CōLab

Thank you to those who joined us for a lively discussion about using creativity as a lever for growth! We had a blast ?? at #sftechweek. Our star-studded panel discussed how creativity isn’t just about aesthetics — it’s about creating customer connections and influencing entire business trajectories. We also had a fun, off-the-cuff Q&A with the audience to help solve some of the challenges they’re facing today. Special thank you to Praise Santos McKenna at ComePlum for capturing these great moments from the night.?

Next week, we're hosting an SF #TechWeek happy hour at our office in the FiDi! We’ll be pouring drinks and hosting a panel on how creativity ?? drives startup growth, featuring: - Allen Mask, Partner at WestCap and Managing Partner at CōLab - Brian Wakabayashi, Managing Director and Head of Brand Strategy at CōLab - Gabrielle Tenaglia, Fractional CMO at Lettuce Financial - Katie Mentus, VP User Experience and Design at Addepar - Matt Herrmann, Founder and Chief Strategy Officer at JAM Branding If you’re in the City on Thursday, October 10th, RSVP here: https://lu.ma/5s3k3vrh

Our team had the opportunity to partner with one of WestCap’s portfolio companies, Addepar, to support their team with the unveiling of new product features this week. Check out one of the videos we created below and congratulations to Addepar on a successful launch week! ?

We sat down with Addepar’s Chief Marketing Officer, Meagan Ward, to discuss how storytelling –? whether it’s shaping media narratives, grappling with brand and identity, or designing marketing campaigns – has played an essential role in the company’s success. In our latest blog post, Meagan shares the ins and outs of her role and how working with WestCap’s in-house creative team, CōLab, has boosted Addepar’s storytelling powers. https://lnkd.in/d5vkjBju

At CōLab, we work on AI startups and stay ahead of new tools in this fascinating space. To some folks, Artificial Intelligence (AI) has long been heralded as the existential threat to the modern workforce. Depending on who you ask, it’s either a miraculous solution to all productivity woes or a job-thieving villain, ready to swipe paychecks and chew up careers. What we’ve realized is less dramatic and more pragmatic: AI isn’t out to steal your job, but some who knows how to use AI tools just might. CōLab’s Brand Strategy Director, Christopher Callahan explains in "AI Won't Take Your Job — Not Knowing AI Will." ?? Give it a read: https://lnkd.in/gVdHz2G9 #AI?#futureofwork?#brand?#studio?#colab?#artificialintelligence?#machine?#llm?#creative?#workforce?#privateequity?#startup?#brandstudio

In today’s challenging job market, landing a first job takes some work — but it’s not impossible. Our Product Design Lead, Yu Rong, has tips for recent grads on how to approach your search and build a portfolio that stands out. ?? Read the full post here: https://lnkd.in/gzGFR3ra #uxdesign #branddesign #creativestudio #designagency #designschool

Meet Barrie Davis, our first ever summer intern. She spent 6 weeks shadowing our team, pitching in with research, and fielding our many questions about what the youths are into. Here’s her take on working at CōLab. #designstudio?#creativesagency?#brandmarketing?#marketing?#internship

?? Design is just as much about driving performance as it is about aesthetics. Read more from Head of CōLab Allen Mask, who shares how our studio partners with WestCap’s portfolio companies and other startups to help them overcome challenges and achieve their business goals: https://lnkd.in/dMP-UcDN

Deep Sky had breathtaking designs for a futuristic carbon capture facility. Together, we partnered on a website to show how they plan to realize their bold ambitions. Sleek, awe-inspiring, yet urgent. Our goal was to inspire everyone who sees it to take action. #websdesign?#uxdesign?#branding?#creativestudio?#agency

Meet Yu Rong, our globe-trotting Lead Product Designer. An avid traveler, she’s a big proponent of WFAnywhere. And every day she proves that time zone differences don’t hinder collaboration, innovation, or award-worthy designs. #designstudio #designagency #productdesign #uxdesign #remotework #worklifebalance