Investing in Overlooked Founders: The GIFF Model

Jan de Vries · 2026-03-23

A new fund is trying to change the game for entrepreneurs who've been left out. It's not just about writing checks. It's about changing perceptions from the ground up. The Global Inclusive Founders Fund (GIFF) launched recently. It's got a unique two-part structure: a foundation and an investment fund. They're working together to find and fund high-potential founders who've faced systemic barriers. We're talking about founders with disabilities, neurodivergent thinkers, or those managing chronic conditions. The backers believe these lived experiences aren't hurdles. They're a secret weapon. ### The Two-Part Strategy: Why Both Matter The foundation's job is early-stage. It's about creating visibility and access. Think role models, mentorship, and helping people see entrepreneurship as a real path for them. Many folks with disabilities never even consider starting a company. It's not part of their world. The foundation aims to change that narrative first. The fund steps in later. It invests in the most promising founders from that pipeline. But here's the key: it's not an impact fund. The goal is straight-up venture returns. They're betting that overlooked talent is untapped potential. As Hermann Arnold, a key figure behind GIFF, put it: "The biggest gap is not funding – it's perception." Without changing that perception, you can't build a pipeline. And without capital ready to deploy, the signal isn't real. ### The Founder Advantage: Resilience Built In So, what's the investment thesis? From an investor's lens, how do these experiences translate into a competitive edge? Arnold breaks it down simply. These founders have been operating in non-ideal conditions from day one. That forges three critical traits: - Extreme resilience - Unconventional problem-solving - A knack for navigating broken systems In venture capital speak, that's a powerful founder-market fit for tackling complex problems. They also spot market opportunities others miss, often because they've lived the problem themselves. ### More Than Money: The Active Investment Circle This isn't a passive fund. The investors plan to be deeply involved. They're building an 'Investment Circle' of experienced entrepreneurs and operators. It's less about limited partners writing checks and more about a founder-backed network. This group will help source deals, evaluate them, and most importantly, support companies after the investment. The model takes inspiration from what worked at firms like b2venture, but applies it to this specific, overlooked segment of founders. The ambition is to start closing deals by the second quarter of 2026. The pipeline is already growing, with eyes on ecosystems from London and Munich to San Francisco. The team includes notable figures like Swiss national councillor Islam Alijaj and serial entrepreneur Hermann Arnold. Other involved parties range from Daniel Gutenberg to Bettina Hein, bringing a wealth of experience to the table. They're not disclosing the fund size yet. The focus, they say, is on building deal access first. That network, that circle, is the core asset they're creating right now. It's a fascinating approach. By combining grassroots foundation work with a returns-driven fund, GIFF is attempting to build a bridge. A bridge from invisibility to investment, proving that inclusive investing isn't just good ethics. It's good business.