When it comes to financing a startup, landing that first institutional check can be the most critical and challenging hurdle. With the proliferation of accelerators, rolling funds, community funds, hungry angels, and institutional investors, founders now have more options than ever before. However, women and people of color continue to face significant barriers when it comes to accessing funding.
The Challenge of Access to Funding
On November 10th at 11:00 a.m. PT/2:00 p.m. ET, we’re hosting Extra Crunch Live with Soraya Darabi, Venture Capitalist at TMV (formerly Trail Mix Ventures), to discuss the nuances of securing that first institutional check and the common pitfalls that founders often fall into. We’ll delve into her investment theses, which focus on future work and edtech, and explore what she looks for in terms of metrics and product development upon initial pitch.
About Soraya Darabi
Soraya co-founded TMV in 2016 with a clear vision to invest in companies that are driving meaningful change. Her portfolio boasts an impressive collection of women- and minority-owned businesses, including employee wellness platform Bravely, holistic healthcare company Parsley Health, and waste reduction upstart Ridwell. TMV is often the first institutional check that a startup receives.
Darabi’s Background
Before joining TMV, Soraya spent time at The New York Times as the manager of digital partnerships and social media marketing. She also co-founded two companies: Zady, which focuses on sustainable fashion manufacturing, and Foodspotting, a visual guide to help locals discover dishes near them that was later acquired by OpenTable.
The Landscape of Startup Funding
With an excess of capital in the startup ecosystem, the coming months may bring significant changes. Join us as we explore how venture capitalists are thinking about the next few months and the end of 2020.
Event Details
- Date: November 10th
- Time: 11:00 a.m. PT/2:00 p.m. ET
- Add to your calendar: Add event to your calendar
- Submit questions: Submit a question
Zoom Link
https://zoom.us/j/91522066446
YouTube Link
[youtube link]
Topics Covered
- Bravely
- Early stage companies
- Extra Crunch Live
- Soraya Darabi
- Startups
- Trail Mix Ventures
- Venture capital
Meet the Guest
Soraya Darabi, Partner at TMV (formerly Trail Mix Ventures), will be joining us to share her insights on securing that first institutional check and avoiding common pitfalls.
About the Host
Natasha Mascarenhas is a senior reporter at TechCrunch, covering early stage startups and venture capital trends. She has a keen eye for spotting emerging trends and can often be found at startup events and conferences.
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