Slauson & Co. serves as a bridge between Silicon Valley and entrepreneurs seeking investors.
Based in Los Angeles, this venture capital firm takes pride in investing in “exceptional entrepreneurs” who historically have been excluded, as mentioned on the “Black Tech Green Money” podcast hosted by AFROTECH™ Brand Manager Will Lucas. Its founders, Ajay Relan and Austin Clements, established the firm in 2020, after having met 25 years ago off of Slauson Avenue.
“When we were building it, we could confidently say we’re the only institutional grade VC firm on Slauson Avenue,” Relan explained on the podcast. “…I think when we think about this geography and what inspires us the most, it really is communities like the ones that exist alongside this corridor in every major city and municipality across the U.S. And we’re built to build a brand that kind of speaks to folks that have historically been excluded and, again, try to find the best and brightest of those that leverage their perspective to build the next big category-defining generational business.”
The firm has closed two funds since its inception. In 2021, Fund I amounted to a $75 million raise to support 38 companies, primarily led by people of color and women. Three years later, Fund II was announced. It was a $100 million raise, which included fewer limited partners but more institutional investors. That fund plans to make 30 investments by the end of 2027 with checks between $500,000 and $2 million, as AFROTECH™ previously reported.
Clements noted a growing recognition that both Silicon Valley investors and high-capital individuals are looking for non-traditional opportunities, and that entrepreneurs also want to be backed by prominent venture capital firms. Slauson & Co.’s portfolio includes Pressed Roots, a silk blowout bar founded by entrepreneur Piersten Gaines, and Sienna Naturals, a clean haircare brand co-founded by “Insecure” creator and serial entrepreneur Issa Rae and Hannah Diop, which expanded into 178 Sephora stores in February 2025. Relan is also a founder of GVO Hospitality, a company that has partnered with Rae on other ventures such as Hilltop Coffee + Kitchen and Somerville.
Future 50
Relan and Clements were among the 2025 AFROTECH™ Future 50, which recognizes Black innovators, founders, technologists, and changemakers across the tech sector. The duo was awarded as Dynamic Investors, which are venture capitalists who generate strong returns while empowering underrepresented founders.
“This is always a full-circle moment. One of the platforms that we actually announced our first fund was at AFROTECH™ 2021,” Relan expressed.
Watch The Full Episode
To hear the full conversation with Relan and Clements on “Black Tech Green Money,” click here.
