Startup Fundraising Archives - Beta Boom

Unicorn Spotlight: Huntress Labs Celebrates “10 Years of Wrecking Hackers”

by Tess Danielson

Huntress Labs, Kyle Hanslovan, cybersecurity unicorn, SaaS unicorn, Chris Bisnett, John Ferrell

Huntress Labs “10 Years of Wrecking Hackers” Website | LinkedIn | Crunchbase Unicron Stats About Protect Your Endpoints, Identities, Logs, and Employees. The fully managed security platform that combines endpoint detection and response, Microsoft 365 identity protection, a predictably affordable SIEM and science-based security awareness training. Powered by custom-built enterprise technology for mid-market enterprises, small … more

400% Behind: Why Impact Investors are Chasing the Purple Economy

by Tess Danielson

Impact Investors are Chasing the Purple Economy VCs Fueling Disabled Founders With Funding and Community -- Disabled Founder Startup VC Grants and Funding

Disabled founders occupy an awkward position among historically marginalized groups. When they aren’t completely overlooked or locked out of funding, they’re often treated as charity cases — ones investors seemingly deem unworthy of backing. A 2022 report from Access2Funding, “Transforming Opportunities and Outcomes for Disabled Entrepreneurs,” reveals stark disparities: Disabled entrepreneurs are up to 400 … more

Unicorn Club: reMarkable’s Digital Paper Proved Its Worth to Investors

by Tess Danielson

Unicorn Club reMarkable Updating digital Paper Founder Magnus Wanberg

Spotlight: reMarkable Website | LinkedIn | Crunchbase Product: reMarkable set out to build a tablet that replicates the feel and visual experience of writing – creating the world’s first digital paper in the process. About reMarkable Unicorn Stats: Mission and Vision: At reMarkable, we’re emulating paper. That’s why our paper tablets feature a tactile, high-friction surface, … more

VCs Fueling Disabled Founders With Funding and Community

by Tess Danielson

Impact Investors are Chasing the Purple Economy VCs Fueling Disabled Founders With Funding and Community -- Disabled Founder Startup VC Grants and Funding

Funding barriers for disabled founders are some of the worst in the venture capital (VC) industry. In a 2023 Access2Funding report, the UK disability think tank found this group could be up to 400% less likely to secure investment than their counterparts. But this grim statistic has also resulted in a number of groups looking … more

Financial Support for Disabled Founders: A Guide to Grants and Funding Programs

by Tess Danielson

Financial Support for Disabled Founders - A Guide to Grants and Funding Programs --Disabled Founders Startup VC Grants and Funding

There are many hurdles to becoming a successful startup founder, but some – like the disabled – it can be harder to get your business off the ground. Luckily, numerous programs have emerged to help disabled founders lay the groundwork for their dream startups. From government initiatives and nonprofit funding to advocacy networks, these resources … more

How Beta Boom’s Kimmy Paluch Emerged from Kingston’s Chaos and Became a VC Disruptor

by Tess Danielson

Kimmy Paluch - Managing Partner of Beta Boom - Black Woman in Venture Capital

Soon, Kimmy Paluch, co-founder and managing partner of Beta Boom, will board a plane from Utah, returning to Jamaica for one of her family’s rare reunions — a gathering that draws relatives from across the globe. The youngest of five daughters, Kimmy was born and raised in Jamaica, surrounded by a sprawling extended family. Her … more

How These 6 Disabled Founders Are Redefining Accessibility

by Tess Danielson

How These 6 Disabled Founders Are Redefining Accessibility

While every founder has their trials and tribulations, those who are disabled face even more obstacles than their peers. But through sheer will – and maybe even a little spite – these entrepreneurs want you to know they’re here to change the world, no matter who tries to stand in their way. Here are 6 … more

Can Telehealth Fix Transgender Healthcare? How Plume Co-Founder Jerrica Kirkley Raised $38M to Try

by Tess Danielson

Jerrica Kirkley, M.D., co-founder and chief medical officer of Plume

Creativity can be a transformative force — one that shapes not just innovation, but survival itself. For Jerrica Kirkley, M.D., Co-Founder and Chief Medical Officer of Plume it has been the cornerstone of her success. “It’s just such a big part of every facet of my life,” she says. “We as physicians, as healers, have patients in … more

Vertical AI Roll-Ups: A Shortcut to Dominance — or a Recipe for Disaster?

by Tess Danielson

Vertical AI Roll-Ups, Private Equity, VC

Private equity (PE) in the U.S. has had a decades-long love affair with the roll-up strategy, a tactic involving mass acquisition and consolidation to achieve industry dominance. The lucrative market emerging around artificial intelligence and its new capabilities – such as generative AI and blockchain – is irresistible to PE acquirers. While this approach can … more

Forbes 2025 Midas Seed List: Meet America’s Most Influential Early-Stage VCs

by Tess Danielson

Forbes Midas 2025 Seed List Top US Investors

The 2025 Forbes Midas Seed List is back for its fourth year to celebrate the early-stage investors who fund the dreamers and create a household name. Finding the right investor is essential to the long-term success of any startup. The venture capitalists on the Seed List have proven time and time again that they have … more

“Risk is Our Business”: How Justin Ayars Uses Star Trek Philosophy to Transform LGBTQ Healthcare

by Tess Danielson

“Things are only impossible until they’re not.” – Captain Picard, Star Trek, The Next Generation. For Justin Ayars, founder and CEO of EqualityMD, this isn’t just a quote—it’s a way of life. “[Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry]’s dream was to see past the squabbles of humanity and show the world what a future could look … more

The 4 Types of AI Investors Are Obsessed with in 2025

by Tess Danielson

The 4 Types of AI Investors Are Obsessed with in 2025 AI Investors, AI, GenAI, Synthetic Data AI, Agentic AI, Edge AI

Technology’s hottest trend can be summarized in two words: artificial intelligence. AI startups are racing to innovate and deploy new solutions across a broad range of industries and applications. From 2023 to 2024 alone, the industry grew by 80%. The different sectors within AI are changing and evolving every day–with new ideas creating breakthroughs every … more

VC Spotlight: Founders Co-op

by Tess Danielson

Founders Co-op VC Seattle Seed

Founders’ Co-op Website | LinkedIn | Pitchbook Motto: “Built by founders, funded by founders, and designed to put founders first.” Founded in 2008, Founders’ Co-op is a venture capital investment firm based in Seattle, Washington. The firm seeks to invest in the Pacific Northwest-based companies operating in the software sector. This firm is a Registered … more

7 Early-Stage Founder Funding Traps—And How to Sidestep Them

by Tess Danielson

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. Here are seven of the most common funding mistakes founders make—and how to avoid them. Mistake #1: Raising Too Early (Or Too Late) … more

Seattle’s Top 5 Early-Stage VC Funds for New Founders

by Tess Danielson

Seattle's Top 5 Early-Stage Venture Capital Firms for New Founders

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

Nevada’s Tech Boom: How Vegas and Reno Are Hitting the Startup Jackpot

by Tess Danielson

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

Are VCs Leaving Money on the Table? The Untapped Potential of Women-Led Startups

by Tess Danielson

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

Vegas Goes All-In: Nevada’s 8 Best Startup Incentives Helping Founders Win Big

by Tess Danielson

Nevada Vegas Startup VC

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