Events

Fireside chat with customer whisperers Bomani Mintz-Johnson and 

Secrets of Customer Success and GTM

A session on social marketing and how to leverage your online presence to do the work for you brought by Friends and Family alum,

Work Smarter Not Harder

Join us for this workshop and gain expert advice on your 2-minute pitch! 🎤 6 companies will have the chance to pitch to our panel of experts and receive constructive feedback. Even if you are not pitching, sitting in on this session will be valuable to hear pitching tips and best practices. 🙌

submit your name, company name, company website, and the link to your LinkedIn profile when you register for the event here on Luma. Those who do not submit these materials will not be considered to pitch, however are welcome to join the session and learn by watching others pitch and receive feedback. Prepare to give a 2-minute pitch about your company (

 a pitch deck), and you will receive 3 minutes of practical and thoughtful feedback from our panel.

: Registering and submitting to pitch does not guarantee you a spot to pitch. If you are selected to pitch, we will notify you by 9/13. Please reach out to 

 is Executive Director at Grid110, providing entrepreneurs with access to community, mentors and critical resources through no cost, no equity programs. After building multiple companies focused on climate and equity, Shrina ran for United States Congress in 2022 on a strong climate platform, and co-founded SNØCAP, a deeptech climate fund.

, a rental clothing company for children (because they grow so fast). Prior to founding Rent a Romper, Lauren served as a strategy and operations leader at FirstGroup plc. She brings her experience in business and as a mom to her goal of making life easier for parents and the planet

, an award-winning art director turned tech entrepreneur, pivoted from her success with 

 to address a deeply personal issue. After raising $7.5 million and breaking barriers as the 14th African American woman to secure over $1M in VC funding, she turned her focus to children's mental health. Inspired by her own experience of losing her father at a young age, she founded 

, an innovative platform offering on-demand counseling and community support for grieving children. Since its beta launch, Guardian Lane has partnered with over 3,000 schools and gained media attention from outlets like Vanity Fair and Forbes.

Grid110 September Pitch Practice

Join us in celebrating the next generation of L.A. founders! We’re excited for you to meet our amazing founders who are graduating from our 12-week Idea to Launch Program and will join the Grid110 alumni in redefining what it means to be an entrepreneur. Come hang out with the founders, mentors, investors, and community leaders that make-up the incredible Grid110 community. 🎉

We will have small plates, drinks, music, and a showcase presentation from our graduating cohort.

Grid110 Launchpad Founder Showcase 🚀

Join us for Startup Law 101 where industry professionals Stephen Ruotsi and Johanna Monon of Sparring will review everything you need to think about for the legal side of building your business! From incorporating, to reviewing contracts, to hiring & building your C-suite, data protection & privacy, and everything else in between. You'll also have ample time to ask them any legal questions you may have pertaining to your business.

 is Sparring’s US Director of Operations. He is a California and New York licensed attorney focused on all aspects of startup business law with an emphasis on employment and vendor contract issues.. Stephen launched Sparring’s US office in January 2022.

 is Sparring’s US Senior Associate. She is a California licensed attorney focused on corporate and M&A. Johanna guides startups through funding rounds and transactions, as well as entity restructuring. She is also a part of the firm’s crypto practice.

​Sparring Legal LLP is a new breed of law firm that’s designed with founders at heart. Technology centric, innovation first, and transparent, Sparring has supported over one-hundred companies in their growth in the US, Europe, and and beyond. Sparring operates as outsourced general counsel or Chief Legal Officer, becoming your partner for all legal needs. They join your Slack channel and handle everything from short contract reviews to large investment rounds. While handling your legal day-to-day, Sparring’s goal is always to have you ready for your next funding round and to get the best possible terms from investors. 

​Sparring was founded in Bratislava, Slovakia, in 2018 and opened their US branch in January 2022 in Los Angeles. Sparring is #longLA and in addition to legal services seeks to provide a highway of cross-border business between the US and Central and Eastern Europe.

Startup Law 101: Ask All Your Legal Business Questions

When it comes to money for startups, there's no shortage of options - from crowdfunding sites like Kickstarter, equity funding models such as convertible debt, friends & family rounds, smaller VCs, grants and even angel investment networks. 💰 Join us for our funding pathways event series for a panel with industry leaders so you can find out which path is right for you! 🚀

Following the panel, there will be a 30-minute Q&A breakout room where you can ask specific questions and interact directly with the experts. Don't miss this opportunity to gain valuable knowledge and guidance on your startup's funding journey. Launch your business to new heights with the right financial support! 🚀💰

 is the founder of 2 social enterprise startups, Homemade in DC and The New Majority - both with a mission to close the racial and gender wealth gap through entrepreneurship and investing. She founded both businesses while pursuing her Master of Public Policy and MBA at Georgetown University. Prior to founding The New Majority and Homemade in DC, Mackenzie worked in tech and innovation with a focus on business development and growth.  To learn more about Homemade in DC and The New Majority, visit

 is a Senior Investment Team Associate at Republic. Previously she was an Analyst at University Growth Fund as she obtained her BA in International Business at San Diego State University. In her current role she helps founders raise equity, token, and debt and capital publicly and privately through Republic's investment platform and broker dealer. She has a personal interest in consumer technology, and sustainable businesses.

 is the Managing Director of Future Communities Capital (FCC). Rohit has led investments into Coupang, Counsyl, Biomeme, SpaceX, Akido, Lyft, Roofr, and more. FCC looks for technology entrepreneurs focused on disrupting legacy industries such as government, healthcare, finance, and real estate. Portfolio companies are tackling problems ranging from smart city infrastructure to disease outbreak management. Rohit holds an MS in Environmental Engineering from Cornell University. He completed his BS at the University of Southern California.

August Funding Pathways

🎉 Join Grid110 for an unforgettable afternoon of joy at their Summer Social Anniversary Celebration and Farewell to CEO Miki Reynolds! 🌞🎉

Indulge in delectable treats, savor refreshing beverages, and immerse yourself in the vibrant atmosphere. 🍔🍹

🌻 Wear something yellow to showcase your Grid110 spirit and contribute to the festive ambiance. Let's light up the party with our bright and cheerful outfits! 🌼

🌟 In addition to bidding farewell to CEO Miki Reynolds, we are thrilled to introduce our new Executive Director,

. Join us in giving her a warm welcome as she leads Grid110 on this exciting journey! 🎉

🎟️ This exclusive gathering is reserved for Grid110's portfolio companies and community partners who have been instrumental in our success. Your presence will make this celebration even more special. ✨

Let's cherish the milestones achieved, welcome our new Executive Director, and look forward to the bright future that lies ahead. 🌟

📆 Save the date and mark your calendars for this extraordinary afternoon of joy! It's an event you won't want to miss. See you there! 🎊

Grid110 Summer Social: Anniversary Celebration + Miki's Farewell

Join us for a Juneteenth Founders & Friends Happy Hour hosted by Grid110 & Goodie Nation

there is a lot across the street at a flat rate, metered parking, or valet parking next door at a hotel ($5/hr)**

🍷Good Clean Fun is a wine bar specializing in natural wines, plus offering a full spread of California-influenced Italian dishes and bar snacks🍷

✨✨ Start the Week Right! Come celebrate freedom, community, and entrepreneurship with fellow founders and friends. Let's kick off the week on a positive note! ✨✨

🥂🎶 Good Vibes Guaranteed! Enjoy drinks, music, and good vibes as we honor the legacy of Juneteenth and celebrate the resilience of Black entrepreneurs.

💫 Connect and Celebrate! Don't miss this opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals and have a great time. 

🍷 Complimentary Open Bar: From 4:00 PM to 5:30 PM, the drinks are on us! Enjoy a splendid assortment of red & white wines, and non-acholic spirits!

💫 Extended Enjoyment: Want to continue savoring the festivities after the complimentary hour and a half? Fear not! You can keep the celebration going by purchasing wine or choice of alcoholic or non-alcoholic spirits during the event.

Limited Spots Available: Reserve your spot early and be prepared to immerse yourself in an evening filled with connection, inspiration, and joy.

We want you to be a part of this unforgettable gathering

, if you cannot make it please update your reservation to not attending!

💫 Embrace the spirit of freedom, unity, and entrepreneurship as we come together to commemorate Juneteenth. Get ready to raise your glass, and connect with a community that celebrates success and resilience!💫 

Juneteenth Founders & Friends Happy Hour

 is a force multiplier. Whether it is operations, automations, integrations or processes, Ileana operates like no other entrepreneur. Ileana is a growth hacker. As the Head of Growth at 

, she is responsible for driving growth through project management, product development and operational systems. With 7 years of operational experience in the startup and venture capital industry, she has a proven track record of scaling startups and increasing brand awareness through creative campaigns and innovative technology. Her expertise in community building, social media marketing and operational scalability has helped Ileana to build and lead high-performing teams and achieve measurable results. If you are an educator, student, institutional investor or angel looking to get involved with Papaya Tutor please reach out to Ileana via email 

, a seed-stage Venture Capital firm in Los Angeles focused on funding tech you can touch. She was Vice President at Dimensional Fund Advisors where she scaled operations into LATAM, Canada, and Europe going from $75 Billion AUM to $300 Billion AUM. Carmen believes in the power of capital markets to spur growth and innovation. She enjoys coaching entrepreneurs on finance and strategic planning. Carmen was awarded the Rising Star Award from the Los Angeles Latino Chamber of Commerce.  She was spotlighted by the NVCA as a Rising Star in VC and featured by LA Magazine as 1 of 13 of LA’s Powerful Women. In 2019, Carmen spoke on Bloomberg TVs Top Tech Trends to watch. Carmen is also on the founding team of LatinxVCs.

, an early stage alternative investment company utilizing a Convertible Income Share Agreement to invest at the earliest stages of business ideation and formation. Will is responsible for creation of the Convertible Income Share Agreement, development of the underwriting and diligence criteria, fundraising, financial planning and general operations of the company. Will is an angel investor and advisor to multiple early stage companies. Prior to Cockrell, Will was an Analyst in the Energy Investment Banking Group of Bank of America Merrill Lynch.

is the Associate Program and Operations Manager of the Long Beach Accelerator. She has a passion for closing the racial wealth gap and increasing diversity, equity, and inclusion through entrepreneurship. Her desire to expand access to capital and resources for underserved founders and communities has led her to the Long Beach Accelerator and also to pursue a Master of Science in Social Entrepreneurship degree at the University of Southern California (USC). Her career in the VC world is preceded by her experience working for both public and private entities increasing access for underserved communities from healthcare to employment. She enjoys working collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders from grassroots community organizations to all levels of management.

June Funding Pathways: Chisos Capital, 2045 Ventures, and more

​Join this special fireside session with the PledgeLA & Grid110 teams to learn more about the 

 program and best practices when preparing an application. You’ll hear from program alumnae 

, who will share their journey to launching their brick-and-mortar studio and their experience in the program.

Be sure to come with your questions and we'll answer them live! This will be a virtual group session via Zoom.

PledgeLA Founders Fund Info Session #2

​Join the PledgeLA & Grid110 teams to learn more about the 

 program and application. We'll share best practices when preparing your application, plus you’ll hear from some alums of the program, 

PledgeLA Founders Fund Info Session #1

​Join us for this workshop and gain expert advice on your 2-minute pitch! 🎤 6 companies will have the chance to pitch to our panel of experts and receive constructive feedback. Even if you are not pitching, sitting in on this session will be valuable to hear pitching tips and best practices. 🙌

: Registering and submitting to pitch does not guarantee you a spot to pitch. If you are selected to pitch, we will notify you by April 25 via email. Please reach out to 

, which helps fitness instructors rock class by digitizing their class notes & syncing them with their playlists. Struct Club was part of Grid110's 2nd Cohort in 2018, and since has become a category leader in fitness SaaS. Amira was born & raised in LA (SFV & SGV), and has spent her career in SaaS (SAP, Kespry acq by Firmatek). Get in touch with Amira at 

 - and send any gyms/studios/instructors to 

 is a proud Chicagoan, taco enthusiast and startup operator at heart. His passion for the startup world began his Junior year in college when he developed a platform that rewarded students for academic achievements with a group of friends. Before his current position, Trevor helped Quake Capital open their Los Angeles office, and he now works as ScaleHealth’s head of growth. In addition, he runs a patient monitoring platform and mentors companies from LA to NYC.

 is a product and operations expert who, after launching new products for Google/Nike/Adidas/Aflac chose to pivot out of corporate innovation to the startup world. Driven by various opportunities working with womxn entrepreneurs in particular, she founded a consultancy to focus on their needs - embedding herself in startups to support building teams, maturing business strategy, roadmap prioritization, and propelling growth.

 is the Co-founder and Head of Enterprise Partnerships at 

. He and his Co-founder just recently pitched RideFRSH on Shark Tank where they secured investment from Barbara Corcoran. Trey is a people person by nature with over 8 years of sales and partnership experience. His passion is for growing awesome businesses with disruptive capability.

🎤 Pitch Practice: Grid110 Pitching Workshop

Sparring Legal LLP is a new breed of law firm that’s designed with founders at heart. Technology centric, innovation first, and transparent, Sparring has supported over one-hundred companies in their growth in the US, Europe, and and beyond. Sparring operates as outsourced general counsel or Chief Legal Officer, becoming your partner for all legal needs. They join your Slack channel and handle everything from short contract reviews to large investment rounds. While handling your legal day-to-day, Sparring’s goal is always to have you ready for your next funding round and to get the best possible terms from investors. 

Sparring was founded in Bratislava, Slovakia, in 2018 and opened their US branch in January 2022 in Los Angeles. Sparring is #longLA and in addition to legal services seeks to provide a highway of cross-border business between the US and Central and Eastern Europe.

Law & Legalities for Startups: Ask Us Anything

Join us for Capital Catalyst, a funding-focused startup summit for entrepreneurs looking to explore funding options and secure their business's financial future. 💰 Whether you're a first-time founder or a seasoned entrepreneur, the Capital Catalyst Summit will empower you to take your fundraising efforts to the next level. Come with questions and get excited to network with peers and hear from our speakers listed below! ⬇️

11:00am - Welcome Keynote: Miki Reynolds, Grid110 CEO

The summit will kick off with a keynote opener from Grid110 CEO 

, as she leads us into our first panel, the Million Dollar Club.

11:10am - The Million Dollar Club Panel: Grid110 Women Portfolio Founders

This panel features 4 Grid110 portfolio women founders who have raised over $1M for their business. Submit any questions you have for the panelists when you register for the event. We will hear from:

After the panel, we'll transition into a 30-minute networking break where attendees can choose breakout rooms to enter based on aligned topics of conversation. Submit topics you'd like to connect with peers on, when you register for the event.

12:30pm - Building a Financial Model That Will Help You Close Checks: The Forecastr Team

Then we'll go into a financial modeling workshop with 

 who will show how to build a financial model that you can leverage for fundraising.

Finally, we'll transition into our last networking break where attendees can choose breakout rooms to enter based on aligned funding goals. When you register for the event, submit goals you're currently working towards and would like to connect with peers working towards the same.

The summit will conclude around 2pm when everyone is invited back into the main meeting room for closing remarks and final reflections.

Capital Catalyst: Conversations on Funding and Financial Health

​​At this informational session, you will get to meet some members of the Grid110 team and learn more about the Idea To Launch Bootcamp and application process. You will also have the chance to ask any questions you may have about the bootcamp.

➡️ Learn more about the Idea To Launch Bootcamp

This information session will also be recorded so that you may view it later if needed. We hope to see you there!

Grid110 Idea to Launch Bootcamp Info Session

Join us in bidding farewell to Elisabeth as she transitions out of her role at Grid110. 👋🏼

Over the past four years, Elisabeth has been an integral part of our community. Come and share your favorite stories and memories with us at this special happy hour event. Enjoy drinks, snacks, and great conversation as we celebrate Elisabeth's time with Grid110 and wish her all the best in her future endeavors. 

First round of drinks will be on us! 🥂

Our team will also be at the LA Create Co-working space earlier that day if anybody wants to join! Register here: 

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/free-co-working-day-tickets-500189489227

Cheers to Elisabeth: A Farewell Happy Hour 🥂✨

​When it comes to money for startups, there's no shortage of options - from crowdfunding sites like Kickstarter, equity funding models such as convertible debt, friends & family rounds, smaller VCs, grants and even angel investment networks. 💰 Join us for our funding pathways event series for a panel with industry leaders so you can find out which path is right for you! 🚀

Read more about this month's speakers below. ⬇️

; speaking to founders is her favorite thing to do. At Republic Zehra also kickstarted Rise: Republic's founder community, works on Republic's diverse founder initiatives, and strategic partnerships with accelerators and VCs. She's a 2x founder, a Columbia alum with a B.A. in Financial Economics & Art History, angel investor,  and an experienced operator having worked at over 14 different startups. Ask Zehra all about how to fundraise efficiently or her art historian perspectives published at Yale and UChicago. 

, a venture capital fund investing in diverse founders, particularly Latino/a founders. Valeria started her career with Deloitte Consulting, where she focused on the intersection of human capital and technology. After almost half a dozen years in consulting, she made the pivot to the investing world, gaining experience at funds like Harlem Capital, PayPal Ventures, Avivar Capital, and Stanford’s Impact Fund. Valeria holds a BS from the University of Southern California Marshall School of Business and an MBA from Stanford Graduate School of Business. As the daughter of Mexican immigrant parents who started their own small business in the U.S., Valeria is proud to be investing in and empowering the communities she comes from.

As the Senior Manager of Larta Venture Fellows, 

 manages the urban sustainability program at 

. Previously, she built female entrepreneurship and social impact programs at 

 in over 12 countries. She was on the launch team of the New York Fashion Tech Lab, expanding innovation in the creative and retail industries. She loves working with passionate visionaries around innovation gaps.

. Before to joining Homeboy Industries, Todd served as the Program Manager at the Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator (LACI), where he managed a portfolio of 40 startups in the Cleantech Incubation Program and developed entrepreneurship programming and business acceleration through the Founders Business Acceleration program. He is driven by the belief that work rooted in purpose creates more enduring change and a sustainable society. Todd attended the University of California, Berkeley, where he received his bachelor’s degree in the interdisciplinary studies of Socioeconomics of Technology and Architectural Design.

February Funding Pathways: Republic, Vamos Ventures, Larta Ventures, Homeboy Capital 💸

​Join us for this workshop and gain expert advice on your 2-minute pitch! 🎤 8 companies will have the chance to pitch to our panel of experts and receive constructive feedback. Even if you are not pitching, sitting in on this session will be valuable to hear pitching tips and best practices. The first 8 companies who submit will get to pitch, so register now! 🙌

: Registering and submitting to pitch does not guarantee you a spot to pitch. If you are selected to pitch, we will notify you by January 25 via email. Please reach out to 

Meet Our Judge Panel: Grid110's Entrepreneurs in Residence + Grid110 Portfolio Founder ⬇️

 has helped create multiple companies from content, consumer to B2B. Along with starting companies, he's also been fortunate to buy one and sell one. Most recently he's been angel investing and advising companies while he starts his next venture.

As the Colombian-American founder of El Camino Travel, 

 has been on a mission to change the way we travel, making it more accessible and inclusive, while empowering women travelers and the local operators who are critical to the experience. As a veteran of the travel industry, building a seven figure business, her vision for El Camino is to be a modern tech enabled travel company making a positive impact by delivering on the unique needs of half the world’s population - women, while supporting the small business owners, who lack the support to grow and scale. Katalina has been featured in the New York Times, Condé Nast Traveler, Washington Post, among several other prominent media outlets and is often tapped for her expertise in emerging trends within the travel industry.

Join us for this workshop and gain expert advice on your 2-minute pitch! 🎤 10 companies will have the chance to pitch to our panel of Entrepreneurs in Residence and receive constructive feedback. Even if you are not pitching, sitting in on this session will be valuable to hear pitching tips and best practices. The first 10 companies who submit will get to pitch, so register now! 🙌

submit your name, company name, company website, and the link to your LinkedIn profile when you register for the event here on Luma. Those who do not submit these materials will not be considered to pitch, however are welcome to join the session and learn by watching others pitch and receive feedback. Prepare to give a 2-minute pitch about your company (without a pitch deck), and you will receive 3 minutes of practical and thoughtful feedback from our EIRs. 

: Registering and submitting to pitch does not guarantee you a spot to pitch. If you are selected to pitch, we will notify you by December 7th via email. Please reach out to 

Meet Our Pitch Judges: Grid110's Entrepreneurs in Residence ⬇️

This month's panel is comprised of 5 trailblazing women across various industries! Read more about each speaker below. ⬇️

’s primary focus is on strengthening and showcasing the early-stage startup ecosystem in her hometown of Los Angeles. Ever passionate about the positive global impact that new technologies can have, Sophie leverages her enthusiasm, dedication and experience to support founders as they achieve their visions. She’s committed to fostering inclusivity and diversity in the startup industry. Before joining SVB, Sophie gained experience working in a variety of sectors, including tech entrepreneurship, academia, government, and corporate innovation. Her previous roles include serving as an Engagement Manager at Techstars and as a member of the community founding team at Project FoundED. 

, an organization connecting women and BIPOC entrepreneurs with the capital, resources and networks they need to launch and scale companies. Since its launch, StitchCrew has partnered with brands like the NBA, the Oklahoma City Thunder, Google, BASF, and others to create programming for traditionally overlooked founders. Erika also founded 

, an organization investing in women-led companies and connecting women professionals to expedite the pipeline of more women in positions of power. She is Managing Partner of 

, an early stage Venture Capital Firm investing in women-led companies in the Future of Work and Care Economy and the host of the VEST Her Podcast, a show about the barriers women face in the workplace and stories of women building power collectively. Erika is a member of the Latino Corporate Directors Association and LatinxVC.

 is a Partner and Chief Experience Officer at 

. She is a technologist, entrepreneur, mother, and visionary builder with a broad background in IT, corporate events, and business development. For the last seven years, Myneco has served as Founder and CEO of MBR Concepts, a corporate event and conference planning company producing domestic and international events for tech companies. During this work, Myneco created investor networking events for pre-seed startups who have gone on to raise institutional capital and acquisitions. In addition, she has built several lifestyle businesses from the ground up, which catalyzed her passion for helping entrepreneurs. In addition to her work at Chloe Capital, Myneco is a real estate and angel investor. She’s also always on the cutting edge of technology, currently as a NFT collector and DeFi enthusiast.

, the leading crowdfunding education and technical assistance organization in the U.S. Since 2012 she has been helping entrepreneurs use crowdfunding to unlock the financial and nonfinancial support of their networks to fund projects not supported by traditional finance. Kathleen is the creator of The Crowdfund Better Process™ and has coached successful donation, rewards and investment crowdfunding campaigns. She is particularly focused on bringing the crowdfunding opportunity to women, minority and rural entrepreneurs. Kathleen has been featured in 

, and has presented at the Director’s Guild of America, SBDC & WBC National Conferences, and Crowdfunding Deep Impact UK.

 is a relationships-oriented professional specializing in grassroots communications efforts, external relations, and program management. In her current role as Senior Manager, Development and Education for 

, Rachel manages the day-to-day functions of the Enthuse Foundation, a nonprofit organization serving women entrepreneurs with a focus on the food, beverage, and CPG industry. Rachel has extensive experience in the nonprofit, community relations, and entrepreneurship fields working at such prestigious organizations as WWE, National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), and the Harvard Business School Club of NY. However, she got her start working for the NYC Department of Education connecting high school students with professional work opportunities.

December Funding Pathways: Silicon Valley Bank, Stitchcrew, Chloe Capital, Crowdfund Better, Enthuse Foundation 💸

 has 20 years of banking experience advising and lending to business clientele of various types: private equity/VC firms, technology firms, non-profits, law firms, medical practices, and real estate investors, as well as other professional services providers. In addition, he provides financing for clients with commercial real estate needs for both owner-occupied and investment purposes. Todd received his Bachelor of Science in Commerce at the McIntire School of Commerce in Charlottesville, Virginia, with a concentration in Finance and Marketing. He also completed his MBA at University of California, Berkeley’s Haas School of Business.

 based in Los Angeles. A University of Michigan alum, she began her career in community building at Summit. Mara then Co-founded and sold her first company, ZenStop, where she shared Mindfulness practices at companies like Snapchat, YouTube, Disney, and more. Finally and maybe most importantly, Mara is a cancer survivor and volunteers at Imerman Angels, a one-on-one cancer support network.

 is a ventures analyst and business development representative at 

. Plug and Play is a leading VC firm and innovation platform, connecting startups, corporations, venture capital firms, universities, and government agencies. Prior to Plug and Play, Kayvon studied at UCLA where he majored in economics and minored in cognitive science. While at UCLA, he worked with startups through internships (K1 Investment Management, LeagueSide, Pitch Genius, and Spiralyze) and as the director of Startup Labs, a student-run startup accelerator. He also served as a project manager and director at Bruin Ventures, the premier VC organization on campus. At Bruin Ventures, Kayvon led several 10-week consulting projects with startups and VCs, teaching him the ins-and-outs of both sides of the tech industry

October Funding Pathways: First Republic Bank, Hawke Ventures, Plug & Play 💸

​At this informational session, you will get an unique opportunity to get to know the team behind Slauson & Grid110 and ask any questions about the Friends & Family program and application process. You will also hear from some alumni founders of the program, who will talk about their experience in the Friends & Family program and advice they have for applicants.

Friends & Family Info Session II

​Join us for an "Ask Me Anything" (AMA) with 

, a Los Angeles based early-stage venture capital firm rooted in economic inclusion! 🎤 In this hour-long session, Austin will share about his years of experience in the startup and investment ecosystem and all the knowledge he's gained along the way.

You'll have the chance to pick his brain and ask your most curious questions. 💭 Please submit any questions you may have as you register for the event.

Austin Clements is Co-Founder and Managing Partner at Slauson & Co., a Los Angeles based early-stage venture capital firm rooted in economic inclusion. At Slauson, Austin focuses on investing in technologies that empower small business owners.

Prior to this role, Austin was a Principal at TenOneTen Ventures, a data-focused seed fund based in LA. He has also worked in investment management and founded a mobile app development firm to serve small businesses.

Austin is the founding Chair of PledgeLA, the nation’s largest city-wide initiative to promote diversity in the local tech community. He currently serves on the board of Knight Foundation and HBCUvc. Austin received his MBA from NYU Stern and his BA from Morehouse College.

🎤 AMA: Austin Clements, Slauson & Co.

Friends & Family Info Session I

​​​​When it comes to money for startups, there's no shortage of options - from crowdfunding sites like Kickstarter, equity funding models such as convertible debt, friends & family rounds, smaller VCs, grants and even angel investment networks. 💰 Join us for our funding pathways event series for a panel with industry leaders so you can find out which path is right for you! 🚀

, a pre-seed, seed venture capital fund investing in deep tech companies with a primary focus on AI. As a Principal at the firm, she runs the U.S. operations and builds Hero House in Los Angeles - a technology hub and community of entrepreneurs, investors, researchers, and tech professionals. She has worked with 200+ idea/pre-seed stage Eastern European startups and helped many of the entrepreneurs to raise pre-seed funding.

 – the largest community of Black investors who actively fund Black-owned businesses. As a business plan writer, Cheree has helped her clients raise millions of dollars. Her Black clients, unfortunately, were unable to raise money as easily as other communities. So she decided to do something about it by launching a community of individuals who invest as little as $100 into Black-owned businesses. Cheree is not only a full-time business plan writer but also author of the book – Creating Business Plans that Actually Get Financed - which helps business owners understand exactly what investors want to know before making a commitment. 

 is a bi-coastal serial founder, consultant, startup ecosystem builder and advisor with deep industry knowledge in FinTech, AgTech, EdTech, ClimateTech, Impact & ESG. As a Relationship Manager at 

, she connects founders of high growth startups with resources, opportunities and capital products like Venture Debt. A two-time nominee for Forbes 30-under-30, her work has been covered by The New York Times, Bloomberg, NowThis, TechBites, Fox Five News and The Times of Israel. Her core focus is on strategic partnerships, growth strategy, business development and innovation. Previously a Director of 4 Accelerators in New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Tel Aviv, She helped launch and incubate over 60 early stage startups from seed to series A. Her mission: Build sustainable pathways to access between stakeholders across the startup ecosystem.

Funding Pathways: SmartGateVC, The 10K Project, Mercury, Chisos Capital 💸

The panel will include an entrepreneur and investor covering topics such as:

 is currently Head of Product at Calm Company Fund, where she's leading the charge on building, launching, and iterating products that align with the mission of supporting sustainable, profitable tech-enabled founders. At Calm Fund, her recent focus includes producing this year's 

 Camp, PM-ing the custom internal platform + deal-flow build, and a few unannounced special projects. Previously, she led Quartz's community and partnership team and the marketing team at Spankchain. She also teaches "Branding for Bootstrappers" workshops and consults with companies navigating the crossroads of product, community, strategy, experience design, and brand. Most recently, she found out that Beyonce featured her product photography in her online shop, and she's still not over it.

, a long-time accountant and financial trauma advocate is the founder and CEO of ComplYant. This digital tax assistant helps small businesses organize, save, and pay various business taxes. ComplYant has raised $5.5M in seed funding.

 is the founder of Holisticism, a community and educational platform for wellness-oriented entrepreneurs and creatives. She is also the co-host of two top 10 category podcasts, The Twelfth House and Good For U(?). 

 is the Head of Community at Grid110, where she focuses on building an engaged community for entrepreneurs in Los Angeles. She is passionate about supporting early-stage companies and getting more women and minorities into the startup and venture capital ecosystem. Outside of work, she is active in promoting gender equity and diversity in the workplace and advocates for a broader representation of women in Tech as the Managing Director of Girls in Tech LA and as a member of the All Raise Steering Committee.

#LATechWeek: The Future of Work

Web3 has been a growing topic, especially in the entrepreneurship space, which is the inspiration behind this panel! 🙌 We think it's important for more people—especially women and people of color—not to be afraid to educate themselves on web3 and ask questions. 🙋‍♀️ This panel is geared towards web3 beginners and founders. Please submit questions about the basics of Web3, how to get into Web3, and where the future of Web3 is headed—no question is too small! 🤩

 is an emerging fund manager. After working as a technology investment banker, she co-founded TBC-Capital, an education-first advisory and consulting firm offering on-demand CFO, business development, and strategy services for VC-backed companies and small businesses with $1M in revenue or more annually. Her clients have raised over $7M in startup capital through her efforts. 

 is a social impact and Web3 leader, military spouse, and change agent with over ten years of experience leading workplace inclusion strategies. Marie's bold perspective brings a fresh take on Web3 by normalizing equity. Through her company, The Curious Culture, she works with Web3 companies and communities to promote inclusivity and equity for marginalized stakeholders, especially in hiring and marketing. Marie is building Web3Gigs, an initiative to help web3 employers create a diversity-first hiring strategy and #LadiesFirst. This community-driven NFT project combines storytelling and art to highlight Black women who are "hidden figures" in their industries.

 is a product leader, a startup advisor, and a subject matter expert in AI, blockchain, tech ethics, and inclusivity. She studied Industrial and Operations Engineering at the University of Michigan and has since developed a passion for building emerging technologies rooted in the realities of the human experience. She has consulted with numerous companies to bring their products to market, including ConsenSys and Priceline. 

Women in Web3 💫

​​​When it comes to money for startups, there's no shortage of options - from crowdfunding sites like Kickstarter, equity funding models such as convertible debt, friends & family rounds, smaller VCs, grants and even angel investment networks. 💰 Join us for our funding pathways event series for a panel with industry leaders so you can find out which path is right for you! 🚀

, the family office of Laurene Powell Jobs that invests in companies positively impacting the world and helping people to live to their full potential. Prior to Emerson, Joanna was an investor at Founder Collective, a seed-stage VC fund based in New York. Before that, Joanna worked at Via Transportation, a global mobility and transit startup. Joanna received her MBA from MIT Sloan and her B.A. in International Comparative Studies and Spanish from Duke University.

 is Head of Community and Managing Partner for 

, the leading university-focused venture fund spun out of First Round Capital. In her role, Melissa leads strategy and partnerships for founder support, platform offerings and university engagement. To date, DRF-backed companies have raised $2.5B+ in follow-on capital and captured $8.3B+ in value. Outside of Dorm Room Fund, Melissa is passionate about helping founders build highly engaged communities, previously advising on community and growth across the Metaverse, retail and media spaces. In her spare time, Melissa serves as a mentor to early-stage founder cohorts including Founder Institute and the DayOne Fellowship, where she focuses on startup storytelling and customer love. 

's efforts at building alternative financing products for founders. He has nearly a decade of experience at firms like Silicon Valley Bank, 

, KPMG, and Goldman Sachs. He’s also spent time at startups, once as a senior member at Divvy and twice as a SaaS CFO, and has spent his career advising and connecting startups to the right types of debt for their needs.  

July Funding Pathways: Dorm Room Fund, Emerson Collective, Mercury Bank 💸

 where he assists the VH team in managing a portfolio of 45 companies. Prior to Visible Hands, Darrel was a Venture Fellow at Score 3 Ventures where he assisted underrepresented founders in raising their first rounds of funding. Through Score 3 Darrel was able to help founders raise over $1M in startup capital and mentored over 60 founders since joining in 2019. Darrel is a 3-time founder with his latest company being a community based live streaming platform called TheClub which he founded in 2020. He is a recent MBA graduate from The College of New Jersey where he studied strategy, innovation, and leadership.

, a VC fund that invests in minority led founders at a post seed stage. She is a self-taught software developer with an analytical mind, a Tae kwon-do blackbelt and holds a BS in Finance from the ITESM, Monterrey, Mexico. She also has several certifications from prestigious universities such as the London School of Economics and Columbia University.

, the #1 retail accelerator and fund, where she manages the day-to-day operations of the accelerator program, supports founders in the XRC ecosystem, and spearheads community engagement. She is also the Founder & CEO of Muslim Women Professionals (MWP), the fastest growing professional organization for Muslim women. Sofia was a part of the Republic Venture Associate Program and served as a Mentor at Grid110 and Startup Labs UCLA. Haq received her BA in Gender Studies from UCLA and studied International Business abroad at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE). She is a fellow Griddie and was part of the Fall 2020 Idea to Product Program.

June Funding Pathway Event: Alpha Impact 8, Visible Hands, XRC Labs 💸

What does a Chief of Staff do? Who is fit for this role? What can a Chief of Staff help your business achieve? 🤔 Join us for a panel of industry professionals who are experienced Chief of Staff, here to answer all your questions about this newly emerging role! ✨

, where she works on venture diligence, portfolio support, and everything else. Prior to joining Cowboy Ventures, Allegra was a Program Associate at Pivotal Ventures working to expand women's power and influence in the U.S., and a management consultant at McKinsey & Company. 

 was brought on as a second to the CEO and Founder of 

, an HR startup with an initiative to disrupt traditional recruiting methods. Elle grew this role into a Chief of Staff position maintaining daily operations, creating and implementing systems and processes, and helping build the foundation of Inkwell 2.0 in post pandemic times. With an emphasis on community building for women in the workplace,  Inkwell’s values align with Elle’s goals in the entertainment world as she is, in her spare time,  producing a Sci-Fi short film surrounding themes of workplace oppression with an entirely female identifying production team. 

Hot Trends: What is A Chief of Staff? Featuring Cowboy Ventures & Inkwell 🔥

California-based small businesses of 5 or more employees--did you know that if you do not have an employee retirement plan after June 30, you could be fined up to $750? 😯 Even if you do not fall under this mandate, setting up your employee retirement plan is important to think about, and Penelope makes it easy. 💸

Join us for this informational session with Jean Smart, the Founder and CEO of 

. She will provide a tactical plan for what you can do if you fall under one of the upcoming mandates, as well as comprehensive information on retirement plans for small businesses in general. You will also have the chance to ask any and all questions you my have to Jean, as she is a small business retirement plan expert! 🙌

 watched her immigrant parents work tirelessly to provide for their family and employees. While her parents took care of everyone around them, they didn’t formally invest in their own retirement, leaving them vulnerable in their later years. Jean’s parents were an all too familiar story in the US; equal parts inspiration and cautionary tale. Inspired by her parents and after a career in financial services, Jean decided to start Penelope - a 401(k) platform focused on micro and small businesses.

**By signing up for the event you consent to giving your contact info to Penelope for any future resources and followups, with the option of opting out later on**

California Small Business Retirement Plan Mandate: Are You Compliant? 🏦

Join us for an "Ask Me Anything" (AMA) with our very own Miki Reynolds, the CEO of Grid110! 🎤 In this hour-long session, Miki will share about her years of experience in the startup ecosystem and all the knowledge she's gained along the way. 

You'll have the chance to pick her brain and ask your most curious questions. 💭 Please submit any questions you may have as you register for the event.

, an LA-based early stage startup accelerator and community development non-profit. Since 2014, Miki has focused on activating the startup ecosystem in Los Angeles through her work with Grid110, building community, and connecting the dots for entrepreneurs through access to mentoring and critical resources. 

She’s also a scout for Bonfire Ventures and a Venture Partner at Republic.  Prior to co-founding Grid110, Miki spent 10 years building digital products for clients like MGM Studios, 20th Century Fox, Dreamworks, Angry Birds, SpaceX and LiveNation before transitioning to community focused work by launching the Downtown LA campus for tech education company General Assembly.

AMA: Miki Reynolds, CEO of Grid110 🎤 

​​When it comes to money for startups, there's no shortage of options - from crowdfunding sites like Kickstarter, equity funding models such as convertible debt, friends & family rounds, smaller VCs, grants and even angel investment networks. 💰 Join us for our funding pathways event series for a panel with industry leaders so you can find out which path is right for you! 🚀

 is the Global Startup Pipeline Coordinator at 

 where she supports founders applying to the 45+ Techstars accelerator programs. She is passionate about helping founders find the right accelerator and funding fit. Previously, she worked on building SpaceTech companies at a startup studio. She also spent time at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, SVB Capital, and a Techstars startup in the media analytics space.

. She started her VC journey with an internship at Battery Ventures, where she sourced and led deal due diligence for potential minority investments in early-stage and growth-stage B2B SaaS. She has also received a certificate from Cornell’s Women and Entrepreneurship program where she focused on the start-up ecosystem for minority groups. Feven then joined KingsCrowd as an investment analyst, where she focused on building a ratings algorithm platform for companies raising through the online private markets. Currently, she is on the investing team at M13, where her team invests in the future of consumer behavior.

’s outreach and education efforts in Southern California. She develops relationships with small business owners, business organizations and policymakers throughout Southern California. This involves collaborating with partners to create and distribute resources for business owners, such as grants, curriculum, and training. Additionally, she serves as Small Business Majority's National Latino Outreach Manager, where she focuses on connecting monolingual and bilingual business owners to their small business ecosystem, and expands Small Business Majority’s outreach within the Latino business community.

 is a a Managing Partner at student-run early stage VC firm 

. Atland Ventures invests in seed stage companies that are solving problems felt by Generation Z. Her further involvement with Gen Z includes  

 as Head of Platform. Gen Z VCs is the largest and fastest growing community for Gen Zers in Tech and VC with over 14,000 Gen Z investors, founders, angels, students, and aspiring VCs. Her passions also shine with her Korean roots as Founder of Hanaro.VC, a community for Korean and Korean-American VCs and Startups.  