So Ambitious 204. Beyond the Spicy Tweets: Brian Brackeen's Tech Odyssey from Philly to Lightship Capital
Although notoriously known as the King of Spicy Tweets, Brian Brackeen, seasoned entrepreneur and General Partner at Lightship Capital, has built a track record of raising billions in support of Black businesses and entrepreneurs, making waves that resonate far beyond the confines of 280 characters.
In this interview, Brian Brackeen provides an intimate look into his journey as he recounts the pivotal moment of his removal as CEO, offering profound insights into the distinctive challenges encountered by Black founders. Brian also discusses the crucial theme of legal preparedness, stressing the importance of contracts and protections for founders, especially those from underrepresented communities, to fortify themselves against unjust removals from their own ventures.
This episode is a must-listen for anyone seeking inspiration, legal wisdom, and a deeper understanding of the journey toward a more equitable tech industry. Tune in for a dynamic exploration of Brian Brackeen's remarkable journey and his impactful contributions to the tech and startup ecosystem.
KEY POINTS
(1:21) - Brian’s role at Lightship Capital and his journey from Philly to Apple and IBM
(4:05) - Brian on his move to the Miami startup ecosystem for venture capital raising
(8:33) - Starting Kairos: how it shifted from a time clock company to facial recognition technology
(10:03) - How to best structure a board and fortify yourself as a founder
(12:10) - Brian on the day of his removal from the Kairos board
(14:13) - Bridging disparities in legal preparation, transparency, and support for Black founders
(17:29) - Fostering transparency and shedding light on inappropriate board removals
(19:41) - Brian on the privilege of having safety nets for white vs minority founders
(21:32) - The origins of Black Tech Week in providing opportunities & resources for Black entrepreneurs
(25:03) - The origin story of Candice & Brian Brackeen and 6 years of building their legacy
(27:55) - Creating visibility & opportunities, and featuring the stories of Black founders through Black Tech Week
(31:42) - What’s next for Brian Brackeen and Black Tech Week?
QUOTABLES
“One of the problems of venture and startups in general is that it's highly designed for the young white male founder.” - Brian Brackeen
“Unfortunately, one of the worst parts of my job is I probably take between 8 and 12 calls a year, every year, from a founder who has been inappropriately removed asking me for my help.” - Brian Brackeen
RESOURCES
Twitter | @BrianBrackeen
IG | @lightship.capital
Linkedin | @brianbrackeen
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So Ambitious is produced by EPYC Media