Bloomberg Businessweek ICYMI: Collab Capital's Latest Investments
Sep 2, 2025
Jewel Burks Solomon, co-founder of Collab Capital and former head of Google Startups US, dives into the venture capital landscape. She highlights the firm's focus on tech-driven solutions that promote economic mobility and community well-being. Jewel discusses the challenges of investing in AI startups, emphasizing the need to identify genuine innovation. The conversation also showcases the significance of backing entrepreneurs from marginalized communities, with notable investments in maternal health and sustainable materials, blending social impact with smart business.
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Building Blocks Of Shared Prosperity
- Collab Capital targets the "building blocks of shared prosperity": workforce, healthcare, and community infrastructure.
- These sectors unlock economic mobility, close care gaps, and strengthen critical local systems via technology.
Cutting Through The AI Hype
- Many startups add ".ai" without deep models or defensible data moats, creating noise in the market.
- Investors must evaluate technology depth, defensibility, and path to profitability before investing.
Require Moats And Profit Clarity
- Verify a startup's defensible advantage, unique approach, and realistic path to profit before investing.
- Prioritize companies with technological moats, clear problem fit, and eventual profitability prospects.