Arian Simone, co-founder of Fearless Fund, has been honored with a spot on the prestigious 2024 TIME100 Next list, which highlights emerging leaders making waves in their industries.
Known for her fearless dedication to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), Simone has championed underrepresented entrepreneurs, especially Black women, through her venture capital firm.
Fearless Fund, co-founded by Simone, stands as a beacon for businesses often overlooked by traditional investors. Despite facing legal challenges and opposition from anti-DEI factions, Simone remains resolute in her mission.
In a profile published by TIME, her tenacity is described as not only defining her venture capital work but also as a response to efforts aimed at dismantling DEI initiatives.
“Arian refuses to back down,” TIME wrote, citing her defense of a Fearless Fund program providing grants to Black women-owned businesses, which recently ended in a lawsuit settlement.
Simone expressed her gratitude on Instagram, writing:
“Proud to be included in the 2024 #TIME100NEXT list! I appreciate our work @fearless.fund being highlighted and supported.”
She also shared an uplifting verse from Jeremiah 29:11, reflecting her deep commitment to her mission.
The TIME100 Next list recognizes Simone alongside other rising leaders, including NBA star Jaylen Brown and politician Wes Moore.
The TIME100 Next list features pairings of the list members and guest contributors TIME selects to write about them.
The 2024 annual list includes: Shonda Rhimes on Nicola Coughlan, Christina Aguilera on Sabrina Carpenter, Olivia Rodrigo on Laufey, Mindy Kaling on Ambika Mod, Colin Kaepernick on Jaylen Brown, Lily Gladstone on Kali Reis, Lin-Manuel Miranda on Shaina Taub, Sam Altman on Alexandr Wang, Da’Vine Joy Randolph on Kingsley Ben-Adir, Tina Fey on Ashley Park, Laura Dern on Kaia Gerber and more.
