Cherae Robinson’s Post

Such a great opportunity for early stage founders. Applications for PEERLESS 2025 are open! Led by AlleyCorp (Desiree Almodovar) and Management Leadership for Tomorrow, curated programming will culminate in 5 founders pitching at Google's NYC headquarters in April, where one winner will receive a $1M investment from AlleyCorp. This isn't only about creating a more equitable tech ecosystem, it's about backing the next generation of exceptional founders who are uniquely positioned to shape the future.  Applications opened on October 15th and close on December 6th, 2024. While they welcome all early-stage founders with exceptional ideas, AlleyCorp is encouraging applications from startups that: · Have raised less than $2M · Are technologically innovative · Have a strong go-to-market advantage · Have identified a large market opportunity · Are led by Black, Latine, Native American, or female founders All applicants will be invited to various ecosystem events with top founders and VCs. Learn more and start your application at peerlesspitch.com.

Excited to announce open applications for PEERLESS Pitch Competition 2025! Curated programming will culminate in 5 founders pitching at in April, where one winner will receive a $1M investment 💰 from AlleyCorp. Being part of PEERLESS with AlleyCorp and Management Leadership for Tomorrow is more than just a partnership—it’s about backing the next generation of exceptional founders who are uniquely positioned to shape the future. This program and competition has already made a big impact, and the enthusiasm from both founders and the broader venture ecosystem continues to grow! Applications are currently open and close on December 6th 2024. While we welcome all early-stage founders with exceptional ideas, AlleyCorp is encouraging applications from startups that: · Have raised less than $2M · Are technologically innovative · Have a strong go-to-market advantage · Have identified a large market opportunity · Are led by Black, Latin, Native American, or female founders All applicants will be invited to various ecosystem events with top founders and VCs. Learn more and start your application at peerlesspitch.com. AlleyCorp, Amazon Web Services (AWS), AWS Startups, Desiree Almodovar, Rich Green

As investors, we believe in backing the best ideas and building companies that can meet the demands of the future. Research shows that underrepresented founders lack access to VC networks and face systemic barriers when raising capital—a reality that stifles innovation and leaves promising companies without the support they need to reach their full potential. In partnership with Management Leadership for Tomorrow and their mission to equip high-achieving individuals from underrepresented communities, today we launched Peerless, a $1M pitch competition that supports visionary Black, Latine, Native American and female founders focused on early-stage startups. Alongside support from a network of incredible VC partners that include BBG Ventures, VamosVentures, Human Ventures, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Harlem Capital, and New York City Economic Development Corporation, one grand prize winner will receive a $1M investment along with talent recruitment support as they scale, ongoing mentorship and coaching, access to industry networking events, and membership to Tech:NYC. Applications are now open! https://lnkd.in/e4sVpJ_g

I really can’t believe this day has come. Announcing the launch of PEERLESS, a $1M pitch competition focused on supporting visionary Latine, Black, Native American and Female founders of early-stage companies. One of the major reasons I joined AlleyCorp was to support underrepresented founders, who too often lack access to elite VC networks and face systemic barriers when raising capital. I'm well aware that a pitch competition alone can't close the gap that persists through each stage of growth for underrepresented founders. But I believe that more access to substantial funding at the earliest stages is a start to creating a more diverse tech ecosystem. One that unlocks MASSIVE innovation opportunities. One that drives wealth creation for founders and funders. In partnership with Management Leadership for Tomorrow, with this competition, we hope to highlight exceptional founders and use our capital, networks and expertise to scale their startups for maximum impact. Alongside support from a network of incredible supporters from the startup ecosystem that include Amazon Web Services (AWS) for startups, Harlem Capital, BBG Ventures, VamosVentures, Human Ventures, New York City Economic Development Corporation, and Tech:NYC, the grand prize winner will receive a $1M investment along with talent recruitment support as they scale, ongoing mentorship and coaching, access to industry networking events, and membership to @Tech:NYC. If you’re a Latine, Black, Native American or Female early-stage founder that has not raised more than $1M to date, we’d love to hear your idea. Apply now.

Just one hour left until Sameer Sortur's mentoring session on "Navigating Market Expansion: How to Enter New Geographies Without Losing Focus"! 😍 In this session, Sameer, Founder & CEO of SquareCircle Global, will dive into the essential steps for startups looking to expand into new markets. Learn how to assess opportunities, navigate cultural and regulatory challenges, and create a strategic plan for global growth while staying focused on your core business. 📥 If you'd like to join, feel free to message me directly!

Our Co-Founder, Gosbert Chagula MBE Chagula, will be speaking at Startup Grind on October 24th! 🎙️ Gosbert will dive into a topic very close to our hearts—building a startup ecosystem that truly empowers diverse founders. 💡 Why is a diverse startup community so important? 👉 Diverse teams foster innovation by bringing fresh perspectives and ideas to the table. 👉 Inclusion drives business growth—companies with diverse leadership are proven to outperform their peers. 👉 Equity creates resilience—empowering underrepresented founders ensures we’re building a future that benefits everyone, not just a select few. If you're attending Startup Grind, be sure to catch his talk. 🙌

The right board can make a significant difference in a startup’s journey. Reflecting back to my early days, I remember how my first board meeting felt like a whirlwind. The insights shared were invaluable, but the real learning came from their diverse perspectives. 🧠💡 Having a mix of skills, experiences, and backgrounds around the table isn’t just nice to have — it’s essential. Each member brought something unique: from strategic foresight to on-the-ground operational wisdom. One lesson that stood out for me was the value of open communication. Nobody should feel intimidated to voice their thoughts. The right culture within your board can pave the way for honesty, creativity, and growth. If you're in the startup phase, consider how your board members can elevate your vision instead of just being a checkbox. What qualities do you think are essential for a startup board? Let’s get the conversation going! 👏🚀 https://lnkd.in/g6mbAK7j

What is a key trait all successful founders share? In my decade as a VC, I've had the privilege of partnering with nearly 100 founders, witnessing first hand their journey, some of whom grew from startups to publicly traded companies. The common denominator among those who scaled their businesses to great heights? Embracing Friction Successful founders excel in making tough decisions: parting ways with bad hires, persisting with products despite delayed market adoption, and turning down unsuitable customers. They tackle challenges head-on and act decisively. Embrace Friction daily. Do not delay discomfort

Building on the success of our inaugural program, we’re excited to announce PEERLESS 2025! True to its name, PEERLESS is focused on finding exceptional early-stage companies and the founders who are uniquely positioned to build them. The competition is continuing thanks to overwhelming demand from founders and enthusiasm from the larger venture ecosystem. While we welcome all early-stage founders with exceptional ideas, AlleyCorp and Management Leadership for Tomorrow are especially encouraging applications from startups that: ➡ Have raised less than $2M ➡ Are technologically innovative ➡ Have a strong go-to-market advantage ➡ Have identified a large market opportunity ➡ Are led by Black, Latine, Native American, or female founders Start your application today at peerlesspitch.com. Special thanks to our Lead Partners for making this possible: Google, J.P. Morgan, Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP, and Citrin Cooperman. And a huge shoutout to all of our supporters: Primary Venture Partners, Harlem Capital, 645 Ventures, VamosVentures, HearstLab, Level Up Ventures, L'ATTITUDE VENTURES, Tech:NYC, Amazon Web Services (AWS) and New York City Economic Development Corporation.

Last week was a busy one at Antler, as we had a full house in Berlin with founders from Munich and Amsterdam coming to visit! One of the major highlights of the week was a VC panel, hosted by our one and only Frederik Brandis, featuring leaders from the German VC community like Alexander Kölpin from seed + speed Ventures and Louis Heinz from HTGF | High-Tech Gründerfonds. 🎙️ We covered some great topics—from how VCs evaluate opportunities and upcoming technologies to what’s the next big thing in VC land. The standout discussion for me centered on the risks of solely optimising for valuation and how founders can find a balance between runway and expectations. 💰 It’s easy to become obsessed with valuation and raising lots of money. And yes, while big raises can signal strong momentum and fuel rapid growth 🚀, they also come with monumental expectations. So the question becomes, how can founders avoid overpromising to investors, while still raising enough to build the next big thing? To our Amsterdam and Munich founders, we already miss you! Looking forward to our next events!