Kathryn (Kat) Lazell’s Post

🚀 Founder’s Log 2024.11 🚀 This week was a shorter week heading into my favourite holiday of the year. It was a week full of interesting pitches, intriguing conversations, and some personal milestones being reached. Not a bad time if you ask me! (Photo is from my Tuesday at EY seeing the presentations for the awesome Boomerang Labs | Australia accelerator 2023-4 cohort) Advice Received: In the wake of the historic sentencing of Sam Bankman-Fried to 25 years in federal prison, I feel like we’ve all received some advice from the US judicial system: Don’t get blinded by the aesthetics, be sure to scrutinise a startups tech and business model. The startup industry can be as guilty of any other of drinking it’s own Cool-Aid about what someone should look like and what technology is the next new hot thing to take investments to the moon. The truth is that con-artists like SBF thrive in this environment because all they need to do is adopt a specific aesthetic and say some meaningless gibberish about utilitarianism to have a waterfall of hype and investment. So be skeptical (but not cynical) when you’re approaching something that seems too good to be true. It probably is. Successes had: I was pretty in the ball this week, so I thought I would share a philosophy that has brought me success over the past few months. Just ask the question. When you’re at a public event where they ask if anyone has questions, it can feel daunting to step out and raise your hand.  Try to push through the anxiety and trust that your perspective will add value to the discussion being had. So many of us are worried we’ll be judged if it isn’t an amazing, mind bending question; but remember, your brain is tricking you!  People aren’t judging you the way it’s telling you they are It’s natural to be anxious about even the smallest amount of public speaking, but pushing through that anxiety can open up a world of possibilities for you! Lessons learned: Always follow up. That’s it, that’s the lesson. Message that person you met at that event last night. Email them about that thing you were talking about. I promise they won’t mind. #founderslog #MontesQ #founderjourney #startuplegals #questions #SBF #dontcommitthelargestfiinancialfraudinadecade 

We invite you to attend the Scaling Montana Summit on October 23-24 at the Kimpton Armory in Bozeman. As Montana's premier event for starting, scaling, and investing in technology-driven ventures, it offers a cost-effective opportunity for startups and scaleups from across the state and region. Engage with key stakeholders in the tech ecosystem, and position your company for growth. Why Startups and Innovators Should Attend the Scaling MT Summit: Hands-on Learning: Take part in a lineup of workshops and masterclasses led by industry experts, covering product development, design, marketing strategies, leadership, and investment readiness. This is the most cost-effective way to learn from experienced founders and mentors on how to build a stronger company. Stronger MT Hack: Join the inaugural First Interstate Bank Stronger MT Hack – a 30-hour hackathon where you can collaborate, innovate, and compete for $15K in cash prizes. Networking Opportunities: Connect with investors, industry peers, and thought leaders in tech and business, giving you the chance to meet potential partners, mentors, and collaborators to grow your company. Save! Use code FRIENDSOFSMT for $40 off registration. Don’t miss out on the ultimate event for launching, scaling, and investing in Montana’s technologies! https://lnkd.in/dh63ARB6 #ScalingMTSummit #MontanaTech #Innovation

We invite you to attend the Scaling Montana Summit on October 23-24 at the Kimpton Armory in Bozeman. As Montana's premier event for starting, scaling, and investing in technology-driven ventures, it offers a cost-effective opportunity for startups and scaleups from across the state and region. Engage with key stakeholders in the tech ecosystem, and position your company for growth. Why Startups and Innovators Should Attend the Scaling MT Summit: Hands-on Learning: Take part in a lineup of workshops and masterclasses led by industry experts, covering product development, design, marketing strategies, leadership, and investment readiness. This is the most cost-effective way to learn from experienced founders and mentors on how to build a stronger company. Stronger MT Hack: Join the inaugural First Interstate Bank Stronger MT Hack – a 30-hour hackathon where you can collaborate, innovate, and compete for $15K in cash prizes. Networking Opportunities: Connect with investors, industry peers, and thought leaders in tech and business, giving you the chance to meet potential partners, mentors, and collaborators to grow your company. Save! Use code FRIENDSOFSMT for $40 off registration. Don’t miss out on the ultimate event for launching, scaling, and investing in Montana’s technologies! https://lnkd.in/dh63ARB6 #ScalingMTSummit #MontanaTech #Innovation

Thrilled to share my journey with the Dream Venture Accelerator program! 🚀 🌟 Weekly Education: I was honored with the “Show Her The Money” grant, marking my first foray into an accelerator as a founder with amazing founders Annie Evans and Kelley Arena. What followed was nothing short of life-changing. Over seven weeks, we delved into topics like business pitching, investor relations, fundraising, and legal intricacies, guided by phenomenal speakers such as Maggie Sellers, Katie Dunn, Helen Reeves , and Vadicel Joy Abboud.   🤝 Founder Support:                            The camaraderie among founders was palpable. We supported each other at pop-up events in LA, Miami, and NYC and these founders became friends—friends who stood by me as I took on business pitch competitions and prepared for our grand graduation day in NYC.                             🌱 Mindset Shift: Meeting investors and my cohort in person was surreal—we connected instantly, as if we’d known each other for ages. This experience has been pivotal for both myself and BEJOU. It shifted my mindset, teaching me to view investors not just as a source of funds but as partners in growth.   As I gear up for fundraising this fall, I reflect on the invaluable lessons learned and the immediate application of each week’s teachings. The Dream Venture Accelerator was more than an educational stint; it was a pivot in my life and for BEJOU.   🙌 Giving Back: I’m eager to pay it forward and be support and give back as much as they have provided me! Wouldn't be where I am NOW without them   I've also made mistakes along the way, but I pick myself back up and have the backup of founders, mentors who became friends along my path! So thankful for all of you <3 #DreamVentureAccelerator #StartupJourney #FounderLife #Gratitude #BusinessGrowth #Innovation #Community  https://lnkd.in/g9MxGMaJ Starts June 26th

📣 Attention, seed-stage founders! Do you want a $1 million investment? Here's your chance—but there's a twist: you'll need to relocate to Buffalo, NY, for one year! Why Buffalo? Because @43North_ says so. And the deal is hard to beat: $1 million for 5% equity In addition to funding, you will receive mentorship, office space, and extensive networking opportunities. Not convinced? @43North_ is giving you the chance to operate tax-free under the STARTUP-NY program. Their track record speaks for itself: with 69 startups in their portfolio and partnerships with top VCs like Bessemer and Greycroft. Criteria for Application: Established traction with paying customers Previous venture capital investment(s) A team of three or more full-time members Willingness to relocate to Buffalo and leverage its unique opportunities Apply by June 7, 2024, to be considered for the 2025 accelerator program. Learn more and apply now: https://lnkd.in/eU6w8UUr

👀 Delving into Team Insights from our Alumni! Last week, we shared the fantastic news of our startups raising a staggering total of 54 million euros post-competition! Now, it's time to dive deeper into our team statistics, providing our supporters a glimpse into the status of our companies when they stepped onto the stage in Berlin. ✨ 45% Female Founders: We're proud to have a strong representation of female entrepreneurs within our teams, driving innovation and diversity in the startup ecosystem. 💰 €40 Million in Federal Funding: Even before the competition, our startups have been making waves, securing significant federal funding to fuel their growth and development. 🌱 >90% Seeking Pre-Seed and Seed Funding: The hunger for growth is real! The majority of our teams were actively seeking pre-seed and seed funding during or immediately after the competition. Stay tuned as we unveil more insights about our remarkable teams in the coming days! 📈 And keep your eyes peeled for any exciting updates about this year's competition. It's going to be epic! 💥

𝐈𝐍𝐕𝐄𝐒𝐓𝐎𝐑 𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐃𝐈𝐍𝐄𝐒𝐒 𝐒𝐄𝐒𝐒𝐈𝐎𝐍: Learn how to speak to investors and raise funding successfully. Join Leapfunder's Investor Readiness Sessions (Online Workshop for Startup Founders 🚀), rated 4,6/5 ⭐ https://hubs.li/Q02qy0lC0 Register here: https://hubs.li/Q02qxYrb0

Graduating from Innosphere Ventures doesn’t guarantee success - you need to actively practice and build on the insights you gain here. We see a difference. Founders who disconnect from the community or don’t apply the lessons they’ve learned often struggle to pitch their ideas or gain traction on their own. Founders who keep that work relevant, continue to apply lessons learned, and go on to develop it further, tend to find more opportunities. Success comes from staying engaged with your network, revisiting the coaching you received, and applying those principles in the real world as you navigate the ups and downs of your entrepreneurial journey. We’re called an incubator for a reason - when you leave, your journey is just beginning. The next step is pressure-testing what you’ve learned and making the right adjustments. And remember, we’ll still be here to help. Stay disciplined, stay connected, and keep applying what you’ve learned. That’s the real key to moving forward.

I get it—some venture funds treat their investments like bets, aiming to place as many as possible and leaving it up to the founders to make things work. While I understand that approach, it’s not one I subscribe to. I believe the investors on your cap table should be your biggest champions. What does that look like? It means opening doors through their networks, answering late-night calls when things get tough, inviting you to the big industry events, giving you honest feedback (even when it stings), and standing by your side throughout the journey. Finding these kinds of investors isn’t easy, which is why we created the Founder-First Investor Award. After launching it in NYC, we’re excited to bring it to #Chicago, where founders have nominated local investors who truly go above and beyond for their portfolio companies. A huge congratulations to Desiree Vargas Wrigley, this year’s winner of the Founder-First Investor Award in Chicago! And shoutout to the finalists who were also recognized by founders for their exceptional support: Rebecca Sholiton Kahnweiler, Collin Bhojwani, and Jyothi Vallurupalli 🚀 We’ve also compiled a list of other Chicago-based investors who share this "founder-first" mentality and were nominated by their founders. Founders, consider this your resource for building a pipeline of target investors who will have your back. Link to the blog-post in the comments ⬇

A week ago we held our late cofounders event… it didn’t go as expected at all. I had selected three speakers from totally different horizons and in completely different companies, expecting a wide range of learnings: ⭐️ Gabrielle Sergent, CTPO Klaro, an early-stage startup on a social mission ⭐️ Philippe Maso y Guell Rivet, CEO Ornikar, a seasoned executive that arrived when KKR put €120m in the company   ⭐️ Alban Sayag, CEO Yousign, serial tech entrepreneur building further the European eSignature leader Well, it turned out that they all shared extremely similar feedback! And that was even better. All three of them expressed that: 1️⃣ One of their key impact was driving the team and culture to new heights: more accountability, more structured and cooperative org, more data-driven decisions. 2️⃣ A late cofounder move is successful when the new comer and the historical founders can both show high humility and desire to learn from each other. 3️⃣ If at first, it’s not your company and never will be (you haven’t started it)… it quickly becomes as fulfilling as if you were a founder, and the equity package is a reflection of that, not the cause. I was also surprised by how much this role resonated, how many ultra involved C-levels identified themselves years after as late cofounders, and how many others wished to find such a role. The impact of such late cofounders is absolutely tremendous for the companies that experienced it, and the ecosystem is now beginning to understand it. With Hexa Scale ⚡ we'll capitalise on these learnings for every late cofounder we partner with!