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​Yehong Zhu (Zette), Su Sanni (Dollaride), Babba Rivera (Ceremonia), Jillian Williams (Cowboy Ventures)

​This month marks the start of Black History Month, a time to recognize Black people's achievements, struggles, and contributions to society, and take action toward creating a more just world. Let's take part in these ways:

• ​Learn about Black history and systemic racism, and work to eliminate it with your available resources and time.

• ​Invest in Black-led venture capital funds and startups.

• ​Hire Black talent, pay them well, and give them power in their roles.

• ​Volunteer and donate to non-profits supporting the Black community.

​On the topic of Black History Month, I recently learned about how curanderismo - something I grew up with and a form of Indigenous-Mexican healthcare - ties back to Black history. You see, the practice of curanderismo was shaped by the interaction between Indigenous Mexicans and Africans brought to Latin America. Both cultures share the belief in nature's power and the importance of caring for our community’s health holistically (i.e., body, mind, and spirit). It's super interesting and if you’re curious to learn more, you can read the book I'm reading now: Woman Who Glows in the Dark: A Curandera Reveals Traditional Aztec Secrets of Physical and Spiritual Health by Mexican-American Elena Avila RN MSD and Joy Parker Ph.D.

​I get the feeling that the Pachamama led me to this book for a reason. I took part in a cleansing ritual with pirul this weekend, placed a rosemary and basil plant in my bedroom, and had better sleep that night. And what I’m seeing happen in the base of salt water on my nightstand confirms it was needed.

​Here’s to honoring our roots and healing, in community!

​​​​✨ Lolita Taub, GP at Ganas Ventures | twitter | luma 
Recently in Forbes, Nasdaq, LinkedIn News, and Techcrunch

​​​Congrats

​Ganas Ventures (and me!) for being nominated as a top fund in the 2022 Emerging 50 list. Babba Rivera for having Sephora handpick Ceremonia (port co) as the Next Big Thing in Hair. Yehong Zhu for her public launch of Zette (port co). Aileen Lee, Jillian Williams, and the rest of Cowboy Ventures for raising $260M across two new funds. Todd Leverette for raising $58.1M for A&H Fund I. Su Sanni of Dollarride for winning a $10M project to build NY's first all-electric dollar van network. Susy Espinosa, Isabel Gallera, Antonia Rojas, and Anna Raptis (Ganas LP) for being named LATAM's top women investors. Paige Hendrix Buckner for becoming interim CEO at AllRaise.

​​​Sponsored | Underestimated founders, funders & friends: welcome to the Ganas Ventures Expert Series show where we aim to help you on your startup-investor journey to success! RSVP and join talks with industry experts whose backgrounds include Gitlab, Republic, Didi, Nubank, Spin by Oxxo, and more!

​​​Funders

​Goldman Sachs | Get a macro outlook for 2023's market

​​​Latitud | Learn about LATAM's e-commerce opportunity

​Ganas | Benefit from investing as an LP vs as an Angel

​​​Startup-Investor Matching Tool | VCs: meet thesis-aligned underrepresented founders

​​​Sponsored | Are you a small business owner in LA City looking to connect with a powerful network of entrepreneurs & receive 1:1 mentorship to accelerate your business strategy? LACI's free FBA program will help you make an impact! Apply by 2/13.

​​​Founders

​​​​​Asking for a founder | Get tips on where to find a CTO

​Asking for a founder | Explore cap table management software options

​​​Asking for a founder | Find out if filing a 409A is mandatory

​​​LaaS | Underrepresented founders: get resources made for you

​​​Sponsored | Round is a network of senior product leaders who want to build meaningful relationships and increase their impact–while inspiring each other. Apply here and mention Ganas to skip the waitlist.

​​​Money

​Founders First | Chicago founders: apply for $100K in grants by 2/8

​Gener8tor | Black founders: apply for $100K by 2/17

​Chicago | Chicago founders: apply for $250K+ grants by 2/24

​​Ganas | Community-driven founders: apply for $100K

​​​Fearless Fund | Black women founders: apply for $10K grants

​​​​SoGal Foundation | Black women founders: apply for $5-$10K in grants

​​​​1863 Ventures | Black founders: apply to get a 3Rs $5K grants

​​​​Non-dilutive capital | Create a profile to find non-dilutive capital

​​​​Equity Crowdfunding | Raise up to $5 million

​​​​Startup-Investor Matching Tool | Founders: get intros to investors

​​​Want more? Follow me @lolitataub and let me know how I can help. Want to support our newsletter and get featured? Become a sponsor.