More Equity

In this episode, Nicole DeTommaso speaks with Andrew Gazdecki, founder and CEO of Acquire. Having built multiple startups, including one he bootstrapped to $10M in annual recurring revenue, Andrew founded Acquire to make acquisitions easier for startups across the globe. Tune in as Nicole and Andrew discuss bootstrapping versus venture capital funding, building a brand through content and media, getting acquisition offers, and more.

In this episode, Nicole DeTommaso connects with Beezer Clarkson, Managing Director at Sapphire Partners. With over 15 years of experience in venture capital, predominantly on the LP side, Beezer provides insights into what institutional LPs look for when evaluating emerging managers. They discuss Sapphire's new $2 billion program focused on emerging VC managers in partnership with CalSTRS, as well as the importance of having an authentic investing strategy and portfolio construction. Tune in for tangible advice for early-stage funds on positioning for success in a tougher fundraising environment.

In this episode, Nicole DeTommaso speaks with Ruben Harris, Founder and CEO of Career Karma. Ruben started Career Karma in 2018 to provide career navigation technology to help people explore growth opportunities, and has now raised $52 million in funding and serves over 1 million people per month looking for career advice. Tune in as Nicole and Ruben discuss how he utilized media like Twitter and podcasting to jumpstart his entrepreneurial career, build Career Karma's audience, and fundraise. They also talk about Ruben's approach to developing strong convictions as a founder and get his take on AI.

In this episode, Nicole DeTommaso chats with Elizabeth Yin, co-founder and General Partner at Hustle Fund, a venture capital firm aimed at democratizing wealth through startups. They delve into the importance of having a niche in VC, Hustle Fund's unique approach to investment promotion, and their focus on post-pre-seed startups with proven product-market fit. Discover how grassroots methods like cold emailing play a role in product testing and feedback, and learn about Hustle Fund's support for non-serial entrepreneurs and their global funding opportunities.

In this episode, Nicole DeTommaso talks with Peter Walker, Head of Insights at Carta. Carta manages over two trillion dollars in equity for nearly two million people globally. The company is trusted by more than 30,000 companies, over 5,000 investment funds, and half a million employees for cap table management, compensation management, liquidity venture capital solutions, and more. Together, Nicole and Peter explore the dynamics shaping the VC market, startup valuations, and the impact of equity on employee tenure. From dissecting the intricacies of data visualization and compensation trends to discussing the potential downturn in diversity due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this episode offers a deep dive into the current state of the venture capital industry. Join us as we uncover critical insights and expert perspectives on the evolving landscape of equity, funding, and diversity in the startup ecosystem.