As a startup founder, you want your company to be inclusive and diverse. You know that having a diverse team is not only the right thing to do, but it also makes good business sense. However, building a truly equitable cap table is a challenge that many startups face. It requires intentionality and a willingness to think outside the box.
At TechCrunch Disrupt 2023, we’re excited to bring together three experts in this space: Ashley Mayer, co-founder and general partner at Coalition Operators; Amanda Robson, partner at Cowboy Ventures; and Richie Serna, CEO at Finix. Together, they’ll share their insights on how to construct an equitable cap table and why it’s essential for startups to prioritize diversity and inclusion.
The Importance of Diversifying Your Cap Table
Diversifying your cap table is not just about checking a box or meeting a quota. It’s about creating a more equitable and sustainable business model that benefits all stakeholders, including investors, employees, and customers. When you diversify your cap table, you’re spreading the wealth created by your company fairly and ensuring that everyone has a seat at the table.
The Challenges of Building an Equitable Cap Table
Building an equitable cap table is not without its challenges. One of the biggest hurdles is finding diverse investors who are willing to take on the risk of investing in startups. Traditional venture capital firms often have limited networks and biases that can make it difficult for underrepresented groups to get a foot in the door.
Another challenge is protecting the rights of early investors, particularly those from underrepresented communities. This requires intentionality and a willingness to create safeguards that ensure their interests are protected.
Our Speakers: Ashley Mayer, Amanda Robson, and Richie Serna
We’re excited to bring together three experts who have made significant contributions to building equitable cap tables.
Ashley Mayer
As the co-founder and general partner at Coalition Operators, Ashley Mayer has pioneered a new model for bringing top women operators onto cap tables at scale. Before joining Coalition Operators, Mayer was VP of comms at Glossier, a New York-based beauty startup. She also served as an engineer at Balanced, the first developer-friendly payment API for online marketplaces and other P2P services.
Amanda Robson
As a partner at Cowboy Ventures, Amanda Robson focuses on software infrastructure investments. She works with companies such as Drata, Elementary Data, SVT Robotics, Mobile.dev, Mutiny, and Byteboard. Robson also co-hosts the Open Source Startup Podcast, where she’s conducted over 70 interviews with open source founders from companies like HashiCorp, Vercel, MongoDB, Kong, Chronosphere, and Starburst Data.
Richie Serna
As the CEO at Finix, Richie Serna is building a financial services ecosystem that aims to create the most accessible financial services in history. Before joining Finix, Serna served as an engineer at Balanced and worked as a consultant at Booz & Company. He earned his BA in government from Harvard University.
Takeaways from Their Conversation
We’re excited to share some key takeaways from their conversation on building equitable cap tables:
- Intentionality is key: Building an equitable cap table requires intentionality and a willingness to think outside the box.
- Diversity matters: A diverse cap table is essential for creating a sustainable business model that benefits all stakeholders.
- Protecting early investors’ rights: Safeguards must be created to protect the interests of early investors, particularly those from underrepresented communities.
- Creating networks and opportunities: Traditional venture capital firms must make an effort to create networks and opportunities for underrepresented groups.
Conclusion
Building an equitable cap table is a challenge that many startups face. However, with intentionality, diversity, and a willingness to think outside the box, it’s possible to create a sustainable business model that benefits all stakeholders. Join us at TechCrunch Disrupt 2023 to hear from Ashley Mayer, Amanda Robson, and Richie Serna as they share their insights on how to construct an equitable cap table.
Additional Resources
- TechCrunch Disrupt 2023: Don’t miss out on the opportunity to connect with industry leaders and learn about the latest trends in startups.
- Coalition Operators: Learn more about Coalition Operators’ mission to bring top women operators onto cap tables at scale.
- Cowboy Ventures: Discover how Cowboy Ventures is working to create a more diverse and inclusive venture capital ecosystem.
By prioritizing diversity, inclusion, and equity, we can build a more sustainable and prosperous future for all. Join the conversation and let’s make it happen!