Why Equiseed?

We are addressing equity disparities in the early-stage startup ecosystem by creating an inclusive community and network of founders, advisors, investors, and mentors. We exist to highlight high-potential underrepresented founders and their ideas and to provide them with the resources they need to be successful (e.g. mentors, education, advisor introductions, investor introductions, and pitch nights) 

• Startups: Gain the resources, actionable feedback, advisors and mentorship you need to grow and scale your business. 

• Community members: Mentor/Advise, invest, and/or learn 

1. Mentoring/Advising: Enhance your leadership and coaching skills, serve as an advisor, make an impact on high-potential startups, and give back! 

2. Investing: Stay abreast of new trends and companies in your investing vertical of interest and/or identify high-potential startups to invest in now or down the road and start the conversation! 

3. Learning: Learn about the early stage startup & venture ecosystem

We aim to expand our capabilities to become a full syndicate platform where community members can also invest in Equiseed startups within the platform (stay tuned for this exciting next chapter!).

Startups: How do I Join Equiseed?

• Step 0: Identify as an underrepresented founder looking for mentorship, connections to investors, and/or a supportive community

• Step 1: Submit the form to join the Equiseed platform through the following link​

• Step 2: Undergo Equiseed’s initial diligence review

• Step 3: Once past initial review, if your startup is selected to move forward, the Equiseed team will reach out to schedule a time to discuss your business in further detail 

• Step 4: Post-meeting, you’ll be informed of the next steps. 

• Step 5 :If your startup is selected to join the Equiseed platform, you will receive a login to create your profile

• Step 6: If you indicated interest in being paired with an Equiseed industry/functional mentor, the Equiseed team will hand-select potential mentors that fit your needs and reach out with options for your to select from– we want to ensure that we provide the perfect match!

• Step 6a: If you decide to partake in the 6-week mentorship program, you will complete this process supplemented by a library of Equiseed documents and resources with your mentor

• Step 7: Partake in upcoming pitch nights, events, and access additional resources that are provided to the startups on the Equiseed platform 

• Step 8: Get introduced to investors and advisors interested in your business by the Equiseed team

Community Members: How do I join Equiseed?

• Step 1: Sign up for the Equiseed waitlist through the following link​

• Step 2: The Equiseed team will reach out with login information to the platform & instructions on how to create your Equiseed profile

• Step 3: If you indicated interest in serving as a mentor, the Equiseed team will perform pairings based on need and expertise and reach out to you with potential matches when available 

• Step 4: Partake in upcoming pitch nights, events, and access resources

• Step 5: Complete post-pitch surveys and request for offline introductions to startups of interest for potential investment and/or advising 

• Step 6: Equiseed team makes introduction 

• Step 7: Repeat!