startups in our city. But the reality is if you are just starting your business, it must meet so many criteria to be venture backable in this city. And unfortunately, some of that criteria is really hard to achieve as a founder of color or a socially or economically disadvantaged founder.
So, I’d love to see more funds with the market knowledge and risk profile to invest in sectors that serve the 99%, that bring solutions in emerging technologies, and that focus on helping source regional co-investors to support the founders they do fund. Needless to say, I have some thoughts on how to tackle this.
FLM: Describe Conscious Capitalism and why it’s so important to you.
DVW: At the core of Conscious Capitalism is moving from a shareholder emphasis to a stakeholder emphasis, which includes your customers, your community, your supply chain, your environment. I love to use a framework called Stakeholder Centric Design, which basically starts with asking yourself, “Who else benefits when we succeed at solving this problem? And how might we craft solutions that amplify wins for those stakeholders?” That’s how I built TechRise and looking back it’s how I built my other double bottom line businesses.
FLM: As a businesswoman and mother, describe the challenges of raising millions of dollars from investors compared to raising two young boys in Chicago.
DVW: Haha, I love this question...both are wrought with rejection, imposter syndrome, fear, and joy. But jokes aside, I love being a boy mom. I’ve spent my career in a predominantly male world and have been able to carve out my own feminine style within that world. I think I do the same at home. I’ve coached soccer and flag football, I play sports with them. But I also force the boys to dance with me, and I do my best to explain the distinctions of the mental load that falls on mothers to plan, coordinate, and maintain relationships. But I’m also incredibly lucky to have a very supportive husband who is with me at every step at home and at work.