Lyn Graft

Great article on the founder-investor relationship—one that’s so critical to the success of any venture. Tough times are inevitable, and the true strength of a founder-investor partnership isn’t measured during the good times, but in how both sides show up when things go wrong. These moments test trust, alignment, and shared resilience. As founders, we’re expected to lead our teams through crises, rally, adapt, and navigate the storm. The best investors also show the same level of leadership and step up during challenging moments, offering guidance, empathy, and actionable solutions. It’s a collaborative effort, and I’ve been fortunate to witness how impactful it can be when investors show true leadership. One way to ensure this is to work with investors who’ve been in your shoes before—there’s nothing quite like operator investors to bring valuable perspective and support when it matters most.

3

I really enjoyed recording this episode of The Digital Industrial Podcast with Ty Findley. We talked about common misconceptions for deep tech, the "Why Now" for the category, and differences between investor diligence for deep tech and traditional tech. https://lnkd.in/eKtwjauu

19

4 Comments

ENTREPRENEUR WISDOM   The most reasonable plan is planning on your plan not going according to plan.   Venture With Vision   Steven James “SJ” Maranville, Ph.D. is chairman of Maranville Enterprises—a tiny titan catalyzing unicorn-bound ventures that it scouts, skills, and scales. A Strategic Advisor and Board Director, SJ is the Guide by the Entrepreneur’s Side. He uses his extensive expertise in business strategy to lead visionary entrepreneurs through the chaotic complexities of starting and scaling their high-growth ventures. These ventures are distinguished by the Intelligence Advantage. By partnering with Maranville Enterprises, entrepreneurs accelerate fledgling start-ups into gazelle scale-ups and escalate those gazelles into shake-up unicorn ventures that learn, adapt, and dominate.    Let's keep the conversation going! Share and discuss in the comments!  Let's spread the message! Share this with your network.   #Entrepreneur #Startups #StartupDevelopment #StartupVentures #BoardDevelopment

18

7 Comments

📢 Calling all sponsors, partners, and collaborators! 📢 🎉 Join us at the Asaba Vendors Hangout, where 400-500 passionate business owners converge for an event like no other! 🎉 🤝 As a sponsor, you'll gain: 1️⃣ Exposure: Reach a vast audience of motivated entrepreneurs eager to connect and collaborate. 2️⃣ Brand Visibility: Showcase your brand to a diverse crowd, boosting recognition and credibility. 3️⃣ Networking Opportunities: Engage with industry leaders, potential clients, and fellow sponsors to forge valuable partnerships. 4️⃣ Community Impact: Support local businesses and contribute to the growth of the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Asaba. Don't miss this chance to elevate your brand and make meaningful connections! 🚀 Drop us a message to secure your spot as a sponsor, partner, or collaborator today! 📩 #AsabaVendorsHangout #SponsorshipOpportunity #BusinessNetworking

7

1 Comment

For your weekend reflection: The generosity of advice deepens relationships. In a fantastic podcast episode, Jennifer Prosek delves into key insights essential for private investors and leaders alike: 1. The necessity of consumer branding for private investors. 2. The significance of crafting a unique narrative. 3. The empowerment that comes from bringing people together. 4. The rising trend of branding within private markets. 5. The democratization of access to alternative investments. 6. How to maximize relationships at conferences. 7. Leadership strategies to inspire and motivate talent. 8. The importance of thought leadership on LinkedIn Narratives are powerful in driving connections, for innovators and investors, everywhere.

9

1 Comment

I exercised my right to vote and encourage everyone to do the same. In today’s presidential election, we have a unique opportunity to influence both the political landscape and the future of entrepreneurship. Today's decisions will impact policies that affect startups, innovation, and economic growth. The worst outcome is a future shaped without your voice. Every vote counts; together, we can create an environment where entrepreneurs thrive. Join me in making your voice heard—let’s shape a future that supports innovation and growth! #vote #voting #election #politics #votingmatters #Election2024 #Nov5th #GetOutAndVote

184

5 Comments

I am going to be on an awesome panel put together by James from Startup Grind this Wednesday! Come join!! If you want a ticket let me know!! I have a few for friends! See you Wednesday for an awesome panel! Great networking too! #ceo #startup #event #fundraising #entrepreneurship #geCKoMaterials

7

1 Comment

We've smashed through 2 million listeners of The Exit Podcast - brought to you by Flippa.com and the stories we are sharing are beautiful and brilliant. This is the story of Luke Cooper, Founder at Latimer Ventures From humble beginnings to selling his tech firm Fixt for 11x its revenue, Luke's journey is nothing short of inspirational. 🎙️✨ 🌟 About Luke Cooper: Founder & Managing Partner at Latimer Ventures: A venture capital firm dedicated to empowering Black and Hispanic tech entrepreneurs. Serial Entrepreneur: Successfully exited multiple tech startups, including Fixt and Caldwell Technology Solutions. Investor & Mentor: Committed to raising $50 million to support minority-founded enterprise SaaS startups. Notable investments include Pienso, AI Squared, Meter Feeder, and CyDeploy. 🌍 Impactful Mission: Luke founded Latimer Ventures to bridge the gap in venture capital for Black founders, inspired by the innovative spirit of Lewis Latimer. He believes in creating wealth through tech entrepreneurship and demonstrating the power of diverse perspectives in building cutting-edge products. 🎧 Tune In: Discover Luke's insights on navigating the challenges of the venture capital world, his vision for Latimer Ventures, and his commitment to uplifting underrepresented founders. Don't miss this episode filled with wisdom and motivation! 🔗 Listen now on The Exit Podcast. #Entrepreneurship #VentureCapital #TechInnovation #LatimerVentures #TheExitPodcast #Inspiration #DiversityInTech #BlackExcellence

21

1 Comment

"We like providing strategic value back to them and helping them understand the market." Victor Pascucci III, Managing General Partner of Energy Capital Ventures, talks about local vs. industry partners on Tech Scenes Unplugged. #venturebacked #vcbacked #venturecapital #leadership #ceo #founder #operatingsystem #peakOS #foundermode

6

1 Comment

I GIVE BLCK because the future deserves a surge of Black Wealth Transfer events, the future requires Black Fund Managers, and the future needs Black Founders supported by Black investors. We’re raising $100k to keep BLCK VC going. Chip in to something that is shifting the odds in our favor with capital management. #BVI #BVIMAFIA #BVI2 #GIVEBLCK

18

Join us for an insightful conversation with Malindi Mwangi and Zacky, the founders of The Florienta App, a groundbreaking platform connecting Black hair stylists with clients. In "Moving on from MVP," we discuss their journey beyond the Minimum Viable Product, exploring the challenges, lessons learned, and future plans for this innovative startup. Discover how The Florienta App is revolutionizing the Black hair care industry by fostering community, increasing visibility, and empowering both stylists and clients. #TheFlorientaApp #BlackHairCare #HairStylists #BlackOwnedBusiness #StartupStory #MVP #Entrepreneurship #Community #Innovation #UKBusiness #BlackBeauty #NaturalHair #HairCommunity

4

Why Buying Your First Business is the hardest & Financing The Fear is Being seen as too risky by lenders and investors. The Solution: Prepare a solid business plan with detailed financial projections. Work with a financial advisor to enhance your credibility. Consider alternative financing options like SBA loans or seller financing.

11

3 Comments

True partnerships are transformative catalysts for change. They transcend mere funding, embracing deep listening, dynamic collaboration, and vibrant community-building. Recent experiences at the MARGULF FOUNDATION Grantee Convening, Culture Shifting Summit, EdLoC, and Google Impact Summit have reignited my passion for reimagining how funders can evolve to genuinely empower social impact leaders. In my latest Camelback Ventures blog, I dive into the heart of this crucial conversation: ➡️ How can we build partnerships that fuel innovation? ➡️ What does holistic support for entrepreneurs of color and women really look like? ➡️ How might we create an ecosystem where visionary ideas thrive? Join me in exploring how we can reshape the landscape of social impact. Together, we can craft a future where diverse voices lead the charge in solving our most pressing challenges. Read the full article and let's continue this vital dialogue. How are you reimagining partnerships in your work? 🔗 https://lnkd.in/eW7UrGXu #SocialImpact #EquitablePartnerships #InnovationInFunding #DiversityInEntrepreneurship #SystemicChange

17

On this election eve, we find ourselves at a critical juncture where the power of collective biases rings louder than ever. It's crucial to recognize how our tendencies to favor the familiar and seek security in groupthink can significantly limit our judgments and obscure broader truths. Our shared inclinations often lead us to gravitate towards ideas that align with our preexisting beliefs, finding comfort in the consensus of like-minded groups. However, these natural tendencies can inadvertently narrow our perspective, potentially closing our eyes to essential realities beyond our immediate view. Actual progress in our society requires a conscious effort to step outside our comfort zones. We must challenge ourselves to question long-held assumptions and prioritize long-term collective well-being over immediate personal or partisan gains. This approach demands courage and intellectual honesty, as it often means confronting uncomfortable truths and reevaluating deeply ingrained beliefs. As we prepare to cast our votes, let's strive for a more deliberate and thoughtful approach to our civic duty. A genuinely conscious vote acknowledges and confronts our inherent biases, embraces critical thinking, and seeks to understand diverse viewpoints. By doing so, we can make decisions that reflect a more comprehensive understanding of our shared challenges and aspirations. In this pivotal moment, let us commit to expanding our horizons, engaging in genuine dialogue across divides, and making choices that consider the broader implications for our society. Our collective future depends on our ability to transcend our limitations and work towards a more inclusive and nuanced understanding of the complex issues we face. #ElectionEve #CriticalThinking #InformedVoting

19

1 Comment

My latest blog talks about the importance of community in Startups and in existing business. Please subscribe and let me know what you think! #innovation #startups #Vistage #TheCrossroads

9

Please don't waste food. AMPLE update : Juniper Ventures Signs up to AMPLE Marketplace AMPLE : B2B Marketplace for Fresh Food. Impact Investment. See https://buff.ly/3W32D7p Steve Thomas - CEO/Co-Founder of AMPLE provides an update on a most recent business partnership: "...Juniper Ventures, which supplies over 23,000 meals daily to students in the London Borough of Newham, has become a keen buyer on the Ample Marketplace. Incorporated in April 2018 from the council’s catering and cleaning service, Juniper aims to operate with the social aspects of the local authority but with the business acumen and autonomy of the limited company that it is. Michael Hales, chief executive of Juniper Ventures and vice-chair-elect of LACA, said: “It is shocking that in the UK we waste 13m tonnes of food every year. As a hospitality business we are determined to do all we are able to help reduce this figure....".   Read the full update. https://buff.ly/3WnGEar REMINDER Ample Marketplace is a new B2B channel for unsold fresh food integrating e-commerce, logistics, and digital marketing. Ample is the UK’s first smart marketplace for wholesale food (with expansion plans for the US, EMEA and APAC). Ample creates value by shortening the supply chain, giving more control to sellers and value for buyers.  AMPLE is a portfolio company of XSS Capital. Join us on this investment journey? DM me for more info. #e-commerce #logistics #Impact Investing Join our mailing list at buff.ly/4cd2OCo

1

1 Comment

Please don't waste food. AMPLE update : Juniper Ventures Signs up to AMPLE Marketplace AMPLE : B2B Marketplace for Fresh Food. Impact Investment. See https://buff.ly/3W32D7p Steve Thomas - CEO/Co-Founder of AMPLE provides an update on a most recent business partnership: "...Juniper Ventures, which supplies over 23,000 meals daily to students in the London Borough of Newham, has become a keen buyer on the Ample Marketplace. Incorporated in April 2018 from the council’s catering and cleaning service, Juniper aims to operate with the social aspects of the local authority but with the business acumen and autonomy of the limited company that it is. Michael Hales, chief executive of Juniper Ventures and vice-chair-elect of LACA, said: “It is shocking that in the UK we waste 13m tonnes of food every year. As a hospitality business we are determined to do all we are able to help reduce this figure....".   Read the full update. https://buff.ly/3WnGEar REMINDER Ample Marketplace is a new B2B channel for unsold fresh food integrating e-commerce, logistics, and digital marketing. Ample is the UK’s first smart marketplace for wholesale food (with expansion plans for the US, EMEA and APAC). Ample creates value by shortening the supply chain, giving more control to sellers and value for buyers.  AMPLE is a portfolio company of XSS Capital. Join us on this investment journey? DM me for more info. #e-commerce #logistics #Impact Investing Join our mailing list at buff.ly/4cd2OCo

2

Please don't waste food. AMPLE update : Juniper Ventures Signs up to AMPLE Marketplace AMPLE : B2B Marketplace for Fresh Food. Impact Investment. See https://buff.ly/3W32D7p Steve Thomas - CEO/Co-Founder of AMPLE provides an update on a most recent business partnership: "...Juniper Ventures, which supplies over 23,000 meals daily to students in the London Borough of Newham, has become a keen buyer on the Ample Marketplace. Incorporated in April 2018 from the council’s catering and cleaning service, Juniper aims to operate with the social aspects of the local authority but with the business acumen and autonomy of the limited company that it is. Michael Hales, chief executive of Juniper Ventures and vice-chair-elect of LACA, said: “It is shocking that in the UK we waste 13m tonnes of food every year. As a hospitality business we are determined to do all we are able to help reduce this figure....".   Read the full update. https://buff.ly/3WnGEar REMINDER Ample Marketplace is a new B2B channel for unsold fresh food integrating e-commerce, logistics, and digital marketing. Ample is the UK’s first smart marketplace for wholesale food (with expansion plans for the US, EMEA and APAC). Ample creates value by shortening the supply chain, giving more control to sellers and value for buyers.  AMPLE is a portfolio company of XSS Capital. Join us on this investment journey? DM me for more info. #e-commerce #logistics #Impact Investing Join our mailing list at buff.ly/4cd2OCo

1