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Alternative Startup Financing with Shannon Lovgren

Shannon Titus Lovgren reveals how $260 billion sitting in donor advised funds could revolutionize startup funding for mission-driven companies. After 12 years in Sweden and decades in sustainability and philanthropy, Shannon returns to San Francisco with a radical approach to bridging the gap between doing good and making money. We dive into the mechanics of philanthropic capital, why patient money beats traditional VC timelines for social impact startups, and how Shannon's networking philosophy of "what can I give" unlocks unexpected opportunities. From her USAID work in Kenya to founding her own company at 54, Shannon shares hard-won insights about finding billionaires at climate events, convincing wealthy donors with stories instead of data, and why the divide between finance bros and do-gooders might be the biggest missed opportunity of our time.

Partnerships & Community in San Francisco

I used to think about partnerships like sales: you find a prospect and try to close. Danny shifted my perspective by talking about generosity and alignment—how partnerships work when both sides benefit and there’s a clear reason to keep moving together. He’s taken that perspective into the way he builds events and community, creating spaces where everyone gains something by showing up.