Passionate Leader for Equitable Capital Access ● Scroobious Founder, CEO ● All Raise Boston Co-Chair ● Angel Investor ● Activist ● Dynamic Speaker ● Executive in Residence ● Pitching & Fundraising Expert ● Startup Mentor
Last week was an incredible experience. I traveled to California to testify as an expert witness for Senate Bill 54 (https://lnkd.in/e-fDqSFN), which I have been working on with a dedicated and passionate team, including Marquesa Finch, Divya Reddy, Kelly Kimball, Derek Ali, Luis Sanchez, Larisa Cespedes, Kate Chatfield, Kapri Walker, and, of course, the incomparable Senator Nancy Skinner. This bill will require venture funds to report investment diversity metrics, establishing accurate data collection and public availability. Despite an increase in public rhetoric, eight out of ten investors believe the funding landscape is balanced (Morgan Stanley). Bills requiring data collection have positively impacted areas like board composition and workplace diversity, and this bill has the potential to address inequity in venture capital distribution. You can watch my testimony here: https://lnkd.in/ekAcUyR5 The full bill hearing is here: https://lnkd.in/emsitp6t I founded Scroobious after experiencing bias in the fundraising process, and we have now witnessed our community members encounter injustice time and time again. In 2022, $238 billion was allocated (Forbes). Just 1.9% went to women (TechCrunch), less than 1% to Black founders (Crunchbase), and less than 0.35% to Black women (Crunchbase). I challenge you, as I did the Judiciary Committee, to find another industry or resource in our country with such disparities. Activism goes hand-in-hand with building Scroobious. Social entrepreneurship is about making a difference *and* making money. The two are not mutually exclusive; they are symbiotic. I'm proud and fortunate to be part of our democratic process and represent our community of hundreds of entrepreneurs, enacting change in the space of fundraising both through my own company and through our government. Want to support the bill too? Write a letter of support. You don't have to be in CA. Here's a draft letter to help you get started: https://lnkd.in/ertSF4_R What gets measured gets done. It's time to start measuring the metrics we want to change. #venturecapital #fundraising #founders #diversity #socialentrepreneurship #investment #entrepreneurs #funding
Could you BE a bigger rock star? 👏👏👏
This is incredible Allison Byers. At DEI Directive we are all about data, data, data‼️ Now more than ever organizations need to leverage the power of DEI analytics to Ensure inclusion. Data can be used to hold organizations and leaders accountable. Data can be used to access areas that need improvement and to showcase areas of success. As a champion for DEI, I applaud you for all your work. Metrics are important. Keep up the great work Allison Byers. Let us know how our DEI data intelligence software can be a solution for your advocacy.
I literally just got goose bumps watching this video, Allison! You are so brilliant and compelling. Huge huge props, my friend, for knocking it out of the park on such an important topic. Huzzah!
Thanks for your heartfelt, data-driven advocacy, Allison Byers - we will get there through bills like this. Dhana Pawar Alicia Castillo Holley, PhD, MBA, MSci Julie Castro Abrams Talila Millman
This is an essential step toward equity in the fundraising process. Arya Women Investment Platform SheSupplies TurkishWIN (Turkish Women's International Network) - It would be good to watch the progress closely to inspire the ecosystem in the rest of the world, especially in Europe and in Emerging Markets.
Wow Allison Byers! I had no idea. This is amazing. I want you to know we women founders are behind you and thank you for your help! It’s so difficult for us. You bring us hope!!
THIS IS AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!! Thank you for everything that you do, so much more to come. Go go go!!!!
You are our voice; thanks for your strength in building equality in an unbelievably unequal startup world.
Chairman, CEO, Founder and Keynote Speaker - I believe in daring greatly so that I embody the courage and conviction to modernize capital markets.
9moOf the $238B of VC funding in 2022, women received < 2% of it. 🎤 drop when Allison Byers asked the California State Assembly, “I challenge you to find another industry or resource in this country that has that level of display.” SB 54 needs support to ensure transparency in VC allocation. N.B.: Female led startups deliver 63% more ROI—> it’s good economic sense to fund female entrepreneurs! [See First Round Capital study] Thank you Allison Byers for your testimony!!!