Tess Danielson 
Kameale Terry, 35, grew up in South Central Los Angeles as the eldest of four children in a first-generation American family. Her parents immigrated from Belize, instilling an entrepreneurial spirit in their children. “I grew up just knowing that I could do anything, I could accomplish whatever I put my mind to,” she says. “We … more
Jake Peterson never planned to become senior SEO and web analytics manager at Go Fish Digital. “I kind of stumbled backward into the SEO [search engine optimization] and digital marketing world,” he said. “I come from an editorial background and really enjoyed the content side. But everything I did was behind a paywall.” This realization … more
Raising early-stage funding is one of the most exciting—and perilous—phases of a startup’s journey. A single misstep can derail your growth, dilute your equity too soon, or even scare off future investors. After analyzing hundreds of startup failures and successes, we’ve identified the seven most common funding mistakes founders make—and how to avoid them. Mistake … more
The path from underrepresented founder to venture capitalist is rarely linear, but it’s one filled with invaluable lessons, resilience, and the power of rewriting the narrative. For many founders from marginalized backgrounds, breaking into the VC world isn’t just about securing capital—it’s about reshaping who gets to control it. The Founder’s Struggle is a Strength … more
Seattle is experiencing a revitalization – and a major factor is investor support for early-stage founders. Many venture capitalists here prioritize traction over pedigree, with even major players like Microsoft (M12) and Amazon quietly funding local entrepreneurs. But the true stars are the local investors: a tight-knit community dedicated to uplifting founders and paying it … more
As the possibility of a recession grows, many entrepreneurs are adapting their strategies. With the U.S. potentially facing a recession (defined as two consecutive quarters of declining GDP), businesses must prioritize adaptability. While recessions bring challenges, utilizing careful planning and targeted marketing can help a startup do more than just survive the storm. What is ‘Recession-Proof’? … more
No matter where you come from or where you’re going, every immigrant’s journey is unique. Sergio Paluch—co-founder and managing partner of Beta Boom, a pre-seed and seed fund investing in overlooked founders—is no exception. He has made it his life’s mission to dismantle inequity in venture capital and disrupt industry norms. For Sergio, where you’re … more
For 200 years, immigrant minds have fueled America’s tech dominance. With each new wave of migration, generation-defining innovations follows. Today, this legacy continues as immigrant founders dominate fields from semiconductor manufacturing to artificial intelligence. Here are their accomplishments: decade by decade, breakthrough by breakthrough. Timeline 1840s–1850s (Early Industrial Era) Antonio Meucci (Italy) In 1856, Italian immigrant … more
As economies globalize and technology becomes a central force of change, Nevada is adapting. The tourism-centered state was hit hard by COVID-19 and is still trying to recover. But its post-pandemic commitment to nurturing a healthy tech ecosystem has proven to be a very smart economic move. Over the last decade, a concerted push toward … more
The world’s best and brightest minds have always been on the move–and many ended on on America’s shores. The country’s global leadership came not from size or power alone, but from attracting top talent through scientific freedom and research excellence — an advantage now in jeopardy. The Trump administration’s 2025 policies threaten the U.S. knowledge … more
Today’s political and financial climate has left many on edge. Beyond current events, modern distractions, especially our phones, eat away at concentration. This constant stimulation, along with shrinking human attention spans, can make completing a single task feel impossible. But research shows several effective methods to improve focus and workplace productivity. Here are the best … more
President Donald Trump and his administration have made their opposition to diversity, equity, and inclusion programs clear through rhetoric and policy. Yet corporate America shows little appetite for abandoning these efforts. A recent survey by law firm Littler, found 49% of business leaders aren’t scaling back DEI initiatives, while just 8% are considering significant changes. … more
While Nevada isn’t traditionally recognized as a tech hub, state government leaders are working to change that narrative. With the Nevada Governor’s Office of Economic Development (GOED) leading the charge, the region is aggressively pursuing tech sector growth to diversify its economy beyond tourism and gaming—industries that face increasing volatility. The state offers compelling advantages … more
Las Vegas is betting on more than blackjack these days. From university-backed funds to state-run accelerators, the city’s venture capital scene is dealing a new kind of hand. Nevada’s business-friendly policies, such as zero corporate income tax, provide a financial edge as the emerging VC ecosystem draws in a variety of specialized investors. Additionally, this … more
While tech history predominantly celebrates male innovators, women have been the foundational—yet often overlooked—architects of computing since its inception. From Ada Lovelace’s pioneering algorithm to Fei-Fei Li’s groundbreaking AI research, these women overcame systemic gender and racial barriers to create foundational technologies, including WiFi, programming languages, and search engines. Their stories expose the glaring gaps … 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
We invest at the pre-seed and seed stages in passionate, tenacious founders solving big problems and help them grow their startup with hands-on product, marketing, sales, and fundraising support