Becoming a Lead Investor with Hillary Talbot & Jennifer Kuan and Catherine Gray Ep. 470

Today on the Invest In Her podcast, host Catherine Gray talks with Hillary Talbot and Jennifer Kuan, Ph.D., Managing Partners of être Venture Capital. Hillary is a sailor, surfer, and former competitive Alpine skier who brings over 20 years of startup ecosystem experience to VC, helping founders shape strategy, drive profitability, and build toward successful exits. She co-founded être to dismantle barriers for women and minority founders and support entrepreneurs solving real-world challenges through manufacturing and critical technologies. Jennifer, a Ph.D. in Business from UC Berkeley and MS from Stanford, is a tenured economics and entrepreneurship professor whose academic research explores how nonprofit structures support innovative industries like venture capital, open-source software, and semiconductors. She co-founded être to put collaborative, research-driven VC principles into practice, and developed the free online course Venture Capital 101 for Women to make the industry more accessible. 

In this episode, Catherine, Hillary, and Jennifer dive into the journey of becoming a lead investor—what it means, why it matters, and how women can confidently step into this influential role. They discuss how être VC structures investments to empower women as leaders in capital deployment, the importance of understanding term sheets and due diligence, and why taking that first leap as a lead investor can create ripple effects for future founders and funds. The conversation also touches on the collaborative nature of successful venture ecosystems, the mindset required to lead a round, and how women can use their lived experience and decision-making strengths to transform the investment landscape. Catherine and her guests break down both the strategic and psychological components of leadership in venture capital, offering listeners a clear roadmap for getting started and building confidence in the process.

🌐 être Venture Capital — https://www.etre.vc

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• www.sheangelinvestors.com 

 

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