VC & Growth Startups | Global Marketing, Brand & Communications Executive | Builder & Amplifier | Portfolio Advisor | Founder | Top Woman in Media |
I was lucky to be in the room yesterday at the NYSE for the Women's Leadership Summit. We are spoilt for choice by Tech events in NY ❤️, and this one did not disappoint..Thank you Edwina Yeo 杨时恩 and Supermomos for providing an #energizing experience! I particularly enjoyed a fundraising panel with Jennifer Tegan, Jenny Fielding, Agatha Kluk and Aissata M.B. Camara. Here are the takeaways, which I hope can help some folks! 🚀 Founder / funder themes: - Founders are returning to austerity in running their business. Doing more with less - having smaller, tighter, more efficient teams that go faster. - There's more collaboration between funds and their portfolio - when the macro conditions are not so rosy, true colors shine through. A lot of funds are taking a much deeper role with their companies. 🚀 Top challenges: - Rounds are taking longer- especially if the vertical you’re working on is out of fashion... for example, successful consumer founders are nimble and laser focused on how to differentiate themselves as a brand. What’s the edge? - If you’re not AI focused, or a second time buzzy founder, it’s very challenging. - Many sources have no liquidity, and the lack of liquidity is backing up every other part of the ecosystem. -It's also tough for emerging managers to raise.. YET they are driving the alpha. LPs that are data driven and want to make money should invest in emerging managers. It’s not just about preservation of capital and minimum 2x returns, it’s about funds that can #outperform! 📣 - Why should this matter to founders? As long as VCs can raise their next fund, emerging managers can redeploy better. 🚀 Most important traits in a founder (lightning round) Resilience Absurd sense of optimism Stamina 🚀 Biggest reason startups fail Not knowing or hearing your customer Lack of product market fit 🚀 Advice Survive till ’25 Prepare for both a marathon and a sprint, understand how to take care of yourself. You need stamina to run company for a decade. 🚀 What makes a founder standout? Resilience & ability to persevere 🔄 Doesn't vascillate. Speed. Ability to respond to data. Clear vision for the future. Convey tomorrow's problems - 5/10 years Ability to suspend reality a bit: one "toe" in crazy (my favorite) #womensleadership #emergingmanagers #nytech #crazytoe
Co-founder + Managing Partner at Everywhere Ventures 🚀
Inspiring is the word I'd use to describe the Supermomos Women’s Leadership Summit at the NYSE yesterday. The talks touched on brand building and leadership with a real eye towards optimism and future personal growth. And of course, my panel was all about fundraising and the current tech environment💰 But the highlight for me was hearing and meeting Pauline Brown renowned leader in the luxury goods industry. Her book, Aesthetic Intelligence, talks about her experiences at LVMH, Neiman Marcus Group and The Carlyle Group - and it's a page turner. One surprising insight she shared was that she'd rather back a messy company with a super strong brand than a strong company with a meh brand. That was new to me as someone who doesn't invest in many consumer focused companies. Edwina Yeo 杨时恩 is building a unique community that I'm grateful to be a small part of, can't wait for next year! 🙌🏽 Always amazing to see some of my favorites builders: Christine Schindler, Claire Coder, Sheila Lirio Marcelo, Jennifer Tegan, Agatha Kluk, Robin Li, Suneera Madhani, Allison Schneider and Aissata M.B. Camara #womensleadership #everywhereventures #femalefounders
Great recap, and I'm delighted you enjoyed the panel!
So great seeing Liz! And love the re-cap of the panel! It was lots of fun.