Until we change who writes the check, we can’t change who receives the check.

In 2016 our guest, Senofer Mendoza, Founder and General Partner of Mendoza Ventures, launched her purpose-driven venture capital firm to address the funding gap in pre-seed investment.

Mendoza Ventures is an early and growth stage Fintech, AI, and Cybersecurity venture investing in areas where they have deep domain expertise, using a proven due diligence model.

The firm focuses on diversity as playing an important role in its investment decisions, and roughly 75% of their portfolio consists of startups led by immigrants, people of color, and women.

With a strong background in enterprise sales and hospitality design, Senofer is a published author, innovator, and thought leader in the technology, startup, and VC space with a passion for equity and diversity.

We covered a lot of ground during this delicious conversation, so be ready to take notes!

To learn more about Mendoza Ventures, please visit: https://mendoza-ventures.com/

Connect with Senofer and follow Mendoza Ventures via these social platforms:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/senofermendoza/ and https://www.linkedin.com/company/mendoza-ventures/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/senofermendoza/ and https://www.instagram.com/mendozaventures/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MendozaVentures

The Capital Network provides Fundraising Education for ALL Founders: https://thecapitalnetwork.org/

Heartfelt thanks to Marie Meslin, President of The Capital Network for these helpful links:
Accredited Investor Requirements: https://www.investor.gov/introduction-investing/general-resources/news-alerts/alerts-bulletins/investor-bulletins/updated-3
VC University: https://nvca.org/education/vc-university/

00:00 - meet Senofer Mendoza!
09:00 - Senofer's origin story
17:00 - how Mendoza Ventures walks their talk about investing in diverse founders
25:00 - investor education is key
29:30 - what Mendoza Ventures learned from their first fund
31:20 - help or get out of the way - STITCH THAT ON A PILLOW
36:40 - Mendoza sees the VC landscape as collaborative, not competitive
40:21 - best advice for diverse founders raising capital
43:00 - Mendoza Venture's due diligence process
45:30 - the number 1 character trait a founder must have to succeed
48:00 - how Senofer dissolved the mindset block that was preventing her from succeeding with her fund.
50:10 - Senofer's favorite quote: When I dare to be powerful, to use my strength in the service of my vision, then it becomes less important whether or not I am afraid. ~ Audre Lorde


Thank you for carving out time to improve your Founder Game - when you do better, your business will do better - cheers!

Ande ♥
https://andelyons.com
#femalefunder #fundingdiversefounders #fundingdiversetechstartups

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