving a legacy that creates space—and capital—for the next generation of women entrepreneurs.

The FoundHer Files is our candid interview series spotlighting fearless female entrepreneurs who are rewriting the rules of business, leadership, and legacy. Through real stories of resilience, purpose, and bold reinvention, each installment dives into the journeys of women who dared to build their own lanes—and bring others along with them. These are the unfiltered blueprints behind the breakthroughs.

1. Can you tell us about your business and what inspired you to start it?

I launched Curate Capital in 2021 to amplify the voices and visions of female-founded companies by providing not only financial support but also the resources needed to help them thrive. After nearly two decades in the oil and gas industry, I “retired” to pursue my true passion. I had always believed in the power of women-led businesses, but it wasn’t until I truly understood how underrepresented they were that I felt compelled to dive into the world of venture capital. Learning that women only receive 2% of VC funding compared to their male counterparts ignited a fire in me—a drive to support female-founded businesses on a much larger and more impactful scale.

2. What problem does your business solve, and who is it for?

Curate Capital is dedicated to solving a fundamental problem in the venture capital landscape: the massive underrepresentation and underfunding of female entrepreneurs. Despite the growing number of women starting businesses—they continue to receive only a fraction of venture funding. That’s not just a gender issue; it’s a missed opportunity for innovation and return on investment.

Secondarily, we are disrupting the venture capital model. As a VC outsider, I saw the model of other venture funds totally lacking innovation. It was my idea to leverage my background as an influencer in Curate Capital. I call this Influential Investing; which is the process of both raising capital from influencers and then pairing them with our founders to create an unfair advantage.

3. How did you go from idea to execution-what were your first steps?

When I shifted away from the oil and gas industry, I started to focus on my creative side. Soon after, I started a blog with a mission to empower women to live, think and dress with more color. At the same time, I was posting about my life experiences through social media and unexpectedly grew a following of over 80K on Instagram. It was through social media that I began connecting with extraordinary female business owners and I started investing my own personal dollars into their business. When I saw an unusually high rate of return, it became clear that this was an underserved market with a significant untapped opportunity.

4. What has your entrepreneurial journey looked like so far?

My entrepreneurial journey has been very non-linear, but incredibly rewarding. Every experience I have gone through, good and bad, was a great learning opportunity for me. Although I spent nearly two decades in the oil and gas industry, I gained an immense amount of entrepreneurial experience that has been very useful in my venture capital career today. Transitioning from this industry to venture capital was challenging in ways, yet exciting! I wasn’t certain what I wanted to do next, but I knew I wanted it to be something entrepreneurial in nature that invoked my creativity and passion. Coincidentally and very fortuitously, I was on Instagram the week it launched, and soon after I gained a following of over 85,000 via Instagram. This was very fortuitous for me, as that’s how I started connecting with female-founded businesses that I admired and started my angel investing journey. I soon realized I had to learn A LOT about the investment industry, and am still learning new things throughout my career. Being an entrepreneur, there are definitely some days that seem daunting, but the challenges often bring out the creativity and resilience that push me to keep going.

5. What have been your biggest challenges, and how have you overcome them?

One of the biggest challenges I’ve faced since starting my entrepreneurial journey is navigating an industry where female founders are still underrepresented and often underestimated. The reality is, there’s a lack of female investors in the space—which means fewer people truly understand or champion the value that women-led businesses bring to the table. I’ve had to walk into rooms where I wasn’t taken seriously at first glance, and I’ve had to prove, time and time again, that passion and profit can coexist—especially when women are leading the way.

But I believe challenges are simply opportunities in disguise. I’ve leaned into building a brand and a business that not only showcases the power of female entrepreneurship but also uplifts others along the way. By creating content with purpose, investing in women-led ideas, and having open conversations about equity and representation, I aim to be part of the change I want to see. It hasn’t always been easy—but it’s absolutely been worth it.

6. Have there been any pivotal moments or turning points for your business?

Oh, definitely! In 2022, we closed our first fund at $15M—50% above target—with nearly 80% of investors being women, including leading influencers with over 10 million followers. This was a huge moment for Curate Capital, and it encouraged the momentum of our second fund that opened back in fall of 2024.

7. What does a typical day look like for you as a business owner?

No two days are ever exactly the same—which is one of the things I love most about being a business owner! Some days are packed with strategy meetings with founders or coffee catch-ups with investors, while others are more content-focused, where I’m filming social media content. I also make it a point to attend networking events whenever I can—connecting with other entrepreneurs, especially women, always energizes and inspires me.

At the same time, I’m deeply committed to being present for my family. As a single mother my son and daughter are my greatest joy, and spending quality time with them grounds me. Whether it’s a school drop-off, story time, or simply a few unplugged hours together, those moments are non-negotiable. Balancing it all isn’t always seamless, but with intention and flexibility, I make it work—and I wouldn’t trade this journey for anything.

8. How do you balance the demands of running a business with your personal life?

As a business owner and a mom, my days are full—and I wouldn’t have it any other way. I’ve become very intentional with my time, setting boundaries around work and carving out space for what matters most: my daughter, my son, and my own well-being.

I also firmly believe in the power of delegation and building a strong team. I don’t try to do it all myself, and that’s been a game-changer. Whether it’s leaning on my team for business operations or asking for help at home, I’ve learned that success doesn’t mean doing it alone. Giving myself permission to slow down when needed—and celebrate the wins, big or small—has helped me find a rhythm that feels both fulfilling and sustainable.

I will end by saying, my family first mentality makes me a better entrepreneur. You can have it both as a woman, never settle.

9. Do you have a team, or do you work solo? How has that shaped your experience?

Yes, I absolutely have a team—and I wouldn’t be where I am without them. From the beginning, I knew that building something meaningful required surrounding myself with people who share the vision, bring diverse strengths to the table, and aren’t afraid to think big. I may be the face of the brand, but behind the scenes, it’s a true team effort.

Having a strong team has not only helped me scale the business more strategically, but it’s also allowed me to stay focused on what I do best: investing in women-led businesses, mentoring founders, and creating impactful content. It’s shaped my experience into one that’s more collaborative, more dynamic, and ultimately, more rewarding. I believe in hiring people you trust, empowering them to lead, and growing together every step of the way.

10. How did you fund your business in the beginning?

Curate Capital is a venture fund. I set a goal for raising $10M from investors of which 80% are women. I actually ended up oversubscribing and raising $15M. I funded the first $1M+ of investments with my capital before raising from limited partners.

11. What have been your most successful growth strategies?

Absolutely, my definition of success has evolved. Early in my career, success was tied to traditional benchmarks—titles, financial milestones, and recognition. But over time, I’ve come to define success more in terms of impact. Am I helping other women rise? Am I creating opportunities where they didn’t exist before? Success now looks like building a legacy that empowers others and leaves the world better than I found it.

12. How do you define success-has that definition changed over time?

13. What’s the best piece of business advice you’ve ever received?

Well, this quote isn’t particular to business, but I think it’s applicable to both business and life. “Be kind, for everyone you know is fighting a hard battle.” I certainly try to live with that quote in mind. We may think we know what others are going through based on social media or other social interactions. But in reality, we know only a small fraction of what others are dealing with. Leading with kindness is so important.

14. What do you wish more people understood about entrepreneurship?

That it’s not glamorous most of the time. Entrepreneurship is messy, uncertain, and often risky. But it’s also deeply rewarding if you stay connected to your purpose. I wish more people understood that it’s not about having all the answers—it’s about being brave enough to ask the hard questions and keep moving.

15. Looking back, is there anything you would have done differently?

If anything, I would have reminded myself that every step—even those that didn’t feel perfectly aligned with my passion—had value. Early in my career, I followed a more traditional corporate path, and while it wasn’t where I ultimately found purpose, it taught me invaluable skills: strategic thinking, financial discipline, leadership.

Looking back, I now see those years not as detours, but as preparation. I believe there’s growth in every chapter, and even when you’re not yet walking in your purpose, you’re still learning, building, and becoming. The key is staying open to the pivot when it presents itself—and trusting that it’s never too late to pursue what truly lights you up.

16. Who or what inspires you, both in business and in life?

I’m inspired by the women we invest in every day. These are bold, resilient visionaries building businesses from the ground up, often while defying the odds. On a personal level, I’m deeply inspired by the broader community of women who show up, speak up, and lift each other as they climb. Whether it’s a founder pitching her first investor or a woman breaking barriers in her industry, their courage and determination fuel my belief that we are collectively reshaping what leadership looks like.

17. What legacy or impact do you hope your business will leave behind?

I hope Curate Capital will be remembered as a catalyst for change in venture capital—a firm that redefined what and who gets funded. I want our impact to extend far beyond returns. I want us to be part of the reason more women-owned businesses scale, succeed, and shape the future.

18. What advice would you give to other women looking to start their own business?

Surround yourself with mentors and allies who believe in you, even when you doubt yourself. And don’t be afraid to take up space—your ideas, your voice, and your vision are not only valid, they’re needed.

Before I started Curate Capital, I had essentially no sales or fundraising experience. So, fundraising was a steep learning curve for me! We originally set a goal of raising $10 million. There were months when I wasn’t sure we would achieve that. But in the end, we exceeded that goal by 50%, raising $15 million. Here are three key lessons I learned from that experience.

1. Control What You Can Control – I see a lot of founders using a playbook from 5+ years ago and thinking it will work today. The landscape has changed for fundraising. Both for founders and for venture capital funds. It starts with really vetting your idea and being honest about how novel it truly is. A slide deck and a good pitch are no longer sufficient. For example, our Fund II Data Room has over 50 different assets. Investors want to see how you think, how you solve problems and most importantly how you will execute. The best way to show this is to write your ideas down and present them in an extremely detailed way. You need marketing materials for your vision and then detailed assets to show how you will achieve success.

2. Be Confident But Be Flexible

This relates to my above point but it continues to amaze me how certain founders and managers will have very little flexibility with potential investors. Focus on a relationship; the more you push on them, the less interested they will be. We often will say no to founders who demand we invest quickly and are against sharing standard information. I think Founders need to understand the pendulum has swung back in strong favor of investors and should be careful of the FOMO approach.