Unicorn Investor Club: Icertis Website | LinkedIn | Pitchbook Portfolio Summary Description Pitchbook: Developer of a contract intelligence platform designed to structure and connect every kind of contract. The company’s platform uses artificial intelligence to read, analyze documents, and third-party papers to provide authorized users with detailed risk reports and automatic obligations, as well as … more
VC Spotlight: 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 … more
Artificial intelligence solutions now play a vital role in launching and scaling startups, offering efficiency gains, improved decision-making and versatile applications. From automation to web search, these tools help businesses stay competitive. Selecting the right AI requires evaluating integration capabilities, scalability and alignment with business goals. The technology can enhance analytics, customer engagement and operations. … 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. 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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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