Tim Armstrong’s Post

#founders - just over 1 week to apply to Google for Startups #Accelerator: Women Founders and Black Founders programs! If you have questions or simply want to learn more, join one of our upcoming info sessions 👇

Hey there LinkedIn fam! I wanted to take a moment today to give a special shoutout and show some major gratitude! A big thanks goes out to our amazing Techstars Atlanta Powered by Cox Enterprises cohort mates, Malobi Achike, Esq. and Flo Nicolas, Esq for highlighting our product and the incredible work they're doing over at their startup, DEI Directive (Techstars '23) At Sojorne, we believe that improving work environments is about so much more than just boosting productivity - it's also about making a positive impact on families dealing with special needs, disabilities, and chronic health conditions- which affects more than half of the US population, with growing numbers globally. And let me tell you, when companies step up in this area, everybody wins! 👨👩👧👦💙 Their mission hits close to home for us because we know firsthand the challenges faced by parents who need flexibility or understanding in their workplace. So here’s an applause-worthy round of appreciation to these mighty founders! Cheers, Your friends at Sojorne! #DEI #Impact #Founders #DisabilityAwareness

TLDR: underrepresented folks win different. If you can't fund them directly, fund them by becoming their customers. — I started in startups almost exactly 15 years ago, when Avi Karnani hired me as Head of Product at Thrive. Since then, I’ve been acquired, gone out of business, and gone public. I’ve also invested and acquired and because of Microsoft Ventures and First Round Fast Track and Techstars and so many others, advised hundreds of companies. Sometimes I’ve gone deep. I know founders’ families. I’ve seen them cry and lose sleep and forget to eat. We’ve transcended advising to become friends. One of them announced their exit today. She is a Black woman that is older than the stereotypical 20-something founder. I woke up to her text and sent back a few of my own. And instead of celebrating, she tried to credit me with a part of the exit. Let me be clear: in 15 years, I cannot recall a single time a White dude tried to do this. This isn’t just words. Women are more likely to share credit and less likely to get it. And when they win, they consistently lift up the others around them. If we didn’t live in a sexist, racist world, that would mean women and other underrepresented founders would get the bulk of funding; betting on their ventures has an exponential effect. Instead, they get less than 2%. Most of us aren’t VCs, so it may feel hard to change that number. But all of us make decisions about how we spend money and thus what businesses we support. In your personal life, you can spend money with underrepresented brands. That can be a local coffee shop or larger brands like lemlem. At work, you can consciously seek out underrepresented vendors. Everything from your creative agency (The 95 Agency) to your SaaS providers (LISNR) are choices you can make differently. This founder would have won without me, I assure you. But underrepresented founders can’t win without revenue. Watch your spend and do your part. And to Tiffany Dufu, Cate Luzio, and the teams at The Cru and Luminary: congrats on a fantastic pairing.

Female Founders Rise brought together 220 female founders today at Google for an incredibly open, supportive, but raiser-sharp, smart day. Some key take away for start up Founders/CEOs: 1. VCs spend 60 seconds reading your teaser deck. This collateral only needs to get you to the next meeting. 2. Do the grandma and grandpa test of your deck and homepage. If they don’t get what and why you are selling, change it! 3. No one cares what you want, what the VC wants, but only what consumers DO. 4. “Everyone wants a unicorn, but profitability is undervalued. What about lean, profitable camels?” 5. Alternatives to VC funding were explored more so than at most conferences. 6. Very open founders, who shared their bumps and glories. Big congradulations to Emmie Faust for bringing very bright, good humans together. This event will go from strength to strength.

I am thrilled to share that Narratize will be one of seven startups featured at the upcoming Amazon Web Services (AWS) Demo Day: https://lnkd.in/gWvtbv62 Amazon Web Services is launching AWS Startups Women's Demo Day, a global movement happening November 6th - November 13th to recognize and amplify the presence of women founders and their groundbreaking startups. Throughout this week, hundreds of AWS Ambassadors across the globe will coordinate demo days, connecting women founders to investors, customers, strategic partners and other trailblazers within the startup ecosystem. You’re invited to join the diverse range of attendees - investors seeking promising startups, corporate partners looking to connect with founders, aspiring founders wanting to learn from dynamic founders, community members aiming to expand inclusive innovation, industry influences who want to help close funding gaps, and enthusiasts eager to get involved, and more. This global event provides value for anyone committed to building a bold vision of the future. Come play your part in this movement. Attending AWS Startups Women's Demo Week offers a wealth of opportunities for investors, founders, enterprise-level customers, and those interested in the tech startup ecosystem. Here are some reasons why you should consider attending: · Discover Innovative Startups: See firsthand the most cutting-edge tech and business models from women-led startups. · Networking Opportunities: Connect with a diverse range of participants including startup founders, industry professionals, investors, and AWS representatives. Forge new partnerships, open avenues for collaborations, and grow your network. · Learn from Leaders: Participate in our fireside chats and panel discussions to gain insights from experienced leaders and innovators. Gain valuable knowledge from their stories, experiences, and advice. Whether you are an investor seeking the next big thing, a founder looking for insights and networking, or an enterprise-level customer searching for innovative solutions, the AWS Startups Women's Demo Week is a must-attend event. #ai #genai #femalefounder #innovation #startup #venture

🚀 Tomorrow marks the beginning of an incredible journey for our team as we kickstart the Google for Startups Accelerator: Women Founders program. 🌟 Being selected for this cohort unlocks a world of opportunities for us. It means access to invaluable mentorship, resources, and a network of inspiring women entrepreneurs. We can't wait to dive into the transformative experience, sharpen our skills, and take our startup to new heights. #acceleratedwithgoogle #womenentrepreneurs

Have you had a light moment where everything just makes sense when your startup idea clicks. Wentors FoundHer Mentorship is your golden ticket to turn that idea into something epic as well as your invitation to join a squad of fearless female founders who are making waves and breaking barriers. Think about the brilliant idea you’ve got, and all it needs is a little push, some guidance, and a community that gets it. That’s where we come in! In partnership with She Loves Tech, we are offering you a platform that’s all about empowerment and going global. So, what’s your move? Are you ready to step up and show the world what you’ve got? Apply now, to propel your career to heights you’ve only dreamed of. http://bit.ly/SLTCOMP2024 #StartUpInspiration #FemaleFounders #FoundHerMentorship #SheLovesTech #Empowerment

👸 For the fem-preneurs in Canada that want a good reason to touch down in San Francisco to connect with the SF ecosystem, investors, learn, and bask in shared comraderie the Canadian Women's Network Pathway to Silicon Valley might be for you. #SiliconValley #WomenFounders #FemaleFounders #StartupGrowth #StartupFunding #StartupFounders

🚀 Exciting Update! Just completed the Levelup Cohort by Google for Startups and 91 Springboard, and what an incredible experience it has been! 🎉 From the moment I walked into the vibrant co-working space of 91Springboard, I could feel the energy and enthusiasm in the air. Being surrounded by young, passionate women who are determined to make their mark in the world was truly inspiring. 💪❤️ The event was an absolute blast! It was a perfect blend of learning and fun. There were engaging games, thought-provoking brainstorming sessions, and insightful panel discussions that left me feeling both empowered and enlightened. But what truly set this event apart was its unique vibe. It wasn't just a typical wrap-up event; it was like stepping into a world of excitement and possibilities. For those four hours, I was completely immersed in the experience, and time flew by without a care. I can honestly say that I haven't felt this invigorated and motivated in a long time. It was refreshing to step out of my comfort zone and connect with so many incredible women who are on their own entrepreneurial journeys. Kudos to the Springboard team for orchestrating such a remarkable event. They managed to create an environment where networking felt effortless and genuine connections were formed. It's not often that you attend an event and make it a point to connect with every single person in the room, but that's exactly what happened here. Last but not the least, they made sure everyone was happy till they step out of the Event. As I reflect on the Levelup Cohort, I'm filled with a renewed sense of purpose and enthusiasm. The knowledge gained, the connections forged, and the memories made will undoubtedly propel me forward in my journey as a woman founder. Here's to embracing challenges, fostering connections, and chasing dreams with unwavering passion! #shebirth #googleforstartups #91springboard #LevelupCohort #EmpoweredWomen #EntrepreneurialJourney

Pathway to Silicon Valley is back and better than ever before! We've added some exciting new activities to our next program to help you get the knowledge and connections you need to grow your startup 2x faster. Get a sneak peek below. ⬇️ This fall's program from Nov. 28-30 will include: ✅Startup tours at prominent VC firms and tech companies ✅ Storytelling pitch workshops ✅ Mentor roundtables across PR, product, partnerships, and marketing ✅ And more! ➡️ Early bird tickets go on sale Sept. 4. Learn more here: https://bit.ly/3PVEk60 Pathway to Silicon Valley is an immersive 3-day program in San Francisco designed to help early-stage women founders build 100+ industry and investor connections so that they can grow their business globally. #SiliconValley #WomenFounders #FemaleFounders #StartupGrowth #StartupFunding #StartupFounders