The startup boom spurred by the pandemic has fueled a new wave of entrepreneurs. With a 24% rise in business applications in 2021 (U.S. Census Bureau), companies must make their case for investment in an increasingly competitive venture market.
What are VCs looking for in a founder and a business at each stage? What are best practices for approaching potential investors? How do you make a pitch that leaves a lasting impression? This session explores the steps and strategies for raising capital at both the seed and Series A stage. Learn firsthand from a panel of investors ready to share their insights on effective fundraising and pitching to VCs.
MODERATOR
Joyce Chung, President, Makahakama Foundation
Panelist
Nasir Qadree, Founder and Managing Partner, Zeal Capital Partners
Panelist
Marcus Stroud, Managing Partner, TXV Partners
Bios
Joyce Chung (Moderator)
President, Makahakama Foundation
Joyce Chung has over 10 years of operating experience in technology companies and 15 years of venture capital investing experience. She was a Managing Director at Garage Technology Ventures, a founding partner of Cardinal Venture Capital, and a Director at Adobe Ventures. Joyce also held operating roles at Adobe Systems, Sony Corporation, and Cambridge Technology Group. She is currently focused on philanthropic activities.
Nasir Qadree (Panelist)
Founder and Managing Partner, Zeal Capital Partners
Mr. Nasir C. Qadree is Founder and Managing Partner at Zeal Capital Partners, an inclusive investment vehicle partnering with diverse management teams building tech enabled focus on narrowing the Wealth and Skills gaps. In his role he defines the fund’s focus, leads investment activities, and manages post investment value creation strategies and support mechanisms for portfolio companies. Prior to Zeal, he served as the Associate Director for AT&T’s $400 million Aspire Social Investment Fund, where he oversaw direct investments in Education/Employment Technology companies, led the tech giant’s investment readiness program, and managed partnerships with national accelerators across the U.S.
Marcus Stroud (Panelist)
Managing Partner, TXV Partners
Marcus is a founding partner at TXV. He focuses on investments across consumer technology and software. Prior to TXV, Marcus was a partner at ClG, and associate at Vida Capital and MarketAxess. Marcus has been named to the ABBJ 40 under 40, the Dallas CEO 500 for both 2020 and 2021, and was recognized as a member of the Forbes 30 under 30 class of 2022. He serves on the board of Dallas based Trey Athletes. He received his B.A. from Princeton where he played on the football team.
Accelerating Black Leadership and Entrepreneurship is an enterprise accelerator program designed to strengthen, energize, and support small businesses and nonprofit organizations led by Black entrepreneurs in the United States.
The ABLE Network-Building Forums are a learning series that provide a space for Black founders in the ABLE program to learn directly from and have community conversations with industry experts.