Tess Danielson 
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
As a founder, failure is inevitable. But the silver lining is that it means everyone experiences it. While learning from past mistakes is crucial to success, it doesn’t mean it’s an enjoyable experience. When it comes to relatable and humorous stories, Reddit will never let you down. (Also, public service announcements, avoid alcohol and drugs … more
Marcos Fernandez, co-founder and managing partner at Fiat Ventures, once believed he was destined to be a founder. About 15 years ago, bright eyed and bushy tailed, Marcos worked towards launching his own projects. But it soon became apparent that the pressures associated with building a startup from the ground up was more than he … more
Philadelphia has become a prominent tech hub on the east coast and is a great place for startups looking for a new view. But in a place experiencing skyrocketing growth, it can be difficult to find the best venture capital firm for you. Here is a list of the top Philadelphia VC firms in the … more
Women entrepreneurs often face higher funding hurdles, particularly during pregnancy. With preparation, transparency, and support, these challenges can be overcome. Here’s how to secure the funding your startup needs. Historically, women received less than 2% of all venture capital funding in 2022. For pregnant founders, the bias can be even more pronounced. But a pregnant … more
Fundraising is the lifeblood of a startup. But for first-time founders, the process of raising capital can feel daunting. Crafting a clear and actionable to-do list is one of the most effective ways to bring order to the chaos and maintain focus on your goals. Here’s how to build a to-do list that sets you … more
Finding the right venture capital partner can be challenging for any startup founder. Securing funding means connecting with investors who not only have the resources but also share your vision and values. Researching and identifying the right VC firm is critical for ensuring long-term success and alignment. Here’s some of the best advice from Reddit on … more
Amid political and technological transformation, President-Elect Donald Trump’s return to the White House introduces both uncertainty and opportunity for the startup ecosystem. As displayed by NASDAQ’s record high following the election results, tech leaders see Trump’s deregulatory agenda as a welcome shift from President Joe Biden’s oversight era, which included guidelines for AI technologies and … more
Judy Faulkner, founder and CEO of Epic Systems, is a titan in the health tech industry. Her company, valued at $4.9 billion, provides electronic health records (EHR) for 325 million patients worldwide. Thanks to Faulkner’s technology, she helped transform how healthcare institutions all over the world manage patient files for healthcare institutions. In 2024, Faulkner … more
To succeed in the startup world, every founder must leverage every resource at their disposal when attempting to connect with venture capitalists—including the often-dreaded cold email. While warm introductions are ideal, cold email campaigns can be equally effective when executed thoughtfully. The key to success starts with crafting a message that resonates with a wide … more
Austin’s tech scene, also known as “Silicon Hills,” has been attracting talent and money for decades. The city is home to some of the nation’s top VC firms, renowned for their focus on early-stage investments, hands-on mentorship, and tailored resources designed to help startups thrive. Finding the right match is about more than just capital—seed-stage … more
Austin’s rise as a tech hub reflects decades of strategic planning and pivotal developments. The commitment of the community transformed the city into a global tech center. Dubbed “Silicon Hills,” Austin hosts major players like Apple, IBM, and Tesla alongside thriving startups. With a skilled workforce, business-friendly policies, and collaborative innovation, the city became a … more
In recent months, funding rounds featuring “pay-to-play” provisions have surged. These provisions aim to encourage reinvestment and attract supplemental funding. During the recent financing boom, these provisions were largely absent due to a thriving market. However, as capital began to dry up, they started resurfacing. Earlier this year, Sequoia Capital generated headlines when it declined … 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