Queer Capital: Betting on Identity to Build the Future

What happens when you stop pattern-matching and start backing boldness? In this provocative session, Sam Eshrati—Venture Partner of Identity.VC, Europe’s first VC dedicated to LGBTQ+ founders—makes the case for queer capital as an engine of innovation. From fashion to fintech, queer entrepreneurs have always challenged the status quo. Now, investors are waking up to the value of lived experience, inclusive leadership, and culture-first strategies in building high-growth ventures. This conversation redefines risk, reframes talent, and reveals how investing in identity isn’t just inclusive—it’s smart business.