With over ten million dollars raised, Stonelake Capital, founded by Lechi Zhang, its Chief Investor and seasoned fintech leader, is on a mission to address the financing gap for micro early-stage startups. With prominent New York City backers, Stonelake focuses on financial inclusion and digital lending to help founders unlock growth in overlooked markets.
Originally founded in 2009 as the student initiative iU Club, Stonelake Capital was formally established in 2017, born out of Zhang’s passion for entrepreneurship and innovation. Working alongside peers from Roselake Ventures, Tribe, R3D3 Ventures, HHL Group and other venture institutions, the platform has evolved into a dynamic global community, providing startups with the right resources they need to scale. Stonelake’s impact investing model is focused on fintech innovation, including digital lending platforms and embedded financial services that help early-stage and small businesses access critical tools that are typically out of reach.
Redefining Angel Networks
“We believe in delivering solutions for entrepreneurs, no matter their financial background,” says Zhang. “We’re proud to say that we deliver an entire angel investor network resources that help founders unlock their potential and bring their ideas to market.”
Zhang’s extensive background in banking and fintech has made him the right leader for this mission. Over the past decade, he has become a recognized expert in SME finance, including a critical role at the World Bank Group, where he helped build a global network of 220+ banks, fintechs, and investors for the G20 SME Finance Forum and received HM Queen Máxima from the Netherlands as conference honorary patron. His experience in private market research has led to more than 50 VC/PE investment deals. Having co-founded two fintech ventures himself, Zhang brings deep insight into the challenges faced by early-stage businesses, particularly in underserved markets.
Stonelake Capital is dedicated to addressing the working capital challenges of SMEs when seeking traditional funding. It has prepared a unique blend of equity, debt and revenue-based finance for early-stage companies in sectors like digital lending, eCommerce, and alternative financial services. This approach has established Stonelake as a leading angel investor in driving innovation within underserved communities, both in the U.S. and around the world.
Strategic Partnerships & Global Reach
Stonelake’s ability to scale its impact is bolstered by key co-investment partnerships, including collaborations with Roselake Ventures to fund startups in emerging markets globally. These partnerships enable Stonelake to provide crucial capital to rural and developing areas often overlooked by traditional investors, while also focusing on high-density markets like New York City, where immigrant and minority-led startups face unique challenges in accessing funding.
Zhang’s leadership and connections in the investing community have been essential to expanding Stonelake’s global network. Through partnerships with academic institutions, venture investors, and startup builders, Stonelake fosters an ecosystem where underrepresented founders can connect and flourish. Beyond just funding, Stonelake brings together providers of mentorship, technical assistance, and industry experts, ensuring that the capital founders receive translates into long-term, sustainable growth.
A Platform for Financial Empowerment
Zhang is actively involved in shaping discussions around digital financial services, advocating for solutions that promote financial inclusion. As a speaker at prestigious events like the Singapore FinTech Festival and a guest presenter at Sibos and Collision, he regularly shares insights on financial inclusion and fintech innovation. He has also contributed to Caijing, one of China’s top financial magazines, and has been featured in various publications, including The Economy and Sina News.
With fresh funding in hand, Stonelake remains committed to its core mission: bridging the financing gap for minority-led startups and creating an environment where underrepresented entrepreneurs can succeed.
“We’re just getting started,” Zhang says with a smile. “There’s so much more to do.”