In this episode, we interview Aaron Samuels, the Managing Partner, and Co-Founder of Collide Capital, a venture capital fund that invests primarily in black, Latin, and female founders. He has a diverse background, having worked as a spoken word artist, strategy consultant, product manager, and co-founder of Blavity, a media company focused on black culture and news.

 

Aaron Samuels shares his journey from being a spoken word artist to becoming a fund manager at Collide Capital. He discusses the structural obstacles faced by underrepresented founders in the tech industry and how his experiences at Blavity led him to start a venture capital fund. He emphasizes the importance of collaboration, passion, and the ability to build teams when evaluating startups. He also explains Collide Capital's investment focus on software, including enterprise, SaaS, fintech infrastructure, supply chain, and gen Z productivity. Aaron highlights the value-add services provided by Collide Capital, including their willingness to go the extra mile for their founders. He also shares insights on raising a fund, the importance of finding the right investors, and the need for a well-researched approach when pitching to LPs.

 

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Founder Bio:

 

Aaron Samuels is Founder and Managing Partner of Collide Capital. Prior to Collide Capital, Aaron began his career as a spoken word artist before working at Bain & Co. as a strategy consultant and TeleSign as a Product Manager. Combining his love for storytelling, strategy, and technology, Aaron co-founded and served as COO at Blavity, the largest global Black Media company, and AfroTech, the largest Black Tech conference in the world.

 

Time Stamps:

 

02:48 Background of Aaron and Collide Capital

04:43 Realization of structural barriers for underrepresented founders

08:44 Creating Collide Capital to invest in underrepresented founders

10:41 Blending operational and investment expertise at Collide Capital

12:28 Valuing collaboration and teamwork in founders

14:48 Founding companies out of passion, not logic or reason.

17:04 Seed stage investments focus on scaling existing solutions.

19:01 Chek size that best fit for new founders

20:57 Focusing on software, enterprise, SaaS, fintech, supply chain, and Gen Z productivity.

23:13 Value-added service is the founders' support and involvement.

25:05 Journey and comparison in raising funds to raise as a startup

28:31 Researching potential investors, convincing them that you're the best person for the job.

31:45 Considering fund size and track record when raising fund one

33:56 Looking for positive signs of success when investing in seed

35:25 How to get in contact with the Collide Capital team

Resources

 

Company website: https://www.collidecap.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/CollideCapital

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/collidecapital/about/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/collidecapital/