Build 12 Months of Barrier to Entry

<p>Ariana Thacker, founding partner at Conscience VC, dispels some myths about venture capital. Ariana talks about how entrepreneurial experience influences the investment playbook. She also shares her thoughts on the founder qualities she thinks are more important post-COVID.</p><p><i><strong>In this episode, you’ll learn:</strong></i></p><p><strong>6:52</strong> Is a bit more entrepreneurial experience a drawback?</p><p><strong>9:45</strong> Why founders with non-traditional paths into venture are becoming more interesting to VCs</p><p><strong>12:01</strong> Do you need an investor network for your company to get in front of investors?</p><p><strong>15:23</strong> Barrier to entry litmus test</p><p><strong>19:05</strong> Founder’s resourcefulness vs geographic location: Which is more important?</p><p>The non-profit organization that Ariana is passionate about: <a href="https://swe.org/?utm_source=the-sure-shot-entrepreneur-podcast&utm_medium=Episode-96&utm_campaign=build-entry-barrier"><strong>Society of Women Engineers</strong></a></p><hr /><h3>About Guest Speaker</h3><p>Ariana Thacker is the Founding Partner at Conscience VC. Ariana is a technical investor with technical expertise spanning Fortune 500 companies to early-stage start-ups. She is also a community leader for diversity. She allocates 50% of her portfolio to diverse and female founders. Ariana tenured as President of Society of Women Engineers and is the founder of congressionally-recognized philanthropic organization.</p><p>Fun fact: Ariana writes poetry & rap</p><hr /><h3>About Conscience VC</h3><p><a href="https://www.conscience.vc/?utm_source=the-sure-shot-entrepreneur-podcast&utm_medium=Episode-96&utm_campaign=build-entry-barrier">Conscience VC</a> is a Miami-based early-stage fund pioneering the intersection of consumer and science.  Portfolio companies include Shapeways, Nimbus, Wave Life, Aqua Cultured Foods, Last Gameboard, Harmony Baby Nutrition among others.</p><hr /><h3>Next Episode</h3><p>In our next episode, we welcome Taylor Clauson,