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Since this recording, the US Treasury has released new guidelines as it comes to Opportunity Zones. Click here to read the press release, or here to download a PDF of the new guidelines.

Peter Brack is a Founding Partner of Hypothesis Ventures. Prior to Hypothesis, Peter has been a Venture Partner at Mucker Capital and an initial investor and advisor at KohFounders.

Hypothesis partners with mission driven entrepreneurs in domestic emerging markets and Opportunity Zones across the U.S. They believe there is a "tremendous opportunity to build a world-class venture firm focused on domestic emerging markets outside of the Bay Area.”

According to Fortune, an Opportunity Zone-focused fund allows investors to defer federal taxes on any recent capital gains until 2026, reduce that tax payment by up to 15%, and pay as little as zero taxes on potential profits from the fund if the investment is held for 10 years. At the same time, the influx of capital could help revitalize underserved communities across America.  

The broader legislation, called the Investing In Opportunity Act, was part of Donald Trump’s tax reform package. The tax incentive is the brainchild of tech billionaire Sean Parker, who said it came out of a million-dollar bet with Peter Thiel. 

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Prior to Mucker Capital and KohFounders, Peter was co-founder and CEO of two companies (Redgate Media Group and One Media Group), both of which went public on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange.

Prior to co-founding Redgate Media Group and One Media Group, Peter was Senior Vice President, Time Inc., where he was responsible for the revenues and overall profitability of TIME & FORTUNE’s Asia editions.

learn more about Hypothesis Ventures: https://hypothesisvc.com/
follow Peter on Twitter: https://twitter.com/peterbrack
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Lindsey Moeller is the founder of Concur, formerly known as Balm Skincare. Lindsey is also the founded of Botavi Labs and holds a degree in biology and molecular genetics from the Ohio State University.
 

Concur creates holistic skincare products that agree with our natural biology and protect the microbiome. Concur focuses on getting to the core of skin issues using natural science. 

Concur, formerly known as Balm Skincare, was founded in 2016 and based in Columbus, OH.

learn more about Concur: https://shopconcur.com/
learn more about Balm Skincare: https://balm-skincare.com/
follow upside on Twitter: https://twitter.com/upsidefm

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Ross Baird is the President of Village Capital and the author of the Innovation Blind Spot.

Ross developed the Village Capital concept in 2009, and has led the development of programs worldwide. Before launching Village Capital, he worked with First Light Ventures, a seed fund focused on impact investments. Prior to First Light, Ross worked on the development of four education-related start-up ventures: the Indian School Finance Company in Hyderabad, India, the National College Advising Corps in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, and two ventures using technology to promote civic participation. He has a MPhil from the University of Oxford, where he was a Marshall Scholar, and a BA from the University of Virginia, where he was a Truman Scholar and a Jefferson Scholar.

follow Ross on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rossbaird
lean more about Village Capital: https://vilcap.com

Sherry Zhang is the founder and CEO of GenoPalate. She has a PhD in molecular biology from Marquette University and has used DNA technologies to understand obesity and metabolic disorders.

GenoPalate analyzes individual's genetic data, demographic and lifestyle information to deliver personalized insights for optimal healthy eating via DNA-based profiling. Their DNA analysis provide customers with genetic-based recommendations for foods that are scientifically best for their diet.

GenoPalate was founded in 2016 and is based in Milwaukee, WI.

learn more about GenoPalate: https://www.genopalate.com
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Michael Maher is the Founder and CEO at Three Firefighters. He has 17 years of public service experience as a career firefighter and paramedic.

Three Firefighters develops tools and equipment that helps make firefighting safer and more effective by augmenting manpower. The DoorBoss affixes to the door frame of the primary door used by firefighters. This controls airflow and allows the hardware to also account for personnel entering and exiting a structure for use in real time.

Three Firefighters is based in Zanesville, OH.

learn more about Three Firefighters: https://www.threefirefighters.com
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Alli Truttman is the President and CEO of Wicked Sheets.

Wicked Sheets provides moisture-wicking and cooling sleep products for people suffering from night sweats and hot flashes. Founded in 2008, Wicked Sheets has appeared on QVC and is based in Louisville, KY.

learn more about Wicked Sheets: https://wickedsheets.com/
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John Fein is the founder and Managing Partner at Firebrand Ventures, a venture fund that invests in the greater Midwest. Prior to founding Firebrand John served as Managing Director for Techstars where he ran three accelerator programs in Kansas City.

follow John on Twitter: https://twitter.com/johnfein
learn more about Firebrand Ventures: https://www.firebrandvc.com/
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Andrew Goldner is a Founding Partner of GrowthX. He has been in the technology sector since 1998, based in New York City, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Palo Alto. GrowthX helps companies and countries commercialize innovation through capital, talent and know-how.

Andrew is a Kauffman Fellow, Trustee at the Nashville Children’s Theatre, Founding Organizer of Nashville Entrepreneur Week, Regional Board Member of Venture for America, and a proud Mentor at Alchemist Accelerator in Palo Alto, Matter in San Francisco, WeWork in Nashville, and, nationally, at Galvanize. Andrew received his undergraduate degree from the University of Cincinnati and his law degree from Georgetown University.

follow Andrew on Twitter: https://twitter.com/agoldner
learn more about GrowthX: https://growthx.com/
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Jennifer Williams is the co-founder and Chief Cloning Officer of Cuddle Clones. Previous to founding Cuddle Clones, Jennifer spent 10 years as a benefits consulting actuary.

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Cuddle Clones creates custom stuffed animals of your special pet as well as a variety of other unique pet gifts. The company is based in Louisville, KY.

learn more about Cuddle Clones: https://cuddleclones.com
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Alex Kolodkin is the founder and CEO of Set Scouter. Alex has a master of arts in media production and a bachelor of arts in radio & television arts from Ryerson University.

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Set Scouter simplifies film production, starting with location scouting. Set Scouter is a 500 Startups alum based in Toronto, ON.

learn more about Set Scouter: https://setscouter.com
follow upside on Twitter: https://twitter.com/upsidefm

people have been talking. we've heard gossip, complaints, and excuses when it comes to raising capital outside of silicon valley. 

this week, we have a 1-on-1 episode talking about four of the common myths we hear as it comes to starting companies and finding investment outside of silicon valley.

we discuss the myths:

1. you can’t start a venture-backed company outside of silicon valley
2. the city you start your company in matters a lot
3. investors should be located geographically near their investments
4. great investors must be located inside of silicon valley

tune in, and listen to what we think we've learned.

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