Investing in Representation with Arlan Hamilton

If you're not entirely sure what it takes to become an entrepreneur or how venture capital funds really work, you’re not alone. Arlan Hamilton has an inspiring story to share about how she built her very own venture capital fund while she was homeless. One statistic changed Arlan’s life: Less than 10% of venture funding goes to anyone who is not a straight white man in the U.S. 

In this powerful conversation between host Brenda Darden Wilkerson and Arlan Hamilton, you’ll learn the same lessons Arlan did about becoming a good investor and how she built a venture capital fund that invests in underrepresented startup founders. Together, Brenda and Arlan dive into the feelings of being on the outside of an industry, why representation is key, and how even Mark Cuban ended up investing in Arlan’s startup. 

“I was homeless for much of that beginning part of starting Backstage. And there were many, many days that I went hungry. But what I knew at the time was, there were a lot of things outside of my control everyday. And days went by very slowly back then. But one thing that people could not take from me, you couldn't take from me, no matter what happened, no matter what my bank account said, was information and knowledge that I had.”

For more of Arlan Hamilton check out...

Instagram: @arlanwashere 

Linkedin: /arlanhamilton

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At AnitaB.org, we envision a future where the people who imagine and build technology mirror the people and societies for whom they build it. Find out more about how we support women, non-binary individuals, and other underrepresented groups in computing, as well as the organizations that employ them and the academic institutions training the next generations.

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Our guests contribute to this podcast in their personal capacity. The views expressed in this interview are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Anita Borg Institute for Women and Technology or its employees (“AnitaB.org”). AnitaB.org is not responsible for and does not verify the accuracy of the information provided in the podcast series. The primary purpose of this podcast is to educate and inform. This podcast series does not constitute legal or other professional advice or services.

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B The Way Forward Is…

Produced by Dominique Ferrari and Paige Hymson

Sound design and editing by Neil Innes and Ryan Hammond 

Mixing and mastering by Julian Kwasneski 

Associate Producer is Faith Krogulecki

Executive Produced by Dominique Ferrari, Stacey Book, and Avi Glijansky for Riveter Studios and Frequency Machine 

Executive Produced by Arlan Hamilton for Arlan Was Here

Executive Produced by Brenda Darden Wilkerson for AnitaB.org

  Podcast Marketing from Lauren Passell and Arielle Nissenblatt with Riveter Studios and Tink Media in partnership with Carolyn Schneller and Coley Bouschet at AnitaB.org

Photo of Brenda Darden Wilkerson by Mandisa Media Productions

For more ways to be the way forward, visit AnitaB.org