A Founder’s Perspective: The Fundraising Process
Tune in to hear from fellow Kapor Capital Portfolio Companies and their recent fundraising journey. Join us for a conversation led by Batul Joffrey, Kapor Capital Associate, with Michael Lombardo, Founder & CEO of BookNook who raised a Series B and Kerry Wang, Founder & CEO of Searchlight who raised her Series A. They will be sharing the strategies they used to be successful.
During this session we'll explore:
How to set up your fundraising process
Tactical examples of fundraising strategies
Tips on how to stay strong and prepare mentally
About the Founders:
Kerry Wang is the CEO and co-founder of Searchlight. Growing up as a twin with her co-founder Anna taught her firsthand how easily people get judged by appearances. At Searchlight, she helps companies build the best teams by hiring the people beyond their resumes. Kerry graduated from Stanford with a B.S. with distinction in Human Biology — Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and Human Behavior and a M.S. in Computer Science — Human Computer Interaction. Prior to Searchlight, she worked as a Product Sales Lead at Google, a management consultant at McKinsey, and a JavaScript instructor at Code for Cape Town in South Africa.
Michael Lombardo is the Founder & CEO of BookNook, an award-winning social enterprise that uses artificial intelligence and other adaptive technologies to support reading skill growth at school, at home, and in the community. Previously, he served as CEO of Reading Partners, building it into one of the largest children’s literacy nonprofits in America and publishing seminal research on volunteer-based reading programs that was accepted into the What Works Clearinghouse at the US Department of Education.
A frequent author on subjects of education policy, social entrepreneurship, and nonprofit governance, Michael also serves as a Social Entrepreneur in Residence at Stanford University and is a founding Advisory Council member of the My Brother’s Keeper Alliance, President Obama’s signature initiative focused on supporting boys and young men of color.
About the Moderator:
Batul Joffrey joined Kapor Capital after completing the 2019 Summer Associate Program. She focuses on managing mission critical projects and strategic initiatives, as well as, evaluating investments and assisting on due diligence.
A SoCal native, she studied economics and statistics at UCLA, worked on the complex data and management team as a consultant at Navigant, and prior to joining KCAP, moved to the Bay Area to get acquainted with the startup ecosystem – working as Chief of Staff for a social impact startup. She is also a member of Global Shapers, an initiative of the World Economic Forum, working with a network of individuals dedicated to address local, regional, and global challenges.
Outside of work, you can find her pouring over the pages of a book, traveling and exploring different cities, and trading Pakistani chai for good conversation.