In this episode of Diverse Dividends, host Sara Loriot welcomes Janet Bannister, founder of Kijiji and Staircase Ventures, for a candid and inspiring conversation on venture capital, entrepreneurship, and the human side of investing.
🎧 What You'll Learn in This Episode:
How Janet transitioned from launching Kijiji to leading a venture capital firm
Why empathy, trust, and grit matter more than spreadsheets in early-stage investing
The five-pillar founder support platform at Staircase Ventures—an industry-first
Janet’s unique take on risk, drawn from both business and competitive athletics
What she looks for in founders (hint: it’s not just the pitch deck)
💡 Whether you’re in finance, building a startup, or navigating your own career path, Janet’s insights on leadership, resilience, and deliberate growth will resonate deeply.
