A real, raw, and present-moment account of the capital raising process from a female, immigrant to the USA...

A real, raw, and present-moment account of the capital raising process from a female, immigrant to the USA...

I've just spent 2 hours researching some new funds to talk to. In that time, I bit the bullet and sent a cold outreach via website and LinkedIn to Kapor Capital. I'm looking at Bullpen at the same time, and do have a link there, so I've asked the person I know if they know anyone at the firm well enough to make an intro. That's what I've achieved. That's the reality of this process. And that's just today, this morning. I'm still going. I have 6 other funds on my list I'm looking at and trying to find that warm intro (because that's what all the books say you need, and it appears to be true, although even with a warm intro, and a bunch of follow-ups, it's still sometimes met with no reply).

To date we've raised $1.2M in pre-seed funding from people who knew me. This process was also time consuming, but far easier. This was my network of mentors, advisers, fellow entrepreneurs, friends and family who all new me and who had, for years, said "if you ever raise money, let me know - I want to invest in you"... and they did.?

This VC / Angel round is a whole new ball game.

In 2016, I made the move to the USA because I knew, with heartfelt conviction, this was the best place on earth for me to be to reach my fullest potential as an entrepreneur. In Australia, I was a bigger fish in a small pond, through my past successes and especially the founding of the League of Extraordinary Women, people knew me there. Here... I'm a small fish in a very big pond, and it changes everything. I didn't grow up in Silicon Valley, or go to a big name University. Yes - I've been a part of some super-dope stuff in my life, like the EO Entrepreneurial Masters Program, the Australian American Young Leadership Dialogue and VentureCrush out of NYC, however I did not know how much more challenging it is to build a meaningful network for fundraising until right now.

As a previously bootstrapped founder, I hadn't needed this skill, I do now and it's been a steep learning curve. Last year my unconscious mantra was "this is so hard", as soon as I identified that toxic inner voice and the victim energy I was allowing in my field, I changed it... "This is fun, I'm doing this thing, I'm learning and on my way". It has not been easy. In fact, it has probably been the hardest thing I've ever done (besides navigating the death of my father, a breakdown in 2018 and lots of healing from a somewhat difficult childhood permeated with alcoholism).

I'm an exceptional leader. That may sound arrogant, but because of the amount of inner work and personal growth I've embraced I know it's true. I say it with reverence, and because I've earned it. I know how to hold a vision that would scare the pants off most, and I know how to build an incredible team around that vision and show up for them every single day as we make it a reality. I LOVE the people I work alongside, like nothing else. I cannot do what I do without a cohesive, harmonious and diverse team of brave souls by my side. We thrive together.

I desire to get back to this, to running our company, and I'm writing this to share with any other founders out there that raising capital is a FULL TIME job. Everyday I'm pitching new investors, having follow-up conversations, circling back with other investors to keep things moving and researching new firms to talk with. I'm assessing fit, aiming for yeses, and importantly trying to get the nos as quickly as possible so I can move on. Legit. There is little room for anything else, and it takes as long as it takes.?

Along the way I've had to face all of my own doubts, fears and limits. I've sat with them, meditated through them, cried and yelled at them to go away.?

Like everything else in my life, I see all of this as an opportunity for growth and transcendence, and hell yes have I grown. I also know that part of the success of any company (perhaps even the only thing that ultimately drives success) is NEVER GIVING UP.

The problem and bias that exists for women, immigrant and other minority founders is real. Only 3% of capital comes our way. There have been strides forward, times are changing and I'm grateful for that. I will not stop until I figure this whole game out and receive the capital and resources we need to bring Growmotely to it's fullest, most impactful potential, and moving forward I commit to helping (especially underrepresented) founders in any way I can, just like we did with The League 10 years ago in increasing female participation in the entrepreneurial ecosystem. Still some of my proudest work to date.

My admiration and deepest respect goes out to all funded founders, as I now know what it takes. Most of the stories skip the hard stuff. But it's the hard stuff that makes you, that makes us. Thank you for existing and for showing me what's possible.?

Meanwhile, we've just come out of a Global Pandemic and Russia has invaded Ukraine. My team mates in parts of Europe are opening their homes to refugees, while also being fearful for their own safety. It's wild to hold all of this at once, and keep moving forward pitching investors and reaching out but I'm doing it because Growmotely represents a better world for us all...?

In yesterday's All Co. meeting we dropped in first to share how we were all feeling, and the overwhelming resonance for all those who may need to evacuate from where their homes was "thank goodness I don't have worry about work and finding a job if I do find myself seeking refuge".

This is why I do what I do every day. This is why I will not stop fundraising until it's complete, growing Growmotely until it changes the world of work for humanity, and BEING who I am because there is a ripple effect when we live in our highest possibility. We show others what's possible too, and we need that more than ever right now.

Big love, thanks and gratitude to everyone who has supported me on the journey so far, I couldn't do it without you. xx

Photo credit to Kimberly Mufferi, and artwork by Alex Manea. Embracing the badass I am, even when I'm not feeling it!