Tess Danielson 
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
For Amir Dargulov, VP of Engineering of Abode, the journey to the United States was full of struggle and perseverance. When he arrived in California for college, it seemed he was poised to become one of the fortunate few to achieve the American Dream. Yet, navigating a foreign Wonderland can easily lead one astray. A … more
Almost all of us have struggled with time management at some point, but startup founders are especially prone to letting time slip away. Here are some of the top time management tips according to Reddit users. Thread: I’m struggling with prioritizing tasks and managing my time. jadeasm: My cofounder and I are fairly early, but … more
Grief is a universal experience, especially among founders who have experienced startup failure. There is nothing more humbling than outright failure, but dealing with the mental repercussions can be crippling. There are typically five stages of grief–denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance–that must be conquered before moving on with a career. Yet grief is also … more
Investors in the startup ecosystem are growing more and more concerned about the rise of zombie funds. Currently, the venture capital space is at risk of experiencing substantial consolidation. As startups face increasing pressure to locate fresh capital, they are stunted by limited investment opportunities as investors hold tighter onto their funds. All of these … more
Braden Weinstock, 42, has lived a fascinating life before he founded PrettyData, a competitive intelligence platform specifically designed for a beauty salon. He is a first-generation American. His father was born in Israel and grew up in Brazil, and his grandparents were Holocaust survivors. Braden currently spends half his time in Amsterdam with his wife, … more
Miami has bold aspirations to become a global crypto hub—and it’s closer than ever to achieving that vision. Thanks to Miami’s Mayor Francis Suarez fully embracing cryptocurrency, it has emerged as a key player in the tech world. With its tropical climate, rich cultural landscape, and proximity to Latin America, Miami-Dade County is one of … more
It has been a tough year for venture capital (VC) firms, with several accelerators closing their doors. Nonprofit programs like Venture for America, Byte Back, and Girls Who Code, once celebrated for their support of emerging talent, have suddenly gone dark. One of the most significant closures being that of the Roux Institute’s Techstars Accelerator … more
Tyler Bliha, 33, never thought he’d hold the title of founder. In fact, the CEO of Abode, a home finance manager was earning the educational pedigree necessary to cement a career on Wall Street, a path that was “ingrained” into him and his peers at Notre Dame. According to Tyler, most classmates followed the 2+2+2 track: … more
Virginie Raphael, founder of the pre-seed fund FullCircle, is currently based in New York City, but her upbringing was far more quaint. In the tiny town of Lyon, she grew up among the mere 800 inhabitants. Half of whom, she jokes, “were probably somewhat related to me in one way, shape, or form.” When Virginie … more
Russia is a place that will make or break you. This is the environment where Stan Vick, 38, learned to succeed. Today, the founder and CEO of 11thEstate, a New York-based platform for investors to get compensated in securities fraud cases, considers himself a true global citizen. But before Stan was able to set off … 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