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
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
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
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
The right mentor will act not only as an advisor and teacher but also as an ally, advocate, and confidante. Mentors play a crucial role in helping founders navigate the complexities of entrepreneurship, make informed decisions, and achieve their goals more efficiently. This article will explore the importance of mentoring in startups, the benefits they … more
Ethan Austin, 43, never imagined he’d launch a startup, let alone a venture capital firm. Today, he leads Outside VC, a pre-seed fund that invests in overlooked founders building a more equitable financial system, offering $100,000-$250,000 first checks. Growing up in the 1980s suburbs of Orange County was miles away from anything resembling a tech … more
It can be difficult to leave your mark in the startup world. But occasionally, someone comes along who upends the system. In the modern age, that someone is Tope Awotona. Tope, founder and CEO of the scheduling automation platform Calendly, has become a hero to many. His journey resonates with so many underdog founders – … more
While Scot Wingo, 55, describes his upbringing as vanilla, his career path has been anything but. Scot began his entrepreneurship journey 30 years ago and led him to his current love and obsession Research Triangle Park (RTP) in North Carolina. Located in the Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill region, Scot is deeply passionate about the RTP’s prospects for … more
Emily Brown, co-founder and CEO of Attane Health, was born and raised with her siblings in Dallas, Texas. She had a great childhood and even better parents. Growing up, Emily, who now lives in Kansas City, Missouri with her family, describes herself as a go-getter, which is highlighted throughout her professional career. But her first … more
With the amount of stress founders take on, it is inevitable that anxiety will get the best of you. Good news is that it is completely normal. Each human only has so much emotional bandwidth to work with. The biggest challenge with anxiety is finding a way to break your toxic thought cycle. By diverting … more
For decades, there’s been a very cozy relationship between state and local governments and Big Tech across the country. When it comes to tech giants relocating, monetary incentives, such as tax breaks or grants, are commonplace – and seemingly expected. To secure the mere possibility of job and economic growth, many cities have consistently and … more
The femtech sector is finally having its moment, offering a broad range of innovations to improve women’s well-being. There are many reasons behind the boom. Many female issues once seen as taboo are now widely talked about, making them more marketable. There’s also the recognition of women’s health as an issue affecting everyone. As Thang … more
The continuing COVID-19 pandemic has placed a huge strain on health care providers and services. However, health tech companies have tools that can help. Here are eight exciting companies that investors should watch now and into the future. 1. Babyscripts Babyscripts is a platform that delivers prenatal and postpartum care virtually. It recently raised $12 … more
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