Divergent Unicorns Podcast

Divergent Unicorns

HBCUvc Fellows
A podcast created to give advice and provide actionable steps to people that have been typically underrepresented (Black and Latinx) in fields related to Technology, Startups, and Venture Capital. Hosted by De’Havia Stewart (@de_havia) and Ime Essien (@imessien).
Life As A Chief Growth Officer w/ Jareau Wade, Chief Growth Officer at Finix Payments
On this episode we chat with Jareau Wade, Chief Growth Officer at Finix Payments. We discuss everything from the day to day life of a Chief Growth Officer, Trends that are impacting FinTech, and more. Visit our website and submit a question/topic here. Hosted by @de_havia and @imessien Recorded: February 2021
Apr 24, 2021
41 min
Increasing Cap Table Diversity w/ Megan Holston-Alexander, Partner at a16z Cultural Leadership Fund
On this episode we chat with Megan Holston-Alexander, Partner at a16z Cultural Leadership Fund. We discuss the importance of diverse representation on the cap table, fundraising advice for founders, and increasing diverse representation in the startup ecosystem. Visit our website and submit a question/topic here. Hosted by @de_havia and @imessien Recorded: February 2021
Apr 10, 2021
25 min
Betting on Immigrant Founders w/ Maria Salamanca, Partner at Unshackled Ventures
On this episode we chat with Maria Salamanca, Partner at Unshackled Ventures; which is an early stage venture firm investing into startups founded by immigrant founders. Visit our website and submit a question/topic here. Hosted by @de_havia and @imessien Recorded: October 2020
Mar 12, 2021
30 min
Creating Innovation for Real Estate w/ Keenan Williams, Co-Founder of Rezi
On this episode we chat with Keenan Williams, Co-Founder of Rezi; which is an real estate startup that allows landlords and tenants to rent apartments instantly. Visit our website and submit a question/topic here. Hosted by @de_havia and @imessien Recorded: September 2020
Mar 7, 2021
39 min
Increasing Women Representation in Startups w/ Domonique Fines, Dir. of Engagement at All Raise
On this episode we chat with Domonique Fines, Dir. of Engagement at All Raise; which is an organization that seeks to increase the amount of women receiving venture funding.  We discuss challenges that women face with raising capital, Domonique's role at All Raise, and how All Raise benefits women VCs also. Visit our website and submit a question/topic here. Hosted by @de_havia and @imessien Recorded: October 2020
Feb 28, 2021
25 min
Investing into Healthcare & Latinx VC with Juan-Pablo Mas, Partner at Action Potential VC
On this episode we chat with Juan-Pablo Mas, who is a Partner at Action Potential VC; which is a growth stage venture firm investing into Healthcare. Juan-Pablo also is a founding board member of Latinx VC. Topics to look forward to... due diligence of healthcare startups, COVID-19's impact on healthcare startups, and increasing diverse representation in venture capital. Visit our website and submit a question/topic here. Hosted by @de_havia and @imessien Recorded: September 2020
Feb 8, 2021
34 min
The Future of Work w/ Nash Ahmed, Founder & CEO of Undock
On this episode we chat with Nash Ahmed, who is the founder of Undock; which is a software company that helps people instantly schedule, host, and document meetings. Nash is a serial entrepreneur, in which he previously ran three companies including Viper Box. Topics to look forward to... advice for raising a seed round, building product, building a team, and defining your startup's North Star. Visit our website and submit a question/topic here. Hosted by @de_havia and @imessien Recorded: September 2020
Jan 28, 2021
34 min
Investing at the Pre-Seed with Mac Conwell, Founder of Rarebreed Ventures
On this episode with chat with McKeever "Mac" Conwell II, who is the founder and managing partner of RareBreed Ventures. Mac is a former software engineer and two-time founder. One of Mac's companies failed, the other went on to a succesful exit.   Topics to look forward to... investing at the pre-seed stage, building the startup ecosystem outside of Silicon Valley, and what makes a "Rarebreed Founder". Visit our website and submit a question/topic here. Hosted by @de_havia and @imessien Recorded: October 2020
Jan 21, 2021
27 min
Tackling the Hair Market w/ Dawn Myers, Founder of The Most
This week, we speak with Dawn Myers, CEO and Founder of The Most; which is a startup providing solutions to women with textured hair. Key Topics: Hardware Roadmapping, Building an eCommerce solution, Joining an Accelerator, and so much more! Visit our website and submit a question/topic here. Hosted by @de_havia and @imessien Recorded: May 2020
Oct 7, 2020
52 min
Fintech: Serving the Under and Unbanked w/ Travis Holoway, Founder of Solo Funds
This week, we speak with Travis Holoway, CEO and Founder of Solo Funds; which is a Fintech solution that is serving the under and unbanked market by combating predatory lending.  Key Topics: Building a Team, Customer Acquisition, Legal & Regulatory, and so much more! Visit our website and submit a question/topic here. Hosted by @de_havia and @imessien Recorded: March 2020
Sep 30, 2020
25 min
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