Visible News
August 16, 2024
Happy Friday, Visionaries!This week's letter is from our Director of Program Strategy and Operations, Hannah Zinn, on how to make programs more meaningful for founders:___What makes a program truly meaningful to founders? 🤔For the last several years, I’ve worked hard to bridge the gap between access and knowledge. I’ve supported the design of curriculums and educational programs dedicated to the growth of a variety of individuals and missions.Before my current role working with startup founders at Visible Hands, I worked with many industry leaders, community advocates, rising young professionals, and eager learners who all had entrepreneurial mindsets. We’re about to kick off our Boston based program, so I’m reflecting on a few things I’ve noticed when building a meaningful program:1. Identify Core Needs But Don’t Be Someone/Something You’re Not2. Encourage Vulnerability But Don’t Push It3. Measure Impact and Adapt4. Communicate. About. Everything. And. To. Everyone.In order to ‘successfully’ accomplish the above, I usually reframe and break it down into questions:1. What is the goal? How much of that can I do and who do I need to bring in?2. How can I create a comfortable environment for people to be themselves?3. What trends am I seeing? What is the data saying? Where can I adjust?4. What information needs to be shared in order for everyone to feel bought in?These are just a few ways I’ve tested building a meaningful program, event, or project. ✨ Be well,
Hannah Zinn
VISIONARY UPDATES
Featured Founder:Isoken Igbinedion, Parfait
Isoken Igbinedion is the Founder & CEO of Parfait, an AI tech-enabled platform to provide custom wig products to consumers. Parfait has been worn and celebrated by many celebrities since its launch, and recently announced a new partnership with Ulta Beauty! Learn more about Iso and Parfait here.
Recent VH Visionary Features:
Portfolio Founders
VHBOS Founders
Lanning Ardente of Sorette launched a new partnership with Attn: Grace!
Sid Desai of Novobeing launched a new partnership with BrinkXR!
Angela Sanchez of Merge-Tek was selected as a finalist for this week's Baddiecon pitch competition in NYC!
COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT
Struggling with the challenges of entrepreneurship?
In honor of National Black Business Month, Mogul Millennial has partnered with BetterHelp to offer Black founders a month of free therapy. Limited spots available. Apply here by September 9th to claim your offer and prioritize your mental health.
WHAT WE HAVE OUR EYES ON
➕ Founder Funding, Community Resources, and Events
💸 Funding Opportunities
For: beauty founders
Deadline: August 21
For: small businesses and nonprofits
$$$: $5-$20K
Deadline: August 22
For: Latine founders in the beverage/alcohol services/sales/hospitality industries
$$$: $10K
Deadline: August 25
For: LGBTQ+ small businesses
$$$: $10K
Deadline: August 31
For: any founder
$$$: $10K
Deadline: August 31
For: impact startups
$$$: $1K
Deadline: August 31
For: independent retail founders
$$$: $5K
Deadline: August 31
For: women founders
$$$: $10K
Deadline: August 31
LegalZoom small business grantsFor: both established and budding business ventures$$$: $10K grants and/or up to $500 in LegalZoom products and servicesDeadline: September 13Galaxy of Stars Galaxy GrantsFor: women and historically marginalized-owned small businesses$$$: $4,250 grantsDeadline: September 30Gucci Changemakers Impact FundFor: community-based organizations$$$: $25KDeadline: September 30Her Culture Micro GrantFor: African and Caribbean women $$$: $500Deadline:
rolling deadline
⚡️ Accelerators, Programs & Competitions
For: women-owned businesses
$$$
: $10K
Deadline: August 23
For: any tech founder
Deadline: August 27
For: Latine-led startups
$$$: $35K
Deadline: August 28
For: any founder
Deadline: August 29
For: founders disrupting the pet tech space
$$$: $200K
Deadline: August 15
For: veteran founders$$$: $50K
Deadline: October 6
For: Black businesses
$$$: $25K
Deadline: October 11
For: Black women and non-binary founders
Deadline: October 13
For: Black and Brown women founders$$$: $15K
Deadline: November 6
🎪 Events
For: founders & investors in life sciences
Date & Time: September 12 at 9:30am, Cambridge, MA
GHC 24 Me + WeFor: women and non-binary technologistsDate & Time: October 8-11, Philadelphia, PA/Virtual
💼 Featured Jobs
Halogen Ventures is hiring Fellows.
Share Ventures is hiring a Chief of Staff.
Our friends over at Liberty Mutual are hiring for multiple innovation-related positions - learn more about the available roles and apply here!
🧑🏽💻
What we are loving lately
Sharing: Harlem Capital's VC 101 Syllabus
Watching: Love is Blind: UK, Netflix
Reading: State of the Village Report by VH Portfolio Company Villie
Plus our fave posts of the week...
If you'd like your founder resource or event/conference to be featured in our weekly newsletter, shoot us a message at kerry@visiblehands.vc
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