Arlan Hamilton, CEO and founder of Backstage Capital, wants to see more color in venture capital.
Backstage focuses on investing in underestimated founders,making Hamilton one of the few pushing for change in VC.
The project is called the Its about damn time fund.
The rumors are true.
Is this real life?
Im the October COVER of@FastCompany!
to be on the cover.
I never could have imagined this 3 yrs ago?
SO grateful.https://t.co/KInpR6TRxrpic.twitter.com/2YlpsILfsI
Arlan ?
Heres what we learned.
Why is diversity in venture capital important?
Silicon Valley venture capitalists usually fit into a certain demographic white, male, straight.
Heres a comparison with that of 2016:
Cant tell the difference?
While diversity for diversitys sake is a wonderful idea, VC funding revolves around money.
That alone is enough of a reason to me.
She responded within minutes and said How about Backstage?
My mom is a genius.
I think education is really important.
Not sure what I think about institutionalized, for profit education.
I know a lot of things that people with MBAs dont know or havent been exposed to.
So I feel I have an edge.
They do the things I cant, and I learn from them along the way.
But that doesnt mean Im not hyper curious.
And Im a forever-student.
Im figuring out spreadsheets and CRM and all that little by little.
What advice would Arlan go back in time to give herself?
I would not put as much on my shoulders.
I am disciplined in our focus.
I am happy and ecstatic to be able to invest in the companies we are able to.
Starting, running, and leading a company to success are no joke.
Its not for the faint of heart, and it takes years.
Many reputable law firms will work with you on a flat rate package and/or a payment plan/arrangement.
So thats first and foremost as you navigate different angels and VCs who have different agendas.
In 2018, I would have travelled 300 out of 365 days of the year.
I have in-person meetings with Crew members individually or in groups.
I receive approx 350 emails and social media DMs per day and spend a lot of time triaging those.
I make a run at have at least one full day off per week and just CHILL.
And I laugh a lot.
(@ArlanWasHere)January 16, 2019
Where does Hamilton find her motivation with such a busy schedule?
The team at Backstage and the founders weve invested in motivate me daily.
The future motivates me most.
…and I look at the portfolio page on our website.
I find it from withinI push myself, I dig deep.
Whats the best advice Arlan has ever received?
Are things getting better?
Its undeniable at this point that there are issues and challenges.
Its not always easy, but its necessary.
I think this is the first major step in things getting better.
Or at least, different…
Arlan credits Backstage as being a part of this cultural shift in VC.
Ok, so my company@blacktravelboxdidn’t get into the very first cohort of the@Backstage_Capaccelerator.
Welp, they know who we are so I’m sure we’ll meet again.
And its a mutual dignity.
What does the future look like?
Because if we dont figure that out, nothing else will matter in a couple of decades.
That and things that are sustainable, and of course health, helping us live better and longer.
What does the future look like to Arlan Hamilton?
I think the future looks good, and bright.
It wont if we dont do the work though… And thats every one of us.
One day this will look different.
Im banking on it.https://t.co/ujznOWZmbT
Arlan ?
(@ArlanWasHere)December 22, 2018
The world is a scary and sometimes grim place.
But every day I see glimmers of hope.
Hopefully one day well make ourselves obsolete and we wont be underrepresented and underestimated anymore.
it’s possible for you to read more ofArlans answers here.
