In this episode of Startup Hustle, Matt DeCoursey and Donald Hawkins, President, and CEO of kinly talk about Donald's experience as a minority founder raising over $20M in venture capital during a pandemic.


Find Startup Hustle Everywhere:

https://gigb.co/l/YEh5



This episode is sponsored by Full Scale:

https://fullscale.io/



Learn more about kinly:

www.bekinly.com



Listen to Donald's prior Startup Hustle podcast appearance: 

https://link.chtbl.com/pipelineE



Listen to the "Kansas City Top Startups" overview episode:

https://link.chtbl.com/startuphustleKCtop



Read up on each of the "Kansas City Top Startups":

https://startuphustle.xyz/blog/top-kansas-city-startups-2022/

In this episode of Startup Hustle, Matt DeCoursey and Donald Hawkins, President, and CEO of kinly talk about Donald's experience as a minority founder raising over $20M in venture capital during a pandemic.
 Find Startup Hustle Everywhere:
<a href="https://linktr.ee/startuphustle">https://gigb.co/l/YEh5</a> 
 
This episode is sponsored by Full Scale:
<a href="https://fullscale.io/">https://fullscale.io/</a>
 
Learn more about kinly:
<a href="http://www.bekinly.com">www.bekinly.com</a>
 
Listen to Donald's prior Startup Hustle podcast appearance: 
<a href="https://link.chtbl.com/pipelineE">https://link.chtbl.com/pipelineE</a>
 
Listen to the "Kansas City Top Startups" overview episode:
<a href="https://link.chtbl.com/startuphustleKCtop">https://link.chtbl.com/startuphustleKCtop</a>
 
Read up on each of the "Kansas City Top Startups":
<a href="https://startuphustle.xyz/blog/top-kansas-city-startups-2022/">https://startuphustle.xyz/blog/top-kansas-city-startups-2022/</a>

Startup Hustle is a podcast for entrepreneurs, by entrepreneurs.  With the mission of telling the real story of startups and entrepreneurs, topics range from funding to failure and beyond.  If you want to start, own, or build a business then you're in the right place.   

Startup Hustle is a podcast for entrepreneurs, by entrepreneurs.&nbsp; With the mission of telling the real story of startups and entrepreneurs, topics range from funding to failure and beyond.&nbsp; If you want to start, own, or build a business then you're in the right place.&nbsp; &nbsp;

Startups, Entrepreneurship and Business are Not Easy

Startup Hustle

Startup Hustle is a podcast for entrepreneurs, by entrepreneurs.  With the mission of telling the real story of startups and entrepreneurs, topics range from funding to failure and beyond.  If you want to start, own, or build a business then you're in the right place.

Raising Capital as a Minority Founder

In this episode, Matt Watson speaks with Joseph Ruscio, a partner at Heavybit, a venture capital firm focused on investing in software development-related companies. They discuss the evolving landscape of venture capital, the unique value niche VC firms provide, and the impact of AI on software development. Joseph shares insights on the challenges developers face, the importance of finding product-market fit, and how AI can enhance developer productivity. They also explore Heavybit's recent investments in AI startups and the future of software development in an AI-driven world.

Takeaways
AI is not going to replace developers but will enhance their capabilities.
Niche VC firms like Heavybit provide specialized support to early-stage companies.
The pressure to integrate AI into products is significant for developers.
Finding product-market fit is crucial for startup success.
Developers are increasingly seen as the key decision-makers in technology.
The cost of software development varies widely across different markets.
AI tools can help reduce the toil in software development processes.
Investing in specialized AI models is essential for enterprise applications.
The landscape of AI investments is rapidly evolving with new startups emerging.
Understanding the unique challenges of selling to developers is vital for success.

Find Startup Hustle Everywhere:
https://gigb.co/l/YEh5

This episode is sponsored by Full Scale:
https://fullscale.io/

Find out more about Heavybit here:
https://www.heavybit.com

Learn more about Joseph Ruscio here:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/josephruscio/

Sign up for the Startup Hustle newsletter:
https://newsletter.startuphustle.xyz/

Sound Bites
"AI is going to make developers more valuable."
"The pressure to build AI functionality is real."
"Finding product market fit is crucial."

Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Heavybit and AI in Software Development
03:01 The Evolution of Venture Capital and Specialization
05:58 The Value of Niche VC Firms
09:01 Challenges in Selling to Developers
11:48 AI's Impact on Software Development
14:46 Investments in AI Companies
17:51 The Future of Software Development with AI
20:54 The Role of AI in Developer Productivity
23:53 Investing in Emerging AI Startups
27:08 The Importance of Specialized AI Models
30:12 The Landscape of AI Investments
33:06 The Economics of Software Development
35:54 Conclusion and Future Outlook

In this episode, Matt Watson speaks with Joseph Ruscio, a partner at Heavybit, a venture capital firm focused on investing in software development-related companies. They discuss the evolving landscape of venture capital, the unique value niche VC firms provide, and the impact of AI on software development. Joseph shares insights on the challenges developers face, the importance of finding product-market fit, and how AI can enhance developer productivity. They also explore Heavybit's recent investments in AI startups and the future of software development in an AI-driven world.
Takeaways AI is not going to replace developers but will enhance their capabilities. Niche VC firms like Heavybit provide specialized support to early-stage companies. The pressure to integrate AI into products is significant for developers. Finding product-market fit is crucial for startup success. Developers are increasingly seen as the key decision-makers in technology. The cost of software development varies widely across different markets. AI tools can help reduce the toil in software development processes. Investing in specialized AI models is essential for enterprise applications. The landscape of AI investments is rapidly evolving with new startups emerging. Understanding the unique challenges of selling to developers is vital for success.
Find Startup Hustle Everywhere: https://gigb.co/l/YEh5
This episode is sponsored by Full Scale: https://fullscale.io/
Find out more about Heavybit here: https://www.heavybit.com
Learn more about Joseph Ruscio here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/josephruscio/
Sign up for the Startup Hustle newsletter: https://newsletter.startuphustle.xyz/
Sound Bites "AI is going to make developers more valuable." "The pressure to build AI functionality is real." "Finding product market fit is crucial."
Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Heavybit and AI in Software Development 03:01 The Evolution of Venture Capital and Specialization 05:58 The Value of Niche VC Firms 09:01 Challenges in Selling to Developers 11:48 AI's Impact on Software Development 14:46 Investments in AI Companies 17:51 The Future of Software Development with AI 20:54 The Role of AI in Developer Productivity 23:53 Investing in Emerging AI Startups 27:08 The Importance of Specialized AI Models 30:12 The Landscape of AI Investments 33:06 The Economics of Software Development 35:54 Conclusion and Future Outlook

Boutique VCs & The Effect of AI

In this episode, Matt Watson and Yoni Kozminski discuss the intricacies of hiring talent in the Philippines, exploring Yoni's journey from creative advertising to building a recruitment agency. They delve into the challenges of scaling a business, the importance of value creation in sales, and the need for clear job definitions and onboarding processes. 

The conversation highlights the evolving workforce in the Philippines, cultural nuances in communication, and the economic factors influencing hiring decisions. Yoni emphasizes the importance of having in-house expertise and leadership when hiring remote talent, while also acknowledging the incredible capabilities of Filipino workers.

Takeaways
Hiring in the Philippines can provide high-quality talent at competitive rates.
Value creation is essential in every interaction with potential clients.
Understanding business needs is crucial before defining job roles.
A clear onboarding process is key to employee success.
Cultural nuances can affect communication and understanding in remote teams.
The Philippines has a rapidly evolving workforce with increasing capabilities.
Investing in emerging world talent is beneficial for both parties.
Sales growth often comes from existing clients and referrals.
Defining success metrics for roles helps in effective hiring.
Building a strong company culture can enhance employee satisfaction.

Find Startup Hustle Everywhere:
https://gigb.co/l/YEh5

This episode is sponsored by Full Scale:
https://fullscale.io/

Find out more about MultiplyMii here:
http://www.multiplymii.com

Learn more about Yoni Kozminski:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/yonkoz/

Sign up for the Startup Hustle newsletter:
https://newsletter.startuphustle.xyz/

Sound Bites
"We could help a lot of people if they just understood."
"You really have to have visibility across how each of the pieces connect."
"How do we focus on adding value at every single stage?"

Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Hiring in the Philippines
02:59 Yoni's Journey into Recruitment
06:04 Scaling the Business: Challenges and Strategies
09:13 Sales Growth and Value Creation
12:03 Understanding Roles and Hiring Needs
15:04 Defining Success in Hiring
17:58 The Importance of Onboarding
20:49 Expertise and Leadership in Hiring
24:02 The Evolving Workforce in the Philippines
26:58 Opportunities and Economic Factors
30:08 Cultural Nuances in Communication
32:57 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In this episode, Matt Watson and Yoni Kozminski discuss the intricacies of hiring talent in the Philippines, exploring Yoni's journey from creative advertising to building a recruitment agency. They delve into the challenges of scaling a business, the importance of value creation in sales, and the need for clear job definitions and onboarding processes. 
The conversation highlights the evolving workforce in the Philippines, cultural nuances in communication, and the economic factors influencing hiring decisions. Yoni emphasizes the importance of having in-house expertise and leadership when hiring remote talent, while also acknowledging the incredible capabilities of Filipino workers.
Takeaways Hiring in the Philippines can provide high-quality talent at competitive rates. Value creation is essential in every interaction with potential clients. Understanding business needs is crucial before defining job roles. A clear onboarding process is key to employee success. Cultural nuances can affect communication and understanding in remote teams. The Philippines has a rapidly evolving workforce with increasing capabilities. Investing in emerging world talent is beneficial for both parties. Sales growth often comes from existing clients and referrals. Defining success metrics for roles helps in effective hiring. Building a strong company culture can enhance employee satisfaction.
Find Startup Hustle Everywhere: https://gigb.co/l/YEh5
This episode is sponsored by Full Scale: https://fullscale.io/
Find out more about MultiplyMii here: http://www.multiplymii.com
Learn more about Yoni Kozminski: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yonkoz/
Sign up for the Startup Hustle newsletter: https://newsletter.startuphustle.xyz/
Sound Bites "We could help a lot of people if they just understood." "You really have to have visibility across how each of the pieces connect." "How do we focus on adding value at every single stage?"
Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Hiring in the Philippines 02:59 Yoni's Journey into Recruitment 06:04 Scaling the Business: Challenges and Strategies 09:13 Sales Growth and Value Creation 12:03 Understanding Roles and Hiring Needs 15:04 Defining Success in Hiring 17:58 The Importance of Onboarding 20:49 Expertise and Leadership in Hiring 24:02 The Evolving Workforce in the Philippines 26:58 Opportunities and Economic Factors 30:08 Cultural Nuances in Communication 32:57 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Scaling with Affordable Talent from the Philippines

In this episode, Matt Watson interviews Andrew Plato, a seasoned entrepreneur and author of 'The Founder's User Manual.' They discuss the challenges of entrepreneurship, the importance of differentiation in a competitive market, and the role of trust and credibility in business. Andrew shares insights from his experiences, emphasizing the need for startups to establish a unique identity, navigate employee relationships carefully, and maintain a clear company culture. He also addresses the importance of avoiding controversial topics at work and the necessity of perseverance in the face of challenges.

Takeaways
Writing the book was a therapeutic process for Andrew.
Books can provide valuable insights but cannot replace real experience.
Startups must differentiate themselves to stand out in a crowded market.
Building trust is essential for successful business relationships.
Establishing boundaries with employees is crucial for effective leadership.
Company culture should prioritize safety and open communication.
Avoiding controversial topics at work can prevent division.
Choosing the right customers is vital for business integrity.
Perseverance is key to overcoming challenges in entrepreneurship.
Successful entrepreneurs refuse to give up and take ownership of their choices.

Find Startup Hustle Everywhere:
https://gigb.co/l/YEh5

This episode is sponsored by Full Scale:
https://fullscale.io/

Find out more about Zenaciti here:
https://zenaciti.com

Check out Andrew Plato's book Founder's User Manual here:https://zenaciti.com/founders-user-manual/

Learn more about Andrew Plato:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewplato/

Sign up for the Startup Hustle newsletter:
https://newsletter.startuphustle.xyz/

Sound Bites
"You can't go into a marketplace and say you're unique and special and different if you do what everybody else does or you sound like everybody else."
"Less is more. I get emails all the time and I get marketing all the time and it's like a wall of text. I don't care. I don't care that you have this guy on your board. I don't care that you know so-and-so. I don't care that you worked at Microsoft back in the 90s."
"You need to go out into the marketplace and speak about the things that are interesting to people. Don't talk about your product. Don't talk about your competitors. Talk about things that are relevant in your field."
"I wanted to be a likable person."
"The harder I tried to be everybody's friends kind of, the more it ultimately backfired on me."
"If you allow your business to become dominated by any or either of those sides, you are excluding a huge chunk of the population."

Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Background of Andrew Plato
04:02 The Challenges and Learning Curve of Entrepreneurship
07:57 Standing Out in a Crowded Marketplace
11:56 The Power of Clear Messaging and Niching Down
14:49 Building Trust and Credibility
18:15 Building Mutually Beneficial Partnerships
20:28 The Challenges of Being a Leader
28:40 Setting Boundaries and Creating a Safe Space
30:33 The Impact of Discussing Controversial Topics
34:40 Focusing on Customer Needs and Avoiding Judgment
40:50 The Power of Perseverance

In this episode, Matt Watson interviews Andrew Plato, a seasoned entrepreneur and author of 'The Founder's User Manual.' They discuss the challenges of entrepreneurship, the importance of differentiation in a competitive market, and the role of trust and credibility in business. Andrew shares insights from his experiences, emphasizing the need for startups to establish a unique identity, navigate employee relationships carefully, and maintain a clear company culture. He also addresses the importance of avoiding controversial topics at work and the necessity of perseverance in the face of challenges.
Takeaways Writing the book was a therapeutic process for Andrew. Books can provide valuable insights but cannot replace real experience. Startups must differentiate themselves to stand out in a crowded market. Building trust is essential for successful business relationships. Establishing boundaries with employees is crucial for effective leadership. Company culture should prioritize safety and open communication. Avoiding controversial topics at work can prevent division. Choosing the right customers is vital for business integrity. Perseverance is key to overcoming challenges in entrepreneurship. Successful entrepreneurs refuse to give up and take ownership of their choices.
Find Startup Hustle Everywhere: https://gigb.co/l/YEh5
This episode is sponsored by Full Scale: https://fullscale.io/
Find out more about Zenaciti here: https://zenaciti.com
Check out Andrew Plato's book Founder's User Manual here:https://zenaciti.com/founders-user-manual/
Learn more about Andrew Plato: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewplato/
Sign up for the Startup Hustle newsletter: https://newsletter.startuphustle.xyz/
Sound Bites "You can't go into a marketplace and say you're unique and special and different if you do what everybody else does or you sound like everybody else." "Less is more. I get emails all the time and I get marketing all the time and it's like a wall of text. I don't care. I don't care that you have this guy on your board. I don't care that you know so-and-so. I don't care that you worked at Microsoft back in the 90s." "You need to go out into the marketplace and speak about the things that are interesting to people. Don't talk about your product. Don't talk about your competitors. Talk about things that are relevant in your field." "I wanted to be a likable person." "The harder I tried to be everybody's friends kind of, the more it ultimately backfired on me." "If you allow your business to become dominated by any or either of those sides, you are excluding a huge chunk of the population."
Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Background of Andrew Plato 04:02 The Challenges and Learning Curve of Entrepreneurship 07:57 Standing Out in a Crowded Marketplace 11:56 The Power of Clear Messaging and Niching Down 14:49 Building Trust and Credibility 18:15 Building Mutually Beneficial Partnerships 20:28 The Challenges of Being a Leader 28:40 Setting Boundaries and Creating a Safe Space 30:33 The Impact of Discussing Controversial Topics 34:40 Focusing on Customer Needs and Avoiding Judgment 40:50 The Power of Perseverance

Raising Capital as a Minority Founder

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