Sarah Kunst: How Diversity Leads to Better Investment Performance | SALT Talks #73 | Summary and Q&A

TL;DR

Sarah Kunst, founder and managing director of CLEO Capital, discusses her non-traditional path into venture capital and the importance of diversity in the industry.

Key Insights

• 👾 Venture capital investing involves evaluating founders and their ability to adapt and learn in a fast-paced environment.
• ❓ The pandemic has accelerated digital transformation and created opportunities for innovation.
• 🪛 Diversity and inclusion are vital in the venture capital industry to drive better results and support underrepresented founders.
• 🌍 International markets, such as Africa and the Middle East, offer significant potential for entrepreneurship and innovation.

Transcript

hello everyone welcome back to salt talks my name is john darcy i'm the managing director of salt which is a global thought leadership forum at the intersection of finance technology and public policy and we're on the back half of a great salt talks double header today after a great salt talk this morning with for former florida governor jeb bush a... Read More

Questions & Answers

Q: What is scout investing and how does it differ from traditional venture capital?

Scout investing involves angel investing on someone else's dime and is a way for venture capitalists to invest in startups at an early stage without using their own funds.

Q: How did Sarah Kunst start the Chrysalis Fellowship program and what were the outcomes?

Kunst started the Chrysalis Fellowship program to support individuals who were laid off during the pandemic and help them incubate new ideas and find new jobs. The program resulted in the creation of over 20 projects and 10 new companies.

Q: What characteristics does Sarah Kunst look for in founders when making seed stage investments?

Kunst looks for founders who are coachable, responsive to challenges, and have a diverse team. She values neuroplasticity and the ability to adapt and learn quickly.

Q: How does Sarah Kunst see the future of international entrepreneurship and investment trends?

Kunst believes that innovation is not limited to Silicon Valley and sees opportunities for entrepreneurship in markets like Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. She emphasizes the importance of diversity and capitalizing on global innovation.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Sarah Kunst grew up in a small town in Michigan, had a passion for learning, and started working in tech after college.

• She worked at companies like Apple, Red Bull, and Chanel, and gained insights into the importance of product and marketing excellence.

• Kunst founded CLEO Capital to invest in early-stage startups and is focused on supporting diverse founders.