In this episode of Investor Connect, Hall T. Martin talks with Herbert Drayton, a partner at Highmark Capital, about the importance of building capacity before expecting change in the startup ecosystem. They delve into the legwork involved in preparing companies for investor engagement, including managing pitch events, and running marketing campaigns. Herbert shares his insights on the key components that make a startup successful, emphasizing the significance of infrastructure, mentorship, and community support. He discusses how Highmark Capital focuses on investing in AI startups led by underrepresented founders in the southeastern US, mainly in South Carolina. Additionally, the episode introduces Ava, the new AI-powered assistant at 10 Capital that helps entrepreneurs find funding tips and investors locate their next big investment. Ava extracts knowledge from over 500 blogs, podcasts, and tools like the 'How Fundable is Your Startup' calculator to answer user questions efficiently. For more information about the events and resources at 10 Capital, visit their website and poke around the 'Events' tab. Herbert addresses the crucial yet often neglected aspects of creating sustainable investments, such as ensuring the founders are ready to scale and providing them with robust ecosystems for long-term success. He illustrates how successful investment isn't just about providing capital but also about offering the necessary support systems, including mentorship, strategic partnerships, and continuous guidance. This comprehensive approach ensures that both the investments and the entrepreneurs have the foundation needed for impactful growth. Thank you for joining us for the Startup Funding Espresso where we help startups and investors connect for funding. Let’s go startup something today. _______________________________________________________ For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at: Check out our other podcasts here: For Investors check out: For Startups check out: For eGuides check out: For upcoming Events, check out For Feedback please contact info@tencapital.group Please , share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of .
