Crowdfunding goes mainstream; Stripe $95 billion valuation; Clubhouse Creator First Accelerator; All VC firms by thesis.
A weekly newsletter for Black and Brown women highlighting entrepreneurship and venture capital in the tech ecosystem.
Hello Everyone,
Spring has arrived along with a third lockdown in Paris as the number of COVID-19 cases spikes. All around me, friends, family, and colleagues are feeling demoralized as we’ve hit the one-year mark of the pandemic. The rollout of the vaccine has been slow in Europe and the EU aims to vaccinate 70% of its adult population only by September. This, compared to the US and UK who seem to be in full-swing rolling out the vaccinations, albeit haphazardly. The only saving grace (today) is that happier, healthier, and warmer days are on the horizon.
Facebook is making a bracelet that lets you control computers with your brain. Stripe now has a $95 billion valuation. Instagram adds safety features for teens. All VC firms by thesis. Airtable has a $5.77 billion valuation after closing a $270 million Series E funding round. A list of VC-backed companies going public via SPAC this year.
INSIGHTS
COVID Accelerated the Future: Now Seize It
-Sequoia
Power 250: Black & Latino Venture Capitalists You Should Know
-Harlem Capital
How much should you raise at Seed stage? (v.236)
-Cyprien Hallé / Samaipata
Gen Z Angels: How A Younger Generation Of Investors Is Getting In On Deals
-Crunchbase
The Pre-Seed Round in 2021: New Investor Priorities Emerge
-DocSend
Laying the Groundwork for Your Future Fund
-Rob Go / Venture Upward
Report: Immigrant entrepreneurs can drive economic growth in the pandemic recovery
-National Venture Capital Association
OPPORTUNITIES, FUNDING & COMPETITIONS
The $2 Million Google for Startups Black Founders Fund will provide up to $100,000 in non-dilutive cash awards to selected European startups in the Google for Startups network paired with up to $220,000 per startup in Google Ads and Cloud credits. Applications close TONIGHT, March 21, 2021.
Delivered: a free, two-hour speaking event by the On Deck Performative Speaking Fellowship. Attendees will participate in a Crossfit for Speaking, March 24, 2021.
FounderTribes presents the Tribal Pitches Series! Apply to pitch by March 22, 2021.
Goldman Sachs’ Launch With GS Entrepreneur Cohort, a 6–week, customized experience for Black and Latinx startup founders and CEOs building innovative, fast-growing companies. Apply by March 29, 2021.
we are_ x #vivatech2021 challenge. Pitch your startup project focused on one of the following categories: Live performances and digital innovation, Fashion and second hand, Heritage and digitalization. Register by April 12, 2021.
Venture for Africa: Ecosystem Talent Acquisition & Retention Survey.
MB/A - Morning Brew Accelerator’s 8-week program designed to accelerate the career of top-performing professionals. Apply by April 16, 2021.
MACRO x The Black List Feature Screenwriter Incubator in partnership with Warner Bros. Pictures. Applications open until August 1, 2021.
UPCOMING (VIRTUAL) EVENTS
Fintech Advisory Services presents How to Launch Your Blockchain Startup. March 24, 2021.
The Colors #Fashion. A conversation about the concept "From Farm to Fashion" with two industry leaders: Adama Paris and Flora Zoutu followed by a #networking session. March 25, 2021.
TechCabal Live with Phiona Okumu - Head of Music Sub-Saharan Africa, Spotify. Deepening the potential of Africa’s music industry. March 26, 2021.
iFundWomen Crowdfunding 101 Weekly Webinar. March 25, April 1, April 8, April 15, and April 22, 2021.
Bringing Your Idea to Life: A Workshop for Women Entrepreneurs, March 30, 2021.
Black Angels Miami Pitch Night, April 1, 2021.
ON OUR RADAR
Gucci’s $12 Sneakers You Can’t Wear and the Rise of Digital Fashion.
Bigger, Wider, Better? Why Giant Jeans Are Making a Comeback.
This article is on sale as an NFT.
A mouse embryo has been grown in an artificial womb—humans could be next.
PEOPLE / ANNOUNCEMENTS
Kuda, a Nigerian digital banking startup raised a $25 million Series A to help fund its aggressive growth plan.
Black Tech Nation Ventures is raising a $50 million first fund based in Pittsburgh.
Zane Venture Fund, an Atlanta early-stage investment firm, is targeting the initial close of its first, $25 million fund.
Samir Kaji has founded Allocate, a startup to match LPs with venture funds and expand access to venture fund investing.
Gumroad raised $5 Million in one day on the crowdfunding platform Republic.
Arlan Hamilton’s Backstage Capital has raised $4.6 million on the same crowdfunding platform. She’ll hit the $5 million max amount in a few days.
A heartfelt thank you for reading and see you next week!
You can follow us on Twitter @veliza9 and @4Cgirlswhotech for updates throughout the week.
If you liked this email, pay it forward. Our list of subscribers continues to grow so please keep the momentum going and share!
Did someone share this with you? Sign up here.
Get in touch if you’d like to share stories, tips, comments, or questions. Feel free to send us articles from investors, founders, influencers, and startups that you think would be helpful to our community of readers. We might be able to include it in next week's newsletter.