Tess Danielson 
Tech history often credits male inventors, but women have been the invisible architects of computing since its birth. From Ada Lovelace’s first algorithm to Fei-Fei Li’s AI breakthroughs, these innovators overcame gender (and often racial) barriers to create the tech we rely on today—WiFi, programming languages, search engines, and beyond. Their stories reveal how much … more
If you were in the Chicago tech hub before the 2010s, you might have asked, “Where are all the businesswomen?” Today, these entrepreneurs and founders are celebrated for the innovation and growth they have brought to the city. In a victory for the tech hub’s progress, Startup Genome’s research named Chicago the top global ecosystem … more
Tech culture has long been a male-dominated ecosystem, but women have been shattering that ceiling for decades. New data shows significant progress. From 2010 to 2020, the number of women-led VC funds grew from about a dozen to over 300. In 2023 alone, more than 160 women-led VC firms—defined as having at least half of … more
At 37, Aneri Desai has spent decades on an extraordinary journey—from her roots in India to living out her American dream. A first-generation immigrant, Aneri now lives in Columbia, South Carolina, with her family. Growing up in a middle-class Indian household, she broke barriers as the first in her family to study abroad. After eight … more
In the beginning of their journey, nearly every founder dreams of revolutionizing the world with their startup. However, that drive and those high expectations often morphs into burnout. For early-stage entrepreneurs, burnout can be the ultimate death blow to both their business and mental health. A 2023 study by Startup Snapshot found that 72% of … more
When most people hear “cold email,” they groan. When Alex De Laet, founder of Outbound Unicorns, hears it, he sees opportunity. At Outbound Unicorns, Alex and his team handle “everything from A to Zoom,” using hyper-targeted campaigns to help U.S.-based startups and B2B companies grow “from a cute little pony to a legendary unicorn.” Through … more
In recent years, it has become clear that Chicago is one of the best places in the country to launch an early-stage startup. Its diverse and dynamic business climate creates an ideal environment for innovation and growth, backed by a strong network of venture capital firms and angel investors. Home to world-class universities, the city … more
The U.S. tech industry thrives on innovation and perseverance. While homegrown talent has created empires, the industry’s competitive edge has always been shaped by one defining force: a diverse immigrant workforce. While immigrants only make up about 14% of the U.S. population, they represent an astounding 20% of the self-employed individuals and 25% of startup … more
If you asked the average person how much they would research before moving across the world or launching a business, they’d likely say weeks or months or years. Sabari Raja is not one of those people. The startup founder and managing partner at JFFVentures ( an early stage venture fund investing in workforce innovations that … more
Adam Treboutat, founder and CEO of TNT Growth, didn’t always know where his career path was taking him. His first professional title was accountant, but he began to find more joy exploring the marketing sector. “I like numbers, I like troubleshooting, but accounting just wasn’t for me,” he recalls. “I wanted to get into a … more
John Atkins, Senior Growth Marketing Strategist at Tuff, worked for years to master growth marketing strategies. But he took an unconventional path that continues to inspire his unique approach today. Inspired by a high school English teacher, John originally pursued a degree in English literature. After graduating, he took the opportunity to teach English as … more
Being interviewed by a journalist is an exciting opportunity for any startup founder. It’s a chance to share your story, promote your brand, and establish yourself as a thought leader in your industry. However, it can also be nerve-wracking if you’re unprepared. Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you navigate the process with confidence. Why … more
These days, it feels like every state has its own twist on Silicon Valley. For the city Philadelphia, the tech hub has earned itself the nickname of “Cellicon Valley.” Philly has consistently ranked among the 10 best life science markets and was ranked as one of the world’s best places to found a startup. In … more
Before launching Coyote Ventures, an early-stage fund dedicated to health equity and women’s health, Jessica Karr first needed to discover where her true passion truly belonged. After completing her MS in Biochemistry, Jessica began her startup career when she helped to design and launch the Impossible Burger as an early employee. Later she completed an … more
In his 30-plus years of experience, Nitin Rai has witnessed the venture capital market rise and fall and rise again. These same highs and lows applied to his journey within the industry, often involving challenges beyond funding. But the path to success in the U.S. was shaped by a challenging and impactful journey. Today, Nitin … more
The world is full of problems. Melanie Perkins, co-founder and CEO of Canva, found the perfect answer to one of them. The Australian entrepreneur built Canva to democratize accessibility to design platforms, which went on to rival the tech giants. Today, Canva has grown into one of the world’s most successful startups. It reached unicorn … more
Public speaking is one of the most common phobias, surpassing death, spiders, and heights. Recognized as a social anxiety disorder by the American Psychiatric Association, it’s commonly known as Public Speaking Anxiety (PSA) or glossophobia. Despite the growing importance of fluency in public speaking, particularly in the business world, the fear remains widespread. Although PSA … more
Jeff Clavier, founder and managing partner of Uncork Capital, is a well-known figure in the VC ecosystem. Born and raised in France, he earned a Master of Science in Computer Science and a degree in Distributed Computing from Université Paris Descartes. During his studies, he joined Effix, a fintech startup later acquired by Reuters, which … more
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