Divergent Unicorns

On this episode we chat with Jareau Wade, Chief Growth Officer at Finix Payments. We discuss everything from the day to day life of a Chief Growth Officer, Trends that are impacting FinTech, and more.

On this episode we chat with Megan Holston-Alexander, Partner at a16z Cultural Leadership Fund. We discuss the importance of diverse representation on the cap table, fundraising advice for founders, and increasing diverse representation in the startup ecosystem.

On this episode we chat with Maria Salamanca, Partner at Unshackled Ventures; which is an early stage venture firm investing into startups founded by immigrant founders.

On this episode we chat with Keenan Williams, Co-Founder of Rezi; which is an real estate startup that allows landlords and tenants to rent apartments instantly.

On this episode we chat with Domonique Fines, Dir. of Engagement at All Raise; which is an organization that seeks to increase the amount of women receiving venture funding. 

We discuss challenges that women face with raising capital, Domonique's role at All Raise, and how All Raise benefits women VCs also.

On this episode we chat with Juan-Pablo Mas, who is a Partner at Action Potential VC; which is a growth stage venture firm investing into Healthcare. Juan-Pablo also is a founding board member of Latinx VC.

Topics to look forward to... due diligence of healthcare startups, COVID-19's impact on healthcare startups, and increasing diverse representation in venture capital.

On this episode we chat with Nash Ahmed, who is the founder of Undock; which is a software company that helps people instantly schedule, host, and document meetings. Nash is a serial entrepreneur, in which he previously ran three companies including Viper Box.

Topics to look forward to... advice for raising a seed round, building product, building a team, and defining your startup's North Star.

On this episode with chat with McKeever "Mac" Conwell II, who is the founder and managing partner of RareBreed Ventures. Mac is a former software engineer and two-time founder. One of Mac's companies failed, the other went on to a succesful exit.  

Topics to look forward to... investing at the pre-seed stage, building the startup ecosystem outside of Silicon Valley, and what makes a "Rarebreed Founder".

This week, we speak with Dawn Myers, CEO and Founder of The Most; which is a startup providing solutions to women with textured hair.

Key Topics: Hardware Roadmapping, Building an eCommerce solution, Joining an Accelerator, and so much more!

This week, we speak with Travis Holoway, CEO and Founder of Solo Funds; which is a Fintech solution that is serving the under and unbanked market by combating predatory lending. 

Key Topics: Building a Team, Customer Acquisition, Legal & Regulatory, and so much more!

This episode, we meet with Jackson Cummings, an investor at Salesforce Ventures; which is a Corporate Venture Capital firm that has invested in companies such as Box, Dropbox, and Ncino. 

Key Topics: Acquiring CVC investment, CVC benefits, Startup-Investor relationship, and more!

This week, we speak with Dana Wilson - Founder and CEO of CHIP; which is a FinTech startup increasing visibility and access to financial professionals of color. 

Key Topics: Building a Team, Creating a Prototype, Importance of Community in the Startup Space, and more!

On this episode, we speak with Amanda Johnson - Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer of Mented Cosmetics; which is a beauty startup looking to provide products to women of every HUE. Amanda Johnson and her co-founder are the 15th and 16th black women to raise $1M+ in venture funding.

Key Topics: Finding Problem Market-Fit, Utilizing Influencer Marketing, Defining Customer Experience, and Supply Chain Management.

On this episode, we speak with Amira Ouji and she discusses her experience with breaking into Venture Capital and how fundamental HBCUs (graduate of Howard) have been on her journey. Amira Ouji currently serves as the Director of Portfolio Engagement at Revolution, and is a founding team member at HBCUvc. At the time of this recording, Amira worked with MetaProp NYC. 

Learn more about her journey.

On this episode, De'Havia interviews Mercedes Bent - Partner at Lightspeed Ventures. At Lightspeed Ventures, Mercedes focuses on investing into early stage consumer startups. She also happens to be 1/5 black women with investment influence at a $1B+ venture fund.

Key Topics: Building consumer startups, Growing and Scaling, and Raising funding.

On this episode, De'Havia Stewart and Ime Essien interview Collin Wallace, CEO of ZeroStoreFront (formerly EatGeek). Collin has managed to make 3 exits - his first startup, Fango, was acquired by Grubhub in 2011. Collin has also participated in Accelerator programs such as Techstars and Y Combinator, and has raised millions in venture funding.

Key Topics: Process of Getting Acquired, Acquiring B2B customers, Raising a Round of Funding, and Importance of Intellectual Property.

On this episode, we speak with Jarrid Tingle - Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Harlem Capital; where Jarrid and his team plans to invest in 1,000 diverse founders. Jarrid and Harlem Capital have recently closed a $40M inaugural fund and have been featured in large media publications for their work such as Forbes, TechCrunch, and Black Enterprise.

Key Topics: Learnings from $40M fund raise, how Harlem Capital evaluates companies, alternative ways to raising capital, and the VC and founder relationship.

On this episode, we speak with Austin Woolridge - Co-Founder and CEO of Players' Lounge; which is an eSports startup that connects gamers virtually and allows them to compete competitively for cash. Aside from reaching consumers across the United States, Austin has been able to raise $3.7M in venture funding and has participated in Y Combinator Cohort 18.

Key Topics: Building an MVP, Influencer Marketing, Scaling business, and Raising a Round.

On this episode, we speak with Arlan Hamilton - Founder and Managing Partner of Backstage Capital. Backstage Capital is a venture firm that invest in "underestimated" founders - black, person of color, woman, and/or LGBTQ. Since founding the firm, Backstage Capital has invested in over 100 diverse founders. 

You can expect to hear more on what Arlan looks for in startups, how diverse founders can overcome challenges within the startup ecosystem, navigating COVID-19, and Arlan's new book "It's About Damn Time".

*This episode was recorded via Instagram Live on April 23, 2020*

The book and course are now live.

Thank you for tuning in!

On this episode, we speak with Cherae Robinson - the founder and CEO of Tastemakers Africa; which is an experience marketplace connecting black millennials to culture and heritage worldwide. Cherae has been featured in large media publications such as TechCrunch and has successfully raised a $1M seed round led by Precursor Ventures.

Cherae helps provide knowledge  from her experience as a founder on topics such as Building a Team, Raising Funding, Acquiring First Customers, and Influencer Marketing.

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