Netflix launches a content development lab for writers in Africa; Jay-Z joins cannabis SPAC; Scotland will provide free period products; What’s the Purpose of Venture Capital?
A weekly newsletter for Black and Brown women highlighting entrepreneurship and venture capital in the tech ecosystem.
Hello Everyone,
This weekend, I participated in a 3-day long virtual retreat on Zoom originally scheduled to take place in Madrid. While the event was educational, it’s been tough to sit in front of my laptop with the camera on for seven hours a day listening to speakers and presentations, while also having to interact virtually and network with fellow participants. It makes me wonder about the future of big tech events and conferences forced to switch to this online model. Even if participants pay for an all-access ticket, it’s nearly impossible to stay engaged while sitting at home, on your couch watching an endless stream of conferences. I have tickets this week for Web Summit but I am sure I’ll use it sparingly.
Pinterest is testing online events. Salesforce is in talks to buy Slack in a deal that would likely value Slack at more than $17 billion. Scotland is the first country to provide free period products. A list of Europe’s startup unicorns. Denzel Washington was named the greatest actor (so far) of the 21st century. Elon Musk overtakes Bill Gates as the second-richest person in the world. Tony Hsieh, founder of Zappos dies at 46.
INSIGHTS
Startups: The Very Beginning
-Jessica Livingston / Y Combinator
What’s the Purpose of Venture Capital?
-Michael Tefula / Downing Ventures
A Fund Manager’s guide to gender-smart investing
-IFC - International Finance Corporation and CDC Group plc
The Problem with Partner Deal Attribution
-Carlos Espinal / Seedcamp
LPA Terms for Emerging Fund Managers
-Chris Harvey / Emerging Fund Lawyer
There Wasn’t a Community for Black Women in Venture Capital. So Black Women in Venture Capital Made Their Own
-Megan DiTrolio / Marie Claire
The Double Standard of Female CEOs Moving Fast and Breaking Things
-Charlie O'Donnell / Brooklyn Bridge Ventures
OPPORTUNITIES, FUNDING & COMPETITIONS
Morgan Stanley Multicultural Innovation Lab for Women and Founders of color with early-stage tech and tech-enabled startups. Apply by November 30, 2020.
Self Nominate for the Next 1000 from Forbes. The list celebrates the ambitious sole proprietors, self-funded shops and pre-revenue startups who are redefining what it means to build and run a business today.
Founder Grants Directory (beta)
Netflix teams with Realness Institute on African series development lab. The episodic content lab is for writers in South Africa, Kenya and Nigeria.
Women 2.0 in partnership with AWS present- December Pitch Competition. One winner will take home $15,000. Application deadline December 4, 2020.
WISE Awards will provide up to $20,000 to six successful and innovative projects that are addressing global educational challenges. Apply by December 20, 2020.
UPCOMING (VIRTUAL) EVENTS
Startup PR 101: how founders should work with the media, December 1, 2020.
Role of Platform and Marketing at VC Firms, December 3, 2020.
McKinsey & Company 4th Annual Early Stage Investor Conference (with a focus on bio/medtech, healthtech, fintech, sustainability, and femtech), December 7-11, 2020.
Women of Wearables WEBINAR - The FemTech Revolution: Stories from FemTech Founders, December 9, 2020.
Debut Sessions Live Pitch Competition, A Live Pitch Competition for UK Startups Raising Their 1st Round. Apply until December 8 to Pitch! Event on December 15, 2020.
Webinar-Pitching Remotely for Latinx Female Founders, December 15, 2020.
ON OUR RADAR
You Need to Opt Out of Amazon Sidewalk.
Germany’s immigrants rise to the fore of start-up scene.
A Comprehensive $2M+ Supreme ‘Box-Logo’ Collection Is Headed To Auction.
The story of Britain's Black Power movement.
PEOPLE / ANNOUNCEMENTS
Celestine Maddy was hired by Pinterest as the company’s Head of Consumer Marketing.
LA Media Fund New Slate Ventures raises $100 Million to invest in “Culturally Impactful” projects.
Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter joins cannabis SPAC deal and is named Chief Visionary Officer of the newly formed organization.
Stitch Fix’s Mike Smith is starting a VC firm to invest in Black, Latinx, and women entrepreneurs.
Presenting the 2020 Bitch 50-a list of the 50 most influential creators, artists, and activists who are pushing for more representation for marginal groups in pop culture.
Lauren Williams and Akoto Ofori-Atta are launcing Capital B, a new local and national nonprofit news organization serving Black audiences.
Pope Francis appoints first African American cardinal, Archbishop of Washington, Wilton Gregory.
A heartfelt thank you for reading and see you next week!
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