Hey AZ Tech Crew! Venture On is hosting "Pins and Patches" next week! Come join us for an evening of free bowling, food, patching up your pitch, and a VERY special announcement from VentureOn! Register at the link in the shared post below! #tech #venturecapital #vc #startups #aztech

Midwest Founders!!! Join us Tuesday to get up to speed on all things Midwest House and how to get your hands on the $10,000 pitch prize!!! Details and RSVP link below ??

Before I got into venture, the most powerful thing about going to startup events, was surrounding myself with people who wanted the same things I did. Still some of my closest friends. To find a co-founder takes time, meeting tons of people, and, dare I say, patience (...no we don't believe in that). Still, at every founder event you'll find valuable relationships: peers, mentors, sounding boards, and emotional support buddies. That's why we felt the concept of co-founder matching needed an upgrade. ?? ???Introducing the Pillar VC Co-founder matching community???? - Regular in-person meetups - Curated introductions - Local founder community Join here -> https://lnkd.in/ep6W7gqz

"Finding community is so much harder than founding a company ??" That's what a friend said the other day, who just moved to SF. I wished I could have pointed him to something like a magic list of all the SF-based communities directed at new founders. Before moving to SF myself to build my current startup, I wanted such list as well. In fact, I spent a good amount of days googling and googling "top hackerhouses in SF" and "founders community SF", only to find few results, things I already knew and outdated blogposts. Thankfully, On Deck's SEO was solid, so I applied and got accepted and that was my lucky baptism in SF's founder communities. Some folks like Garry Tan, say that SF's uniqueness is not its taxes, but its people. It's the builders, the hustlers, the AI startuppers, even -maybe- the VCs. That's definitely true, as long as you're able to find them! If you can't find them in the first place, there's no point in paying the SF rent, nor a reason to move there. You may as well live in Treasure Island! (fun fact, I do) So, for those like my friend, like myself, and for you, here's *our* imperfect list. Shoutout to the tons of friends who invited me to, hosted me at and co-infiltrated different communities and events over these past few months. Did I miss any other communities/accelerators/hackerhouses? Definitely comment below or DM me and I'll edit ASAP. On Deck Julian Weisser Noémie Federico South Park CommonsZ Fellows Inception Studio Entrepreneur First Founders, Inc. A16Z GAMES SPEEDRUN Y Combinator Techstars Unshackled Ventures Sequoia Capital Pear VC Alchemist Accelerator 500 Global Race Capital HF0 AGI House Rocky Yu SHACK15 Ventures SHACK15 Studio 45 Nate Padgett The Battery The Commons The Long Now Foundation Commonwealth Club World Affairs

???Exciting News: I’m working on launching a?Kickstarter campaign?for something deeply meaningful—Black Wall Streetopoly: Greenwood Legacy, a board game that celebrates the?history of Black Wall Street, the?Greenwood District, and the spirit of?economic empowerment. ????What is Blackopoly? Inspired by the classic game of?Monopoly,?Blackopoly?flips the script by highlighting the remarkable history of?Greenwood, one of the most successful and self-sustaining Black communities in the early 20th century. Known as?Tulsa’s Black Wall Street, this district was home to thriving Black-owned businesses, cultural institutions, and incredible resilience in the face of systemic oppression. ???Why does this matter now? This project feels more relevant than ever. Recently, there has been a renewed focus on the?Tulsa Race Massacre?and the ongoing conversation about?reparations?and?economic equity—with the U.S. government showing renewed interest in addressing historical injustices. This game serves as both a?tribute?to that legacy and a?teaching tool?about?financial empowerment,?community resilience, and the power of?collaboration. ???What makes this different from traditional Monopoly? Unlike the classic?Monopoly, which has been criticized for reinforcing individualism and capitalist ideals that often overlooked communities of color,?Blackopoly?embraces?collaborative success. The game encourages players to build together—investing in?small businesses, developing?landmarks, and even contributing to a?community fund. The goal is to teach the value of?economic independence,?reparations, and?working together?to create?shared success. ???How can this game impact the future? As we continue to explore ways to?build wealth?and?empower communities,?Blackopoly?serves as a modern tool to inspire younger generations and foster important conversations about?reparations,?historical recognition, and?economic empowerment. ???Let’s have a conversation: What can we learn from the?Greenwood community’s?triumphs and tragedies, and how can we?apply these lessons?to the future of?economic justice?and?community growth? Stay tuned for updates as we approach the launch on?Kickstarter! I’m beyond excited to share this project with all of you and invite you to join in on the movement toward a more?equitable future. #BlackHistoryMonth #BlackWallStreet #Reparations #EconomicEmpowerment #BlackHistory #GreenwoodLegacy #FinancialLiteracy #CommunityBuilding #Kickstarter #BoardGames

The first rule of Founders Club: Carve your place in the world! The second rule of founders club: Carve YOUR place in the world! Finding your niche has been a rallying cry in the business space for a hot minute. While finding your niche is cool and all, it negates one pivotal factor… You It completely forgets that you are an incredibly complex blend of: ? Beliefs ? Vision ? The things you love & light you up ? Ideas ? EVERYTHING How you approach what you do and your complex weave of being is what creates your niche for you… So much more than something you can ‘find,’ right! The first thing we were taught in Entrep 101 was carving that blue ocean for yourself, run from the red full of sharks trying to do the same thing in a similar way, and find your blue! In today’s business world it’s getting a little crowded (and red), but the difference between those who thrive (you) and standout against 99% of the noise, is just this… leaning right in, totally and unapologetically! You in for Founders Club with me?

Venture Atlanta is totally exhausting…but incredibly fun! Next week will be non-stop action and I couldn’t be more excited! Thousands of people, tons of energy, and endless opportunities to connect. Venture Atlanta Conference is a great representation of Atlanta and the fantastic, growing startup ecosystem of the Southeast. And my personal highlight? The TrackCred Founder & Funder Jog on Tuesday morning. Get ready for a casual jog with 70+ folks. ?? It’s seriously the best not-networking networking event! Open to everyone, link below to register. Other events I’m pumped for! ?? ? VC Panel: We read Mark Suster blog like it was the Bible in the early days of Pardot. Excited to hear him speak plus love the other powerhouse panelists! ??Women in Capital Breakfast: What started with 3 women is now hundreds! It’s incredible what can happen in a short time. Thank you Christy Brown, @Allyson Eman, and Kim Seals for getting it started. ??Keynote Speaker Dawn Staley National champion & hall of fame basketball coach, right here in the South. Find me in the front row. ??Female Founders in Innovation Dinner: Atlanta Ventures is a sponsor and I could not be more excited to celebrate the amazing women building companies! ??Hands On Atlanta Tech Day of Service: Giving back in South Downtown Atlanta! Thank you Eileen Lee and Endeavor for this important event. 5 more events I’ll be at and all the details in the blog below (+ tips on how to make the most of the week)!! Not a comprehensive list by any means! There’s SO MUCH going on. NOW…Who’s ready!? What are you looking forward to the most at Venture Atlanta? Got any conference tips you can share?

?? Calling All Maryland Innovators: Red Bull Basement is Live! ?? Are you ready to bring your groundbreaking ideas to life? Red Bull Basement is officially open for applications, and this is your chance to use AI technology to make a significant impact in Maryland. Whether your passion lies in sustainability, smart cities, healthcare, accessibility, education, mind & body, career, empowerment, or the creator economy, we want to see how your ideas can transform our community. ?? Why Red Bull Basement? Red Bull Basement empowers the next generation of innovators by offering mentorship, networking opportunities, and resources to turn bold ideas into reality. From August 1 to October 27, 2024, teams of one or two students from Maryland can submit their ideas for products or services that enhance the quality of life in our area. You’ll retain full ownership of your ideas, and the best submissions will advance to exciting stages of the competition. ?? How It Works: ? Apply Online: Submit your idea and business plan using our AI tools by October 27, 2024. ? National Final: The top 10 teams will pitch at MIT Media Lab in November, with the winner representing the U.S. at the Global Final. ? Global Final in Tokyo: The global winner will be flown to Tokyo in December for an immersive experience and a chance to connect with industry leaders in Silicon Valley and Los Angeles in 2025. ?? Why Participate? Gain access to expert mentorship, collaborative opportunities, and cutting-edge technology to turn your vision into reality. Previous participants have successfully advanced their ideas and made a lasting impact on their communities. ?? Maryland Students, Ready to Make a Difference? Apply now BELOW and be part of a global movement shaping the future. For potential partnerships or to learn more about Red Bull Basement, feel free to reach out. We’re so excited to see how Red Bull Basement can amplify your impact on Maryland and beyond! You must be 18+ to apply! #RedBullBasement #Innovation #TechForGood #AI #Entrepreneurship #StudentInnovation #GlobalImpact #ApplyNow #Sustainability #SmartCities #Healthcare #Accessibility #Education #MindAndBody #Career #Empowerment #CreatorEconomy #MarylandInnovators #BaltimoreInnovators https://lnkd.in/gFFasmwS

?? Calling All Maryland Innovators: Red Bull Basement is Live! ?? Are you ready to bring your groundbreaking ideas to life? Red Bull Basement is officially open for applications, and we’re especially eager to see visionary students from Maryland apply. This is your chance to use AI technology to make a significant impact right here in Maryland. Whether your passion lies in sustainability, smart cities, healthcare, accessibility, education, mind & body, career, empowerment, or the creator economy, we want to see how your ideas can transform our community. ?? Why Red Bull Basement? Red Bull Basement empowers the next generation of innovators by offering mentorship, networking opportunities, and resources to turn bold ideas into reality. From August 1 to October 27, 2024, teams of one or two students from Maryland can submit their ideas for products or services that enhance the quality of life in our area. You’ll retain full ownership of your ideas, and the best submissions will advance to exciting stages of the competition. ?? How It Works: ? Apply Online: Submit your idea and business plan using our AI tools by October 27, 2024. ? National Final: The top 10 teams will pitch at MIT Media Lab in November, with the winner representing the U.S. at the Global Final. ? Global Final in Tokyo: The global winner will be flown to Tokyo in December for an immersive experience and a chance to connect with industry leaders in Silicon Valley and Los Angeles in 2025. ?? Why Participate? Gain access to expert mentorship, collaborative opportunities, and cutting-edge technology to turn your vision into reality. Previous participants have successfully advanced their ideas and made a lasting impact on their communities. ?? Maryland Students, Ready to Make a Difference? Apply now BELOW and be part of a global movement shaping the future. For potential partnerships or to learn more about Red Bull Basement, feel free to reach out. We’re so excited to see how Red Bull Basement can amplify your impact on Maryland and beyond! #RedBullBasement #Innovation #TechForGood #AI #Entrepreneurship #StudentInnovation #GlobalImpact #ApplyNow #Sustainability #SmartCities #Healthcare #Accessibility #Education #MindAndBody #Career #Empowerment #CreatorEconomy #MarylandInnovators #BaltimoreInnovators

As we wrap up the first month of the new year, I wanted to share a project I have been working on over the past few months: School of Fish ?? School of Fish is a collection of curated dinners with a specific topic hosted by different members of the Two Small Fish Ventures team, who share their personal expertise. However, it is more than an event; it’s a space for founders to connect, share insights, and support one another through meaningful and relevant discussions. Founders are given the opportunity to delve into conversations with a community of other founders going through similar challenges. A common theme I’ve noticed in my conversations with these founders after dinner is their shared sense of comfort and support. These dinners encourage vulnerability and transparency rather than creating connections with hidden agendas. At TSF, we pride ourselves on being more than a VC fund. That’s why we don’t just talk about supporting founders; we live it. We share real lessons we’ve learned the hard way and offer guidance whenever times get tough. We deeply value the personal and relevant nature of these events, which is why they’ve always been invite-only. However, for the first time, I’m opening them up to the LinkedIn community! If you’re interested in attending, leave a comment below, and I’ll keep you in mind for a future School of Fish event that I believe could benefit you. ? Photo from our recent Women Founders in STEM-themed School of Fish dinner, co-hosted with Front Row Ventures in Montreal!