💀 Gen Z vibes, VCs using AI, the perfect startup pitch deck, Series As, funding and more
This is a monthly newsletter of curated actionable insights and resources for over 20,000 underestimated founders, funders, and friends.
The IPO market is off to a promising start with two big exits, but VC deals are moving slowly – that familiar mix of excitement and caution. Still, the Autism Impact Fund's $60 million raise proves there's room for niche funds addressing real needs.
Speaking of disrupting norms, Gen Z is shaking things up with a growing interest in skilled trades like plumbing. Could this signal a broader focus on practicality? And did you catch the Reddit IPO? That's the power of community-driven startups! I talked about that and the +$3T opportunity in investing in LATAM startups at South Summit Brazil.
And… I’ll be in Central America this month. Join me at our Ganas events in Nicaragua and Guatemala on April 13th and 22nd!
✨ Lolita Taub, GP at Ganas Ventures | twitter | luma
Ganas Ventures invests in pre-seed and seed community-driven startups in the US and Latin America. We’ve been featured in Forbes, Nasdaq, Techcrunch, and more.
Congrats
Check Warner raised $80M for Ada Ventures II. Diana Murakhovskaya and Stephanie Campbell raised $36M for Artemis Fund II. Gina Gotthilf of Latitud (port co) raised $25M for Latitud Ventures. Beatriz Acevedo of Suma Wealth (port co) partnered with Mastercard. Yehong Zhu of Zette (port co) was awarded 2024 Mila AI Startup Status. Roby Peñacastro of Leadsales (port co) and Julio Pastore of Vitrinnea (port co) made Forbes’ Top 30 Most Promising Startups list. Nikita Gupta of Careerflow.AI (port co) made the GSV Cup 50. Ganas Ventures is celebrated among the Most Active Tech VCs in San Diego by Business of San Diego.
Sponsored | Want to know the tools VCs use to run their funds? Ryan Hoover just dropped a breakdown on Signature Block – and Ganas Ventures and Lolita Taub got featured! Check it out.
For investors
WSJ | Get insights into how VCs are using AI
Fortune | Find out how to invest in the AI founder
Diligent | Explore this VC fund metrics cheat sheet
Startup-Investor Matching Tool | VCs: meet thesis-aligned underrepresented founders
Sponsored | Beyond capital, Forum Ventures is a community of ambitious B2B SaaS founders. We’re looking for underrepresented founders to join our pre-seed accelerator ($100k investment). Pitch us!
For founders
Techcrunch | Check out the findings on underdog unicorn founders
Notion Capital | Get the perfect pitch deck template
Carta | Learn need to know details for your Series A
LaaS | Underrepresented founders: get resources made for you
Sponsored | Get insider tips from top experts at the Ganas Ventures Expert Series! Join us monthly for fireside chats and Q&A sessions that fuel your startup's success. RSVP today!
Money
Bawse | POC founders: apply for $25K by 4/12
UFL | Climate Tech founders: apply for $50K by 5/1
Accion | Founders: apply for $10K grants by 9/13
AIIG | AI founders: apply for $10K grants
Ganas Ventures | Community-driven founders: apply for $100K
B2BNB | Illinois founders: apply for $5-$30K grants
Sephora | Black beauty founders: apply for $100K grants
Lattitude | US Latino founders: apply for up to $1M
HerSuiteSpot | WOC founders: apply for $1K grants
Wish | Black founders: apply for $500-$2K
Workers Lab | BIPOC women: apply for $200K
Amber | Women founders: apply for <$10K grants
Z Fellow | Technical tinkerers: apply for a $10K grant
TechRise | Chicago founders: apply to win $50K
SoGal Foundation | Black women founders: apply for $5-$10K in grants
1863 Ventures | Black founders: apply to get a 3Rs $5K grants
Equity Crowdfunding | Raise up to $5 million
Startup-Investor Matching Tool | Founders: get intros to investors
Want more? Follow @lolitataub and get additional resources here. Want to support our newsletter and get featured? Become a sponsor.