As a partner for Kapor Capital, the venture arm of the Oakland, California-based Kapor Center for Social Impact, Brian Dixon seeks to identify and evaluate investments in early-stage tech companies. As such, he has also played a large role in advancing firms that have the greatest challenges in gaining capital–especially those launched by founders of color.
One way that the young financier has tried to help drive that funding has been to provide education to prospective investors about putting money in tech ventures that serve to diversify the industry. Last month, he talked to a group of African American high net worth individuals and impact investors at the Philanthropy at the Vineyard Summit about how to approach the space whether they decide to do so as an angel, limited partner, or VC.
Dixon says it’s most important to “just act.” There are so many resources, I put this list together of places to go.
Tech investors–that group may include you–should take advantage of the following:
- KaporCapital.com – The site helps impact investors, those seeking to “understand startup companies with the ability to transform entire industries and address social needs.”
- AngelList – Says Dixon: “As angels, you must know about AngelList. It’s a place where all deals are happening. Kapor Capital actually syndicates their deals on AngelList as well. If you want to invest alongside us or other VCs, that’s a place you can do that.”
Dixon says that investors must keep abreast of the latest tech news, trends, and innovations as well as gain specifics on how to start and structure a fund or what should be included in an LP pitch deck. To gain that insight, tap the following sources:
- TechCrunch
- VentureBeat
- Medium
- Quora
Dixon also advises investors to read the following books to help guide them through the funding process as well as gain an understanding of how founders and financiers negotiate:
- Venture Deals: Be Smarter Than Your Lawyer and Venture Capitalist by Brad Feld and Jason Mendelson. Whether you’re an entrepreneur or investor, he says, “It pretty much explains how seed stage investments work.”
- The Lean Startup: How Today’s Entrepreneurs Use Continuous Innovation to Create Radically Successful Businesses by Eric Reis. “It’s all the Silicon Valley tricks of how to start a company all in one book.”
Lastly, Dixon included two blogs focused on, “Who are the other folks who look like me?” engaged in financing within the sector. He offers his must-read VC blog picks:
- Bit.ly/topVCblogs
- Bit.ly/BlackVCs
Dixon is confident that tapping these resources can help novices or seasoned pros become more proficient at investing in tech. Access them to power your portfolio.