Forest City Founders Club

Posting clips from Ohio VC Fest on Cyrannus ??? https://lnkd.in/g_xJ7zwS I pitched 50 VCs in NYC in 1 month, and learned a LOT - we need to create coastal ecosystem feedback loops like this for founders and investors in the Midwest

I'm excited to announce Power to Pursue- Cleveland's 2nd event is coming up! Come join an incredible group of women connecting over creating their best life! We will be hosting a Vision Board Workshop March 13th at 5:30pm at the Van Aken District. What is Power to Pursue? Power to Pursue is movement for women, by women. In a world so often biased against us, collaboration and community are invaluable. We’re working together to level the playing field, and invite women at all stages of their journey to join us. ?? Come join us as we continue to build this incredible community ?? Ticket link in comments. Mara Kamat Rachel Desrochers Charron Leeper Amy Samuel MacLean #powertopursue #womensupportingwomen #clevelandcommunity

Not a fake post. I do actually get asked pretty regularly on structuring agreements at the beginning with cofounders / advisors. So, time to be helpful and share some knowledge... For advisors, there's an amazing industry standard that sets expectations up front and objectively provides fair % value based on their expertise, your stage, and their level of involvement. FAST (Founder Advisor Standard Template) through the Founders Institute is free and widely accepted. For reference, the range is 0.15% - 1.0% But, I have modified the tables and increased value for advisors before. For Cofounder agreements, they're more complicated. My mentor guided me through this process: 1?? Have clear roles and responsibilities (I use a RACI matrix) 2?? Have a vesting schedule. Typically it's time-based, though it can be milestone-based (like upon raising, first contract secured over x amount, etc) 3?? Have a cliff (where vesting goes from a quarterly / annual schedule to a monthly schedule. This is typically 2 years) 4?? Set weekly hour expectations up front. This doesn't mean be a stickler or start clocking in, but it protects you in situations where deliverables or role expectations aren't being met I know how stressful this process is - the uncertainty and fear of "getting it wrong". Hope this helps because growing the team is such a necessary step! -Your unofficial mentor in waiting, cheerleader, person who was where you are now just over a year ago Link for FAST in the comments. #founder #startup

?Celebrate Black History Month? with Tastemakers United at the B.O.M. Mixer, an exciting a vibrant pop-up marketplace filled with amazing Black-owned businesses. Connect with local entrepreneurs, explore unique products, enjoy complimentary champagne, music, vibes and more! Register here: https://lnkd.in/gBKjmzWa #Blackhistorymonth #supportsmallbusiness

?? Calling all second stage business owners! ?? Burton D. Morgan Foundation is partnering with MAGNET in 2025 to bring you a series of dynamic events designed specifically for growing businesses. Whether you're planning for the future, building a strong company culture, or looking to expand your network, we’ve got something for you! ?? Upcoming Opportunities for Second Stage Companies: ? Developing a Successful Succession Plan – March 12, Cleveland ? Entrepreneurs Networking & Learning Social – May 8, Richfield ? Networking & Learning Social – September 18, Location TBA ? Cultivating Company Culture – November 6, Akron Join us for expert-led discussions, networking with fellow entrepreneurs, and access to valuable resources to help your business thrive. Complimentary food and drinks included! ?? Check out the flyer for more details and mark your calendars! https://lnkd.in/ek4zNf_s MAGNET: The Manufacturing Advocacy and Growth Network Brittany Bush Mike O'Donnell Michal Marcus Daniel Hampu #Entrepreneurship #SmallBusinessGrowth #Networking #SecondStageSuccess

For entrepreneurs in the Cleveland area looking for love, this event is for you! Great networking event for those wanting to connect with other entrepreneurs in the city, as well. (Link in comments)