In this episode of Founders Future, hosted by Jae Encarnacion, we’re joined by Maria Gracia, the CEO and founder of Golden Circle, a company transforming how underrepresented early-stage startups access capital and connect with investors. Maria, with her extensive background in venture capital and entrepreneurship, shares the founding story of Golden Circle and how it bridges the gap for founders, especially from Latin America and other underserved regions, who often struggle to navigate the complex world of fundraising.

Maria discusses the evolution of Golden Circle from a side project to a fully-fledged business, offering services like fundraising strategy development, investor outreach, and diagnostic sessions for early-stage founders. She shares her approach to client acquisition through referrals, organic content, and in-person connections at global tech events. Additionally, Maria talks about the challenges of scaling her business, balancing client service with constant travel, and her vision for the future, which includes the development of an online course for early-stage founders to prepare for venture capital.