Hadley’s Post

What a MISSED opportunity in the VC ecosystem!! From a study by StartOut of 142k founders and 95k companies, LGBT+ founders create 36% more jobs, 44% more exits and 144% more patents. All with 16% LESS funding and a disappointing 0.5% of all overall funding. Time to get these founders funded so we can see more unicorns, successful acquisitions and jobs created.

Did you know that Lighthouse Labs has a focus on supporting founders who have been traditionally underrepresented and underserved - including veterans? In fact, over 63% of our founders in our startup accelerator over the last 11 years are from these groups (women, people of color, veterans, rural residents, LGBTQ+, immigrants, and people with a disability). You could say that it's in our organizational DNA. Statistics vary, but we've read that veterans are 45% more likely to start a business, but represent just 3% of venture capital employees. That between 6% and 10% of US businesses are owned by veterans, and that these businesses employ millions. Research has shown that factors like a lack of social capital, adequate mentorship, maintaining work-life balance and financial factors were all among obstacles for aspiring veteran entrepreneurs. All of this adds up to veterans needing more support. Lighthouse Labs offers that support, with $20K in non-equity funding; 11 weeks of education and programming; connections to mentors, investors, and partners; and a community of entrepreneurs built over more than a decade. Want to join us? Applications for the Fall 2024 Lighthouse Labs cohort are now open (through June 3 at noon). Learn more about the program (and apply) at https://buff.ly/3J0LYe8 #lighthouselabsrva #lighthouselabsbatch17 #lighthouselabscohort17

My story... As a queer business owner, I have to find experts to help me do all the things I need (my ADHD brain needs order) 😁 When I am looking for experts I need to know they are safe, I check out their socials, website, values, vision and services ... I need to see myself doing the thing they are offering, I need to see commitment to inclusion, I need to see accountability being taken and making those changes with intention. When I have stayed on the periphery for a moment to observe I move in closer - I move in closer to investing my time, energy and MONEY! 💥 One business owner I have worked with time and time again is - Dani Wallace, The Queen Bee. She has seen significant financial investment from me which has turned into reinvestment over and over BECAUSE she has commitment herself to LGBTQIA+ inclusivity with the right intentions, accountability, action and creating visibility. My financial investment has been up to 10K..so far!!🌈 Don’t Fear Queer Programme is an impactful online course for LGBTQIA+ inclusion when you will learn how to create an authentic and inclusive culture so that your services and products can reach more people, so that you can see this sort of reinvestment... simply by making quick changes and having your next logical steps mapped out for continuous growth🎉 Learning is delivered over 7 weekly modules streamed into our very own Facebook Group, plus bonus Q&A and reflection sessions held on zoom. All information will be shared via email and through the Facebook group to give you accessibility to all the learnings, accountability threads and zoom group sessions. Come and join the party by commenting the word 'QUEER' 🌈

Is that hope I'm feeling? As a Black, queer woman there has been just this incredible sense of dread for months. What started as a tinge of anxiety would often became outright panic. While I haven’t outwardly expressed it much to anyone, it’s been there and I know it’s been there for many of you too. Organizers. Activists. Educators. Creatives. Gals. Gays. Theys. People with compassion, empathy, and well, common sense. We’ve had chitchats here and there, vaguely expressing our visions of impending doom. “Idk. It’s just so weird right now.” “I can’t really name it but…” Some of us, self included, even lean into our comedic defense mechanisms, ending conversations with “under his eye”. It has really been weird. It’s been bad. But for the first time in a long long time, I feel hopeful. As I watched Madam VP address my sorors at Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. - Official's Boule yesterday, I felt hope. And today, I feel like there’s finally someone in the conversation that has my back. I feel like maybe we can end this societal and political hellscape we've been in and get back to doing what really matters - moving this country forward. Instead of abolishing the U.S. Department of Education, maybe we can focus on providing all children with access to early literacy and education programs. Instead of ending public student loan forgiveness programs, we can cancel student debt and find even more ways to support public servants. Instead of terminating LGBTQ+ rights, we can codify #transrights and simply allow people live their damn lives, love who they love, and be who they are. Instead of harsher sentencing guidelines that will surely impact Black and Brown communities disproportionately, we can focus on rehabilitation and reducing recidivism. Today I feel closer to those possibilities. Today I feel hope. #HarrisForPresident #Hope #Vote2024 Photo Alt Text: A white coffee mug sits on a wooden desk next to a laptop keyboard. The mug features three images of Vice President Kamala Harris standing side by side, each wearing a different colored suit: red, lavender, and blue, representing the bisexual pride flag.

STEM Queens: Six Black Women Tackling Systemic Challenges Through Tech 👩🏽🔬 "In an era where technology is reshaping industries and challenging norms, Black women are harnessing its power to confront systemic challenges head-on. From healthcare disparities to financial inclusion, these trailblazers are leveraging innovation to address long-standing inequities and pave the way for a more equitable future." #WomenInSTEM #GirlsInSTEM #STEMGems #GiveGirlsRoleModels https://lnkd.in/e4h-WCyt

It’s often the hard conversations that are the most important ones. And we’re the first to say that talking about diversity, especially beyond gender, can indeed be hard. But oh so crucially important.    That’s why we’re proud to co-host the “Kickstarting the conversation” event at this year’s Diversity Week in Aarhus, together with our friends over at Dreamcraft Ventures, People Ventures and of course Startup Aarhus. An event focusing on how we can rise above the current diversity discussion, and move beyond the focus on gender, so we can build a truly inclusive ecosystem.   To be frank, we know we’re not the right people to offer insights and experience on this matter. That's why we're really looking forward to listen and learn from this years panel, who we're sure can can reveal our blindspots and biases in a split-second:   ▶︎ Deepali Nangia, Partner and Investor at Speedinvest ▶︎ Geet Khosla, Co-founder & CEO of proemial ▶︎ Solveig Viktoria Lawaetz, Co-founder & CEO of IVITAL ApS Moderated by Nina Ulrik Jensen, Co-founder of Decision Makers.   Join us on February 5th, 14.00-16.30! Sign up here: https://lnkd.in/dUPNRw69.    After the event, we’ll continue the conversation down to a local bar to toast on diversity - check it out ▶︎https://lnkd.in/dUD3gDPE  

[DEI must DIE???🚨: Stop the Ban on DEI] According to Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and X “DEI must DIE”. Elon is not alone in his sentiments. States like Utah, Alabama, Florida, and Texas have recently banned DEI offices and programs on college campuses. There is a clear DEI knowledge gap because these programs are far from dangerous, and in fact, promote physical and psychological safety and protection for everyone. Through digestible education and awareness, my goal is to help build a bridge of understanding. 🌉💡 [📚] Diversity, equity and inclusion is a term used to describe policies and programs that promote the representation and participation of different groups of individuals. DEI encompasses people of different ages, races, ethnicities, abilities, disabilities, genders, religions, cultures and sexual orientations. [⚖️] Throughout American history, we have witnessed the benefits of federal DEI initiatives. All of which were once at risk of being eliminated, were frowned upon, and were all challenged at some point over the last 100 years. [💯] For perspective, one of my friend’s just had a grandmother turn 100, and my partner’s father is 91 years old so the impacted trauma and opposing views of DEI are still very relevant. If these initiatives never existed, our world would look a lot different for our grandparents … and especially different for someone like me (Black, Lesbian, and a woman in tech): 🟢 The Civil Rights Movement 🟢 Women’s Suffrage Act 🟢 Brown vs Board of Education 🟢 Affirmative Action 🟢 Respect for Marriage Act The discussion about banning DEI is the perfect opportunity to bring more awareness and visibility to the topic. #DEI is about more than providing representation. It’s about fostering policies and initiatives that contribute an environment that is psychologically and physically SAFE for EVERYONE. #RepresentationMatters #inclusionmatters #saveDEI #DEIBan #DEIB #BlackinTech #LGBTQIA #WomeninTech #Veterans #PeoplewithDisabilities #Latinx #WomeninSTEM #SoutheastAsian

As an underrepresented founder, navigating the startup landscape can be both exciting and daunting. One crucial aspect that often gets overlooked is monitoring your cash runway. Understanding how long your funds will last is essential for making strategic decisions. It’s not just about knowing your current balance. It's about forecasting future expenses, anticipating revenue, and ensuring you’re prepared for any bumps in the road ahead. By keeping a close eye on your cash runway, you can pivot quickly and seize new opportunities as they arise. Regularly assessing your cash runway also empowers you to communicate effectively with investors and stakeholders. Transparency builds trust, and showcasing your financial acumen can make a significant difference when seeking support or partnerships. It shows that you’re not only passionate about your vision but also strategic about its execution. Lastly, as an underrepresented founder, you have a unique perspective and story to tell. By being proactive in monitoring your cash runway, you position yourself to innovate and lead with confidence, turning potential obstacles into stepping stones for success. Remember, knowledge is power! Keep those financial insights sharp and refresh them frequently. #CashRunway #UnderrepresentedFounders #Femalefounders #Blackfounders #LGBTQ+founders

As an underrepresented founder, navigating the startup landscape can be both exciting and daunting. One crucial aspect that often gets overlooked is monitoring your cash runway. Understanding how long your funds will last is essential for making strategic decisions. It’s not just about knowing your current balance. It's about forecasting future expenses, anticipating revenue, and ensuring you’re prepared for any bumps in the road ahead. By keeping a close eye on your cash runway, you can pivot quickly and seize new opportunities as they arise. Regularly assessing your cash runway also empowers you to communicate effectively with investors and stakeholders. Transparency builds trust, and showcasing your financial acumen can make a significant difference when seeking support or partnerships. It shows that you’re not only passionate about your vision but also strategic about its execution. Lastly, as an underrepresented founder, you have a unique perspective and story to tell. By being proactive in monitoring your cash runway, you position yourself to innovate and lead with confidence, turning potential obstacles into stepping stones for success. Remember, knowledge is power! Keep those financial insights sharp and refresh them frequently. #CashRunway #UnderrepresentedFounders #Femalefounders #Blackfounders #LGBTQ+founders

Okay, so I did a thing.....I started a side business! Cue a long post where I tell you all about it!! I am the Founder & CEO of Tay Griffin Global, L.L.C. My vision is to empower individuals, especially women, those choosing a child-free lifestyle, and members of the LGBTQ+ community with the knowledge and skills necessary to achieve financial freedom and finally live the life they want. My goal is to accomplish this by offering approachable online courses that break down topics into bite-sized lessons. Check out my website: TayGriffinGlobal.com I just published my first mini-course entitled 'Stock Market Investing Basics' (and yes, hitting the publish button was a little scary, but also an exciting culmination of months of work). The course is designed to provide an approachable introduction to stock market investing. It teaches individuals about investing terminology, discussion on types of brokerage accounts, how to pick good investments, make the stock purchase, and sustainably withdraw funds. Investing doesn't have to be scary! For my LinkedIn network, I am happy to offer a coupon code for 15% off my 'Stock Market Investing Basics' course: 15OFF. The code is valid until 31May2024 Planned topics for future courses include economical world travel, daily negotiations, and personal finance basics. Stay tuned! #investing #education