The Top Line → What:  I support ambitious, mission-driven people and ventures on their way . Usually this means helping them straighten out the path from where they are to where they want to go. → Why: Ideally  "impact alpha" aka creating a lock-step flywheel of purpose and profits; most often  refining pragmatic models along a range of returns and trade-offs that help them make (more) money while doing (some to a whole lotta) good. → How :  Through 1:1 advising sessions, 1:

At an event last night, I was reminded to share (again) 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 “𝗳𝗼𝗿𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱-𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲.” Most people are genuinely happy to help you 𝘰𝘯 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘸𝘢𝘺. Just make it easy! 🔗 This is a great guide : ✍️ 𝗔𝗻𝗱, 𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲’𝘀 𝗮 𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗽 𝘆𝗼𝘂, 𝘰𝘯 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘸𝘢𝘺 👇 --- Subject: Intro to [Connection Name] Hi Laurie, Thanks so much for offering to introduce me to [connection]. I’m interested to connect because [they are interested in

If you're a founder or funder curious about what kinds of funding might be right for you, check out Capital Explorer , a free tool that will help you discover which of up to 16 different financing options might be right for you ! Capital Explorer is one of several free tools from Village Capital  that help entrepreneurs on their way to building scalable, mission-driven businesses worldwide -- including with aligned financing sources. Here's a nifty preview. Want more support?

*I wrote the following background in the fall of 2021, from the HQ of UpSurge Baltimore where I was just starting as a Entrepreneur In Residence with Techstars in their Equitech portfolio. Since then, I've worked formally with Techstars and many other funds in the US, UK, and UAE as a Senior Advisor and Operating Partner to founders in their programs and portfolios. Whether you're looking for a quick orientation ( The Skinny ) or to go more in-depth ( The Whole Enchilada ),

The great Ada Ryland , an outstanding startup and innovation mentor who I’m incredibly fortunate to also call a friend, shared the following framework with me. It is not mine. She isn’t even sure it’s hers. She thinks it came from her business mentor. Maybe one day we’ll sort that out… In the meantime, with Ada’s permission, I’m sharing this framework here. It’s made a huge difference for me; I reference and share it often in one-on-one conversations. So much in fact, that I

Are you an early-stage founder trying to figure out the right amount of equity to bring aboard an advisor to your startup? Don't try to cut your own hair! Instead, I've included a handy-dandy template* below so you don't have to figure this out from a blank sheet of paper! *This is not legal advice & should only be considered a guide to help you prep the conversation with the advisor and formalize any agreements your lawyer. You're welcome! ⬇️ Click on the image below or ➡️ c