{"id":49305,"date":"2021-07-27T09:00:00","date_gmt":"2021-07-27T16:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/?p=49305"},"modified":"2021-07-27T14:39:35","modified_gmt":"2021-07-27T21:39:35","slug":"salesforces-impact-fund-sparks-change-by-leveling-the-playing-field","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/stories\/salesforces-impact-fund-sparks-change-by-leveling-the-playing-field\/","title":{"rendered":"Salesforce\u2019s Impact Fund Sparks Change by Leveling the Playing Field for Startups"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><strong>Quick take:&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Salesforce Ventures\u2019 $150 million Impact Fund has now invested in 28 companies \u2014 60% of which have a female or underrepresented minority founder or CEO.<\/li><li>Guild Education, a female-founded unicorn, provides a case study for the fund\u2019s success<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator\" \/>\n\n\n\n<p>Rachel Romer Carlson views education as more than just training \u2014 rather, she sees it as an avenue to distribute the opportunities that elude far too many.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWe are in a moment as a society where we have a workforce craving something more and wanting to better themselves,\u201d said Romer Carlson. \u201cWe also see a desire from employers to provide educational and training opportunities to grow the talent within their companies.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Romer Carlson is the CEO and co-founder of Guild Education, an education platform with a mission to unlock opportunity for America\u2019s workforce through education and upskilling. Interestingly, Guild is a prime example of overcoming the odds and tapping into resources that haven\u2019t always been handed out equally \u2014 in this case, venture capital.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large prevent-download\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"wp-block-image__modal-toggle\" aria-expanded=\"false\" data-modal-id=\"49433-modal\"><span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Open Image Modal<\/span><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" height=\"682\" width=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/07\/Guild-Office_WEB-1-2-1.jpg?w=1024\" alt=\"Guild Office HQ\" class=\"wp-image-49433\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/07\/Guild-Office_WEB-1-2-1.jpg 1600w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/07\/Guild-Office_WEB-1-2-1.jpg?w=300&amp;h=200 300w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/07\/Guild-Office_WEB-1-2-1.jpg?w=768&amp;h=512 768w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/07\/Guild-Office_WEB-1-2-1.jpg?w=1024&amp;h=682 1024w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/07\/Guild-Office_WEB-1-2-1.jpg?w=1536&amp;h=1023 1536w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/07\/Guild-Office_WEB-1-2-1.jpg?w=264&amp;h=176 264w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/07\/Guild-Office_WEB-1-2-1.jpg?w=500&amp;h=333 500w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/07\/Guild-Office_WEB-1-2-1.jpg?w=678&amp;h=452 678w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/07\/Guild-Office_WEB-1-2-1.jpg?w=150&amp;h=100 150w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/07\/Guild-Office_WEB-1-2-1.jpg?w=290&amp;h=193 290w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/07\/Guild-Office_WEB-1-2-1.jpg?w=1218&amp;h=811 1218w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><figcaption><em><em>Guild Education Headquarters \u2014 Denver, CO<\/em><\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n<div id=\"49433-modal\" class=\"image-modal\" aria-hidden=\"true\" aria-labelledby=\"image-dialog-title\"><div class=\"image-modal__overlay\" tabindex=\"-1\" data-a11y-dialog-hide><\/div><div class=\"image-modal__content\" role=\"dialog\"><button class=\"image-modal__close-button\" type=\"button\" data-a11y-dialog-hide aria-label=\"Close this image dialog window\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 26 25\" height=\"16\" width=\"16\" fill=\"currentColor\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><rect x=\".626\" y=\"22.753\" width=\"32\" height=\"3\" rx=\"1.5\" transform=\"rotate(-45 .626 22.753)\"\/><rect x=\"2.747\" y=\".125\" width=\"32\" height=\"3\" rx=\"1.5\" transform=\"rotate(45 2.747 .125)\"\/><\/svg><\/button><h1 id=\"image-dialog-title\" class=\"screen-reader-text\">Image Modal<\/h1>\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large prevent-download\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1600\" height=\"1066\" src=\"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/07\/Guild-Office_WEB-1-2-1.jpg?w=1024\" alt=\"Guild Office HQ\" class=\"wp-image-49433\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/07\/Guild-Office_WEB-1-2-1.jpg 1600w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/07\/Guild-Office_WEB-1-2-1.jpg?w=300&amp;h=200 300w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/07\/Guild-Office_WEB-1-2-1.jpg?w=768&amp;h=512 768w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/07\/Guild-Office_WEB-1-2-1.jpg?w=1024&amp;h=682 1024w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/07\/Guild-Office_WEB-1-2-1.jpg?w=1536&amp;h=1023 1536w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/07\/Guild-Office_WEB-1-2-1.jpg?w=264&amp;h=176 264w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/07\/Guild-Office_WEB-1-2-1.jpg?w=500&amp;h=333 500w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/07\/Guild-Office_WEB-1-2-1.jpg?w=678&amp;h=452 678w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/07\/Guild-Office_WEB-1-2-1.jpg?w=150&amp;h=100 150w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/07\/Guild-Office_WEB-1-2-1.jpg?w=290&amp;h=193 290w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/07\/Guild-Office_WEB-1-2-1.jpg?w=1218&amp;h=811 1218w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px\" \/><figcaption><em><em>Guild Education Headquarters \u2014 Denver, CO<\/em><\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<p>The company is a unicorn, and a vastly successful one at that, having recently completed a $150 million Series E funding round and achieving a valuation of $3.75 billion.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There are more than 700 unicorn companies \u2014 tech startups that reached at least $1 billion in valuation\u2014 according to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cbinsights.com\/research-unicorn-companies\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">CB insights<\/a>. Very few are run by women. In fact, <a href=\"https:\/\/hbr.org\/2021\/02\/women-led-startups-received-just-2-3-of-vc-funding-in-2020\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">only 2.3% of all Venture Capitalist (VC) funding<\/a> went to women-led startups in 2020.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>According to Romer Carlson, reaching these heights took hard work. Though Guild is not the first education platform, its unique business model serving employees, employers, and universities is the secret sauce \u2014 connecting employers with specific programs empowers employees to find the higher education program best suited for their schedule and learning style.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The hard work and unique business approach paid off, resulting in companies like Disney, Chipotle, Walmart, Waste Management and Lowe\u2019s offering educational benefits to their employees through Guild.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As the Denver-based startup grew, it also received a critical assist \u2014 from another female-run team.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Salesforce Ventures Impact Fund: A catalyst for equity in entrepreneurship<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/company\/ventures\/impact\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Salesforce Ventures Impact Fund<\/a> is one of Guild\u2019s strong supporters. Led by Claudine Emeott, the all-female Impact Fund team invests in innovative, global cloud companies and founders who are making a measurable social or environmental impact.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Impact investing is a natural fit for Emeott.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI\u2019ve always been passionate about the intersection of technology, impact, and investing,\u201d said Emeott.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Emeott launched the Impact Fund <a href=\"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/press-releases\/2017\/10\/03\/salesforce-ventures-introduces-new-50-million-impact-investment-fund\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">in 2017<\/a> with $50 million to accelerate the growth of cloud companies that connect to the Salesforce ecosystem to address social and environmental challenges. At the time, Salesforce was the first corporate venture program to launch a dedicated impact fund.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cOur idea was to marry the mission of impact-driven organizations and the strategic, financial return goals of corporate venture in a really compelling fashion,\u201d said Emeott.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>Our idea was to marry the mission of impact-driven organizations and the strategic, financial return goals of corporate venture in a really compelling fashion.<\/p><cite>Claudine Emeott, Senior Director, Impact Investing, Salesforce<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>Following the success of its first Impact Fund, Salesforce Ventures doubled down last fall with a new <a href=\"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/press-releases\/2020\/10\/06\/salesforce-ventures-launches-second-100-million-impact-fund\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">$100 million fund.<\/a> In all, the Impact Fund has invested in 28 companies including two more unicorns, <a href=\"https:\/\/uniteus.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Unite Us<\/a>, a veteran-founded technology platform that builds coordinated care networks for patient populations, and <a href=\"https:\/\/flutterwave.com\/us\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Flutterwave<\/a>, an Africa-based company that created a global payments platform for companies to sell to customers anywhere in the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Emeott, who is among the 12% of decision makers at VC firms in the U.S. who are female, noted that the correlation between the low number of female and diverse VCs and the percentage of funding directed toward female- and diverse-led companies is no surprise.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cJust as entrepreneurs start companies aimed at problems they\u2019ve experienced, VCs tend to gravitate toward companies that address their own lived experiences,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Emeott has an ambitious goal to increase representation in the tech startup community \u2014 vowing to invest 50% of the fund\u2019s capital in minority-led or founded companies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>As of the end of Salesforce\u2019s fiscal year, 60% of the Impact Fund\u2019s portfolio companies had a female or underrepresented minority founder or CEO.<\/li><li>And, 82% of those companies have board members who are female or underrepresented minorities.&nbsp;<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image__wrapper\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large prevent-download\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"wp-block-image__modal-toggle\" aria-expanded=\"false\" data-modal-id=\"49434-modal\"><span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Open Image Modal<\/span><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" height=\"576\" width=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/07\/InArticle-1.jpg?w=1024\" alt=\"Salesforce Ventures Impact Fund Goals\" class=\"wp-image-49434\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/07\/InArticle-1.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/07\/InArticle-1.jpg?w=300&amp;h=169 300w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/07\/InArticle-1.jpg?w=768&amp;h=432 768w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/07\/InArticle-1.jpg?w=1024&amp;h=576 1024w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/07\/InArticle-1.jpg?w=264&amp;h=149 264w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/07\/InArticle-1.jpg?w=500&amp;h=281 500w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/07\/InArticle-1.jpg?w=678&amp;h=381 678w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/07\/InArticle-1.jpg?w=150&amp;h=84 150w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/07\/InArticle-1.jpg?w=314&amp;h=177 314w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/07\/InArticle-1.jpg?w=343&amp;h=193 343w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<div id=\"49434-modal\" class=\"image-modal\" aria-hidden=\"true\" aria-labelledby=\"image-dialog-title\"><div class=\"image-modal__overlay\" tabindex=\"-1\" data-a11y-dialog-hide><\/div><div class=\"image-modal__content\" role=\"dialog\"><button class=\"image-modal__close-button\" type=\"button\" data-a11y-dialog-hide aria-label=\"Close this image dialog window\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 26 25\" height=\"16\" width=\"16\" fill=\"currentColor\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><rect x=\".626\" y=\"22.753\" width=\"32\" height=\"3\" rx=\"1.5\" transform=\"rotate(-45 .626 22.753)\"\/><rect x=\"2.747\" y=\".125\" width=\"32\" height=\"3\" rx=\"1.5\" transform=\"rotate(45 2.747 .125)\"\/><\/svg><\/button><h1 id=\"image-dialog-title\" class=\"screen-reader-text\">Image Modal<\/h1>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large prevent-download\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"675\" src=\"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/07\/InArticle-1.jpg?w=1024\" alt=\"Salesforce Ventures Impact Fund Goals\" class=\"wp-image-49434\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/07\/InArticle-1.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/07\/InArticle-1.jpg?w=300&amp;h=169 300w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/07\/InArticle-1.jpg?w=768&amp;h=432 768w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/07\/InArticle-1.jpg?w=1024&amp;h=576 1024w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/07\/InArticle-1.jpg?w=264&amp;h=149 264w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/07\/InArticle-1.jpg?w=500&amp;h=281 500w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/07\/InArticle-1.jpg?w=678&amp;h=381 678w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/07\/InArticle-1.jpg?w=150&amp;h=84 150w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/07\/InArticle-1.jpg?w=314&amp;h=177 314w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/07\/InArticle-1.jpg?w=343&amp;h=193 343w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<p>\u201cVenture firms have to invest the time and resources to source entrepreneurs from different backgrounds,\u201d added Emeott. \u201cOnce you build your own track record of investments in women and diverse entrepreneurs, that then attracts other entrepreneurs who have different lived experiences.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The power of the Salesforce ecosystem: Driving success through capabilities, collaboration&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Rooted in its values and commitment to using technology as a platform for change, the Salesforce Ventures Impact Fund team is skilled in leveraging the company\u2019s vast industry expertise through the Salesforce Ventures Advisors program for ad hoc advice from executives across the Salesforce ecosystem&nbsp; to guide startups.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For Romer Carlson and Guild, this included everything from Emeott leveraging her network of investing partners to make introductions, to nurturing strategic partnership opportunities between Guild and various product teams at Salesforce. \u201cThe dedication and thoughtfulness of the Salesforce Ventures Team and the way they go about their work is a true difference-maker,\u201d said Romer Carlson. \u201cThey\u2019re activating their network, they\u2019re dedicated to helping our business grow.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>The dedication and thoughtfulness of the Salesforce Ventures Team and the way they go about their work is a true difference-maker. They\u2019re activating their network, they\u2019re dedicated to helping our business grow.&nbsp;<\/p><cite>Rachel Romer Carlson, CEO &amp; co-founder, Guild Education<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>As part of their initial discovery calls, the companies also connected around a shared mission of skilling and creating more equal pathways into the jobs of the future.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/trailhead.salesforce.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Trailhead, Salesforce\u2019s free online learning platform, <\/a>is built with a similar goal to Guild \u2014 closing the digital skills gap.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Emeott connected Guild to Heather Conklin, SVP &amp; General Manager of Trailhead at Salesforce, to explore collaboration opportunities and share best practices.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThe skilling landscape is changing so quickly with the rapid acceleration of new technology and the new skills people need to be successful in their careers,\u201d said Conklin. \u201cIt was impactful and beneficial for both companies to sit down and brainstorm different ways we can reach more people.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p><span class=\"js-twitter-inline\">It was impactful and beneficial for both companies to sit down and brainstorm different ways we can reach more people.<\/span><\/p><cite>Heather Conklin, SVP &amp; General Manager of Trailhead,Salesforce<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>Conklin was impressed by how Guild attracts frontline workers to develop digital literacy on their platforms. She believes Salesforce has just scratched the surface with how it can work with Guild and our joint customers.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For the Salesforce Ventures team, these conversations within the Salesforce ecosystem are imperative in helping evaluate investments and reach the Impact Fund\u2019s goals: To demonstrate measurable social or environmental impact, establish long-term strategic integration and relationships, and to achieve a strong financial return.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<aside class=\"more-from-block more-from-block--2 alignfull wp-block-newsroom-moreontopic\">\n\t<div class=\"more-from-block__content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"more-from-block__title\">Related<\/h4>\n\t\t\n\t\t<div class=\"more-from-block__cards more-from-block__cards--2\"\n\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\n\n<article\t\t\titemscope=\"\"\n\t\titemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/Article\"\n\t\tdata-card-id=\"92728\"\n\t\tclass=\"content-card content-card--large-inline is-entire-area-clickable content-card--is-boxed\"\n\t\t\tdata-clickable-area-link=\"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/stories\/most-ethical-companies-2026\/\"\n\t>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"content-card__image-container\" itemprop=\"image\" itemscope itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\">\n\t\t\t<img width=\"1024\" height=\"538\" src=\"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/03\/Blog-Header-1200x630-1.png?w=1024\" class=\"content-card__image\" alt=\"Salesforce named to World&#039;s Most Ethical Companies List for 17th year.\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/03\/Blog-Header-1200x630-1.png 1200w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/03\/Blog-Header-1200x630-1.png?w=300&amp;h=158 300w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/03\/Blog-Header-1200x630-1.png?w=768&amp;h=403 768w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/03\/Blog-Header-1200x630-1.png?w=1024&amp;h=538 1024w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/03\/Blog-Header-1200x630-1.png?w=264&amp;h=139 264w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/03\/Blog-Header-1200x630-1.png?w=500&amp;h=263 500w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/03\/Blog-Header-1200x630-1.png?w=678&amp;h=356 678w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/03\/Blog-Header-1200x630-1.png?w=150&amp;h=79 150w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/03\/Blog-Header-1200x630-1.png?w=368&amp;h=193 368w\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n\t<div class=\"content-card__content-container content-card__content-container--style-\">\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 itemprop=\"headline\" class=\"content-card__title\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a\n\t\t\t\t\t\thref=\"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/stories\/most-ethical-companies-2026\/\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\ttarget=\"_blank\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"content-card__title-link\"\n\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tSalesforce Named to World\u2019s Most Ethical Companies List for 17th Year\t\t\t\t<\/a>\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div itemprop=\"readTime\" class=\"content-card__read-time\">\n\t\t\t\t2 min read\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n<\/article>\n\n\n\n<article\t\t\titemscope=\"\"\n\t\titemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/Article\"\n\t\tdata-card-id=\"91579\"\n\t\tclass=\"content-card content-card--large-inline is-entire-area-clickable content-card--is-boxed\"\n\t\t\tdata-clickable-area-link=\"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/stories\/employee-giving-model\/\"\n\t>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"content-card__image-container\" itemprop=\"image\" itemscope itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/ImageObject\">\n\t\t\t<img width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/12\/How-a-Salesforce-Giving-Model-Makes-Employees-the-Social-Impact-Experts-1.png?w=1024\" class=\"content-card__image\" alt=\"Salesforce Employees at the 2025 Giving Tuesday event in New York.\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/12\/How-a-Salesforce-Giving-Model-Makes-Employees-the-Social-Impact-Experts-1.png 1200w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/12\/How-a-Salesforce-Giving-Model-Makes-Employees-the-Social-Impact-Experts-1.png?w=300&amp;h=169 300w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/12\/How-a-Salesforce-Giving-Model-Makes-Employees-the-Social-Impact-Experts-1.png?w=768&amp;h=432 768w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/12\/How-a-Salesforce-Giving-Model-Makes-Employees-the-Social-Impact-Experts-1.png?w=1024&amp;h=576 1024w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/12\/How-a-Salesforce-Giving-Model-Makes-Employees-the-Social-Impact-Experts-1.png?w=264&amp;h=149 264w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/12\/How-a-Salesforce-Giving-Model-Makes-Employees-the-Social-Impact-Experts-1.png?w=500&amp;h=281 500w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/12\/How-a-Salesforce-Giving-Model-Makes-Employees-the-Social-Impact-Experts-1.png?w=678&amp;h=381 678w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/12\/How-a-Salesforce-Giving-Model-Makes-Employees-the-Social-Impact-Experts-1.png?w=150&amp;h=84 150w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/12\/How-a-Salesforce-Giving-Model-Makes-Employees-the-Social-Impact-Experts-1.png?w=314&amp;h=177 314w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/12\/How-a-Salesforce-Giving-Model-Makes-Employees-the-Social-Impact-Experts-1.png?w=343&amp;h=193 343w\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n\t<div class=\"content-card__content-container content-card__content-container--style-\">\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 itemprop=\"headline\" class=\"content-card__title\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a\n\t\t\t\t\t\thref=\"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/stories\/employee-giving-model\/\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\ttarget=\"_blank\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"content-card__title-link\"\n\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHow a Salesforce Model Makes Employees the Giving Experts\u00a0\t\t\t\t<\/a>\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div itemprop=\"readTime\" class=\"content-card__read-time\">\n\t\t\t\t5 min read\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n<\/article>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<noscript>\n<div class=\"pagination-fallback\">\n\n\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/49305\/page\/2\/?bc=OTH#section-title\">\n\t\t\tOlder Posts\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/div>\n<\/noscript>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n\n\n\n<p>Emeott views strategic integration as two-fold \u2013 making those connections on technical capabilities and collaboration opportunities, but also aligning with Salesforce values.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cDriven by Salesforce\u2019s commitment to doing good while doing business, the framework of the Impact Fund blends the mission of corporate venture and corporate impact,\u201d said Emeott.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The plan is working. To date, Salesforce Ventures Impact Fund portfolio companies have directly served almost 32 million individuals, including students, adult learners, job-seekers, patients and small business owners. The companies have also created 1,124 net new jobs, reduced 560,000 metric tons of CO2 and provided nearly 5 million people access to new financial services.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large prevent-download\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"wp-block-image__modal-toggle\" aria-expanded=\"false\" data-modal-id=\"49435-modal\"><span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Open Image Modal<\/span><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" height=\"436\" width=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/07\/Screen-Shot-2021-07-09-at-10.34.26-AM.png?w=1024\" alt=\"Impact Investing Metrics\" class=\"wp-image-49435\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/07\/Screen-Shot-2021-07-09-at-10.34.26-AM.png 1272w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/07\/Screen-Shot-2021-07-09-at-10.34.26-AM.png?w=300&amp;h=128 300w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/07\/Screen-Shot-2021-07-09-at-10.34.26-AM.png?w=768&amp;h=327 768w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/07\/Screen-Shot-2021-07-09-at-10.34.26-AM.png?w=1024&amp;h=436 1024w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/07\/Screen-Shot-2021-07-09-at-10.34.26-AM.png?w=264&amp;h=112 264w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/07\/Screen-Shot-2021-07-09-at-10.34.26-AM.png?w=500&amp;h=213 500w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/07\/Screen-Shot-2021-07-09-at-10.34.26-AM.png?w=678&amp;h=289 678w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/07\/Screen-Shot-2021-07-09-at-10.34.26-AM.png?w=150&amp;h=64 150w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/07\/Screen-Shot-2021-07-09-at-10.34.26-AM.png?w=453&amp;h=193 453w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/07\/Screen-Shot-2021-07-09-at-10.34.26-AM.png?w=1218&amp;h=519 1218w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><figcaption><em>Salesforce Ventures Impact Fund Impact to date<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n<div id=\"49435-modal\" class=\"image-modal\" aria-hidden=\"true\" aria-labelledby=\"image-dialog-title\"><div class=\"image-modal__overlay\" tabindex=\"-1\" data-a11y-dialog-hide><\/div><div class=\"image-modal__content\" role=\"dialog\"><button class=\"image-modal__close-button\" type=\"button\" data-a11y-dialog-hide aria-label=\"Close this image dialog window\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 26 25\" height=\"16\" width=\"16\" fill=\"currentColor\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><rect x=\".626\" y=\"22.753\" width=\"32\" height=\"3\" rx=\"1.5\" transform=\"rotate(-45 .626 22.753)\"\/><rect x=\"2.747\" y=\".125\" width=\"32\" height=\"3\" rx=\"1.5\" transform=\"rotate(45 2.747 .125)\"\/><\/svg><\/button><h1 id=\"image-dialog-title\" class=\"screen-reader-text\">Image Modal<\/h1>\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large prevent-download\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1272\" height=\"542\" src=\"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/07\/Screen-Shot-2021-07-09-at-10.34.26-AM.png?w=1024\" alt=\"Impact Investing Metrics\" class=\"wp-image-49435\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/07\/Screen-Shot-2021-07-09-at-10.34.26-AM.png 1272w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/07\/Screen-Shot-2021-07-09-at-10.34.26-AM.png?w=300&amp;h=128 300w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/07\/Screen-Shot-2021-07-09-at-10.34.26-AM.png?w=768&amp;h=327 768w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/07\/Screen-Shot-2021-07-09-at-10.34.26-AM.png?w=1024&amp;h=436 1024w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/07\/Screen-Shot-2021-07-09-at-10.34.26-AM.png?w=264&amp;h=112 264w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/07\/Screen-Shot-2021-07-09-at-10.34.26-AM.png?w=500&amp;h=213 500w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/07\/Screen-Shot-2021-07-09-at-10.34.26-AM.png?w=678&amp;h=289 678w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/07\/Screen-Shot-2021-07-09-at-10.34.26-AM.png?w=150&amp;h=64 150w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/07\/Screen-Shot-2021-07-09-at-10.34.26-AM.png?w=453&amp;h=193 453w, https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/07\/Screen-Shot-2021-07-09-at-10.34.26-AM.png?w=1218&amp;h=519 1218w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1272px) 100vw, 1272px\" \/><figcaption><em>Salesforce Ventures Impact Fund Impact to date<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<p>For example, Salesforce Ventures\u2019 investment in <a href=\"https:\/\/futurefuel.io\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">FutureFuel<\/a> has helped tackle the $1.5T student debt burden in the U.S. \u2014 saving Salesforce employees alone $1.8M in lifetime student debt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Additionally, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.blocpower.io\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">BlocPower<\/a> is a climate-based tech company focused on making American cities greener, smarter, and healthier. To date, the company retrofitted more than 1,000 buildings in disadvantaged communities in New York City, with projects underway in 24 cities.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">A new model to operationalize impact investing&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Emeott sees an opportunity and avenue for every company with a corporate venture program to drive change through impact investing.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And, she is leveraging her expertise and network to grow the impact investing field and serve as a resource to others.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cOnce a month we are hearing from another corporate venture investment team that is looking to do impact investing or build a fund like we have,\u201d said Emeott. \u201cWe are excited to have these conversations and aim to grow the entire field.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Corporate impact investing has been increasing at a <a href=\"https:\/\/ssir.org\/articles\/entry\/corporate_impact_investing_in_innovation\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">54% compounded annual rate<\/a> since 2016. It\u2019s a trend Emeott is pleased to see.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThe more the merrier. Salesforce demonstrated how to start and operationalize a corporate venture impact program, and the more that are out there, the more opportunity there is for entrepreneurs and companies to make an impact,\u201d explains Emeott.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><p>Salesforce demonstrated how to start and operationalize a <span class=\"js-twitter-inline\">corporate venture impact program, and the more that are out there, the more opportunity there is for entrepreneurs and companies to make an impact.<\/span><\/p><cite>Claudine Emeott, Senior Director, Impact Investing, Salesforce<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>And for entrepreneurs focused on creating a better world, it\u2019s a welcome approach with the potential to make a big impact.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWe\u2019re in the early stages of what social entrepreneurship and impact dollars will mean in terms of impact, and we\u2019re just getting a taste of what that can mean from a growth perspective, and the overall impact on societal good,\u201d said Romer Carlson.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Learn more about the <\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/company\/ventures\/impact\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><em>Salesforce Ventures Impact Fund and its portfolio companies here<\/em><\/a><em>.&nbsp;<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<section class=\"newsletter newsletter--default newsletter--no-js\">\n\t<header class=\"newsletter__header\">\n\t\t<h2 class=\"newsletter__title\">\n\t\t\tInsight, Opinion, News, and Data\t\t<\/h2>\n\t\t<p class=\"newsletter__subtitle\">\n\t\t\tSign up for Salesforce News &amp; Insights, direct to your inbox.\t\t<\/p>\n\t<\/header>\n\n\t<iframe src=\"https:\/\/cloud.mail.salesforce.com\/newsroomsignup\"\n\t\tclass=\"newsletter__iframe\"\n\t\ttitle=\"Insight, Opinion, News, and Data\"\n\t>\n\t<\/iframe>\n\n<\/section>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Quick take:&nbsp; Salesforce Ventures\u2019 $150 million Impact Fund has now invested in 28 companies \u2014 60% of which have a female or underrepresented minority founder or CEO. Guild Education, a female-founded unicorn, provides a case study for the fund\u2019s success Rachel Romer Carlson views education as more than just training \u2014 rather, she sees it [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":115,"featured_media":49432,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"sf_subhead":"","sf_i18n_disclaimer":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"alternateThumbnailId":0,"sf_product_cta_id":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"sf_content_type":[1730],"sf_theme":[1914],"sf_topic":[2068,1732,1763,1733,1779],"sf_product":[1784],"sf_industry":[],"sf_role":[],"sf_multimedia_asset":[],"sf_location":[1724],"sf_collection":[],"sf_visibility":[],"coauthors":[1951],"class_list":["post-49305","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized","sf_content_type-feature-stories","sf_theme-business-as-a-platform-for-change","sf_topic-customer-360","sf_topic-future-of-work","sf_topic-innovation","sf_topic-stakeholder-capitalism","sf_topic-ventures","sf_product-trailhead","sf_location-amer"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.2 (Yoast SEO v27.2) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Salesforce\u2019s Impact Fund Sparks Change by Leveling the Playing Field for Startups - Salesforce<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Quick take:&nbsp; Salesforce Ventures\u2019 $150 million Impact Fund has now invested in 28 companies \u2014 60% of which have a female or underrepresented minority\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/stories\/salesforces-impact-fund-sparks-change-by-leveling-the-playing-field\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Salesforce\u2019s Impact Fund Sparks Change by Leveling the Playing Field for Startups\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Quick take:&nbsp; Salesforce Ventures\u2019 $150 million Impact Fund has now invested in 28 companies \u2014 60% of which have a female or underrepresented minority\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/stories\/salesforces-impact-fund-sparks-change-by-leveling-the-playing-field\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Salesforce\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/salesforce\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2021-07-27T16:00:00+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2021-07-27T21:39:35+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/07\/FeatureStoryTile-2.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1200\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"675\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Sammy Spiegel\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@salesforcenews\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@salesforcenews\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Sammy Spiegel\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"8 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"NewsArticle\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/stories\/salesforces-impact-fund-sparks-change-by-leveling-the-playing-field\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/stories\/salesforces-impact-fund-sparks-change-by-leveling-the-playing-field\/\"},\"author\":[{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/41fdc2c60f21539a38ca00274b80dcf2\"}],\"headline\":\"Salesforce\u2019s Impact Fund Sparks Change by Leveling the Playing Field for Startups\",\"datePublished\":\"2021-07-27T16:00:00+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2021-07-27T21:39:35+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/stories\/salesforces-impact-fund-sparks-change-by-leveling-the-playing-field\/\"},\"wordCount\":1628,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/stories\/salesforces-impact-fund-sparks-change-by-leveling-the-playing-field\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/07\/FeatureStoryTile-2.jpg\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/stories\/salesforces-impact-fund-sparks-change-by-leveling-the-playing-field\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/stories\/salesforces-impact-fund-sparks-change-by-leveling-the-playing-field\/\",\"name\":\"Salesforce\u2019s Impact Fund Sparks Change by Leveling the Playing Field for Startups - Salesforce\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/stories\/salesforces-impact-fund-sparks-change-by-leveling-the-playing-field\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/stories\/salesforces-impact-fund-sparks-change-by-leveling-the-playing-field\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/07\/FeatureStoryTile-2.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2021-07-27T16:00:00+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2021-07-27T21:39:35+00:00\",\"description\":\"Quick take:&nbsp; 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