Neeta Bidwai

We are so excited to announce our investment in Raechel Lambert, Bernard Kobos, and Ryan Lambert and their company, River Platform Company. River is a platform that empowers brands and influencers to build large-scale, in-person communities. To date, the platform has hosted over 2,000 events with 3,000 crowdsourced hosts and 55,000 attendees across more than 15 cities worldwide. We like to think of it as the operating system for community management. If the Catholic Church were founded today, it would use River to coordinate its global activities. No kidding. Jason Calacanis, the American internet entrepreneur and investor known for his All-In podcast with Chamath Palihapitiya, David O. Sacks, and David Friedberg, saw their potential early on. So did Balaji Srinivasan, Bryan Johnson, Tim Ferriss, and many others. We met the River team six months ago and have been incredibly impressed by their big-picture thinking, relentless hustle to connect with the right people and flawless execution. And as if that wasn’t enough, working with them is an absolute pleasure. These guys are a source of renewable energy. We’re proud to be part of this journey alongside wonderful co-investors like Blue Wire Capital, Blockwall, Solana Foundation, very early Ventures, and LAUNCH. Congratulations to the entire River team on this exciting milestone! We know firsthand that when things seem effortless, it’s because a tremendous amount of hard work went into making it happen. Want to join or host an IRL community event? Head over to getriver.io. #getriver #community #blockchainfounderscapital #startup #venturecapital #creatoreconomy

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Better Consumer Experiences in Everything... “We pride ourselves on being stridently anti-thematic, seeking out founders with bold, unexpected visions. From a black car dispatch service that became Uber to a Groupon-for-Korea idea that evolved into Coupang, a $30B ecommerce powerhouse, the best ideas often defy categories in their earliest days. We don’t know what category will be hot in 2025, but delightful consumer experiences are becoming a premium in an increasingly noisy world. People are demanding fewer, better experiences in everything from healthcare to content and media. For example, Suno transforms a few words into musical compositions made just for you. Whether mundane or magical, we plan to back ideas that turn the unexpected into essential experiences.” — Amanda Herson, General Partner, Founder Collective Thanks Maren Bannon and Forbes for a great topic with excellent curation ;) https://lnkd.in/ePgTvgvW

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I just wrapped up a panel with the Marketing Leadership affinity group within the How Women Invest community with my hero Auntie Nancy Hayes, aka the Yoda of board membership, angel investing, and general badassery. We talked about different ways to serve on boards, a role in which experienced Marketers seem to be often underrepresented. Why? If I had to guess, I'd say: 1 - Most heads of marketing are women 2 - marketing is undervalued, especially under sales/revenue experience 3—Compound the first two with the messages you tell yourself about your own worthiness, and suddenly, you're a great marketer for everyone else but yourself. ___________ For those who are interested in getting closer or into the board room, there are so many ways to start/get experience: 1—Board Observer (one of my current board roles)—you represent the investor but have no votes. It is unpaid, but/and hugely essential to act as a bridge of visibility and communication between the fund you've invested with and the company in which the fund has invested. My role brings value to both sides with much less bias than the other VC board seats. 2—Corporate board director—There is much governance but not much influence on the product, as the company usually has big enough teams for that. There is a lot of hiring/firing CEOs (read: drama), which can still be fun, especially for those fresh-popcorn-in-my-bag swag kinda folks (both grossly generalizing and way understating this role's fiduciary importance, but you get the idea). 3—Independent board director—this is another of my favorite places to sit. It is much like the Board observer role but with voting rights and equity (although not always, as these terms are negotiated and influenced by the shareholding board seats). You are NOT representing a VC fund (typically), but you might have subject matter expertise in the product or are a generalist boss gal like myself and bring a sense of neutrality and balance to the board. 4—Advisor. Advisors are similar to IBD in terms of influence and type of advice but are not part of the board or its meetings. This role is usually paid in some combination of equity and cash. It's another of my faves. (Are you seeing the trend here?) We have not even touched non-profit boards (where I got my start and am currently sitting on my sixth), but we will save it for next time as it's a whole 'nother Oprah. If you want to learn more, How Women Lead is hosting its 5th annual #getonboard week, starting October 21. Hybrid virtual and in-person. Check it out: https://lnkd.in/diizwv8j #womeninleadership #boardofdirectors #howwomenlead #governance #boarddiversity #corporategovernance #boardservice #businessleadership #leadership Julie Candelon Susan Greenwood Schroeder Mikayla Ludwig

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“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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It is clear that there is a ripple effect of good that occurs when we invest in #CleanEnergy. Shoutout to the programs, startups, and organizations that allow us to prioritize #ImpactInvesting. They have significantly boosted investment in clean energy. Check out this World Economic Forum article for more information. #Sustainability

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We recently kicked off a search for a Program Director to join our Founder Success Team First Round Capital. Given I assume the right person for this role will already be in the startup ecosystem, I'd really love help getting the word out. Here is a bit of context: At First Round, we aspire to invest in founders who possess not just strengths, but areas of true genius, whether it’s technical skill, product intuition and/or domain expertise. But on the other side of every spike in talent are a few areas that are still underdeveloped, parts of the business where a founder doesn't have the skills and expertise — yet. The role of the Program Director on the Founder Success team is leading the ideation, curation, planning and execution of programs and events that fill in those gaps and help founders develop new, crucial competencies. More on the role and where to apply can be found here: https://lnkd.in/gPhhJD4U

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Today marks a groundbreaking moment for BLCK VC and our fellow collaborators—Diversity VC, All Raise, 2Gether-International, SomosVC, StartOut, and VetsinTech—as we proudly announce the launch of the Diversity Data Alliance. This important alliance underscores our unwavering commitment to nurturing a venture capital and entrepreneurial ecosystem abundant in equity and inclusiveness. By standardizing and linking our data, we empower ourselves with the essential tools to track deeper trends that have, until now, eluded us to identify and fill funding gaps for historically excluded investors, founders, and operators. We can’t change what we do not measure, and now with the Diversity Data Alliance, we're now equipped to do both. Join us in this mission. Learn more and get involved: https://lnkd.in/eEZKdrac #DiversityDataAlliance #BLCKVC #VentureCapital #MeasureToChange

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Super thoughtful approach to org design highlighted in this week's First Round Capital Review. When I read it, I realized that simplistic advice is a poor shortcut to the more complex but useful advice, "structure follows strategy". “When you read management books about org design, they always show you these perfectly balanced charts. Symmetrical tree diagrams and curated grids that fill up to the margins. But creating a pretty looking chart is not a KPI,” says Linear’s Head of Product Nan Yu. Yu unpacks why conventional thinking around org design is slowing startups down. Instead, he pulls from Conway’s Law and lays out the three key pieces to constructing the asymmetrical “heirloom tomato” org chart. https://lnkd.in/gASyChQC

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Partnering with startups can help companies to "solve a product problem, create a new avenue for revenue, accelerate R&D, or accelerate time to market for a specific product," according to Otilia Barbuta, principal at HP Tech Ventures, the venture capital arm of HP. She was talking at a breakout session at Circularity 2024. "There are solutions in the market created by startups and in this circularity realm, I think it's more important than ever to partner with [them]." #climatetech #startups #climateVC

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Last week, I published my thoughts on the need for clean energy in the MAGA movement in The National Interest. While many clean energy activists tend to focus on climate change as the main reason to prioritize clean energy, I contend that there are a number of important reasons that Trump 2.0 should prioritize clean energy as a core part of its energy agenda. In the opinion editorial, I outline four important reasons why preserving most of the clean energy tax incentives in the IRA are important to that energy agenda, including the fact that the United States needs substantially more electric generation capacity to meet the swelling demands of a growing economy. Adopting an “all of the above” energy policy will help the United States meet this demand. Read more: https://lnkd.in/eQ8TF7CS

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Did you know you can get a 30% federal tax credit for installing #SolarPanels on your home? This incentive, paired with energy independence, reduced monthly electricity expenses, boosted home value, and decreased reliance on fossil fuels, makes choosing solar a smart decision. Companies like Sunrun, SunPower Corporation, EnergySage, Elevation, SOLO LLC, OpenSolar, Enact, and more are making it easier for individuals to install solar on their homes! Read more in Climate People’s #1MinuteClimateSnippet here: https://buff.ly/3yDJaRo

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So pumped to host Kate Brodock of W Fund on the podcast. She's an amazing human and a great thought leader. We talked about Takeaways Supporting early-stage tech founders, particularly women and underrepresented founders, is crucial for making the world a better place. Empathy is an important skill for founders and investors to have in order to create a more inclusive and supportive startup ecosystem. Fundraising for a fund is different from fundraising for a startup, as it involves investing in the GP and their decision-making capabilities. Knowledge around fundraising, self-awareness in leadership, and effective hiring practices are key areas of improvement for founders. A strong track record and compelling storytelling are important factors in raising a fund. Raising funds as a founder can be challenging, especially in the early stages of a startup. Investors look for qualities like founder-market fit, a compelling story, and a clear money story in pitch decks. AI is expected to have a significant impact on venture capital decision-making, but investors need to be cautious and thoughtful in their approach. Startups should focus on metrics and milestones that demonstrate progress and a clear pathway to profitability to attract venture capital investment. Watch the full episode now. https://lnkd.in/djPkha_5

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I've recently come across Bridge, which streamlines the process of making and receiving introductions to investors. Vaulted Ventures is using Bridge to connect to investors as we raise our current equity seed round. It seems like a great way to make connections, as it removes a lot of the back and forth emails (and InMails) to set up intros. It integrates well with LinkedIn also. Use this link to join my network on Bridge: https://lnkd.in/gBPuCscP What do you think? Is this the future of online business networking?

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Should we prioritize people, or tech innovation in our large-scale development projects? The strategy's slowly shifting to people. And that’s exactly how California Forever CEO Jan Sramek wins over skeptics like Kara Swisher and Scott Galloway. Not bad. “There’s a lot of baggage that tech has created in building new cities that, unfortunately, we are at the receiving end of”, explains Sramek. So smart cities and tech libertarian network states aren't the focus here. Quite the contrary. He calls the project (in this context) “really, really boring.” The focus: ∙ More housing ∙ Walkable cities ∙ Affordable by design* ∙ Improving the country for residents *(housing prices to start at $400k) I recently covered California Forever, dubbing it a future ‘Tech Utopia’ given its massive Silicon Valley backing. So it’s exciting to see Sramek's positioning and skillful handling of the grilling. Is the era of the smart city over due to its 'baggage'? Time will tell. More on California Forever and other visionaries designing new cities from scratch here: https://lnkd.in/e9-i386q Full interview: https://lnkd.in/eMnT8QhU #futureofcities #urbandevelopment

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Yesterday, I spoke with a friend who’s doing everything right when it comes to climate action. He and his wife drive EVs, have rooftop solar, and completed a home energy audit. Yet, he’s frustrated. The next logical move - switching from natural gas to a heat pump - would increase his energy costs by 30%, even with rebates. It’s a tough reality: the system isn’t always set up to make the sustainable choice the rational one - especially if you're already on the leading edge. But here’s what stood out: He’s already a leader, and now he’s turning his frustration into action. He’s talking to his neighbors to make their neighborhood a "green space", and working with his schools and community centers to do audits and make upgrades that make economic sense. This reminded me that while individual actions matter, collective action and systemic change are what truly move the needle. I’ve written more about this conversation and the lessons it offers. If you’re navigating similar challenges, I’d love to hear your story. Check out the full post here: https://lnkd.in/eawyPdNd #ClimateAction #Sustainability #CleanEnergy

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Social media can be a powerful tool for connection, but only when it is used responsibly and ethically. Mention by Oxy is our answer to creating meaningful connections in a digital world. It’s a platform that prioritizes authentic communication, freedom of expression, and community building. We are shaping a space where users can share ideas and build real relationships. Learn more about Mention by Oxy: https://oxy.so/mention/

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In his latest piece, Paul Graham dives into a thought-provoking realization sparked by Brian Chesky's memorable talk at a recent YC event: **what if the conventional wisdom on scaling companies is fundamentally flawed for founders?** Graham dissects why advice that works for professional managers often fails founders, leading to disastrous results. He introduces the concept of "Founder Mode" — a distinct approach to running a company that clashes with traditional management practices. Graham argues that embracing this mode could be the key to unlocking greater success for startups, potentially revolutionizing how founders scale their companies. Made me think. https://lnkd.in/exHmEE5M

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The overlooked growth strategy powering mission-driven startups 💫 Earlier this year, I had conversations with a number of founders and collaborators in climate and beyond about ecosystem collaboration as a driver for growth, and how (if at all) they were harnessing it. I had been inspired to learn from Matt Gunn & Andrew Moffat about Heat Geek's approach: Before spending a penny on marketing, they built a thriving community of heat pump installers and generated genuine enthusiasm for the technology. This sparked my curiosity: How can ecosystem-led growth models be deployed more broadly to scale solutions at the pace we need? Traditional consumer marketing is changing rapidly: 💸 Media costs have risen exponentially, driving marketers away from paid search and social to improve ROI. 🔎 AI-driven search now consumes 60-70% of traffic for some terms. ↳ Meaning alternative, creative approaches are needed. Here are 4 insights about ecosystem collaboration that every mission-driven founder should consider: 1/ Build community where connection is missing The Octopus Club recognised that new parents needed support networks and made community central to their growth. Success comes from identifying and filling these connection gaps in your ecosystem. 2/ To scale the market, start with education Behavior change starts with understanding. Heat Geek's approach to installer training and homeowner education shows how powerful this can be. As Hannah Wickes shared, content and community fuel each other. 3/ The ecosystem is ready to support you One of the most striking insights from Gabriel VanLoozen was the natural motivation to collaborate across climate tech. People are eager to make introductions when they see mutual value - don't hesitate to ask. 4/ Build complete loops, not just products Dan McClure shared the insight that success requires three key elements: a working model, growing demand, AND a sustainable revenue approach. Many founders nail one or two of these, but missing any piece can break the system. The key is thinking in complete loops that can scale. These learnings feel particularly relevant after a great conversation earlier this week about IRL innovation ecosystems with Ben Keene Claire Cockerton Roland Harwood Gosbert Chagula MBE. When theory meets practice! What other ecosystem collaboration strategies have you seen work? #ClimateAction #Startups #Innovation

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"There's plenty of capital available in multiple flavors for Climate Tech Companies..." 🌍💸 Did you know that in 2023, 50 VC deals for climate tech companies exceeded $150 million, with nine of those surpassing $500 million? Venture capitalists are increasingly turning their focus toward startups to tackle the climate crisis, marking a significant shift in investment priorities. Despite the challenging environment for venture capital in 2023, with overall investment in climate tech falling by 14.5% to $41.1 billion, the commitment to climate solutions remains robust. Key trends and insights are shaping the evolving landscape of climate tech investment. Are you an early-stage Climate Tech founder looking to fundraise? Curious about the main drivers for the industry? ⬇ Dive into my latest Forbes article to learn more. Special thanks to Hannah Sieber & Arun Gupta for sharing your invaluable insights! https://lnkd.in/gNhe8jew #ClimateTech #VentureCapital #Forbes Artyc Skyven Technologies

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