Shows
VCs Off the Record with Gayle Jennings-O'ByrneFundable Startups, Execution & VC Reality Checks w/ Sydney Thomas, Symphonic CapitalIn this VCs Off the Record episode, host Gayle Jennings-O'Byrne sit down with Sydney Paige Thomas, Founder & General Partner at Symphonic Capital, to get real about what separates startups that secure funding from those that don’t.💡 Sydney breaks down why a great idea isn’t enough, how execution sets winners apart, and why not every founder is meant to be CEO. She also shares her insights on the mistakes that keep investors from writing checks—including founders who don’t do their homework.If you’re a founder looking to ra...
2025-03-2637 minVCs Off the Record with Gayle Jennings-O'ByrneTough Love & Smart Investing: What Founders Need to Hear w/ Jonathan HakakianIn this episode of VCs Off the Record, Jonathan Hakakian, Managing Director at Soundboard Venture Fund, joins Gayle Jennings-O'Byrne for a real talk on what makes founders truly investable. Spoiler: It’s not just a great pitch—it’s how you listen, adapt, and execute.Key Takeaways for Founders:✅ Investors need a conversation, not a monologue—don’t talk endlessly.✅ Saying you have no competition is a red flag. If there’s no competition, is there even a market?✅ The best founders take tough love in stride—investors aren’t critiquing you, they’re evaluatin...
2025-03-1940 minVCs Off the Record with Gayle Jennings-O'ByrneHow to Build Startups That Drive Real Change with Sergio MarreroIn this VCs Off the Record episode, host Gayle Jennings-O'Byrne sits down with Sergio Marrero, Managing Director of Blue Ridge Labs at Robin Hood Foundation, to discuss venture-building with purpose.Sergio Marrero shares his unconventional path from engineering and DJing to venture capital. He breaks down what founders need to move from zero to MVP, why impact-driven startups thrive, and how Blue Ridge Labs supports founders.If you’re a founder, investor, or changemaker looking for insights on startup acceleration, impact investing, and navigating the venture world, this episode is...
2025-03-1240 minVCs Off the Record with Gayle Jennings-O'ByrnePropTech and Breaking Into Venture Capital with Jackson Feder, Vice President at MetaPropIn this VCs Off the Record episode, host Gayle Jennings-O'Byrne sits down with Jackson Feder, an investor at MetaProp, to explore the intersection of real estate, technology, and venture capital.Jackson shares his unique path from launching a startup in high school to becoming a VC, the lessons he learned along the way, and how he evaluates early-stage investments. He dives into the future of PropTech, the importance of sustainability in real estate, and why founders need to think about market fit and execution from day one.If you’re...
2025-03-0544 minVCs Off the Record with Gayle Jennings-O'ByrneStorytelling, Startup Fundraising & Impact Investing with Romeo Ortiz & Chi AchebeIn thisVCs Off the Record episode, hostGayle Jennings-O'Byrne chats withRomeo Ortiz, founder ofProductStory Media, andChi Achebe, a venture capitalist atAchebe Capital.Romeo shares how his background in filmmaking led him to brand storytelling, helping founders craft compelling narratives that connect with investors. He opens up about a$40K mistake that reshaped his approach to content strategy and offers insights on why authentic storytelling is critical for securing funding.Chi dives into her journey from tech and social impact in Africa to launchingAchebe Capital. She discusses her investment thesis focused...
2025-02-2651 minVCs Off the Record with Gayle Jennings-O'ByrneThe Future of Biotech & Venture Capital: Investing in Human & Planetary Health with Sabriya StukesIn this VCs Off the Record episode, host Gayle Jennings-O'Byrne dives into the intersection of biotech, planetary health, and venture capital with Sabriya Stukes, an investor in early-stage biotech companies.Sabriya unpacks what it means to invest in human and planetary health, breaking down the deep connections between climate, healthcare, and innovation. She shares her unconventional journey from microbiologist to venture investor, detailing her work at SOSV and IndieBio, one of the world's leading deep tech accelerators.This episode is packed with insights on how investors evaluate scientific startups...
2025-02-1936 minVCs Off the Record with Gayle Jennings-O'ByrneHow Diversity & AI Are Changing Venture Capital with Justin Huebner and Megan GrayIn this VCs Off the Record episode, host Gayle Jennings-O'Byrne chats with Justin Huebner, author of Inclusive Investing, and Megan Gray, founder & CEO of Moment AI, about the future of venture capital, AI innovation, and what it takes to build a successful, venture-backed business.
Justin shares his journey from intern to published author, breaking down the power of inclusive investing and why diversity in venture capital isn’t just about equity—it’s a financial advantage. He explores the barriers that entrepreneurs of color face and how investors can unlock untapped potential.
2025-02-1237 minVCs Off the Record with Gayle Jennings-O'ByrneIdea to Investment: How VCs Fund Problem-Solving Startups with Mirit Lugassi, Laconia CapitalIn this VCs Off the Record episode, host Gayle Jennings-O'Byrne chats with Mirit Lugassi, an investor at Laconia Capital, about funding early-stage startups and what it takes to build a venture-backed business.
Mirit shares her journey from operator to investor, breaking down the difference between market gaps vs. market demand, how VCs evaluate startups, and the key strategies founders need to secure funding. She also offers insights into Laconia Capital’s investment approach and how they help founders scale.
Tune in for actionable advice, insider knowledge, and an honest conversation on what makes a startup truly investab...
2025-02-0539 min
Founded On PurposeFunding, Failing, and Fixing the System with Gayle Jennings-O’Byrne of WocstarWhat does it take for women entrepreneurs — especially women of color — to break through and thrive? Gayle Jennings-O'Byrne, CEO and founder of Wocstar, shares how she backs bold entrepreneurs and the lessons she’s learned along the way. Episode Summary: In this episode of Founded on Purpose, Kt McBratney sits down with Gayle Jennings-O'Byrne, a trailblazing investor, founder, and ecosystem builder, to explore what it really takes to fund and support diverse founders. Gayle dives into the importance of owning mistakes, having hard conversations, and trusting your instincts. She shares her philosophy on "fessing up to your f*** u...
2025-02-0439 minVCs Off the Record with Gayle Jennings-O'ByrneHow to Build Authentic Relationships with VCs featuring Desiree Almodovar, Operating Partner at AlleyCorp VCIn this VCs Off the Record episode, host Gayle Jennings-O'Byrne chats with Desiree Almodovar, a venture capitalist at Alley Corp VC, and advocate for underrepresented founders. Desiree shares her inspiring journey from leading advertising campaigns to investing in diverse, innovative startups through venture capital.
Discover how her unique career path shaped her approach to mentorship, her dedication to empowering founders, and her strategies for fostering diversity and inclusion within the ecosystem. Desiree opens up about the evolution of mentorship in the digital age, practical tips for founders seeking funding, and the importance of resilience in navigating en...
2025-01-2936 minVCs Off the Record with Gayle Jennings-O'ByrneAligning Capital with Social Impact and Financial Returns with Victoria Kennedy, Founder of PatternistIn this episode of VCs Off the Record, host Gayle Jennings-O'Byrne chats with Victoria Kennedy, founder of Patternist and former product leader turned venture capitalist. Victoria shares her inspiring journey from scaling startups to launching a groundbreaking venture designed to align financial returns with social impact.
Discover how her background in product strategy shaped her approach to investing in diverse founders and solving societal challenges. Victoria opens up about the realities of fundraising, building a fund, and creating hybrid funding models that blend traditional venture capital with mission-driven investments.
Tune in for actionable insights, inspiration, and an h...
2025-01-2242 minVCs Off the Record with Gayle Jennings-O'ByrneGenerational Wealth & Community Building with Dawn Kelly of The Nourish SpotIn this episode of VCs Off the Record, host Gayle Jennings-O'Byrne chats with Dawn Kelly, CEO and founder of The Nourish Spot. Dawn shares her inspiring journey from corporate marketing to creating a thriving wellness brand rooted in Southeast Queens.
Discover how a personal health journey and a pivotal idea sparked The Nourish Spot along with Dawn's commitment to generational wealth, and the power of leveraging community support. Dawn opens up about overcoming challenges, embracing confidence, and scaling her business with purpose.
Tune in for actionable insights, inspiration, and a heartfelt conversation about resilience, community...
2025-01-1539 minVCs Off the Record with Gayle Jennings-O'ByrneReflections & Roadmapping For Business Success In 2025As the year winds down, hosts Gayle Jennings-O’Byrne, CEO of Wocstar Capital, and Victoria Bert, Chief Content Officer at Wocstar Media, share actionable insights to help founders, entrepreneurs, and dreamers prepare for a powerful 2025.
In this mini year-end episode, they dive into the art of reflections and road mapping to set meaningful goals for the new year. Hear Gayle's top strategies for business growth in 2025. Plus, Gayle and Victoria discuss exciting plans for a new book and journal tailored to female entrepreneurs and diverse teams.
VC's Off the Re...
2024-12-1814 min
VCs Off the Record with Gayle Jennings-O'ByrneBalancing Profit and Purpose: Inside Impact Investing" w/ Josh Tanenbaum, Founder of Rebalance CapitalOn this episode of VCs Off the Record, host Gayle Jennings-O’Byrne sits down with Josh Tanenbaum, a visionary whose career bridges entrepreneurship and finance. From founding LOCAL VIBES to managing partnerships at Rebalance Capital, Josh shares how his journey shaped his approach to impact investing. Tune in to hear candid advice on balancing financial returns with social impact, avoiding common investment mistakes, and scaling impact-driven startups. Whether you’re a founder, an aspiring VC, or just curious about the world of impact investing, this episode is packed with insights you won’t want to miss!
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2024-12-1145 min
Let's Talk Tri DeltaInvesting for Impact, Trailblazing With PurposeIt’s no surprise that Gayle has received numerous awards and accolades throughout her career. She inherited the spirit, energy and deep-rooted desire to create positive change from her parents—strong role models for this high-achieving woman. Discover why she accepted the invitation to serve on Tri Delta’s Foundation Board of Trustees while simultaneously building Wocstar Capital, Wocstar Fund and Wocstar Media. Through these endeavors, Gayle remains dedicated to investing in women, especially women entrepreneurs of color, and helping them share their stories. Hear about the broader impact of Gayle’s work and what’s next for her as she con...
2024-12-1050 min
VCs Off the Record with Gayle Jennings-O'Byrne"Breaking Barriers & Building Wealth" w/ Benny Lorenzo, Managing Partner | Aspira CapitalIn this episode of "VCs Off the Record", Gayle sits down with Benny Lorenzo, Managing Partner of Aspira Capital Management and a pioneering force in venture capital since 1996. From his roots in the Dominican Republic to earning degrees from Cornell and Harvard Business School, Benny shares his remarkable journey and insights on securing funding in today's competitive landscape. With over four decades of experience spanning IBM, AT&T, and growing a hedge fund from $35 million to $350 million, and investing in a #unicorn company! Benny brings a unique perspective on what it takes to succeed. Don't miss this illuminating conversation...
2024-12-0444 min
VCs Off the Record with Gayle Jennings-O'Byrne"Secrets to Raising Capital" w/ Megan Ruan | General Partner, Gold House VenturesIn this episode of "VCs Off the Record", Gayle sits down with Megan Ruan, General Partner at Gold House Ventures, an early-stage VC dedicated to supporting multicultural Asian Pacific-founded startups. Gold House is renowned for its in-house accelerator, whose 115+ alumni have collectively raised $2 billion since 2020. Today, Megan dives into the big question: how did they manage to raise so much capital so quickly? She explains how Gold House’s mission to unify and uplift the Asian Pacific diaspora has created a powerful draw for both investors and founders. Don’t miss this inspiring conversation about the role of connection, cult...
2024-11-2043 min
VCs Off the Record with Gayle Jennings-O'Byrne"The AI Surge: Inside the Investment Boom" w/ Kenneth A. Goodwin Jr. Managing Partner | Jeanensis VenturesIn this episode, Gayle Jennings-O’Byrne goes off the record with Kenneth A Goodwin Jr. , Managing Partner of Jeanensis Ventures. Known for his deep expertise in blockchain, fintech, and digital transformation, Kenneth shares his approach to cash flow management, building partnerships, and the importance of trust and reputation when seeking venture capital. He offers practical advice for founders on creating sustainable revenue models and why it’s critical to have a solid foundation before asking for investment. Tune in to hear how his journey, influenced by his upbringing and values, has shaped his career in VC and digital assets, and...
2024-11-1339 min
VCs Off the Record with Gayle Jennings-O'Byrne"Inclusive Investing" w/ Jackson Block, CEO of LGBT+ VCIn this episode, we break down why investing in BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and other underrepresented founders isn’t just the right thing to do—it’s smart business. We discuss the real, often overlooked, financial opportunities tied to investing in these communities, the statistics behind the funding gap, and why businesses led by diverse teams have the potential to outperform in the market. Businesses led by inclusive teams aren’t just good for society, they’re good for the bottom line. Join Gayle Jennings-O'Byrne as she goes off the record with Jackson Block, CEO of LGBT+ VC. Jackson is leading initiative...
2024-11-0639 min
Positively Ernie: The PodcastEpisode 63: Gayle Jennings O'Byrne - Empowering Women EntrepreneursJoin Ernie Anastos in a heartwarming and inspiring episode where he interviews Gayle Jennings O'Byrne, founder of WOCSTAR Capital. Discover how Gayle is making strides in empowering women entrepreneurs, her journey from Wall Street to venture capital, the importance of trust and investment in women-led businesses, and her insights on overcoming societal and financial barriers. Don't miss her powerful message on being intentional, fostering respect, and her personal triumph over cancer. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
2024-11-0630 min
VCs Off the Record with Gayle Jennings-O'Byrne"The Idea" with Marc Littlejohn & Alex Chung | Chai VenturesIn episode three of VCs Off the Record, Gayle Jennings-O'Byrne dives into what makes a great idea—and what makes it profitable. She explains that innovation isn’t just about novelty but building a “better machine.” Joined by designer and product developer Marc Littlejohn of Littlejohn New York, Gayle and Marc discuss the nuances of entrepreneurship, from crafting a compelling elevator pitch to turning an initial concept into a fully realized product. Marc shares his insights on storytelling, the impact of Wocstar Academy, and advice for entrepreneurs building their vision from the ground up. Plus, VC Alex Chung from Chai Ventures shares what her...
2024-10-3034 minVCs Off the Record with Gayle Jennings-O'Byrne"Rejection Redefined" w/ Jesse Middleton, General Partner at FlybridgeIn this episode of VCs Off the Record, Gayle Jennings-O'Byrne opens up about the realities of rejection—what it's like to tell founders "no," why she approaches it differently, and how it has impacted Wocstar. Jesse Middleton, General Partner at Flybridge Capital Partners, known for his expertise in building platforms and communities, goes off the record to share insights into pitching to venture capital investors. He offers valuable guidance for founders navigating the startup ecosystem, ranging from what Jesse looks for in new investments to advice on when not to use ".ai" in your company's name and what he likes...
2024-10-2334 minVCs Off the Record with Gayle Jennings-O'Byrne"The Start" w/ Erica Duignan Minnihan, Founder and General Partner at Reign VenturesSeason three of VCs Off the Record with Gayle Jennings-O’Byrne kicks off with a conversation between Gayle and Erica Duignan Minnihan, Founder and General Partner at Reign Ventures.
Gayle shares the story behind the start of Wocstar with CCO and Creative Director Victoria Bert, revealing the motivations that led her to create a female-forward venture capital fund.
Erica and Gayle go off the record, sharing their wealth of knowledge about the VC world. Erica discusses her extensive career, future investment insights, and valuable advice for founders on what to do—and what to avoid—when pi...
2024-10-1529 min
Badass Women in BusinessFueling Innovation and Empowerment: Gayle Jennings-O'Byrne on Investing in WocstarsSend us a textGayle Jennings-O'Byrne, CEO of Wocstar Capital and co-founder of the Wocstar Fund, joins the podcast to discuss her journey into investing, the importance of storytelling, and the necessity for women to invest in and support each other. She shares how her venture capital firm focuses on women of color tech entrepreneurs, known as "Wocstars," and how her experiences shaped her approach to raising capital and supporting diverse startups.Gayle emphasizes the significance of storytelling in connecting with investors and building human relationships. She explains how Wocstar Academy trains women on how...
2024-08-0649 min
News You Can UseNews You Can Use 6-2-24On this Sunday’s Edition of News You Can Use on WTICNewsTalk 1080 at 5:30a and 9:00a, host Ann Baldwin, joinedby Gayle Jennings-O’Byrne, venture capitalist and CEO ofWOCstar (WomenofColor Star), discussGayle’s commitment to supportingatmospheres of inclusivity for women in theworkplace.Gayle’s motivation to expand businessopportunities for women of color is whatpropels her to promote WOCstar, as wellas educate and invest her time towardwomen of color working in fields thatinclude innovation, finance, technology,and media.
2024-06-0224 min
How Women Inspire: Invest, Lead, GiveThe Power of Storytelling in Venture Capital with Gayle Jennings O'ByrneVenture capital has a reputation for only funding certain demographics of entrepreneurs, particularly white men. As both entrepreneurs seeking funding and investors looking to support them become more diverse, we don’t necessarily see that trend change. Gayle Jennings O’Byrne is here today to talk about the power of storytelling in venture capital and how it can help build trust, break down barriers, and get capital into the hands of those who need it, especially women entrepreneurs. This week’s episode 114 of How Women Inspire Podcast is about the power of storytelling in venture capital! In this ep...
2024-05-0127 min
Extraordinary Women RadioGayle Jennings O’Byrne, Empowering Women Raising Capital, Episode 338Today, I’m honored to welcome Gayle Jennings O’Byrne, a visionary change-maker and leader in the tech industry. She shares her remarkable journey founding Wocstar Capital, the Wocstar Fund, and the Wocstar Academy, shedding light on the challenges and triumphs of raising capital as a woman, particularly as a woman of color in tech. With women receiving a mere fraction of venture capital funding, a statistic even more dismal for women of color, Gayle’s insights into navigating these waters are more crucial than ever. She’ll delve into the trenches of raising capital, offering her seasoned perspective on how w...
2024-03-2846 minMoney Archives - Kami GuildnerGayle Jennings O’Byrne, Empowering Women Raising Capital, Episode 338Today, I’m honored to welcome Gayle Jennings O’Byrne, a visionary change-maker and leader in the tech industry. She shares her remarkable journey founding Wocstar Capital, the Wocstar Fund, and the Wocstar Academy, shedding light on the challenges and triumphs of raising capital as a woman, particularly as a woman of color in tech. With women receiving a mere fraction of venture capital funding, a statistic even more dismal for women of color, Gayle’s insights into navigating these waters are more crucial than ever. She’ll delve into the trenches of raising capital, offering her seasoned perspective on how w...
2024-03-2846 min
Changing the TrajectoryUniting to Support the Quest to Amplify Diverse VoicesHow do we democratize who can support BIPOC plays and creatives? Venture capitalist and founder of Wocstar Fund and the Wocstar Foundation, Gayle Jennings O’Byrne, joins acclaimed producer and CEO of SimonSays Entertainment, Ron Simons, to discuss key answers. Learn how the Wocstar Foundation empowers everyday people to participate in and support the amplification of diverse voices. Rather than being a mere consumer of product, join in on the quest to help Black and Brown creatives tell the long overdue stories of underrepresented communities. Note to All Readers: The information contained here reflects the views of All...
2022-07-1236 min
Private Equity SpotlightHow to break into venture capitalTwo of this year’s Women of Influence, WOCstar Fund’s Gayle Jennings-O’Byrne and Supply Change Capital’s Noramay Cadena, discuss the road to success in VC.
2022-07-0117 min
Takin' Care of Lady Business®Ep 38: Build Your Own Table: Making the System Work for EveryoneTakin’ Care of Lady Business with Jennifer Justice
Episode 038: Build Your Own Table: Making the System Work for Everyone
Nathalie Molina Niño is Managing Director at Known Holdings. She is an investor (Builder Capitalist), author, educator and retired global tech entrepreneur. As part of her work as a champion of women, communities of color and the planet, she co-founded the trade organization for Builder Capitalism, a long-view, alternative asset class to Venture Capital.
Today, Molina Niño serves as a Venture Partner at Connectivity Capital Partners, as an advisor for Goldman Sachs' Launch with GS Black and Latinx Cohort, WOCs...
2022-06-0838 min
HEY DREAMER!Interview With Nathalie Molina Nino, founder, investor, and author of LeapfrogAbout Nathalie:Nathalie Molina Niño is an entrepreneur, builder capitalist (at O³) and tech globalization veteran focused on high-growth businesses that benefit women and the planet. She is the author of LEAPFROG, The New Revolution for Women Entrepreneurs (Penguin Random House, Tarcher Perigee) and serves as a Venture Partner at Connectivity Capital Partners. Molina Niño launched her first tech startup at the age of twenty and is the co-founder of Entrepreneurs@Athena at the Athena Center for Leadership Studies of Barnard College at Columbia University.She spent 15 years advising organizations such as Disney, Microsoft...
2021-09-2132 minVCs Off the Record with Gayle Jennings-O'Byrne"Diversity is Everyone's Responsibility" w/ Oliver Libby, co-founding Managing Partner of H/L Ventures and CityRock Venture PartnersOn this week’s episode, we sit down with Oliver Libby, co-founding Managing Partner of H/L Ventures and CityRock Venture Partners. The H/L family of companies represents a new kind of venture firm, dedicated to building high-growth businesses that add value to society, with a strong preference for diverse founding teams. In addition to H/L Ventures, Mr. Libby is also Chair & Co-Founder of The Resolution Project, Inc., a non-profit which works with undergraduate students launching new socially-responsible ventures. Resolution supports hundreds of young social entrepreneurs in more than 80 countries and across the United States.
Mr. L...
2021-07-1536 minVCs Off the Record with Gayle Jennings-O'Byrne"Relentless & Resilient: How This Entrepreneur is Transforming the Tech Industry" with Courtne Smith, Founder & CEO of NewNewWe are back for Season 3 and we are SO excited! We are kicking it off with an amazing entrepreneur, Courtne Smith, founder and CEO of NewNew, a social decision-making app that lets you vote to control the outcome of other people’s lives.
Prior to NewNew, Courtne spent over a decade on Grammy-award winning artist Drake's management team where she handled his business endeavors and special projects. She is a born entrepreneur with a flair for fashion and innovation and attributes her success to her relentless and resilient spirit. Alongside her business partner, Filip Diarra, Smith has fou...
2021-06-1827 minVCs Off the Record with Gayle Jennings-O'Byrne"LightShip: How We Are Using Innovation & Inclusion to Disrupt the System" w/ Brian Brackeen, General Partner of LightShip CapitalFor far too long, implicit bias and systemic racism have created huge gaps in the VC and startup world —favoring white, male founders, while ignoring the brilliant minds of so many others in our diverse world. The data is out there but yet we still aren't seeing capital deployed to the underrepresented.
As a former tech founder himself and a relentless advocate for underrepresented founders, Brian Brackeen has witnessed the difficulties of raising capital while black and has made it his mission to provide meaningful mentorship and funding in and outside Silicon Valley. Last year, Brian, alongside his...
2021-02-0233 minVCs Off the Record with Gayle Jennings-O'Byrne"Banking While Black: How This FinTech Boss is Changing the System" w/ Sheena Allen, CEO and Founder of CapwayWe all know you need money to make money but you also need to "bank" money to use it especially as our world becomes more reliant on technology and touch-free. However, many lower-income, immigrants, and even young people do not have access to traditional financial services like banks. This week’s guest, Capway founder Sheena Allen, hopes to change this for the “underbanked” by restoring trust in and a fair banking system with her latest app.
Allen, a serial entrepreneur at heart, grew up in a small town with one bank. As a result, the people in her co...
2021-01-2238 minVCs Off the Record with Gayle Jennings-O'Byrne"Gender, Diversity & Inclusion: How to Invest with Intention” w/ Suzanne Biegel, Founder of Catalyst at Large & Co-Founder of the GenderSmart Investing SummitOne of the biggest myths in impact and gender lens investing is the lack of data showing the power of investing in diverse and inclusive ventures or those with a gender lens. Investors tend to think “impact” or “gender specific” means soft and small and pass on these opportunities. Although this mindset is slowly changing, many still need data and facts to change their mind.
Well, the data is out there! A new report, Project Sage 3.0, from the Wharton Social Impact Initiative and consulting firm Catalyst at Large finds a dramatic increase in gender lens investing over the last...
2021-01-1531 min
How I Raised It - The podcast where we interview startup founders who raised capital.Ep. 178 How I Raised It with Zuleyka Strasner of ZeroGroceryProduced by Foundersuite.com, "How I Raised It" goes behind the scenes with startup founders who have raised capital. This episode is with Zuleyka Strasner of ZeroGrocery.com which offers a grocery delivery platform that provides shoppers with a convenient and plastic-free delivery service.
In this episode, Zuleyka talks about how she started the business and validated the market with $2,500 from her apartment building, what it's like navigating Silicon Valley and raising capital as a Black, trans, woman immigrant (and why resilience is key), why it's important to not waste time on investors who are "just not that into you,"...
2021-01-1448 min
VCs Off the Record with Gayle Jennings-O'Byrne"The Rainmaker: Learning How to Thrive Not Just Survive in a Pandemic" w/ Vicki Vasilopoulos, Co-founder of TheElysians.comOn today's episode, Diana sits down with Vicki Vasilopoulos, co-founder of TheElysians.com, a platform for the U.S. market featuring exclusive, hand-crafted, fashion pieces, jewelry, and accessories made in Greece. These inspiring creators preserve their renowned Hellenic culture by reviving traditional techniques – like weaving and embroidery -- in a contemporary and sophisticated style that appeals to American consumers. Vicki and Elysians co-founder, Athina, recently received a $4,000 crowdfunded loan through WE Fund Crowd and Kiva which they attribute to saving their business during the pandemic. The loan of $4,000 will provide working capital to pay for the rising costs of who...
2020-12-2340 minVCs Off the Record with Gayle Jennings-O'Byrne"Nohmad: Mobilizing the business of Barbering & Beauty from End-to-End" w/ Shawn Rohder, Founder & CEO of NohmadAs with almost every industry this year, barbers and beauticians have been struggling to find creative ways to do business as the pandemic forces shops to close down. Many in the industry have had to pivot but are running out of options. Luckily, our next guest, Shawn Rohder, has developed the perfect solution for everyone! His company, Nohmad, developed the rohver™ aka the mobile equivalent of the shop or salon. And they will introduce the nohmad™ app in 2021, a mobile platform that enables clients to connect, select and request a barber. Think UBER but for haircare! We could not be more...
2020-12-1846 min
VCs Off the Record with Gayle Jennings-O'Byrne"How to Be Brilliant & Resilient in Difficult Times" w/ NYC Department of Small Business Services (SBS) Commissioner Jonnel DorisOur next episode is part of our bi-monthly podcast between the WOCstar Fund and the NYC Department of Small Business Services’ WE NYC Initiative featuring the stories of women entrepreneurs in the NYC community! As WE NYC celebrates their 5th anniversary this month, we will wrap our series with a very special guest and one of our personal heroes, NYC SBS Commissioner Jonnel Doris.
As Commissioner of the NYC Department of Small Business Services (SBS), Jonnel Doris is charged with running a dynamic City agency focused on equity of opportunity, that leads to economic self-sufficiency and mobility fo...
2020-12-1140 min
VCs Off the Record with Gayle Jennings-O'Byrne"Better Catering, Bigger Causes - How this CEO Helps the Underrepresented Find Their Voice" w/ Deepti Sharma, CEO and Founder of Food to EatOur next episode is part of our bi-monthly podcast between the WOCstar Fund and the NYC Department of Small Business Services’ WE NYC Initiative featuring the stories of women entrepreneurs in the NYC community! In part two of this series, we sat down with Deepti Sharma, CEO and Founder of Food to Eat, an online marketplace where local businesses can order team meals from the best local restaurants, food trucks and caterers. Her goal is to help businesses feed employees great food and build stronger work cultures, while also helping local mom & pop food vendors - many of whom are immigra...
2020-12-0211 minVCs Off the Record with Gayle Jennings-O'Byrne"Esusu: Unleashing the Power of Data to Bridge the Racial Wealth Gap" w/ Esusu Co-Founders, Abbey Wemimo & Samir GoelOver 70 million Americans are credit invisible which leads to financial exclusion and exorbitant interest rates. African Americans and other minorities are predominantly impacted and this issue has only grown with the pandemic.
Where you come from, the color of your skin, and your financial identity should not determine where you end up in life. This is beginning to change due to platforms like Esusu, the credit building app that gives renters credit for making monthly payments. Esusu focuses on unleashing the power of data to bridge the racial wealth gap. This app has the potential to help ap...
2020-11-3032 min
VCs Off the Record with Gayle Jennings-O'Byrne"Playing Big: Using Confidence & Competence to Empower Your Business" w/ Diana Franco, Executive Director of WE NYC & Launch ServicesOur next episode is part of our bi-monthly podcast between the WOCstar Fund and the NYC Department of Small Business Services’ WE NYC Initiative featuring the stories of women entrepreneurs in the NYC community! As WE NYC celebrates their 5th anniversary this month, we will highlight a few of the instrumental figures of this incredible initiative beginning with a very special guest, Diana Franco, Executive Director of WE NYC. We sat down with Diana to discuss the many programs and resources they offer for women entrepreneurs like virtual events, mentorship, educational workshops, legal assistance, and capital access products at no cost. As h...
2020-11-2532 minVCs Off the Record with Gayle Jennings-O'Byrne“The Power of Partnership: Unleashing Creativity through Collaboration ” w/ Natalie Nixon, President of Figure 8 Thinking & Peri Higgins, President of Evolve AdvisorsIt is a known fact that families need wealth to be economically secure and create opportunities for the next generation. A close examination of wealth in the U.S. finds evidence of staggering racial disparities between black and white households. Recently, the Institute for Policy Studies and Prosperity Now reported that if all things remain the same, the median African-American household wealth will be zero by 2053. Sadly, this has only been made worse with the pandemic and the many challenges of the past year.
Living Cities, a non-profit dedicated to providing “economic security for all,” recently commissioned Figur...
2020-11-1637 minVCs Off the Record with Gayle Jennings-O'Byrne"How to Connect Your Work & Your Mission - One TASK at a Time" with Matt Rickard, COO & Co-Founder of Task.ioIn this episode, we join Matt Rickard, COO and Co-Founder of Task.io, a tech company focused on creating positive impact.
With over 20 years working with early stage, fast growing companies, Matt has become a bit of a serial entrepreneur but always maintained a focus on positive social impact. He attributes this to a 2008 trip to a tsunami orphanage which inspired Matt to get involved in the social sector. With his extensive experience working with early stage, fast growing companies, he has launched a number of social enterprise projects including his recent project, Task.io. The mission o...
2020-11-0628 minVCs Off the Record with Gayle Jennings-O'Byrne"Unlocking The Power of Technology & Social Impact for REAL Change" w/ Samira Khan, Senior Manager of Global Impact at Salesforce.OrgIn her role as Senior Manager of Global Impact at Salesforce.Org, Samira is focused on impact measurement and the SDGs and has worked on global social impact and innovation across corporations, governments, and the social sector for over twelve years. Samira's work spans the Americas, the Middle East, and Asia. She is a former strategy /management consultant at Accenture; and while with A.T. Kearney in Southeast Asia, played a leading role in starting their social impact organization. Samira is also passionate about youth empowerment toward the SDGs and gender.
We sat down with Samira to...
2020-11-0627 min
She Hit Refresh | For Women Who Want to Move Abroad After 30Femmebnb: Creating a Safe Space for Female Travelers with Yaa Birago | 31Welcome to Season 3 where I’ll be speaking to women in the travel industry who are having an impact on the travel industry and helping others live their best lives. We’ll be covering corporate runaway stories, remote work tips, grief and travel, planning for retirement, solo female travel, moving abroad, building generational income, and much more!
In this episode I sit down with Yaa Priscilla Birago to talk about her exciting new venture Femmebnb. Yaa is a mentor, speaker, IT consultant, philanthropist and a social entrepreneur. She is the Co-founder and CEO of Femmebnb Inc., the firs...
2020-11-0534 minVCs Off the Record with Gayle Jennings-O'Byrne"Removing Barriers: The Truth About Social Impact Investing" with Dustin Shay, Senior Director, Partnerships @ Village Capital | Venture Partner @ Republic“Entrepreneurship plays an essential role in solving major social and environmental issues, but the way we support it limits us.”- Dustin Shay
Over 90% of VC goes to male-founded teams; less than 75% of US VC is deployed outside of CA, NY, and MA; and less than 3% goes to Black or Latinx founders. Entrepreneurs are problem solvers, but the path to success is only open to a select few people - and most of those people are white, male, and urban. If we want entrepreneurial innovation to make progress on big social and environmental issues, we have to chan...
2020-10-2833 min
VCs Off the Record with Gayle Jennings-O'Byrne"In Stereo: How I Raised My Voice & My Business" with Beatrice Dixon, Founder & CEO of The Honey Pot Co.In our second episode of the series, we sit down with Beatrice Dixon, founder of the popular plant-based, black-owned feminine care brand The Honey Pot Company. Dixon is 1 of the first 40 women of color to raise $1 million in venture capital. It all started with a dream and a $21,000 loan! Today, The Honey Pot is a multi-million dollar company that sells plant-based feminine care products such as affordable natural washes, wipes, tampons, panty sprays, pads, lubricants and other herbal products at Target, Walmart, and multiple retailers.
As Dixon continues to grow her Honey Pot empire, she reflects on...
2020-10-2023 min
VCs Off the Record with Gayle Jennings-O'Byrne“From Startup to Sleep Goddess: My Journey as a Latina Entrepreneur ” w/ Alexandra Zatarain, Co-Founder & CMO of Eight SleepLatinos currently represent 17% of the population in the United States, yet they are vastly underrepresented in the tech industry, where they only make up roughly 8% of the workforce? Although LatinX entrepreneurs are creating new innovations every day, the face of tech remains the same.
To kick off Season 2, we’ve teamed up with WE.NYC to showcase tech entrepreneurs from all backgrounds who are defying these odds, and taking new routes to enter this sector. In our first installment of the series, we chat with LatinX entrepreneur Alexandra Zatarain, the co-founder and CMO of Eight Sleep, a te...
2020-10-1433 minVCs Off the Record with Gayle Jennings-O'Byrne“Creating Sustainable Impact thru Sustainable Investment” w/ Alberto Gomez-Obregon, CEO of CO_Capital (Formerly Director of Portfolio at Acumen)In this episode, we join Alberto Gomez-Obregon, former Global Director of Portfolio at Acumen and recently announced CEO and Managing Partner of CO_Capital. We chat with Alberto about how he is helping to develop organizations that are creating change in a sustainable, scalable, and hopefully one day, profitable manner. He is very passionate about shaping the impact sector through conversations around innovative financing structures and the role of later stage investors in the space. And as we know, this conversation is more important than ever in today’s changing world! Listen up for some great tips on how yo...
2020-09-3026 minVCs Off the Record with Gayle Jennings-O'Byrne"Redefine Wealth, For Good" with Angela Barbash, CEO of RevalueIn this episode, we sit down with Angela Barbash, CEO of Revalue, an independent registered investment advisory firm founded in 2013, and is located in Ypsilanti, Michigan. Ms. Barbash is active in various economic development and entrepreneurship initiatives, including providing mentorship and guidance to entrepreneurs and apprenticing new financial advisors. Join us as we discuss Angela’s unique journey into value-based investing and how her company is challenging conventional investment and redefining wealth, for good. Whether you are a new investor or entrepreneur or ally looking to make a difference, this is one episode you won’t want to miss! Liste...
2020-09-2331 minVCs Off the Record with Gayle Jennings-O'Byrne"The Art of Authenticity - How I'm Keeping it REAL as an Investor & Entrepreneur" with Noramay Cadena, Managing Partner of MiLA CapitalIn this episode, we sat down with Noramay Cadena, co-founder of MiLA Capital, a LA-based seed-stage venture capital firm that invests in tech you can touch. With MiLA’s extensive experience in manufacturing and supply chain, they are helping startup founders tackle production challenges and get to market in a capital-efficient manner. In 2020, she was named one of 50 renowned women globally in robotics and one of the top 100 influential Latinas in the United States. We chatted with Noramay about her journey as both entrepreneur and VC and her excitement at the growing intersection of technology and manufacturing. Listen in fo...
2020-09-1632 min
The Hue Capital PodcastNathalie Molina Niño | From Global Tech Entrepreneur to InvestorCheck out this amazing interview with LatinX Author, Global Tech Entrepreneur and Investor Nathalie Molina Niño, as we discuss, her entrepreneurial journey that started at just 20 YEARS OLD; This lead to a career of authoring a book and leading investments that provide Women & People of color with the funds/resources necessary to succeed as entrepreneurs.
Nathalie Molina Niño is an entrepreneur, builder capitalist (at O³) and tech globalization veteran focused on high-growth businesses that benefit women and the planet. She is the author of LEAPFROG, The New Revolution for Women Entrepreneurs (Penguin Random Hou...
2020-09-0146 minVCs Off the Record with Gayle Jennings-O'Byrne“Say What? The Truth About What the Heck the SEC Really Does” w/ Martha Miller, Director, Office of the Advocate for Small Business Capital FormationIf you are like us, you are a huge fan of Showtime’s drama series “Billions” and secretly wish you were Bobby Axelrod or maybe you are a Chuck fan. We promise not to tell! Either way, you may be afraid of the SEC and a little confused about what they actually do. In this episode, we had the honor of chatting with Martha Miller, Director of the Office of the Advocate for Small Business Capital Formation at the SEC. We discussed how she is making the SEC a “hip” and very helpful place for small businesses and new investors alike...
2020-08-2728 min
Quakers & MakersTransforming Hardships with Gayle Jennings O'ByrneGayle Jennings O'Byrne is a builder capitalist, investor, and podcast host. She works with entrepreneurs to help them build and grow successful companies and with investors/allies who are investing in diverse/inclusive companies. She hosts “VCs off the Record,” a podcast that provides real talk by real investors for both entrepreneurs and investors. With over 20 years of Wall Street, technology, and philanthropic experience, she trains entrepreneurs on investor pitches and accessing the right capital at the right time. Gayle invests in women of color entrepreneurs “WOCstars” and diverse teams through the WOCstar Fund, an early stage venture fund that she...
2020-08-1917 minVCs Off the Record with Gayle Jennings-O'Byrne“Raising $$ Ain’t Easy: How to Build Capital, One Relationship at a Time” with Stefanie Thomas, Impact America Fund (IAF)Have you ever wondered what makes a successful Venture Capitalist? Or how the relationship really works between a VC and an entrepreneur? Being a VC isn't just having billions and power suits. It’s all about the people! In this episode, we had the pleasure of speaking with Stefanie Thomas from the Impact America Fund (IAF), about the importance of building relationships and the value of the VC/founder partnership. As a member of IAF, Stefanie has emerged as a voice of “Black Women VCs” (Fast Company). She works at the intersection of founder diversity, technology for impact, and the dep...
2020-08-1934 min
The Blue MarbleWOCStar investment for startup success - chatting with Colleen BatailleToday I’m chatting with Colleen Bataille of the WOCstar fund, and the podcast VCs off the record. Colleen is on a mission to build out new businesses that are disrupting and transforming the marketplace.
She is an entrepreneur at heart with in-depth business development, operational, and event management experience from leading her own successful company and most recently serving in a senior management role at startup, 828 Venue Management.
Colleen thrives on business development, sales, project management and working with startups in her current position with the WOCstar Fund.
We chat about working with s...
2020-08-1941 minVCs Off the Record with Gayle Jennings-O'Byrne"How I Am Making It as a Black Woman, Inventor and VC-Backed Startup" with Jessica O. Matthews, CEO & Founder of Uncharted PowerOn this week’s podcast, we are joined by one of our very own WOCstar founders and companies that we’ve invested in, Jessica O. Matthews. Check out an honest discussion about her journey and training to be an inventor, venture-backed entrepreneur, and a fabulous unapologetic black woman. Learn how her team is using focus, resilience and grit to make energy accessible to all. Ms. Matthews’ many accomplishments include: two degrees from Harvard, 11 patents and a Harvard Foundation Scientist of the Year award. All this has led to her transforming our daily lives society in a big way as an inv...
2020-08-0530 minVCs Off the Record with Gayle Jennings-O'Byrne“Getting Uncomfortable - Part 1: The Future of Impact Investing” w/ Katherine Klein, Vice Dean of Wharton Social Impact Initiative at the University of PennsylvaniaJoin us as we sit down with Katherine Klein, Vice Dean of Wharton Social Impact (WSII) for an interview you won’t want to miss! In her unique position as Vice Dean at one of the nation’s leading business schools, Dr. Klein leads WSII’s research on the goals, structure, management and financial performance of impact investing, private equity and venture capital. She is literally shaping WSII’s vision and strategy, research, partnerships, and, in turn, the future of the investment world. We sit down with Dr. Klein to discuss how she envisions the “new normal” and the impact this...
2020-07-2922 minVCs Off the Record with Gayle Jennings-O'Byrne“Getting Uncomfortable - Part 2: Changing the Nature of Bias” w/ Katherine Klein, Vice Dean of Wharton Social Impact Initiative at the University of PennsylvaniaWe are back with Katherine Klein, Vice Dean of Wharton Social Impact for another fascinating episode! Join us as we dig deeper into the psychology behind “selection bias” and how that has impacted not only hiring practices in business but the world of venture capital. We chatted with Katherine about her work at Wharton and how we all need to “get a little uncomfortable” with ourselves if we are going to make any sustainable progress in this movement. We never have enough time with Katherine but this episode has us very excited and hopeful about the work she’s doing! Lis...
2020-07-2914 minVCs Off the Record with Gayle Jennings-O'Byrne“Oh, The Things You Can Learn From A Civil Rights Legend About Investing and Economic Justice” w/ Marc Morial, President & CEO of the National Urban LeagueAs the President of National Urban League, former Mayor of New Orleans and a Louisiana State Senator, Marc Morial has become one of the leading voices in the battle for jobs, education, housing and voting rights equity. We invited Mr. Morial to discuss how we can use the current pandemic and state of race relations to transform the way we operate as Americans.
To quote Mr. Morial, “this is not gonna be changed with a single move, or a single swipe, a single switch, one bill, or just one or two initiatives on the ballot. It is go...
2020-07-2219 min
Dollars and Change PodcastInvesting in Women of Color with Gayle Jennings O’Byrne and Pialy Aditya, General Partners of the WOCstar FundGayle Jennings O’Byrne and Pialy Aditya, General Partners of the WOCstar Fund, join host and Vice Dean of the Wharton Social Impact Initiative Katherine Klein to discuss investing in women of color. Their early stage venture fund invests in women of color and their diverse tech startups. Black women are the fastest growing group of start-up founders. Yet, biases in investing cause major disparities in the amount of venture capital dollars they receive. WOCstar Fund’s goal is to not only change the trajectory for the companies they invest in, but also help other investors find these innovative and succ...
2020-06-2524 minVCs Off the Record with Gayle Jennings-O'Byrne“Standing on the Shoulders of Giants” w/ Kimberly Marshall, Advisor at Goldman Sachs and Founding Board Member of Black Angels MiamiIn this episode, we sit down with Kimberly Marshall of Goldman Sachs and Black Angels Miami to discuss how we can all impact the world by funding, building and advising companies, products and teams that we can believe in. Through her work with Goldman Sachs and Black Angels Miami, Kimberly invests in and advises high growth companies, with particular interest and experience in transportation & logistics, future of work, consumer FinTech and underrepresented minority entrepreneurs and investors. She shares how and why she makes her investment decisions and the best practices for growing your portfolio both personally and professionally in...
2020-06-2425 minVCs Off the Record with Gayle Jennings-O'Byrne"Digging Deeper: How to Use This Moment" with Shila Nieves Burney, founder & managing partner of ZANE Venture FundJoin us as we chat with Shila Nieves Burney, Founder & Managing Partner at ZANE Venture Fund about how to smartly build your company and invest wisely in the evolving markets.
The founder of Zane Venture Fund’s first introduction to venture capital was not ideal. Weeks before trying to invest in a fintech startups, her daughter was hit by a bullet when mother and daughter were innocently caught up in gun violence. Zane sustained non-life-threatening injuries and it would have been understandable if Burney decided to quit. Instead, she dug in deeper. She has recently launched a 12-week...
2020-06-2420 min
All Business with Jeffrey HayzlettWOCStars, "Isms," and Pitch Free ZonesEvery year, billions of dollars are invested in startups, but did you know that only 1% is invested in black-led companies? Jeffrey's first guest is Gayle Jennings-O'Byrne, co-founder of The WOCStar Fund, a company that invests in entrepreneurs of color. Her and Jeffrey had an engaging discussion about how we have to take the blinders off, confront our "isms" of choice, and why the best example is a successful example. She also asked this poignant question, "If we don't invest in black people, are we part of the problem ourselves?"Do you know how many downloads gets you...
2020-06-1847 minVCs Off the Record with Gayle Jennings-O'Byrne“Reimagining Capital: Builder Capitalism Building and Investing like a Badass ” with Nathalie Molina NiñoJoin us as we sit down with one of our trusted WOCStar advisors and esteemed mentors, Nathalie Molina Niño to discuss builder capitalism and investing in this ever-changing world. Molina Niño is an entrepreneur, builder capitalist (at O³) and tech globalization veteran focused on high-growth businesses that benefit women and the planet. She is the author of LEAPFROG, The New Revolution for Women Entrepreneurs (Penguin Random House, Tarcher Perigee) and serves as a Venture Partner at Connectivity Capital Partners. She shares with us tips she has learned along the way in becoming a successful author, teacher, and now...
2020-06-1035 minVCs Off the Record with Gayle Jennings-O'Byrne“Humble Wisdom” with Harry Alford, Humble VenturesJoin this episode of “VCs off The Record” as we sit down with Harry Alford, Co-Founder of the venture development firm, humble ventures. Harry founded humble ventures to support diverse entrepreneurs and drive innovation opportunities for industry leaders. Whether in venture capital, education, or sports, Harry's career has always centered around inclusion. We chatted with Harry about his investment philosophy which focuses on innovation capabilities versus market strategy. He shares his belief that consulting and programming generate deal flow which can lead to profit. This episode is full of some fabulous nuggets and advice to use not only when inve...
2020-06-1021 minVCs Off the Record with Gayle Jennings-O'ByrneVCs Off The Record TrailerWelcome to “VCs Off the Record” podcast for startups and investors wanting brutally honest insight and info about raising capital or investing in startups. Truth hurts but a bad investment, bad investor meeting or getting ghosted by a VC hurts more. I’m your host Gayle (Gay-lä) Jennings O’Byrne, co-founder of the WOCStar Fund and champion for female entrepreneurs (pause) and we are “off the record!”
2020-05-2901 min