Returns on Resilience

Investor Confessions

Listen Later

In this episode of Returns on Resilience, host Dr. Dawn Sizemore goes behind closed doors with three Atlanta investors to hear exactly what they see, think, and feel when founders pitch. Featuring Lisa Calhoun of Valor Ventures, Stephanie Diaz of Catalyst by WellStar, and Charles Robinson of 1888 Ventures, this candid conversation reveals insider truths about the funding process and what it really takes to win investor confidence.

GUEST BIOS

  • Lisa Calhoun is the managing partner and founder of Valor Ventures, which leads seed rounds in B2B AI and SaaS startups. She also founded Startup Runway Foundation, a nonprofit supported by Cox Enterprises and Georgia Power that provides grants to underrepresented founders. Companies that have pitched at Startup Runway have gone on to raise nearly $100 million in follow-on capital.
    • Stephanie Diaz is the principal of innovation and venture strategy at Catalyst by WellStar. Her journey spans pharma, healthcare, tech, and venture. She has worked extensively with female founders, previously hosting her own event series dedicated to empowering women entrepreneurs. Her path to the investor side of the table brought her face-to-face with obstacles that exist for women both as investors and founders.
      • Charles Robinson is the managing partner and founder of 1888 Ventures, which invests in early-stage companies with ties to the Southeast. He is a former founder who has built companies from very beginning stages all the way to Series F, including work with Teamworks and Forward Cities building startup ecosystems throughout the country.

        • RESOURCES

        • Valor Ventures Deck Check AI: deckcheck.valor.vc/ (get same-day AI feedback on your deck)

        • Visit weiatlanta.com for more stories, resources, and ways to connect with the Women's Entrepreneurship Initiative community

          Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this episode are those of the participants and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Invest Atlanta or the City of Atlanta. The program is committed to fostering inclusive entrepreneurship regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, age, ability, or background.

          Produced by the Women's Entrepreneurship Initiative, Empowered by Invest Atlanta & Could Be Pretty Cool


          Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

          ...more
          View all episodesView all episodes
          Download on the App Store
          Returns on ResilienceBy WEI Atlanta