Investing in the Change You Want to See in the World with Marcia Dawood
Marcia's approach cuts through a lot of the usual investment world nonsense.
After years in corporate finance, Marcia recognized something most people in her position never acknowledge: the current model of angel investing deliberately excludes the very people whose perspectives could drive the most meaningful innovation.
"Angel investing shouldn't be reserved for people who already have everything," Marcia explained when we discussed traditional barriers. This conviction drives everything she does, from her educational work to her advocacy for equity crowdfunding platforms. Where others see complexity that justifies exclusion, Marcia sees opportunities to create clarity and access. Her ability to translate sophisticated financial concepts into actionable knowledge has become her superpower.
What really drove her transition was frustration more than inspiration.
When I asked about her transition from the corporate world, Marcia shared how it began with a simple but powerful realization: most people want their money to support companies creating positive change, but they don't know how to make that happen. Rather than accepting this as an inevitable limitation, she decided to become the bridge. This led us to explore what she calls "investment thesis development" - the process of aligning your capital with your values in ways that feel both strategic and authentic.
The ‘Show Her the Money’ project changed how she saw her own work.
‘Show Her the Money’ is a documentary that examines the funding gap faced by female entrepreneurs and the barriers women encounter in the investing world. Marcia described how working on this project deepened her understanding of the systemic barriers facing female entrepreneurs and investors. "When you see how much innovation we're missing because of who we've excluded from funding decisions, it becomes impossible to stay quiet," she told me. The documentary became more than a project for her—it became a call to action.
I was particularly struck by Marcia's perspective on community in angel investing. Unlike the traditionally individualistic approach, she emphasizes collaboration and shared learning. "The best investments happen when diverse perspectives come together," she explained, describing how her networks have evolved to prioritize collective wisdom over solo decision-making.
We spent time talking about what actually needs to happen next.
Marcia acknowledges that changing entrenched systems takes time, but she's building the infrastructure for that change today. Through platforms like Wefunder and Republic, she's showing people that they don't need millions to become meaningful investors, they need knowledge, community, and the courage to start.
What resonated most from our time together was Marcia's belief that democratizing angel investing isn't just about financial inclusion - it's about unleashing human potential. When more people can invest in innovation, we get solutions that reflect a broader range of experiences and needs.
Connect & Learn More
Here's how you can engage with Marcia's work:
Website: www.marciadawood.com
Connect with Fearless Foundry:
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