GHP #74 - VC #2 - Changing the Face of Entrepreneurship with Nicole DeTommaso!

Episode 74 is with Nicole DeTommaso, Senior Associate at Harlem Capital!

As a Senior Associate at Harlem Capital, Nicole focuses on deal sourcing, due diligence, and platform development. Prior to Harlem Capital, Nicole worked at RBC Capital Markets within the Investment Banking division, focused primarily on Mergers & Acquisitions and Initial Public Offerings within the technology and digital media sectors.

Harlem Capital is a venture capital firm on a mission to change the face of entrepreneurship by investing in 1,000 diverse founders over the next 20 years. They invest post product, or what they call 'Early Seed', with a commitment to reserving specific capital for investments in minority and women founders.

We talk to Nicole about her journey into Venture Capital. She details the day in the life of a senior associate at Harlem Capital, the criteria and due diligence for investing into good companies, the future of the internet, how VC’s are preparing for future economic downturns, and much more.

If you're looking to get into the VC space, this conversation is a great start!

Harlem Capital
https://harlem.capital/

Timestamps
 2:07 - Intro to Nicole
 4:49 - Lived Experience of Being a Minority in VC
 8:45 - Importance of Mentorship along the way
10:53 - Working in Toronto
12:48 - Transitioning into Venture Capital
15:54 - Using Twitter to get into VC
18:03 - Nicole’s Pitch Deck when applying to Harlem Capital
24:15 - Working at Harlem Capital
27:10 - Why Web 3.0 is important
33:08 - A Day in the life of a Senior Associate at Harlem Capital
37:20 - How VC’s are Preparing for a Recession
44:18 - The Lack of Diversity in VC
51:12 - Advice for Maintaining Mental Health
54:23 - Lightning Round