Kimberly Bryant

“We really focus on building community power because over the last four years, and really, my whole life. If we don't figure out how to work together, we are not going to be successful. I've been doing entrepreneurial ecosystem building for 10 years, but before that, for 20 years, I worked with young people, I worked with communities, and I did youth development education. What I've seen in my 30 years of work is if you're fragmented, you're weak. We need to figure out how to get fragmented and siloed groups of people to work together as a larger entity. This is the crux of this Summit. How do we get people doing great work connected and pooling resources? How do we advocate for more resources from the federal government, from our state governments, from our local governments? How do we actually work as a group with JP Morgan Chase and get some actual funding that can be systemic and long-term to actually grow small businesses? I think we have to create a space where we can all win together,” This is the vision behind the Building Community Power Summit the ESO Foundation is hosting with Startup Champions Network 10/30-11/1... check out the full interview here: https://lnkd.in/gGAmUdq6 #SCNBayArea #Buildwhereyouare #Communitypower #startupecosystem #nexteconomy #ecosystembuilders

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Recently, I had the privilege of hosting a workshop for founders and entrepreneurs at my alma mater, the University of Southern California, in collaboration with VentureSpark and the USC Viterbi School of Engineering. It was a fantastic opportunity to reflect on the early days of Supportiv and those intense months leading up to launching the company. Back in 2016-2017, platforms like Ginger.io (now part of Headspace) were experimenting with predictive well-being models—one of the first examples of #AI in #mentalhealth. At the same time, 7 Cups of Tea (a Y Combinator graduate) was tackling #peersupport with some incredible #growthhacking - before most people even knew what that term meant! To my surprise during the workshop, a couple of students raised their hands and mentioned they had served as "listeners" on 7 Cups. One student, only 19 at the time, shared that she had been connected to an adult going through a divorce—with zero formal training on how to help. She had no idea what to do! It hit home how much was at stake with these early models. In fact, the platform’s shortcomings were so pronounced that someone even wrote a book about it: The Ugly Truth About 7 Cups: https://a.co/d/bxesyEh This was exactly the gap Supportiv set out to fill. Back then, 7 Cups’ version of peer support was pairing people who had nothing in common. Supportiv flipped the script. We redefined #peersupport by using advanced #AI to match users with others who were going through similar struggles. Connections are now meaningful with an instant sense of belonging. But we didn’t stop there. Supportiv’s human moderators go through over 100 days of testing and training before they ever interact with users, and their education doesn’t end there. Continuous monitoring, supervision, and ongoing clinical oversight ensure that the support provided is not only real-time and 24/7, but also reliable and high-quality. But we didn’t stop there either... there's so much more to share about how we’ve pushed boundaries and redefined what’s possible. But this post is long enough already, so stay tuned for the next episode!

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Want to talk GTM? Join us on October 2nd at Gasworks Brewing for another round of Seattle Founders GTM. #founders #entrepreneurs #startups #gtm Sign up with the link below.

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Awesome new initiative Aviel Ginzburg!! When Sean Sternbach and I launched Venture Out, Aviel and Pablo Brown-Rodriguez were silent cofounders. Aviel freely shared his words of wisdom from years of building community in Seattle. He and Chris DeVore were the first money into our community, followed quickly by Flying Fish Partners, Liquid 2 Ventures, M12, Microsoft's Venture Fund, and a huge list of Seattle angels. After growing to 1200+ members in <3 years, running multiple pre-preseed accelerators, a few learnings about building great community and the Seattle Founder Ecosystem: In the early days, no one knows what they are doing. Seek outside advice and guidance from people just ahead of you. Unicorn founders and tech moguls have great stories, but the woman who left amazon six months ago, launched an MVP, and crashed through her first 2 dozen investor discussions will have golden advice. Be open, honest, and vulnerable. Our best events and discussions happened when people let their guard down. No one will spend their life (which a startup requires) to build your idea. They might build something similar and tackle the same problem, but only your life experience and decision-making will make the difference. Share ideas often. Give first. As a ~10 year Techstars mentor, I saw this as the best part of the community. In my opinion, they have lost this completely. Don't come into a community and take. Give all you can, even when it feels counterproductive. Something might eventually come back that changes your life and direction. Even if it never does, you will 1000% feel great about the decision. Play long-term games with long-term people. Naval Ravikant was the first person I heard say this. Surround yourself with committed doers, makers, and visionaries. There are a lot of want-entrepreneurs in the world (which is a good thing; we need more people to take risks), but spend the most time with people in the ring, putting their time behind what they are doing. Learn how to give advice and direction without being evangelical, condescending, or a jerk. Learn to be direct but helpful. It's what you want on your journey, so invest in being a great thought partner for others. A final few notes: 1) No, you likely will never get paid the same amount or make as much money as a founder as you would as an L7/L8 at Amazon. If that is why you are starting a company, you're already in trouble. But knowing Aviel, he is already filtering for this 😂 2) You will likely learn in 6-18 months in the ring as a founder, than the rest of your life combined. Start to write, share your experience, find a therapist, and get ready to unpack a LOT as you go. The only way to make space for new information is to process it, store it, and then let it go. 3) The relationships are the most important part of the journey. I will always remember meetings with Matt Ehrlichman, Asha Sharma, Kyle Sandburg, and Matthew Neagle and the rest of the Porch Group team. Go Aviel!!!

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Ascend just released this new interview about why I love investing in Seattle/Pacific Northwest (PNW) startups at Ubiquity Ventures. Ascend is the most active pre-seed investor in the Pacific Northwest (Seattle, Portland, and more) and is run by Kirby Winfield. Thanks to Ascend's Nate Bek for the interview! Check it out the full interview: https://lnkd.in/giU2Wy3V A few snippets of what I said: ⭐️ On investing in Seattle (vs the Bay Area) "Companies like Auth0, Esper, Remitly, and others have demonstrated that they can start, grow, and thrive in Seattle. This is thanks to the continuous growth of hometown giants like Amazon and Microsoft, whose employees might outgrow the cultures at those companies." ⭐️ Why I fell in love with VC "First is about following new trends, nerding out on technologies, and getting inspired by new ideas .. resonates with the nerd engineer and the 5-year-old in me that used to love reading about new technologies ... [Next is] the innards of how companies are run, being in those pivotal meetings and discussions that change the direction of a company. These hard conversations about pivots, understanding metrics, and trying to separate the storytelling around startups from internal operations. That was the meat of building an exciting startup, which is quite different from just nerding out on cool new technologies. " And thank you to all the Pacific Northwest startups I've been privileged to invest in and work with: Eugenio P. and Jon Gelsey at Auth0 by Okta, Yadhu Gopalan at Esper, Fredrik Rydén at Olis Robotics, Claire Watts at ThruWave Inc., Adam Schoenfeld & Aviel Ginzburg at Simply Measured, Milkana Brace at Jargon, Yuriy Bulygin & Alex Bazhaniuk at Eclypsium, Inc. #seattle #seattletech #pacificnorthwest #pnwtech #portland

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This article discusses a new study by UCLA sociologists into the ways in which people make requests of one another. Their findings suggest that “please" might not be an all-purpose marker of politeness, but rather a "more focused, strategic tool to manage frictions or obstacles among family members, friends and even coworkers". KEY POINTS • Using the word “please” does not always indicate respect or politeness. • In the study, “please” was used only 7% of the time, mostly when there was an inhospitable interactional environment to overcome. • Findings will help researchers in their understanding of politeness in the flow of social behaviour and norms.

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Friends/Fellow Founders - TIMELY– As many of you know, I recently visited lawmakers in #Sacramento to speak out against harmful #AI #legislation. This was an incredible experience, and I was grateful for the opportunity to share my story. Thanks to the advocacy of many AI startups, one bad bill was defeated, but another, SB 1047, is headed to the Governor who has not decided whether to let it become law or veto it. #SB1047 would regulate AI in unprecedented ways. Though the bill says it’s about corporate AI giants, I fear small startups will be hit the hardest. Companies like mine will struggle to overcome the new #regulatory hurdles enforced by this reckless #policy. I’m sure everyone agrees AI abuses and misuses should be prevented and prohibited, but SB 1047 would punish businesses that build technology instead of those that misuse it. The government should regulate misuse and harm, not core technology. Please consider joining other #startup and #smallcompany leaders in signing the letter below urging #Governor #Newsom to #veto SB 1047. Thank you! https://lnkd.in/gAJNDEDJ

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Can we talk about a full-circle moment?! Today, I had the privilege of presenting to an incredible group of expert physician leaders at Kaiser Permanente—a place that played a significant role in shaping my early professional journey. Back in 2014, I was starting my career with Kaiser, and now, nearly a decade later, I’m honored to return as a speaker, coach, and consultant. The topic? Generations and the 7 Stages of Life—a discussion that goes beyond age to uncover the unique ways we lead, grow, and collaborate at every stage of our personal and professional journeys. These conversations remind me why I do what I do: helping leaders unlock potential, bridge differences, and create spaces where teams thrive. Reflecting on today’s talk, I’m reminded how much growth happens when we lean into our purpose, keep learning, and come back ready to serve. To the leaders at Kaiser: thank you for your engagement and trust—it’s always inspiring to be in a room full of individuals committed to making a difference. 🙏🏾 Here’s to more full-circle moments and the power of showing up for the journey! 🚀 #LeadershipDevelopment #GenerationalLeadership #Coaching #ProfessionalGrowth #PhysicianLeaders #LeadershipJourney #KaiserPermanente #FullCircleMoment

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To help bridge the information gap between founders & investors, Nick Khormaei & I built a comprehensive map of the Seattle venture ecosystem. Check out the slide deck below for a breakdown and reach out to us if you'd like to see our full data-set!

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Establishing clear boundaries not only protects your mental and physical health but also helps you perform better in the long run. Without balance, even the most passionate professionals can find themselves overwhelmed and unfulfilled. Success isn’t just about how much you work—it’s about working smart, staying resilient, and allowing yourself the time to recharge and enjoy life outside of work. Let’s prioritize sustainable growth, both personally and professionally.

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Excited to now “officially” announce the first-ever Honolulu Tech Week from September 16-22nd. Will be sharing more in the coming days, but I wanted to start with the question: Why start Honolulu Tech Week? Honolulu (and Hawai’i) is at an inflection point as an emerging technology hub across startups, major industries, and our institutions. We have had multiple technology startups born here and exited (both IPO and M&A) to the tune of $100Ms+, with multiple more in the pipeline that are building from Hawaii. Early pioneers like Steve Case hail from here. Accelerators like Blue Startups are sought by entrepreneurs from around the world, and Elemental Excelerator is the global leader in climate. VCs like Builders, Alpaca VC, Vectr Fintech Partners, Startup Capital Ventures are based or have team here and actively funding HI startups. ThriveHI ensures we have monthly programming! Tech giants like Amazon are establishing a major presence, and Google, Meta, Microsoft, Salesforce and many others are filled with kama'aina plus those who call our islands home. Many industry leaders from travel to real estate and defense are have significant operations or are headquartered here. These industries are in the midst of deep technological transformation, but self-admittedly are behind the curve. Hawaii has demonstrated leadership in renewable energy and ocean tech plus a number of deep tech and climate companies like Privateer Space and Yishan Wong's Terraformation are emerging here in part to our inherent geographical characteristics. Honolulu and Hawaii is not only a world-class place to live if you're building from the cloud, we have the physical elements to build first-in-class technology and companies. Legislators like Glenn Wakai and Kanani Souza are bringing awareness to this. But... We need to pull together this ecosystem. We need a more networked community, including those who aren't always here physically. Talent and capital has to thrive and be excited. We need to think bigger. We need to build massive and enduring companies. There are missing connections and nodes that can accelerate our success, often hiding in plain sight. The end-to-end ecosystem, from startup to Hawaii corporates, isn't as aligned as it should be. Hawaii talent living on the mainland, and those connected to Hawaii, need to be tied tighter into the community. Honolulu Tech Week will concentrate and bring together our broader tech community once per year for a week in an 'unconference' format, to make new connections irl, hear success stories and challenges, and learn from the best while having a great time across our beautiful city. For those living here, for those returning home, and for those who want to join us. Sign Up Here —> https://lnkd.in/gEx4y6Tz Host An Event —> https://lnkd.in/gQ7irJJZ Partner / Sponsor —> DM or email to [email protected]

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Kids Care Finder is now a #semifinalist for this year’s Pepperdine Most Fundable Companies List! There are less than 100 companies that have moved into the semifinals in the entire country! So glad to see #childcare is getting noticed by investors. Now let’s get to the finals!! #startups #fundraising #womenintech #angelinvesting #childcare #parenttech #famtech #femalefounders #investing

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As a Black entrepreneur in Seattle, I can no longer stay silent about the stark disparities in our city's lauded startup scene. The numbers tell a damning story: • While Seattle's tech sector contributes $60.6 billion annually to the state's economy, Black founders receive less than 1% of venture capital funding nationwide. • In our public schools, Black students make up 14% of the population but account for 96% of suspensions, perpetuating cycles of disadvantage. • The Central District, once 73% Black in 1980, beginning of tech boom, is now only 8% Black as of 2024 due to aggressive gentrification. • Our city boasts 4,000+ nonprofits with $11 billion in annual revenue, yet these band-aids fail to address systemic inequalities. These statistics aren't just numbers – they represent real lives and lost opportunities. The complete absence of Black-founded startups in a city that prides itself on innovation is not just an oversight; it's a reflection of deep-seated, systemic issues. The parallels to apartheid are impossible to ignore: separate economic systems, unequal access to education and resources, and the systematic displacement of Black communities. While the methods may differ, the results are disturbingly similar. As we enter a new era of AI and tech innovation, we must confront these uncomfortable truths. It's time for Seattle's tech leaders and policymakers to acknowledge this reality and take concrete steps towards genuine inclusion and equity. It's time for action. If you're involved in Seattle's tech scene or starting an AI venture, I challenge you to be part of the solution: 1. Reach out to discuss how we can integrate meaningful community engagement into your project. Let's ensure your innovations benefit all of Seattle, not just a select few. 2. Contact me to develop a robust inclusion strategy for your startup. True innovation comes from diverse perspectives – let's make that a reality. 3. Commit to allocating a percentage of your funding or profits towards educational initiatives in underserved communities. 4. Partner with local Black-owned businesses and entrepreneurs to create a more equitable supply chain and ecosystem. Remember, the choice is yours: either actively work towards a fair and just tech industry, or watch as AI and changing societal pressures potentially force that change upon you. The future of innovation lies in inclusivity and equitable access to opportunities. Don't just read and scroll past. If you're serious about making a difference, let's connect and turn these words into tangible actions. Together, we can reshape Seattle's tech landscape into one that truly reflects and uplifts our entire community.

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"In California We Trust" means even more than it did on another bleak day in 2016: “Today, we woke up feeling like strangers in a foreign land, because yesterday Americans expressed their views on a pluralistic and democratic society that are clearly inconsistent with the values of the people of California. "We have never been more proud to be Californians. "By a margin in the millions, Californians overwhelmingly rejected politics fueled by resentment, bigotry, and misogyny. The largest state of the union and the strongest driver of our nation’s economy has shown it has its surest conscience as well. California is – and must always be – a refuge of justice and opportunity for people of all walks, talks, ages and aspirations – regardless of how you look, where you live, what language you speak, or who you love. California has long set an example for other states to follow. And California will defend its people and our progress. We are not going to allow one election to reverse generations of progress at the height of our historic diversity, scientific advancement, economic output, and sense of global responsibility. We will be reaching out to federal, state and local officials to evaluate how a Trump Presidency will potentially impact federal funding of ongoing state programs, job-creating investments reliant on foreign trade, and federal enforcement of laws affecting the rights of people living in our state. We will maximize the time during the presidential transition to defend our accomplishments using every tool at our disposal. "While Donald Trump may have won the presidency, he hasn’t changed our values. America is greater than any one man or party. We will not be dragged back into the past. We will lead the resistance to any effort that would shred our social fabric or our Constitution. "California was not a part of this nation when its history began, but we are clearly now the keeper of its future.” https://lnkd.in/gj4FWNsP

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Last night's Technology Association of Oregon panel discussion on raising capital for AI ventures was full of interesting takeaways. The event brought together leading PNW VCs, CEOs, and funders to share their perspectives and best practices. Here's what you need to know: ➡ The AI/ML space is rapidly evolving, presenting huge opportunities for startups tackling real business problems. VCs are actively seeking out the most ambitious and disruptive companies in this domain. ➡ Having an "unfair advantage" is key - whether that's proprietary data sets, unique domain expertise, or unparalleled access to customers. AI ventures need strong differentiation to stand out. ➡ Build relationships early with VCs, even before you're ready to raise. Their insights and connections can accelerate your journey. The PNW venture ecosystem is highly collaborative and accessible. ➡ Don't be deterred by the perceived lack of local funding. Great companies with compelling visions will get funded, period. Leverage the PNW's strengths in developer/engineering talent. ➡ Recognize and proactively address the potential downsides of AI - from data privacy to model bias. Building responsibly is both an obligation and an opportunity. ➡ Move fast, be bold. Raising capital is always hard, but fortune favors the brave in this space. With the right team, tech and traction, you can build a world-changing business here in the PNW. Thanks to the fantastic panelists Diane Fraiman (Voyager Capital), Geoff Harris (Flying Fish), Jon Maroney (OVF), Chris Sestito (Hidden Layer), Jon Turow (Madrona) for sharing their insights, and to Kristy Edwards for moderating!

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Getting to Yes is foundational for San Diego Angel Conference, yet for 98% of founders in the competition, the answer was no, at least for funding, at the moment. There are other many other Yesses to take away: *Say Yes to all you learned *Say Yes to the feedback received *Say Yes to nurturing the relationships started with founders and investors (it often leads to follow on investment) *Say Yes to receiving feedback and making changes *Say Yes to what’s next What an impressive cohort it was. Founders filled with purpose and commitment to make a positive impact, and the grit to see it through. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/gG5Hf6Z3 #startups #angelinvesting #entrepreneurship #resilience #leadership

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So, my last post about tools and vendors blew up! The CMO of Gusto reacted and commented (kudos to the big companies that care about small businesses) and the post itself skyrocketed to 10k+ views. Just last week a fellow UCLA Anderson School of Management alumna randomly asked about platforms/systems business owners use. So, I thought it's about time to do a Part 2. Here we go: 1. KnowBe4 - great platform for security training at scale. Phishing tests, educational videos, reporting, etc. A bit weird pricing model when you use multiple products from them. For example, you need to align billing cycles and can't just add a solution off-cycle. 2. Mentimeter - a tiny tool we use at Distillery for company-wide quarterly All-Hands. Excels in collecting on-the-fly feedback on the presentation, gathering questions, and live reactions. Great example of the right tool for the job. 3. 1Password - simply saves time during rotations and increases security. Tell me if you NEVER reused your password? (and be honest about it :) ) 4. TargetRecruit - replacing the outgoing Bullhorn. I'm not saying anything bad about the latter, but our source of truth is Salesforce (aka necessary evil), and TargetRecruit is simply better integrated. 5.-ish One question - if your team uses LinkedIn Recruiter - how happy are your recruiters? Are we in the monopoly market with no available alternative?

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Loving this opportunity to celebrate 2025 SBJ Champions for DEI honorees with dialogue and Q&A. Despite the recent national DEI retraction, McKinsey research reveals a strong case for diversity with bottom line business impact! "A strong business case for ethnic diversity is also consistent over time, with a 39 percent increased likelihood of outperformance for those in the top quartile of ethnic representation versus the bottom quartile. This has persisted even with eight new economies added in our analysis of 2022 financial data" - McKinsey & Company - Diversity Matters Even More - the case for hoistic impact. DEI and Belonging remains an essential factor for organizations seeking to distance themselves from their competition. We'll talk about how they can be successful implementing DEIB inhouse, with external consultants or a combination of the two. 😍 Join us!

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Big news, Friends! 🎉🎉 I’m thrilled to announce the launch of Chapter Two Consulting, along with my longtime friends and partners Ray Zambroski, Phillip Grove, and Don Fleming.  These guys are Seattle tech veterans, with long track records of helping numerous Seattle startups and fast scalers build business-critical software and great engineering teams. Chapter Two Consulting is a culmination of decades of building trusted relationships, hard-won experience (and a few hard lessons), and great admiration for those who get up every morning and enter the arena. I’ve worked with some of you for many, many years.  Some measured in decades!  It’s been my absolute pleasure and honor; I look forward to many more. Ready to write the next chapter in your story?  Don’t go it alone; we’re here to help! Dan Sr. Partner and Co-founder, Chapter Two Consulting https://chapter2team.com ------------------- Announcing the Launch of Chapter Two Consulting: Your Engineering Powerhouse. At Chapter Two, we believe engineers are the architects of innovation—building the products, technologies, and infrastructures that shape our future. With roots in the Pacific Northwest’s hub of creativity, and deep technical prowess, we’re here to connect bold thinkers with the resources, talent, and strategy they need to make a lasting impact. Seattle’s engineering community is our home. From early-stage startups to scaling enterprises, we recognize the challenges engineering leaders face when assembling teams, launching breakthrough technologies, and scaling with purpose. We’ve built Chapter Two to empower innovators with a tailored recruitment and consulting service designed specifically to address these kinds of problems. Our team brings deep expertise across technical disciplines and industries, enabling us to align your organization’s vision with the right talent and strategies. Whether you’re solving critical technical challenges, refining your product roadmap or scaling an R&D team, we’re your partner every step of the way. We work flexibly and collaboratively to support your growth, offering: - Consulting engagements that tackle immediate challenges while building frameworks for long-term success. - - Engineering recruitment to match you with exceptional talent across software, hardware, and interdisciplinary domains - - Long term partnership for emerging technical leaders navigating complex and changing team growth requirements. At Chapter Two, we’re not just recruiters or consultants—we’re a part of your team. We’re inspired by the builders and innovators who call Seattle home, and we’re dedicated to helping you engineer your vision into reality. Let’s connect and explore how we can drive your success together.

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