In this episode of Tech Scenes Bel-Air, we take a drive with Jenny Fielding, an influential founder, operator, and one of the most active pre-seed investors globally. Jenny is the Co-founder and Managing Partner at Everywhere Ventures, a global venture capital firm investing in the future of money, health, and work. Having been the first money into over 300 tech-enabled companies, Jenny brings deep insight into the world of early-stage investment and building founder-led communities. Jenny began her journey as a lawyer before falling in love with technology and entrepreneurship. She founded two mobile software companies before joining Techstars as Managing Director, where she led investments that have since grown to a market cap of over $10 billion. Today, at Everywhere Ventures, Jenny leads a thriving community of 500+ founders and operators who actively source, diligence, and invest in early-stage companies worldwide. In our conversation, we explore the mission and vision of Everywhere Ventures and how Jenny and her team support founders across the globe. We discuss her approach to investing, the challenges of scaling an early-stage fund, and her dedication to cultivating founder communities beyond traditional geographic boundaries. Jenny shares her thoughts on the evolving landscape of venture capital, the value of being the first money in, and the importance of supporting ambitious, world-changing founders at the earliest stages. Key Takeaways: - Everywhere Ventures has grown from a New York-focused side project into a global operation investing across the future of money, health, and work. - Jenny Fielding’s journey from law to entrepreneurship to venture capital provides valuable lessons in adaptability and embracing change. - Investing in founders everywhere, regardless of geographic location, is a core value that Jenny and her team embrace. - Building strong founder communities fosters resilience and success, and Everywhere Ventures supports founders through a powerful global network. - The venture capital landscape is shifting, and new approaches to early-stage investment are being embraced, particularly in pre-seed funding. Learn more about the book “Peak Teams - Mastering the Habit of Unstoppable Venture-backed Companies” - https://geni.us/peak-teams Visit Collective Genius to Build your Venture-backed Team with the Peak Operating System - www.collective-genius.com Music by Andrew Applepie - https://soundcloud.com/andrewapplepie #collectivegenius #peakoperatingsystem #peakos #vbos #innovation #venturecapital #startups #investing #money #health #work #everywhereventures #jennyfielding #entrepreneurship #ceo #founder #techstars #preseed #earlystage #leadership #community

In this episode of Tech Scenes Unplugged, we connect with David Snider, the CEO and Founder of Harness Wealth, a company revolutionizing tax advisory and financial planning for small businesses and equity owners. David shares the mission of Harness, which is to make bespoke tax and financial advice accessible to more households through a combination of innovative technology and curated advisory firms. Harness Wealth aims to build confidence for clients by helping them navigate their financial futures with a seamless and insightful experience.

David’s impressive background includes serving as COO and CFO of Compass, where he helped grow the business from pre-launch to over $350 million in revenue. Before Compass, he was an investor at Bain Capital, completing transactions valued at over $3 billion. His experience provides deep insights into leadership, operational efficiency, and fundraising in today’s competitive markets.

In this episode, we discuss how Harness is modernizing the financial advisory space, the challenges of fundraising, and the importance of good tax advice. David also highlights the significance of clear communication in leadership and shares his vision for the future of financial planning, emphasizing the role of technology in providing better decision-making tools for clients.

Key Takeaways:

• Harness aims to simplify complex financial and tax issues for small businesses and equity owners.
• Tax advisory is often an overlooked but crucial component of financial planning.
• Modern technology is reshaping the client-advisor relationship, making it more efficient and valuable.
• Generational shifts are influencing preferences in the financial advisory space.
• Good tax advice can significantly increase a client’s financial outcomes.
• Operational efficiency and clear communication are essential for scaling businesses.
• The future of financial planning is rooted in better decision-making tools and continuous iteration.

Chapters:

• Introduction to Harness and Its Mission
• The Importance of Tax Advisory in Financial Planning
• Navigating Generational Shifts in Financial Advisory
• The Evolution of Business Models and Market Adaptation
• Fundraising Challenges in a Changing Market
• Operational Efficiency and Organizational Alignment
• The Role of Communication in Leadership
• Future Vision for Harness
• Final Thoughts and Personal Insights

Learn more about the book “Peak Teams - Mastering the Habit of Unstoppable Venture-backed Companies” - https://geni.us/peak-teams

Visit Collective Genius to Build your Venture-backed Team with the Peak Operating System - www.collective-genius.com

Music by Andrew Applepie - https://soundcloud.com/andrewapplepie

#collectivegenius #peakoperatingsystem #peakos #vbos #innovation #venturecapital #startups #financialplanning #taxadvisory #harnesswealth #wealthmanagement #entrepreneurship #ceo #founder #davidSnider #startups #leadership #communication

In this episode of Tech Scenes Unplugged, we sit down with Ash Kaluarachchi, a passionate advocate for education innovation and the CEO of StartEd. As a producer of EDTECH WEEK and an expert in strategic partnerships, early-stage investment, and the future of work, Ash has been at the forefront of the EdTech revolution. His programs have accelerated over 2,000 companies globally, including multiple unicorns, through partnerships with organizations such as Google, Kaplan, Intel, and leading universities.

In our conversation, Ash shares insights into the significance of EDTECH WEEK and the innovative approaches of StartEd in supporting educational startups. We explore New York’s role as a hub for education innovation and discuss the evolving landscape of funding, including alternative sources crucial for today's founders. Ash emphasizes the importance of community, mental health awareness, and the scientific method in entrepreneurship while reflecting on his experiences and lessons learned throughout his career.

Key Takeaways:

• New York is a central hub for education innovation, bringing together key stakeholders during EDTECH WEEK.
• StartEd provides tailored support for educational startups and advocates for alternative funding sources.
• The landscape of startup funding has changed dramatically, requiring new approaches to building companies.
• Entrepreneurship is increasingly viewed as a science, with mental health awareness and community support playing vital roles in a founder's journey.
• Modern entrepreneurs come from diverse backgrounds, shaping the future of education.

Chapters:

• Introduction to EdTech Week
• The Vision Behind StartEd
• Innovative Approaches to Education
• Navigating Alternative Funding Sources
• The Science of Startups
• Mental Health in Entrepreneurship
• The Role of Community in Learning
• Final Thoughts and Personal Reflections

Learn more about the book “Peak Teams - Mastering the Habit of Unstoppable Venture-backed Companies” - https://geni.us/peak-teams

Visit Collective Genius to Build your Venture-backed Team with the Peak Operating System - www.collective-genius.com

Music by Andrew Applepie - https://soundcloud.com/andrewapplepie

#collectivegenius #peakoperatingsystem #peakos #vbos #innovation #venturecapital #startups #EdTech #education #entrepreneurship #ceo #founder #educationinnovation #StartEd #EDTECHWEEK #mentalhealth #communitylearning