ResilienceVC, a newly launched seed-stage fintech venture capital firm based in Washington, D.C., has announced its debut fund of $56 million, as shared exclusively with TechCrunch. The firm’s website can be found at ResilienceVC.

Founded in 2023 by Tahira Dosani and Vikas Raj, ResilienceVC is driven by a simple yet impactful mission: to support fintech companies that help Americans achieve financial stability. The firm invests in startups that address key challenges, such as homeownership, affordable insurance, and access to government benefits.

According to Raj, “We invest in visionary entrepreneurs who leverage new technologies and business models to drive financial resilience for all Americans. Unfortunately, the current financial system is not serving many Americans as it should.”

Dosani and Raj have a proven track record of investing in companies that promote financial inclusion. Prior to founding ResilienceVC, they worked together as co-managing directors at Accion Venture Lab. Their notable achievements include Dosani’s role in launching Afghanistan’s first mobile payments platform and Raj’s founding of a microlending company in Bangalore, India, which sparked his interest in microfinance and led him to invest in fintech.

During their eight-year tenure at Accion, a global seed-stage fintech investor, the duo invested in over 50 companies, including several unicorns. They have been raising capital for ResilienceVC’s first fund for approximately 18 months, with the final close taking place in late 2024.

ResilienceVC plans to make 25 investments from its fund, which was initially targeted at $50 million but became oversubscribed. The firm’s portfolio companies include Alice, Chaiz, EarlyBird, Foyer, Mirza, OS Benefits, PartnerSlate, and Suma, among others. The initial investment per company is around $1 million. Notably, 75% of the firm’s portfolio companies have underrepresented founders.

Dosani mentioned that the firm expects to follow on in approximately 50% of its portfolio companies, looking to double its stake in their next round. “That will depend on portfolio performance, but we’ll be doubling down on our winners,” she said.

ResilienceVC’s limited partners include a mix of institutions, banks, family offices, high-net-worth individuals, and foundations, such as MetLife, Skoll Foundation, and Ally Financial, among others.

The firm is intentionally headquartered in Washington, D.C., to leverage its location and relationships with regulators and policymakers. Raj explained that being based in D.C. provides a unique advantage, particularly in the rapidly changing regulatory and policy environment.

“We believe it’s essential to have deep connections to decision-makers, regulators, and policymakers, especially for startups,” Raj added. “By positioning ourselves in D.C., we can serve as a conduit to these entities.”

Dosani also highlighted the benefits of being located outside Silicon Valley, which provides a broader perspective on the growing number of founders operating in other cities across the country.

Ultimately, ResilienceVC aims to challenge the prevailing trend in fintech investing, which often focuses on high-net-worth customers or large enterprises. The firm seeks to address the gap in the market by investing in startups that serve the mass market, including low-to-moderate-income individuals and small businesses.

As Raj noted, “We want to invest in the best fintech startups that explicitly serve the mass market, using new technologies like AI and embedded fintech to build profitable businesses that benefit everyone.”

By doing so, ResilienceVC hopes to make a meaningful impact in the fintech industry and drive financial resilience for all Americans.