Podcasts about venture funding

Send us a textIn this episode, a seasoned investor with 25 years of experience in commercial real estate and finance shares invaluable insights into their journey and approach to business. The conversation delves into the evolution of their family legacy, navigating through various investments like alternative assets, hedge funds, and ETFs, as well as their focus on commercial real estate. They discuss the importance of diversification, risk management, and the impact of interest rates on investments. The speaker also reflects on the mistakes made throughout their career, including missing out on understanding market fundamentals, and how they've learned to balance their portfolio for long-term success. The episode touches on lessons learned from the real estate industry, venture funding, and the world of technology, offering practical advice on building resilience and scaling businesses effectively.

Omar Alvarez is on a mission to reinvent how we connect—by bringing storytelling back to the heart of technology. With his startup KINNECT, he's doing exactly that—creating a platform that helps people share their life stories, from past experiences to future dreams, in a way that's meaningful, inclusive, and easy to use. Not only has he secured support for his vision, but he's now poised to disrupt an outdated market and drive innovation, building a fresh space where technology meets human connection. With professional experience at some of the world's most iconic storytelling brands like Nike, Levi's, Hilton, and Hims and Hers, Omar brings a unique blend of creative expertise and personal passion to every piece of the KINNECT experience Creating Connections at Work KINNECT creates social spaces for people to connect and drive belonging, whether with your family, friends, or team at work. Each environment is hyper-personalized.  One big challenge–and opportunity–in the marketplace is creating connections in the workforce. How do you feel like you belong when you work remotely or never see the higher-ups? Employees want to know about the people they work with, who their executives are, and who's responsible for big decisions at the company. To be effective at work, you have to feel like you're part of a team. KINNECT is hoping to help bridge that gap. Securing Funding In the beginning, the thought of raising capital was daunting for Omar. The odds were stacked against him. But he didn't let the odds hold him back. At the end of the day, investors are just people. Omar shares his story and the mission behind KINNECT (which was partly inspired by the death of his grandfather), and the right people connect with the product. Some people have told Omar it's unprofessional to share personal stories, but he knows it's important for investors to believe in the founder–and that means being authentic to who he is. To date, he's raised over $400,000 in funding. Enjoy this episode with Omar Alvarez… Soundbytes 6:32-6:43 “I really want to think about all the beautiful and cool things about social media and ways of connection today, but I want to cherry-pick what I like about them and then build a complete opposite direction.”  28:52-29:06 “I was like, All right, I have this amount of money. I have this big vision. How am I going to build an AI that is not going to change the algorithm to focus on behaviors for purchasing, but instead, how can I use the algorithm to actually help people?” Quotes “How do you feel like you belong at work when there's such little information and little ways of actually driving belonging besides like a random Slack huddle?” “To be effective at work, you have to feel like you're part of a team.” “Investors are also people. They should definitely look at the needs for business growth. But why not let someone who is Latino, first-generation, English as a second language? Why can't I just act that way too in building a company that is venture scalable?” Links mentioned in this episode: From Our Guest Website: https://www.kinnect.club/ Connect with Omar Alvarez on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heraldalvarez/ Connect with brandiD Download our free guide to learn 16 crucial website updates that attract more leads and convert visitors into clients: https://thebrandid.com/website-tweaks/ Ready to elevate your digital presence with a powerful brand or website? Contact us here: https://thebrandid.com/contact-form/

What does it take to turn a groundbreaking idea into a reality, especially when it challenges societal norms and confronts widely held taboos? In this episode of The Angel Next Door Podcast, host Marcia Dawood explores this question with her guest, Cindy Gallop, a trailblazer reshaping conversations around sex, pornography, and sexual wellness. Cindy's journey into entrepreneurship is anything but conventional, providing a fascinating look at how one can use business to drive social change.Cindy Gallop is not only a veteran of the advertising world but also a pioneering advocate for open and honest discussions about sex. Her unique background, which combines decades in brand building and personal experiences, led her to found MakeLoveNotPorn, a platform aimed at socializing and normalizing real-world sex. Cindy's venture started as a response to the adverse effects of pornography being the default form of sex education and has since evolved into a crusade for better sexual understanding and education.Listeners are in for an enlightening discussion that dives deep into Cindy's mission to transform societal perceptions through her two interconnected ventures: MakeLoveNotPorn.com and the upcoming Make Love Not Porn Academy. The episode addresses critical issues such as the impact of porn on youth, the cultural stigma around sex, and the struggles of funding a venture in the sex tech industry. It's a must-listen for anyone interested in entrepreneurship that's grounded in social impact, the challenges of being an underrepresented founder, and the importance of using innovative platforms to drive change in global issues. To get the latest from Cindy Gallop, you can follow her below!https://www.linkedin.com/in/cindygallop/https://cindygallop.com/ Sign up for Marcia's newsletter to receive tips and the latest on Angel Investing!Website: www.marciadawood.comLearn more about the documentary Show Her the Money: www.showherthemoneymovie.comAnd don't forget to follow us wherever you are!Apple Podcasts: https://pod.link/1586445642.appleSpotify: https://pod.link/1586445642.spotifyLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/angel-next-door-podcast/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theangelnextdoorpodcast/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@marciadawood

This episode originally aired in February 2024 and quickly became one of the most popular episodes of The Journey. Whether you're tuning in for the first time or revisiting this conversation, this episode will help you make informed decisions in your business!   Ever thought about raising venture capital for your business? In this episode, Morgan DeBaun breaks down everything a founder should know before diving into the venture fundraising process, sharing her invaluable insights from the perspective of both a fundraiser and an investor.   In this episode: 00:00 Introduction to Venture Funding 00:10 Should You Raise Money? 00:48 Understanding Angel Investors 02:55 The Importance of Traction 05:23 Navigating the Seed Round 06:44 Legal Considerations and Mistakes 08:29 Painting a Big Vision 10:57 Executing Your Plan 11:48 Hitting Milestones and Fundraising Timelines 12:31 The Importance of Momentum 13:31 Series Seed and Extensions 15:16 Navigating Series A 17:29 Series B and Beyond 19:19 Balancing Operations and Fundraising 20:56 Final Tips and Resources   First up, Morgan dives into a crucial question: Should you even raise venture capital for your business? Spoiler alert: More often than not, the answer is no. But for those who do opt for the fundraising path, Morgan warns that the venture capital journey won't be easy.   Through the episode, Morgan breaks down the phases of venture funding, from the Friends and Family and Angel Round to the critical Seed Round, all the way to the Series A, B, and C Rounds and beyond. She shares the benefits and challenges of each round and highlights what founders should pay attention to as they navigate the process. Morgan shares what she looks for in the entrepreneurs she chooses to support as an angel investor: resilience and grit. It's these qualities that often make the difference between success and failure in the cutthroat world of startups. Not sure if venture funding is the right choice for your business? After you listen to the episode, check out Morgan's workshop [link below] which will help you decide if fundraising is the appropriate next step for your startup. Make sure to subscribe to the podcast and leave a rating and review!   Pre-order Rewrite Your Rules: https://worksmartprogram.com/book/   Make sure you are following Morgan on TikTok to follow along with her beauty and wellness journey! https://www.tiktok.com/@morgandebaun?_ Join the Newsletter for More Exclusive Content: https://worksmartprogram.ac-page.com/thejourneypodcast Visit Mormatcha.com to make a purchase. Follow us on Instagram: https://instagram.com/thejourneybymdb Produced by MicMoguls.

Today more than 48 million Americans self-identify as black per Pew research. Representing 14.4% of the US population. As reported in TechCrunch, if funding share was in line with population, one would expect companies with a black founder or co-founder to attract more than 14.4% of all funding, given that startups commonly have more than one founder. Darren Dodson, founding partner and managing director at Lumen Capital, a venture fund operating on the basis that bias hinders optimal financial performance, says there's a lot of work to do on addressing issues of bias. The proportionately low funding totals demonstrate that investors appear to be passing on promising entrepreneurs due specifically to racial bias, and demographics support this.

S5 Ep2 - Fabrice Marquet is an accomplished entrepreneur and the innovative Co-Founder of Monaco Foundry, a venture dedicated to fast-tracking access to market for innovation and revolutionising the fundraising process for startups. In this fascinating episode, Fabrice shares his journey from being a scientist to becoming an entrepreneur, discussing his impressive academic background and his enriching experiences in both Europe and the US. He delves into why Monaco Foundry was founded, the challenges they faced, and the crucial pivot that has now positioned them to support a wider range of creators and entrepreneurs. With discussions ranging from the inefficiencies in the venture capital space to the future prospects of AI and intellectual property, this is a conversation brimming with insights for any startup enthusiast.

Are you an entrepreneur looking to secure funding and mentorship to grow your business? In this episode, host Elaine Hamm, PhD, sits down with John Roberts, Managing Partner at Boot64 Ventures, to explore the unique challenges and opportunities for entrepreneurs in Louisiana and beyond. John shares his journey from entrepreneur to investor, the role of Boot64 Ventures in supporting startups, and his advice for navigating the venture capital landscape in the Gulf South. In this episode, you'll discover: How Boot64 Ventures is driving growth and innovation for Louisiana-based entrepreneurs. The hidden advantages and challenges of starting your business in the Gulf South. Practical advice for entrepreneurs seeking funding and mentorship in this dynamic ecosystem. Tune in for a deep dive into venture funding tailored to this unique and vibrant Gulf South region! Links: Connect with John Roberts and check out Boot64 Ventures. Connect with Elaine Hamm, PhD and learn about Tulane Medicine Business Development and the School of Medicine. Check out Moxey and the State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI). Check out BIO on the BAYOU and make plans to attend October 28 & 29, 2025. Learn more about BIO from the BAYOU - the podcast. Bio from the Bayou is a podcast that explores biotech innovation, business development, and healthcare outcomes in New Orleans & The Gulf South, connecting biotech companies, investors, and key opinion leaders to advance medicine, technology, and startup opportunities in the region.

Alex Dewez, a partner at 20VC, just released its highly anticipated State of the French tech ecosystem report. This is a nice followup to Atomico's State of European Tech report, with a more granular view on French startups in particular. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The latest episode of the Startup CEO Show features an enlightening conversation with Nick Franklin, the visionary behind ChartMogul, a leading subscription analytics platform. Mark McLeod explores ChartMogul's evolution from a niche product to a comprehensive platform for B2B SaaS companies. Nick shares fascinating insights into the state of SaaS metrics, revealing that while core metrics like MRR and churn remain crucial, the rise of AI and metered billing is reshaping the landscape. The discussion touches on ChartMogul's unique position as a barometer for the SaaS industry, offering listeners a rare glimpse into industry-wide trends and benchmarks. Nick's journey from an illustration background to becoming a successful tech CEO is both inspiring and instructive, highlighting the importance of adaptability and continuous learning in the startup world. The episode also dives into the challenges of remote work, with ChartMogul embracing a distributed model long before it became mainstream. Listeners will appreciate Nick's candid reflections on the pros and cons of venture funding, and his decision to prioritize profitability over rapid, unsustainable growth. Don't miss this opportunity to learn from one of the industry's most experienced and thoughtful leaders.--------------------------Since 1999, I have sat at the right-hand side of the leaders of high growth technology companies as either a CFO, VC or deal maker. I served as CFO for software companies including Shopify (NYSE: SHOP) and Freshbooks. As a CFO I experienced outright failures, wildly profitable exits, and everything in between.I was a General Partner in Real Ventures, Canada's largest and most active seed stage fund. My investments there include the fund's largest cash on cash and highest IRR returns to date. Most recently, I founded SurePath Capital Partners the leading investment bank for SMB SaaS companies where we did hundreds of millions in financing and exit transactions.Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themarkmacleod/Connect on X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/markmacleod_Contact Mark: https://markmacleod.me/Contact Mark: https://markmacleod.me/

What does it take to redefine venture capital while empowering founders to disrupt industries and drive meaningful change? Meet Dan Bowyer, a bold investor from Superseed VC reshaping the game with a no-nonsense approach and a passion for impactful innovation.In this episode, Dan shares his journey from entrepreneur to VC and dives deep into what's wrong with traditional venture capital. He reveals the personality traits that define world-changing founders, the importance of customer obsession, and the stark realities of boardroom dynamics. Dan's candid insights and thought-provoking lessons are as entertaining as they are eye-opening.Whether you're an aspiring founder, an experienced investor, or someone intrigued by the startup world, this conversation will teach you:Why venture capital doesn't work for 99.9% of founders—and what needs to change.The three personality traits that separate great founders from the rest.How misaligned boards and outdated practices can derail even the best startups.At the heart of it all, Dan's passion for connecting people, products, and processes shines through. As he says, “The next wave of commercial activity is about making money and doing good—it's not just about the bottom line anymore.”Curious for more? Listen to the full episode here and dive deeper into Dan's bold vision and unfiltered perspective.Quotes:(3:44) "Most VCs have never worked in a startup, so how can they advise one?" (9:42) "The greatest founders are not just charming—they're determined, disagreeable, and unrelenting in disrupting the status quo." (22:02) "We've moved on from 'don't be a dick' to 'do some good'—and that's how we transform the future."Timestamps(01:37) Bridging the Gap: Why Venture Capital Fails 99% of Founders (03:44) Startup Struggles: The Hard Truths Founders Need to Hear (09:42) Decoding Greatness: Traits of Exceptional Founders (12:58) From Prototype to Profit: Why Customer Obsession Wins (17:01) Boardroom Battles: Misaligned Boards and Startup Success (21:02) A New Era: Making Money While Doing GoodDon't miss this chance to learn from Dan Bowyer's dynamic journey, sharp insights, and inspiring approach to venture capital. Press play, and let's spark some bold ideas together!Send us a textSupport the showJoin the Podcast Newsletter: Link

Discover the unexpected side of a remarkable leader, Julie Castro Abrams, as she shares her journey and vision for women's empowerment. Stay tuned to find out her surprising hopes for 2025 and the inspiring work she's doing to make a difference worldwide. Don't miss out on this exclusive conversation that will leave you feeling inspired and empowered. In this episode, you will be able to: Mastering the art of empowering women in leadership roles leads to increased career fulfillment and success. Uncover effective strategies for building diverse boards and creating an inclusive workplace culture. Explore the critical importance of diversity in corporate governance and its impact on organizational success. Discover powerful ways to support women entrepreneurs and startups, driving innovation and economic growth. Learn how to navigate career growth and seize board opportunities, propelling your professional journey to new heights. My special guest is Julie Castro Abrams Julie Castro Abrams, the CEO and Founder of How Women Lead, is a highly accomplished expert in empowering women in leadership roles and driving diversity in corporate governance. With a strong commitment to justice and community, Julie has played pivotal leadership roles in various organizations focused on women, children, Latinos, economic development, and the arts. Her extensive accolades, including the Women of Color Action Network Leadership Award and her role as Governance Chair for the Women's Funding Network, attest to her significant impact in supporting women entrepreneurs and startups. Julie's dedication to creating a supportive network for women and her proven ability to facilitate rich conversations that drive change make her an invaluable asset in navigating career growth and board opportunities for women. The key moments in this episode are: 00:00:02 - Welcome and Introduction 00:03:27 - Personal and Professional Development 00:09:46 - The Credo of How Women Lead 00:10:16 - Supportive Network and Advocacy 00:12:44 - Visibility and Empowerment 00:13:27 - Taking Up Your Power 00:14:33 - Countercultural Behaviors 00:16:37 - Celebrating Black Women's Leadership 00:18:53 - Unabashedly Visible Struggle 00:23:31 - Disrupting Groupthink on Boards 00:26:16 - Importance of Diversity in Decision Making 00:28:35 - Empowerment through Women's Retreats 00:32:06 - Evolution of How Women Lead's Programming 00:33:18 - Addressing Gender Equity in Venture Funding 00:36:14 - Reversing Cultural Narratives of Division 00:39:32 - Encouraging Women to Pursue Leadership Roles 00:40:26 - Normalizing Conversations about Leadership 00:41:03 - Redefining Masculinity 00:43:36 - Creating Supportive Spaces for Women 00:49:33 - Hopes for 2025 Connect with Julie Castro Abrams on LinkedIn to stay updated on her work and initiatives. Visit www.howwomenlead.com to learn more about How Women Lead and their programs for women's leadership and board opportunities. Join the Difference Makers community on Patreon at www.patreon.com/aworldofdifference to access exclusive content, including additional insights from Julie Castro Abrams and other guests. Explore other interviews and articles featuring Julie Castro Abrams to gain further insights into her work and expertise. Consider supporting and advocating for women in your network by encouraging them to explore leadership roles and opportunities, and by recognizing and valuing their contributions. Connect with us: https://www.aworldofdifferencepodcast.com Linkedin YouTube FaceBook Instagram Threads Patreon Bluesky Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Discover the unexpected side of a remarkable leader, Julie Castro Abrams, as she shares her journey and vision for women's empowerment. Stay tuned to find out her surprising hopes for 2025 and the inspiring work she's doing to make a difference worldwide. Don't miss out on this exclusive conversation that will leave you feeling inspired and empowered. In this episode, you will be able to: Mastering the art of empowering women in leadership roles leads to increased career fulfillment and success. Uncover effective strategies for building diverse boards and creating an inclusive workplace culture. Explore the critical importance of diversity in corporate governance and its impact on organizational success. Discover powerful ways to support women entrepreneurs and startups, driving innovation and economic growth. Learn how to navigate career growth and seize board opportunities, propelling your professional journey to new heights. My special guest is Julie Castro Abrams Julie Castro Abrams, the CEO and Founder of How Women Lead, is a highly accomplished expert in empowering women in leadership roles and driving diversity in corporate governance. With a strong commitment to justice and community, Julie has played pivotal leadership roles in various organizations focused on women, children, Latinos, economic development, and the arts. Her extensive accolades, including the Women of Color Action Network Leadership Award and her role as Governance Chair for the Women's Funding Network, attest to her significant impact in supporting women entrepreneurs and startups. Julie's dedication to creating a supportive network for women and her proven ability to facilitate rich conversations that drive change make her an invaluable asset in navigating career growth and board opportunities for women. The key moments in this episode are: 00:00:02 - Welcome and Introduction 00:03:27 - Personal and Professional Development 00:09:46 - The Credo of How Women Lead 00:10:16 - Supportive Network and Advocacy 00:12:44 - Visibility and Empowerment 00:13:27 - Taking Up Your Power 00:14:33 - Countercultural Behaviors 00:16:37 - Celebrating Black Women's Leadership 00:18:53 - Unabashedly Visible Struggle 00:23:31 - Disrupting Groupthink on Boards 00:26:16 - Importance of Diversity in Decision Making 00:28:35 - Empowerment through Women's Retreats 00:32:06 - Evolution of How Women Lead's Programming 00:33:18 - Addressing Gender Equity in Venture Funding 00:36:14 - Reversing Cultural Narratives of Division 00:39:32 - Encouraging Women to Pursue Leadership Roles 00:40:26 - Normalizing Conversations about Leadership 00:41:03 - Redefining Masculinity 00:43:36 - Creating Supportive Spaces for Women 00:49:33 - Hopes for 2025 Connect with Julie Castro Abrams on LinkedIn to stay updated on her work and initiatives. Visit www.howwomenlead.com to learn more about How Women Lead and their programs for women's leadership and board opportunities. Join the Difference Makers community on Patreon at www.patreon.com/aworldofdifference to access exclusive content, including additional insights from Julie Castro Abrams and other guests. Explore other interviews and articles featuring Julie Castro Abrams to gain further insights into her work and expertise. Consider supporting and advocating for women in your network by encouraging them to explore leadership roles and opportunities, and by recognizing and valuing their contributions. Connect with us: https://www.aworldofdifferencepodcast.com Linkedin YouTube FaceBook Instagram Threads Patreon Bluesky Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Have you ever wondered what it takes to turn a personal experience into a thriving business? In this inspiring episode of The Angel Next Door Podcast, we dive into the incredible entrepreneurial journey of Jasmine Jones, a remarkable founder and CEO who channeled her life's experiences and challenges into creating a groundbreaking company. This episode offers invaluable insights for anyone interested in the power of resilience, innovation, and purpose-driven entrepreneurship.Jasmine Jones, the dynamic founder, and CEO of Myya, joins host Marcia Dawood to share her unique journey. From witnessing her father's real estate investments to selling diamonds at Tiffany's, Jasmine's path to entrepreneurship is anything but conventional. A former beauty pageant winner and Miss DC USA, Jasmine leveraged her varied background and life experiences to create Myya, a company dedicated to providing customizable and insurance-billable breast prosthetics for breast cancer survivors. Jasmine's inspiring story was also featured in the documentary Show Her the Money, showcasing her entrepreneurial journey to a global audience.This episode is a treasure trove of wisdom and inspiration. Jasmine discusses the evolution of Myya, from its humble beginnings as a boutique store to its current status as a scalable telehealth platform serving patients nationwide. Hear firsthand how Jasmine navigated the complexities of fundraising, securing over $2.25 million in venture capital, and why the COVID-19 pandemic was a surprising catalyst for her business growth. Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur, a seasoned business owner, or an angel investor, Jasmine's compelling story offers invaluable lessons on persistence, adaptability, and the importance of aligning business with purpose. This is a must-listen episode for anyone looking to make a meaningful impact through entrepreneurship. To get the latest from Jasmine Jones, you can follow her below!LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasminerjones/https://myya.com/ Sign up for Marcia's newsletter to receive tips and the latest on Angel Investing!Website: www.marciadawood.comLearn more about the documentary Show Her the Money: www.showherthemoneymovie.comAnd don't forget to follow us wherever you are!Apple Podcasts: https://pod.link/1586445642.appleSpotify: https://pod.link/1586445642.spotifyLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/angel-next-door-podcast/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theangelnextdoorpodcast/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@marciadawood

Venture funding in July 2024 reached over $23 billion, slightly decreasing month over month but increasing by over 20% year over year. The largest funding recipient was Vancouver-based legal tech company Clio, with $900 million led by NEA, marking the biggest round for a legal cloud tech company. Healthcare and biotech companies led sectors with $6 billion, followed by AI companies with $5.8 billion, together constituting about 50% of the total funding in July. AI funding saw significant growth in Q2, with notable rounds including Baichuan Intelligence ($687 million), Cohere ($500 million), and Helsing ($489 million). Hardware companies raised $3.3 billion, while financial services garnered $2.6 billion, ranking among the top five sectors. Michigan-based Lineage Logistics had the largest IPO of 2024, raising $4.4 billion, and Nasuni's acquisition by Vista Equity Partners was valued at $1.2 billion. Biotech and healthcare dominated billion-dollar exits, unlike AI companies, which saw fewer large-scale exits as major tech firms opted for technology licensing and team acquisitions. Data was based on information reported up to August 5, 2024, with all values in U.S. dollars unless otherwise stated.Learn more on this news visit us at: https://greyjournal.net/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Global startup funding was up 16% in the second quarter, according to Crunchbase data, led by an uptick in mega-rounds. That increase was led, unsurprisingly, by the AI sector. Funding to companies in AI made up 30% of all dollars invested and actually doubled quarter over quarter to $24 billion.On today's episode of TechCrunch's Equity podcast, Mary Ann was joined by Gené Teare, a Senior Data Editor at Crunchbase and Crunchbase News, to talk through the numbers. Teare is a well-known analyst of the global venture capital market, and was instrumental to Crunchbase's early life and remains one of its more tenured staffers.“I was actually quite shocked by the doubling in AI because we're six quarters in from the launch of Chat GPT,” Teare said. “I think part of that is that in venture, things take time to sort of filter through.”There were also signs that larger M&A deals increased in the second quarter, providing much needed liquidity in a continued dry IPO market.“We're definitely seeing a stronger M&A environment compared to 2022,” Teare said. “The big expectation is that M&A is going to pick up more significantly and I'm not sure we've seen that yet, partly because prices have come down. There's a lot of companies who might realize they're not gonna make it to going public in the next 3 to 5 years…So, I think it has improved but not as much as many in the bench community were wanting or expecting.”Equity is back on Friday with our weekly news roundup. So come back then!Before we let you go, some disclosures: We invited Gené on the show because we wanted to get her valuable insights regarding the venture capital markets. We knew she'd be great on the topic, because Mary Ann worked with her for years at Crunchbase. During her tenure at Crunchbase, she was paid partially in stock options, and retains a minor stake in Crunchbase itself. We do our best at Equity to cite the best data source for whatever topic we're looking at, which means we use Crunchbase data as well as information from its competitors at PitchBook and CB Insights. For instance, we had a PitchBook denizen on the show to chat through Q2 2023 results last year. We think we put together the best possible show for you on its merits alone, but did want to note some professional overlaps right up top.Equity is TechCrunch's flagship podcast, produced by Theresa Loconsolo, and posts every Wednesday and Friday. Subscribe to us on Apple Podcasts, Overcast, Spotify and all the casts.You also can follow Equity on X and Threads, at @EquityPod. For the full episode transcript, for those who prefer reading over listening, check out our full archive of episodes over at Simplecast Credits: Equity is produced by Theresa Loconsolo with editing by Kell. Bryce Durbin is our Illustrator. We'd also like to thank the audience development team and Henry Pickavet, who manages TechCrunch audio products.

In E86, Mike and Charlie deep dive into the latest trends in venture funding, highlighting key insights from CB Insights and PitchBook.  They explore the significant impact of AI on venture capital, discussing whether AI is propping up the funding landscape and the scrutiny AI startups face from VCs.  The conversation also touches on the rise of deep tech and the resurgence of SaaS-based FinTech.  This Week in Local is a Localogy production. To learn more, please visit Localogy.com.  Would you like to recommend a guest, ask a question, or sponsor an episode? Start a conversation with us at podcast@localogy.com.

Did you know the secret to venture success isn't just in groundbreaking ideas? It's in the people behind them. Learn how empathy and grit fuel extraordinary success in this insightful episode. Many investors fail by only chasing ideas. Discover why focusing on the right founders can unlock revolutionary outcomes. Join us as Hampus Jakobsson reveals how empathy and grit are the true drivers of innovation and success. Most investors miss out on potential unicorns by focusing only on concepts. What if the real key to revolutionary success lies in the unique qualities of the founders? 

Global venture funding shows a slight recovery, but Asia has reached its lowest levels since 2015, with Asia-based startups raising $14.6 billion in the last quarter—a 24% decline from the previous quarter and a 32% annual decrease. Asia's deal volume also drops, with only 1,511 funding deals in Q2, down 15% from Q1 and 27% year-over-year. Late-stage growth rounds draw $14.6 billion, the lowest since 2019. Unlike North America, which had several billion-dollar rounds, key Asian deals included $690 million for China's Hozon, $665 million for India's Zepto, and $552 million for China's Unisoc. Early-stage funding also struggles, hitting $4.9 billion in Q2—a 53% drop from Q1 and 39% annually, with deal volume falling 7% from Q1. Seed and angel funding shows slight increases, totaling $1.9 billion but with deals down 19% from Q1 and 34% from last year. China leads the decline, with funding reaching only $6.9 billion, a 46% drop from Q1. India sees $3.4 billion, up 27% from Q1 but down 9% year-over-year. The decline in venture funding pushes the market back to levels from a decade ago, with trade tensions, economic instability, and regulatory policies in China contributing to the downturn.Learn more on this news visit us at: https://greyjournal.net/news/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Are you a short term rental owner? Airbnb-er?   Want to know how AI is fundamentally changing the real estate industry?   Then listen to today's episode with guest Luca Zambello, founder of Jurny.   I guarantee it'll be worth your while and here's why. Today, one person can handle 7-8 short term rental (STR) units on their own.  Using current technology, at a stretch, maybe 16-17 units.  With Jurny - one person will be able to manage 200 units.   You have to listen to this episode.   Luca is fascinating.   Key Points: How Jurny does it: Integrates IoT devices like smart locks and thermostats to streamline operations. AI-driven dynamic pricing. Integrating cleaning management. Automated guest check-in with AI chat bots. Real-time problem-solving through AI bots. Chat bots are indistinguishable from humans – except they're faster and do a better job. Unifies fragmented hospitality solutions into a single, cohesive system.   Benefits for STR owners:   Efficiency: Reduces manual tasks and operational overhead, enabling focus on high-level tasks. Improved Guest Experience: Provides timely, professional, and consistent guest interactions. Scalability: Supports efficient management of a large number of units with fewer staff. Reliability: Ensures high reliability and consistency in operations through integrated systems.   From Luca:   Why Should Real Estate Professionals Pay Attention to AI Today? AI is a major disruptor similar to how e-commerce impacted retail. The efficiency gap created by AI means businesses not adopting it will struggle to compete. Massive investments by leading companies in AI signal its importance and potential impact.   How Do You Use AI on a Daily Basis? ChatGPT: Primarily uses custom GPTs created through ChatGPT Premium. Example: Created an "Investor Helper" GPT to handle frequently asked investor questions, saving significant time. Word Polisher: Uses AI to refine and polish email content for professionalism and clarity.   One Easy Win for Listeners to Try Using AI: Learn How to Prompt: Understanding how to craft effective prompts is crucial. Example: Instead of a simple request, ask the AI to generate a series of questions to gather all relevant information, resulting in a more accurate and useful output. Suggested Method: "I want to write an article on AI. Can you ask me 20 questions to ensure you have all the relevant information to create the best prompt?" ***** The only Podcast you need on real estate and AI.   Learn how other real estate pros are using AI to get ahead of their competition.   Get early notice of hot new game-changing AI real estate apps.   Walk away with something you can actually use in every episode.   PLUS, subscribe to my free newsletter and get: • practical guides, • how-to's, and • news updates   All exclusively for real estate investors that make learning AI fun and easy and insanely productive, for free.   EasyWin.AI

In this engaging episode of Invest in Yourself: The Digital Entrepreneur Podcast, host Phil Better sits down with the innovative Catarina Matias, a rising star in the hospitality industry turned tech entrepreneur. Catarina shares her journey from the hotel management world, where she was named one of Hotel Management's 30 Under 30, to launching two successful ventures— a health-focused snack delivery business and RecruitMe, a revolutionary recruiting app that matches employers with job seekers based on cultural fit. Listen as Catarina discusses overcoming the challenges of COVID-19, balancing multiple businesses, and the importance of aligning personal passions with professional goals. Don't miss out on her invaluable insights on matchmaking in the recruitment process and the evolving landscape of digital entrepreneurship. Tune in now to discover how investing in yourself can lead to extraordinary success and innovation!

The digital transformation of community banks is not just a buzzword; it's a vital pivot towards sustaining relevance and competitive edge in an increasingly tech-centric financial world. The latest episode of the Leaders in Payments podcast, featuring Carey Ransom, Managing Director of BankTech Ventures, provides a deep dive into this transformation. BankTech Ventures stands out by directly involving bankers in the investment process, ensuring the solutions not only fit the banks' needs but also resonate with the communities they serve. The organization acts as an R&D arm, navigating through the plethora of available fintech options to guide community banks toward top-tier, strategic solutions. This careful selection is driven by a dual focus on cost reduction and revenue enhancement, targeting both customer-facing and internal processes.The episode is a must-listen for anyone in the banking or fintech industries, as well as for those interested in how technology reshapes traditional business models. With a comprehensive examination of the state of community banking and the strategic use of technology, the podcast stands as a testament to the transformative power of fintech and the enduring spirit of community banking.

Big news! Podscan.fm, my B2B SaaS that alerts you when your keywords or topics are mentioned in any podcast anywhere, has received bootstrapper-aligned funding from Calm Company Fund.Booya!I share why I, ever the solopreneur bootstrapper, said yes to venture money, what that enables, what risks I see, and just exactly how this kind of non-crazy funding works.Calm Company SEAL: https://calmfund.com/shared-earnings-agreementCalm Company 5-year learnings: https://calmfund.com/writing/five-yearsCalm Company SAFE: https://calmfund.com/writing/shared-earnings-safeThis episode is sponsored by Acquire.comThe blog post: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/funded/The podcast episode: https://tbf.fm/episodes/309-fundedCheck out Podscan to get alerts when you're mentioned on podcasts: https://podscan.fmSend me a voicemail on Podline: https://podline.fm/arvidYou'll find my weekly article on my blog: https://thebootstrappedfounder.comPodcast: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/podcastNewsletter: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/newsletterMy book Zero to Sold: https://zerotosold.com/My book The Embedded Entrepreneur: https://embeddedentrepreneur.com/My course Find Your Following: https://findyourfollowing.comHere are a few tools I use. Using my affiliate links will support my work at no additional cost to you.- Notion (which I use to organize, write, coordinate, and archive my podcast + newsletter): https://affiliate.notion.so/465mv1536drx- Riverside.fm (that's what I recorded this episode with): https://riverside.fm/?via=arvid- TweetHunter (for speedy scheduling and writing Tweets): http://tweethunter.io/?via=arvid- HypeFury (for massive Twitter analytics and scheduling): https://hypefury.com/?via=arvid60- AudioPen (for taking voice notes and getting amazing summaries): https://audiopen.ai/?aff=PXErZ- Descript (for word-based video editing, subtitles, and clips): https://www.descript.com/?lmref=3cf39Q- ConvertKit (for email lists, newsletters, even finding sponsors): https://convertkit.com?lmref=bN9CZw

Here's what Mary Ann and Alex got into:Stripe's valuation recovers: As part of a tender offer, Stripe is now worth $65 billion. The company's valuation has been on an up-and-down path in recent years as the company works to make its massive bulk fit into the private markets. Alex has thoughts on when it should go public, as you might imagine.Fervo Energy's $200M+ round: What if the solution to our energy problems was not in the stars, but beneath our feet? And no, I am not talking about carbon-based fuels. No, instead, what if geothermal energy is what we've been waiting for? Fervo wants to make that question into a reality.Why VCs are investing in companies that shut down companies: With more startups than usual heading for closure, there's a mountain of work ahead for founders and backers to shutter companies. Now some angels and other investors are putting their own capital into several companies that specialize in helping other firms close. Grim, but necessary.AI and the law: Microsoft's move to invest in French AI company Mistral is not a bad way to spread its bets. Or to potentially fend of regulatory scrutiny that is building. AI in general is having a bit of a time sorting out rights — or lack thereof — that some training data may retain.Coming up this weekend we have an interview with Nubank's CEO, and we have another great interview planned for the weekend after! Chat soon!For episode transcripts and more, head to Equity's Simplecast website.Equity drops at 7 a.m. PT every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, so subscribe to us on Apple Podcasts, Overcast, Spotify and all the casts. TechCrunch also has a great show on crypto, a show that interviews founders and more! Credits: Equity is hosted by TechCrunch's Alex Wilhelm and Mary Ann Azevedo. We are produced by Theresa Loconsolo with editing by Kell. Bryce Durbin is our Illustrator. We'd also like to thank the audience development team and Henry Pickavet, who manages TechCrunch audio products.

This week,  delve into the world of innovation with us on “What is Innovation?” together with Janice Fraser, an innovation expert and author. Explore the challenges of intrapreneurship and entrepreneurship, including imposter syndrome, and uncover the pivotal roles of courage and confidence in venture funding.  More about our guest:Janice Fraser built a storied career in Silicon Valley as a startup founder, product manager, and confidante for entrepreneurs and enterprise executives alike. From creating the second-ever personal interface to the web in the early days of Netscape, to leading the world's first user experience firm, Janice has often found herself “sitting at the bleeding edge and making it boring” by figuring out how to make the latest evolutions repeatable, useful, and commonplace. Janice currently supports “VLOs” (very large organizations) including P&G in becoming more innovative and agile. She also guides several venture-funded startup companies, federal government entities, and non-profit organizations, helping them do more with less, make bold moves and achieve extraordinary results. She sits on the board of the Ohio University Entrepreneur Center and served on The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine workshop committee focused on the innovation ecosystem for NASA. Over the years, Janice has been a guest lecturer at Harvard Business School, Berkeley HAAS School of Business, Kellogg School of Management, and Stanford, among others. Drawing on her almost three decades of coaching hundreds of leaders and teams to achieve success, Janice is a sought-after speaker offering audiences around the world the opportunity to learn from her experiences and sharpen their leadership skills, build stronger teams, make meaningful progress quickly, and drive business transformation. Her exuberant big-stage keynotes and practical, empathetic brown-bag talks have become cult favorites. She is the coauthor of Farther, Faster, and Far Less Drama: How to Reduce Stress and Make Extraordinary Progress Wherever You Lead (April 2023), which outlines a groundbreaking framework for modern leadership that empowers greater alignment and quicker decision-making.Know more about him here:Janice FraserBook: Farther, Faster, and Far Less Drama: How to Reduce Stress and Make Extraordinary Progress Wherever You Lead------------------------------------------------------------Episode Guide:0:54 - What is Innovation?3:39 - Intentionality and routinization5:08 - Progress and taking space7:33 - Detrimental aggressive optimism11:59 - Teaching, impassioned optimism, and the business bestseller lists14:26 - Statistical data, capital control, and disruptive innovation19:02 - Disruptive (authentic) innovation22:49 - Early Innovation adopters and the bell curve26:26 - Mutual problem between intrapreneurship and entrepreneurship journey 29:53 - Courage, Confidence, Imposter Syndrome, and venture funding32:09 - Enacting courage  26:14 - Book:  farther, faster, and far less drama by Janice Fraser39:06 - Advice to Innovators--------------------------OUTLAST Consulting offers professional development and strategic advisory services in the areas of innovation and diversity management

Venture capital is the lifeblood of innovation, transforming bold ideas into groundbreaking realities. Yet, navigating this high-stakes world is fraught with challenges that only the daring overcome. "The Power Law" by Sebastian Mallaby reveals the untold stories of the mavericks who dared to invest in the improbable, shaping our world with technologies once deemed impossible.Why This Summary is a Must-Watch:Decipher the DNA of Venture Success: Understand the principles that have propelled companies like Apple, Google, and Facebook to astronomical heights.Learn from the Masters: Insights from legendary investors and firms like Sequoia Capital and Andreessen Horowitz.Navigate the Highs and Lows: Real-life tales of venture capital hits and misses, including the meteoric rise of unicorns and the cautionary tales of Theranos and WeWork.Purchase "The Power Law" now and embark on a journey to mastering the art of venture capital

Erik Allebest is the CEO @ Chess.com, the #1 online chess service on the planet with more than 150+ million members and 15+ million games played each day. Erik has scaled the company to over 700 people and $100M+ in revenue with no venture funding. In Today's Episode with Erik Allebest: 1. From Unemployable to $100M+ Revenue Founder: How did Erik make his way into the world of tech and startups? Was his MBA worth it? How does he advise others on whether to get one or not? What does Erik know now that he wishes he had known when he started? 2. Scaling to $100M Revenue with No Venture Funding: Why did no one want to invest in Chess.com in the early days? What did Erik do differently as a result of not raising any venture funding? What would Erik have done if he had money from the start? What are Erik's biggest pieces of advice to founders with funding today? 3. Hard Lessons Scaling to 150M Members: What are 1-2 of Erik's biggest lessons on how to scale users with zero budget? What customer acquisition worked? What did not work? How important was COVID and The Queen's Gambit to memberships and sign-ups? What are the single biggest mistakes Erik sees founders make on customer acquisition today? 4. Parenting, Marriage, Metrics and Money: Why does Erik not care about money or capitalism today? How has Erik's style of parenting changed over the years? What works? What does not? What does Erik believe is the secret to marriage? What have been his biggest lessons? Why does Erik hate metrics? If so, how does he run the business towards goals and output?

Dive into the heart of Germany's startup ecosystem with our latest podcast episode, where we explore the vibrant yet challenging landscape of entrepreneurship in this dynamic country. Despite being a hub of innovation and potential, German startups face unique hurdles, from stringent regulations to the quest for funding. Our episode sheds light on these intricacies through the lens of industry insiders, offering a rare glimpse into what it takes to thrive in Germany's competitive startup arena.

Catherine Gray, the host of Invest In Her, interviews Susan Moring, an Investment Principal at Cortado Ventures, an Oklahoma City-based venture capital firm investing in early-stage tech companies. In her role at Cortado, Susan manages all aspects of the investment process including deal sourcing, ] diligence, and post-investment portfolio company support. A startup enthusiast, Susan has spent the bulk of her career supporting entrepreneurs and contributing to the growth of Oklahoma's startup ecosystem through programs like OU's I-CCEW, OK Coders, The Mine, OKEMP, and Techstars Global Startup Weekend.   https://cortado.ventures/ https://www.sheangelinvestors.com/

In this episode of the Compassionate Capitalist Show, Karen brings back a fan favorite from the vault to explain something she references often -- Hall Martin's strategy to It is a strategy he used to share the risk between angel investors and founders. This is where the term you hear Karen use:  Payroll Exits - comes from.  Their discussion will span from the foundational principles of "compassionate capitalism" to the meticulous art of informed angel investing. Hall will unravel the critical factors for successful angel investments and offer gems on how angel investors can generate evergreen funds through savvy reinvestments. Moreover, Hall will tackle the all-too-common scenario where startup founders start to seek to grow their compensation even as they miss their growth targets.  Founders start to pay themselves more:  payroll exits, while the investors internal rate of return declines the longer it takes the company to achieve a financial / sales level to sell the company for an equity exit.  This 3x in 3 years is a practical approach to sharing that risk and fundamentally structured like a conversion note with a redemption right in the third year. Key Take Aways:  ### Term Sheet and Investor Relations Encouragement for angel investors to create their own terms Qualifying startups based on their exit intentions Rights for investors to exit after three years ### Understanding Investment Outcomes Identifying winners, losers, and lifestyle businesses Impact of payroll exits on investment return Differences between ROI and IRR ### Risk Assessment, Valuations and Exit Strategies Understanding the risks and potential exit strategies before investing Defining risks and clarifying expectations with entrepreneurs Recognizing realistic valuations and exit possibilities Avoiding investments in overvalued companies without clear exit strategies So sharpen your pencils and get your spreadsheets ready as we explore how to mitigate risks, gauge entrepreneur commitment, and understand the nuances of venture viability. Whether you're an entrepreneur searching for that initial investment spark or an investor keen on maximizing returns – this episode promises a wealth of knowledge with both Hall Martin and Karen Rands sharing their experiences.  Hall Martin, an indomitable force in the investment world, boasts a distinguished track record of empowering startups and fueling innovation. With over two decades of investment experience, Hall has facilitated the raising of more than $900 million for entrepreneurs through the TEN Funding Program. A seasoned veteran, he has presided over 10,000+ pitches in various forums, indicative of his vast influence and commitment to entrepreneurial success. The architect of a remarkable 40X return for the Austin angel network, Hall deftly manages a complex orchestration of funding mechanisms. He has successfully raised over $32 million through accelerators and has judiciously invested $13 million through a university angel network, proving his strategic investment prowess. Connect with Hall: https://tencapital.group/about-us/ Karen Rands is the leader of the Compassionate Capitalist Movement™ and author of the best selling investment primer: Inside Secrets to Angel Investing: Step-by-Step Strategies to Leverage Private Equity Investment for Passive Wealth Creation.  She is an authority on creating wealth through investing and building successful businesses that can scale and exit rich.  Karen is an enthusiastic speaker on these topics for corporations, economic development groups, angel investor networks, and professional  business networks.   About Karen https://www.karenrands.co/about-karen-rands/ Visit http://Kugarand.com and learn more about the Compassionate Capitalist Wealth Maximizer System™.  Read about the Due Diligence Services, Investor Relations, Capital Strategies, Capital Access, and Capital Readiness Coaching serviced offered by her firm, Kugarand Capital Holdings.  The Compassionate Capitalist Show™ is a Podcast on YouTube.  Please visit and subscribe and share.  It is great to watch Karen and her guests live, in action.  The whole library of podcasts and interviews since 2020 can be found there by category or chronological. https://bit.ly/CCSyoutubepod   Imagine the feeling of investing in a way that had massive impact and a potential pay you back 10x your money. The time is now to find out if Angel Investing / CrowdFunding Investing is the wealth creation strategy for you.  Take action on Karen's offer to learn how to invest with confidence in entrepreneurs and sign up (FREE FOR NOW) the new Compassionate Capitalist Wealth Maximizing System. http://dothedeal.org  

Listen in as David chats with Carey Ransom, a serial entrepreneur, venture capitalist and angel investor. Carey begins by explaining how growing up around a family business fostered his entrepreneurial streak. Carey then discusses what initially captures his interest in an entrepreneurial venture and why he often is skeptical of founders who are in love with their solutions. He and David also spend time delving into the total addressable market (TAM) for a business and why Carey thinks it is imperative to cut that down realistically. Next Carey tackles the topic of boards for startup companies, as he has served on many of them. He shares that, as a board member or investor, the #1 thing he looks for from the management team is how they learn and adjust. David and Carey then discuss Bonus, one of the ventures Carey is involved with today. Carey concludes with his big-picture advice to physicians who may be considering a jump into full-time or part-time entrepreneurial ventures. Learn more and listent to this and past episodes by visiting www.physicianswealthpodcast.com.

(05:11 - 05:38) Memory and the Evolving Digital Age(06:56 - 08:05) Tech and Memory Retrieval(11:40 - 12:51) Chat GPT and Data Privacy Integration(17:34 - 18:44) Leveraging AI for Company Augmentation(22:34 - 23:47) AI for Efficiency and Exceptional Hiring(30:31 - 31:01) Pivoting to Capture Meeting Data(38:38 - 39:00) COO and Chief of Staff Collaboration(43:27 - 44:27) Using Cultural Values as a Guide(47:10 - 48:20) Accountability and Candor in Successful Teams(55:58 - 57:01) Impressions of AI Summarization---(00:11) Augmenting Human Memory With AI This chapter of Between Two COOs features a conversation with Dan Sroker, co-founder and CEO of Rewind, a personalized AI tool that augments human memory. Host Michael Kanag explores the inspiration behind Rewind and how it can give users a "superpower" by making all their digital interactions searchable and AI-able. They also discuss the importance of memory and how technology can enhance our natural capabilities. The conversation touches on the potential impact of relying on AI for memory recall and draws parallels to the evolution of phone numbers. Overall, this chapter explores the fascinating intersection of technology and human memory. (12:51) The Future of AI in Operations This chapter explores the potential impact of AI on future operations. Our guest, who has experience in scaling a company using AI, discusses how AI can be a powerful tool for leveraging human capabilities and increasing productivity. We also touch on the importance of privacy and security in AI, highlighting how companies that do not embrace it may struggle to compete in the future. The conversation concludes with a discussion on the role of AI in remote work and the potential for smaller teams to achieve more with the help of technology. (18:44) Enhancing Productivity With Artificial Intelligence This chapter explores the impact of AI on workplace productivity and efficiency. We discuss the release of GPT-4 and its potential to speed up tasks and increase productivity. Privacy challenges and the importance of employee awareness are also addressed. We examine how AI can bridge the gap between ambiguity and tasks, using Rewind's email summarization feature as an example. The significance of hiring exceptional senior staff and maintaining focus to achieve more with less is emphasized. Lastly, we touch on the potential impact of AI on the job market for recent graduates. (27:19) The Impact of STEM on Technology This chapter emphasizes the significance of STEM education in fostering creativity and problem-solving skills through technology. Our guest shares their personal journey with robotics, which led to the creation of innovative products like Optimize-A and Mac. The discussion also highlights the role of M1 and M2 chips in their company's pivot and how it enables local data privacy. Ultimately, we are reminded of the transformative potential of technology and the importance of adapting and maximizing its benefits. (38:29) COOs and Chiefs of Staff This chapter explores the dynamics of having a COO and chief of staff simultaneously, and how this partnership can benefit a company. We discuss the importance of screening for a good COO and chief of staff, as well as their role in creating a positive work environment. The former CEO shares his experience of achieving the number one spot for best place to work and the role of psychological safety in creating a fantastic workplace. Overall, this chapter provides valuable insights into the importance of a strong partnership between a CEO and their COO and chief of staff, and how it can contribute to the success of a company. (42:23) Cultural Values in a Company This chapter emphasizes the importance of defining and living up to company values. The host, who has experience at Google and now runs his own company, shares insights on creating a strong company culture by clearly defining values and behaviors that align with them. He highlights the need for these values to be a living document, constantly evolving and being used as a basis for performance management. The conversation also touches on the potential pitfalls of using values as a marketing tactic rather than a genuine reflection of the company's beliefs. Overall, this chapter highlights the role of company values in creating a positive and successful work environment. (45:58) Psychological Safety in Leadership Importance This chapter explores the importance of psychological safety in creating a successful and cohesive team. We discuss the guest's experience with psychological safety in their previous company and how they are implementing it in their current venture. We emphasize the need for a shared language and vernacular around psychological safety to create a sense of safety within a team. The guest also shares their regrets about not maintaining a balance of comfort and accountability in their previous company as they grew. We highlight the importance of a long-term orientation and hiring slowly to maintain a strong culture. The chapter concludes with the guest discussing their vision for their current venture and their determination to make it their life's work. (52:03) Ask the Right Question and Succeed This chapter explores the importance of conducting effective reference checks during the hiring process. We discuss the significance of asking the right questions and building rapport with references to obtain honest and valuable feedback on potential candidates. Additionally, we touch on the game-changing role of AI in the hiring process. The chapter concludes with a discussion on how to handle unexpected moments that may arise in the workplace.  

Are you a female founder with an amazing business, but struggling to raise capital? Or are you an investor who is serious about investing in female founders? For all the incredible female founders out there seeking to secure investment, elevate your networking skills, and make your business shine, this episode is a must-watch! Timestamps: 0:00 - Trailer and Introduction 01:13 - Why do Female Founders Receive Less in Venture Funding? 07:13 - How to Empower Yourself with Skills for Raising Investment 12:09 - Why There's a Low Success Rate for Funding 16:53 - How to Find the Right Investors 19:01 - How to Network 19:36 - Are Women Bad at Networking? 21:31 - How to Approach Conversations with Potential Investors 24:50 - What Should Investors be Thinking About When it Comes to Funding Female Founders? 25:19 - How Can We Speed up the Process of Achieving Diversity in Investment Firms? 29:07 - How Can Female Founders Assert their Power when Pitching to Investment Firms? 33:03 - The Importance of Gender Balance in Business 35:20 - Supporting the Underdog: Julia's Personal Experience as a Female Founder 37:26 - How Julia Started Upper Street 38:08 - Taking Inspiration from Bespoke Shoe-making in Hong Kong 42:28 - Funding Challenges in the Footwear Industry 45:36 - What Makes Founders Investable? 01:07:25 - Building a Sustainable Business and the Role of Co-founders ​​Introducing Julia Elliott Brown, a serial entrepreneur with a passion for empowering female founders. She's behind successful ventures like Upper Street, UpMyStreet.com, and is currently the CEO and Founder of Enter The Arena, which helps female founders fly through offering investment expertise and business coaching. Julia is not only a business expert but also a compelling keynote speaker and host of the "Fundraising Stories with Female Founders" podcast. Her book, "RAISE: The Female Founders Guide To Securing Investment," is making waves with a 2023 Business Book Awards nomination. Julia Elliott Brown: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/juliaelliottbrown X: https://twitter.com/juliaelliottb?lang=en Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/0o2pNa2BqPaxowewAjSBOF Website: enterthearena.co.uk Books: Eldest Daughter Effect: How First Born Women like Oprah Winfrey, Sheryl Sandberg, JK Rowling and Beyoncé Harness their Strengths - Lisette Schuitemaker and Wies Enthoven https://amzn.to/3Qwr3lJ Maria Hvorostovsky: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariahvo/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mariahvo/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@maria_hvo X: https://twitter.com/mhvorostovsky HVO Search: https://www.hvosearch.com/ Podcast filmed, edited and produced by: https://www.londonbeautyphotographer.com Need help HIRING – ⁠http://www.hirewithmaria.com⁠ LEAVE A REVIEW: If you're listening on Apple Podcasts make sure to Follow, Rate, and leave a REVIEW.

A reading of: https://www.coindesk.com/consensus-magazine/2023/09/11/ai-is-killing-crypto-venture-capital-interest/  https://bitcoinmagazine.com/culture/a-bitcoin-maximalists-ode-to-ordinals Enjoying this content? SUBSCRIBE to the Podcast: https://pod.link/1438693620 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/nathanielwhittemorecrypto Subscribe to the newsletter: https://breakdown.beehiiv.com/ Join the discussion: https://discord.gg/VrKRrfKCz8 Follow on Twitter: NLW: https://twitter.com/nlw Breakdown: https://twitter.com/BreakdownNLW

A very special episode today with my pal, Jon Mercer, the president and co-founder of Startup Bucks. It's an organization that helps startups in and beyond Bucks County, Pennsylvania. One of my favorite local folks with a smile that lights up any room -- Jon has a background in IT informatics which landed him a job at Johnson & Johnson, and from there, ignited his passion for supporting and connecting the startup ecosystem. Jon turned his focus toward venture funding and economic development, and the impact of Startup Bucks on the local community. Learn more about Startup Bucks, an organization that pairs venture funding and economic development to support and grow innovative, scalable startup businesses in and beyond Bucks County. You get to hear from Jon Mercer his insights and expertise on the startup scene in Bucks County.  Whether you are a founder, an investor, a partner, or a supporter of startups, this podcast will inspire you and inform you about the exciting opportunities that Startup Bucks offers. Inviting you all to check out this informative yet fun episode of The First Customer!Guest Info:Startup Buckshttps://startupbucks.org/Jon Mercer's LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathanmercer/Connect with Jay on LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/jayaigner/The First Customer Youtube Channelhttps://www.youtube.com/@thefirstcustomerpodcastThe First Customer podcast websitehttps://www.firstcustomerpodcast.comFollow The First Customer on LinkedInhttp://www.linkedin.com/company/the-first-customer-podcast/

In this episode of The Role Forward, Joe Michalowski hosts a deep dive into the world of venture funding. The guests — Joe Garafalo, Marissa Moore, and Eugene Lee — share their insights and experiences. The conversation revolves around the importance of good financial modeling practices, the current state of venture funding, and the future outlook. The guests also discuss the importance of understanding the customer base, assessing risks, and the role of metrics in investor conversations.The episode concludes with advice for companies planning to raise funds in the future. The key takeaways include the need to build relationships with investors, the importance of adaptability, and the value of clearly understanding future expectations. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in venture funding and financial modeling.Guests-at-a-Glance

Joining us this week on Founder Files is Marie Kouadio Amouzame and Alice Lin Glover, co-founders of Eadem, a clean beauty brand designed with the unique needs of melanin-rich skin in mind. Marie and Alice are friends who met while working at Google, branding some of the world's most high-profile apps. After realizing they had a mutual love of skincare that involved frequently swapping product knowledge, it became apparent there was a gap in the market for more inclusive, clean beauty. So together they set out to build Eadem, a brand pioneering what they call “Smart Melanin Beauty”—a combination of science-backed ingredients and heritage botanicals that effectively and gently care for skin of color. Listen in as they share their journey of navigating the start of their bootstrapped business during a pandemic while both becoming new moms. This episode is chock full of major takeaways that you won't want to miss…. RESOURCES:Follow EADEM on IG here.To connect with Jaclyn Johnson, click here.To follow along with Create & Cultivate, click here.To check out our membership program, Insiders, designed for go-getters and game-changers like you, click here. This episode is Produced by Dear Media with research and creative production by Ali Alquiza.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Resources for this episode available at 505updates.com. From Edwin Kwan in Sydney, Australia: Security researchers have discovered two spyware in the Google Play Store that have been installed by up to 1.5 million users. Both apps have similar malicious behaviors, such as launching silently without any user interaction.From Katy Craig in San Diego, California: In a jaw dropping twist, approximately $126 million worth of crypto assets has vanished from Multichain's accounts in what could be a classic case of a rug pull. The incident left experts scratching their heads and investors clutching their virtual wallets. From Hillary Coover in Washington, DC: Massachusetts is considering a groundbreaking law that would ban the sale of location data collected from mobile phones used within the state. The proposed Location Shield Act would also require law enforcement to obtain a warrant before accessing such data.From Ian Garrett in Arlington, Virginia: Even recession-proof industries are feeling the squeeze when it comes to funding. While cybersecurity has traditionally been shielded from downward funding trends, it is now seeing a major shift from investors. With that, you may be wondering how bad is the decline. From Marcel Brown in St. Louis, Missouri: July 11th, 2008. Apple's second iPhone, the iPhone 3G goes on sale. The higher speed 3G data capability certainly helped the iPhone solidify its status as the premier smartphone of the time. From Sourced Network Production in New York City. "It's 5:05". I'm Pokie Huang. Today is Tuesday, July 11th. Here's the full story behind today's cyber security and open source headlines...

CEO & Founder, Toussaint Bailey and Director of Communications & Engagement, Tamerri Ater reflect on the UPLIFTING Conversations episodes Changing Hats to Fight Climate Change with Taj Ahmad Eldridge and Making Venture Funding Equitable with Marlon Evans CEO Nex CubedAny mention of a particular security and related performance or impact data is not a recommendation to buy or sell that security. The information provided in the Uplifting Capital newsletter, podcast, social media channels or the www.upliftingcapital.com website (including any information that may be accessed through this website) is not directed at any investor or category of investors and is provided solely as general information.

Let's talk about entrepreneurship. Over the last few decades, it has gone from being looked at as “taboo” to being idolized. And since the creation of the internet and social media, it looks like everyone is becoming one. We are sitting down on our couch, consuming the stories of people successfully building their companies and thinking, “Oh, I could have done that!” With there being over 582 million entrepreneurs in the world, the competition is next level. That begs the question…how do you do it? And what if you can't raise any VC money for my business idea? Can you still have a business?The answer is yes, and today as a guest, Mike Salguero will share his story of building a $600 Million business from no venture funding. And he will share why, after his last company has not taken a dollar from VC, and maybe why you shouldn't either.Twitter of Host (Shamus Madan): @mbitpodcastTwitter of Guest (Mike Salguero): @mikesalgueroTo get $30 off your first box use the code MIKESENTME at https://www.butcherbox.com/

In this episode, Toussaint chats with Uplifter Marlon Evans. Marlon is the CEO of Nex Cubed and President and Founder of the HBCU Founders Accelerator, a nonprofit organization that partners with Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), to engage rising students and alumni across all HBCUs interested in developing solutions that close the wealth gap ranging from increasing access to healthcare, education, and financial services.Nex Cubed WebsiteHBCU Founders Accelerator Website Marlon Evans Bio: Marlon's professional career spans higher education, foundations, Fortune 500s, and startups. The driving force behind all of his career choices has been a desire to create positive social impact. In 2018, Marlon was named CEO of Nex Cubed, an investor that creates and accelerates frontier tech companies with an emphasis on digital health and fintech. To date, the Nex Cubed portfolio consists of 80+ startups with an aggregate value of $500M and over 60% of the startups are led by female and minority founders. In an effort to increase Nex Cubed's impact, Marlon led the launch of the HBCU Founders Initiative, a 501c3 organization designed to inspire entrepreneurship at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). In partnership with corporations such as AT&T, Franklin Templeton, Verizon, Mastercard and Morgan Stanley, over 500 students and alums from 60+ HBCUs have participated in its acceleration programs. Finding that many of the teams with venture backable ideas lacked access to pre-seed and seed funding to help grow their business, Nex Cubed recently launched the HBCU Founders Fund, a 40M accelerator and fund investing in the most promising startups where at least one of the founders is a HBCU student or alum. Prior to joining Nex Cubed, Marlon served as CEO of GSVlabs (renamed One Valley), a global innovation platform that accelerated startups and connected corporations to exponential technologies, business models and ideas. His career includes experience as a Director of Corporate Affairs at HP, where he led HP Company Foundation programs, including Matter to a Million, a company-wide employee engagement program in partnership with Kiva. He received his BA in Political Science and a MA in Sociology from Stanford University, where he competed on the football and track & field teams. Marlon lives in Redwood City, CA with his wife Dena Evans. They have two daughters, Adrienne and Elise.

Mike Salguero is the Founder and CEO @ ButcherBox, the meat delivery subscription service that he has scaled to $600M in revenue, 215 employees and the national leader in the space. All of this achieved while raising $0 of venture capital. Prior to ButcherBox, Mike was the Founder & CEO @ CustomMade, an online marketplace that, unlike ButcherBox, raised millions in venture funding from prominent VCs. In Today's Episode with Mike Salguero We Discuss: 1.) The Makings of a Great Entrepreneur: How did Mike's father not being present in his childhood impact the type of leader he is today? How does Mike's fear of abandonment show itself in his leadership style? What does Mike know now that he wishes he had known when he started? 2. Consumer Subscription is Not a VC Backabale Business Model: Why does Mike believe consumer subscription D2C businesses are not VC backable? What are the biggest challenges of running a consumer subscription business? Why did all the D2C food prep and delivery companies fail? What did they do wrong? What happens to all the heavily funded D2C subscription companies of the last 5 years? Why does Mike believe now is the hardest time ever to do D2C consumer subscription? 3. The Secret to Efficient Marketing: How did ButcherBox scale to $50M in revenue with just one marketing channel working? When should founders think about the second channel? How should they choose which one? Why does Mike not like "brand marketing"? How did ButcherBox burn $8.5M on brand marketing? What are Mike's biggest lessons from doing this? What emerging channel does Mike see as having the biggest potential over the coming years? Why does customer acquisition increase with time? Why do elections cause it to increase? 4. The Economics of a $600M Revenue ButcherBox: How much does it cost ButcherBox to acquire a customer? What is their payback period on that customer? How has this change with time? What is the single metric that drives the profitability of ButcherBox? What are the single biggest points of margin in the business? What is the lifetime value of a ButcherBox subscriber? What are the single biggest points of churn in the customer lifecycle? 5. Venture Capital: To Raise or Not to Raise: Why did Mike never raise venture capital for ButcherBox? Has Mike ever sold secondary? Why not? What would Mike most like to change about the world of venture capital? What are his biggest lessons from raising VC with CustomMade? How did that impact how he approached building ButcherBox? What does Mike believe all founders need to know about raising VC?

Our spicy take on the Silicon Valley Bank bailout, how it will impact everyday developers, and how badly this screws over small businesses.

We're back with another insightful episode recorded at last month's NRF "Big Show." This time our focus is on how entrepreneurs bring their ideas to market, secure venture capital funding, and fight through all the challenges to create a sustainable, remarkable business.We're fortunate to have two great female founders join us to share their wisdom. Michelle Bacharach heads up FindMine, the AI powered company that helps consumers and brands find their best looks. Katie Hotze founded and leads Grocery Shopii, an innovative technology platform that powers digital meal planning. In a wide ranging discussion we learn about the inspiration for their companies, how they've funded and scaled them, and explore some of the unique challenges faced by founders from under-represented communities. But first we give our perspectives on the most remarkable retail news of the week, with a fairly deep dive into Amazon's concerning quarterly earnings report. We also give our quick takes on news about Sam's Club's expansion plans, a very strong US jobs report, Tom Kingsbury being named "permanent" CEO at Kohl's, Ryan Cohen's setting his activist sights on Nordstrom, Bed, Bath & Beyond's looming bankruptcy filing, and how Rent the Runway has kicked the debt can down the road. ******We're headed to Las Vegas in March for another edition of Shoptalk. Retailers and brands can get a Shoptalk ticket for a reduced rate of just $1950 rate here using our special discount code RBREMARK1950.About MichelleMichelle is CEO and Co-Founder of FINDMINE, an award winning software platform that uses machine learning to scale product curation for the world's top retailers. As a product and strategy expert, Michelle is experienced in growing companies by launching software, apps and websites to millions of people, putting together joint ventures, and conceiving of new products. Michelle has shared her expertise with thousands of leaders in retail and technology as a speaker at SXSW, the National Retail Federations' Retail's Big Show and Shop.org, Intel's Shift, Women in Machine Learning and Data Science, and many others.  About KatieNamed a Top 10 Women in Grocery Tech by RIS, Katie Hotze is an innovative leader and entrepreneur with over two decades of experience in digital marketing, data analytics and business strategy. Katie is the founder and CEO of Grocery Shopii, a Charlotte-based startup that solves a $550B problem in the CPG & Retail industry by reducing cart abandonment with machine learning. Grocery Shopii uses recipes as a recommendation engine to expedite online grocery shopping inside the shopping journey.Prior to Grocery Shopii, Katie spent 20 years in management and technology consulting where she led global marketing teams for Mercer, the world's largest HR consultancy, and BearingPoint. She holds an M.B.A. and Business Analytics certification from William & Mary, and a B.S. in Marketing from Virginia Commonwealth University. In 2018, Katie was a Direct Marketing News (DMN) 40-Under-40 Award Recipient. She's also been awarded the Top Women in Grocery honor by Progressive Grocer. Today, she is a regular speaker on both digital and social media topics at conferences in the marketing and grocery retail spaces.A resident of Charlotte, N.C., Katie is a graduate of UNC-Charlotte's Ventureprise entrepreneurial program and is an active participant in the city's tech community.About UsSteve Dennis is an advisor, keynote speaker and author on strategic growth and business innovation. You can learn more about Steve on his       website.    The expanded and revised edition of his bestselling book  Remarkable Retail: How To Win & Keep Customers in the Age of Disruption is now available at  Amazon or just about anywhere else books are sold. Steve regularly shares his insights in his role as a      Forbes senior contributor and on       Twitter and       LinkedIn. You can also check out his speaker "sizzle" reel      here.Michael LeBlanc  is the Founder & President of M.E. LeBlanc & Company Inc and a Senior Advisor to Retail Council of Canada as part of his advisory and consulting practice.   He brings 25+ years of brand/retail/marketing & eCommerce leadership experience, and has been on the front lines of retail industry change for his entire career.  Michael is the producer and host of a network of leading podcasts including Canada's top retail industry podcast,       The Voice of Retail, plus  Global eCommerce Leaders podcast, and The Food Professor  with Dr. Sylvain Charlebois.    You can learn more about Michael   here  or on     LinkedIn. Be sure and check out Michael's latest venture for fun and influencer riches - Last Request Barbecue,  his YouTube BBQ cooking channel!

“Fundraising is mostly about failing. Success is really the wartime,” says Trisha Kotari, founder and CEO of Unit 21, a risk and compliance infrastructure which helps companies and financial institutions combat fraud. In 2019, she started the business from scratch, cold calling potential investors and raising seed. She discusses the way she differentiated herself from a saturated market, and convinced a particularly risk-averse crowd to get on board, all despite having no idea how to do sales.  Throughout the process and to this day, Trisha pays attention to customer reaction. The customer was her source of truth and helped her iterate. It helped her realize that there was a real need for her product and that she could provide an actual solution.  Trisha discusses the challenges of the process that might be surprising, especially those with Type A personalities, the problem with following advice, and what she wishes she had discarded after hearing it.  Quotes: This is an actual pain. And it's not a vitamin, it's not the small improvement that we thought this would be. (7:31-7:38 | Trisha) “Every company is slightly different, especially in the financial services space. And the types of users they target are different, the vectors of attack are different. And that was the main thing that we learned from talking to hundreds of people is that no one is looking for exactly the same type of rule to find fraud.” (9:43-10:03 | Trisha) “These people are naturally risk averse. They will go to jail if your software fails, and so it's very difficult to get a full set of customers.” (14:48-14:57 | Trisha)  “The only advice that I would have for people is when starting a business is just expect a lot of rejection. And people are going to reject you because what do they have to go off of? And I think especially for a lot of high achievement focus people, it might become really startling to see that, ‘Okay, I'm going to talk to 50 people and 49 as a no.'” (16:29-16:57 | Trisha) “Fundraising is mostly about failing. And the success is really the wartime.” (17:29-17:34 | Trisha) “I wish I did not listen to all advice because every piece of advice and some kind of it's really based on someone's past experience. But your company, what you're building, who you are, the situation, the industry or in the time that you're in even the same company 10 years ago, or 10 years from now, will this advice apply to me now?.” (28:56-29:20 | Trisha)  “It's pretty hard and it's something that is continuous. It's never a one time round thing. You are continuously learning, the market is continuing to evolve and it's a continuous effort.” (42:55-43:08 | Trisha) Connect with Brendan Dell: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brendandell/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/BrendanDell Instagram: @thebrendandellTikTok: @brendandell39 Buy a copy of Brendan's Book, The 12 Immutable Laws of High-Impact Messaging: https://www.indiebound.org/book/9780578210926    Connect with Trisha Kotari:LinkedIn: @trishkotariTwitter:@trishakotariwww.unit21.aiCheck out Trisha Kotari's recommended book:   Shoe Dog: A Memoir By the Founder of Nike by Phil Knight https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781501135927 Please don't forget to rate, comment, and subscribe to Billion Dollar Tech on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts! Use code Brendan30 for 30% off your annual membership with RiverSide.fm  Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

Karthik Suresh, Co-Founder of Ignition, talks about product management in big tech vs startups. At the early stage of any company, funding is vital, but it is essentially based on faith you'll succeed. However, when thinking about venture capital investment, there's a lot a company has to consider, especially its ability to grow rapidly and provide returns for investors. Today, Karthik discusses securing venture funding. Show NotesConnect With: Karthik Suresh: Website // LinkedIn // TwitterThe Rev Gen Podcast: Email // LinkedIn // TwitterI Hear Everything: IHearEverything.com // LinkedIn // Twitter See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Rand Fishkin, co-founder and CEO of SparkToro, and formerly of Moz speaks with Spencer in this revealing conversation about the ups and downs of entrepreneurship. Rand started out as an SEO enthusiast writing about increasing organic traffic through his SEOmoz blog, and then realizing that his expertise had the makings of a business, he began consulting and then developing Moz into a SaaS. Rand helped grow Moz to more than 130 employees, with over $30M in revenue, and traffic reaching 30M visitors per year. Rand is known for his marketing videos, public speaking, and his book Lost and Founder, in which he reveals with incredible candor his struggles with depression.  Rand Fishkin is an investor in dot.LA. 

Have you ever felt overwhelmed by adversity? Have you ever wanted to give up on your dreams?Brent Freeman speaks to us about how adversity brought him to his knees…while simultaneously providing the inspiration he needed to make monumental changes in his life. We discuss topics such as how to:Interrupt your adversity and thrive in all areas of your lifeIdentify the things that make you smile from the inside out Create a practice of actively seeking joy in everyday momentsPay attention to and gain ownership of your thoughtsInfuse philanthropy into entrepreneurshipMaintain a human centric business model------------------------------------------------------Interested in hiring Michelle as a coach, educator, or speaker? Click HERE.------------------------------------------------------Learn more about our incredible guest, Brent Freeman, by visiting his website. You can also connect with Brent through his LinkedIn, Instagram, or company website. 

Why isn't Twitter doing more to get bots off their platform? Why isn't Uber taking better care of its drivers? What if...they can't?Venture-capital backed companies like Twitter and Uber are held accountable to maximizing returns to investors. If and when they become public companies, they become accountable to maximizing returns to shareholders. They've promised Wall Street outsized returns — which means Twitter can't lose bots if it would significantly lower their user count and in turn lower advertising revenue, and Uber can't treat their drivers like employees if it competes with profits.But what's the alternative? What might it look like to design an ownership and governance model that incentivizes a technology company to serve all of its stakeholders over the long term – and primarily, the stakeholders who create value?This week on Your Undivided Attention, we're talking with two experts on creating the conditions for humane business, and in turn, for humane technology: Mara Zepeda and Kate “Sassy” Sassoon of Zebras Unite Co-Op. Zebras Unite is a member-owned co-operative that's creating the capital, culture, and community to power a more just and inclusive economy. The Zebras Unite Coop serves a community of over 6,000 members, in about 30 chapters, over 6 continents. Mara is their Managing Director, and Kate is their Director of Cooperative Membership.Two corrections:The episode says that the failure rate of startups is 99%. The actual rate is closer to 90%.The episode says that in 2017, Twitter reported 350 million users on its platform. The actual number reported was 319 million users.RECOMMENDED MEDIA Zebras Fix What Unicorns BreakA seminal 2017 article by Zebras Unite co-founders, which kicked off the movement and distinguished between zebras and unicorns — per the table below.Meetup to the People Zebras Unite's 2019 thought experiment of exiting Meetup to communityZebras Unite Crowdcast ChannelWhere you can find upcoming online events, as well as recordings of previous events.RECOMMENDED YUA EPISODES A Renegade Solution to Extractive Economics with Kate Raworth: https://www.humanetech.com/podcast/29-a-renegade-solution-to-extractive-economicsBonus — A Bigger Picture on Elon & Twitter: https://www.humanetech.com/podcast/bigger-picture-elon-twitter  Here's Our Plan And We Don't Know with Tristan Harris, Aza Raskin, and Stephanie Lepp: https://www.humanetech.com/podcast/46-heres-our-plan-and-we-dont-knowYour Undivided Attention is produced by the Center for Humane Technology. Follow us on Twitter: @HumaneTech_

Billy Libby is the co-founder of Upper90, a firm that invests in a hybrid of debt and equity in early stage technology companies to help founders scale efficiently. Billy partnered with Jason Finger, the founder of Seamless, to address a capital structure inefficiency in the venture world. Upper90 has deployed a $1 billion of capital for an LP base of more than 300 entrepreneurs. Our conversation covers Billy's background in electronic trading, formation of an investment club that brought together quantitative investors and tech founders, and the evolution of that club into Upper90.  We discuss Upper90s approach to investing in tech start-ups, use of data to find lendable opportunities, sourcing and diligence of deals, and lots of examples along the way. Learn More‍ Follow Ted on Twitter at @tseides or LinkedIn‍ Subscribe to the mailing list‍ Access Transcript with Premium Membership‍