Marissa McNeelands’ Post

I've been blown away by the support available to female founders that I've seen over the past few weeks. Highlights: - Female Founders Office Hours by Playfair which gave founders 15 min sessions with four investors. Really great conversations. -Linked to this, I also got to learn about SISTAFUND who have just got the most amazing mission to get female founders funding, as well as support. -Female Founders Rise put on three incredibly insightful webinars in quick succession covering investors and valuation with Sam Simpson; personal branding with Lottie Unwin (she/her) and strategic partnerships with Khalia Ismain and Lucy Woolfenden. Seriously good stuff out there. Funding is still terribly skewed to male-led start-ups, but I feel confident there are amazing people out there fighting the good fight. #femalefounder #womenintech #femalefoundersrise #ffoh

So excited to share that I'll be joining Radha Agrawal, Timothy Patch, and more on their journey to end loneliness and empower belonging for all with Belong Center as their new Chief Community and Operations Officer. Belong Center is building a research-backed, multifaceted roadmap to address loneliness and isolation in all 50 states and in 2024-2025, we will: launch Belong Benches 💛 across major markets to create public space for connection and belonging, develop circles of connection called Belong Circles ⚪ in all 50 states, host 1K+ block parties 🎉 that help people *actually* be more connected to their neighbors, and more. Why am I choosing to take on this work? - 1 in 2 American adults are currently experiencing loneliness - Loneliness has the same impact on mortality as smoking 15 cigarettes a day - 43% (WTF!!) of Americans report feeling like they don't have meaningful relationships in their lives The time for far-reaching, innovative, thoughtful, and FUN solutions is now - and I know this team is the right one to do it. If you're interested in sponsoring public space solutions for loneliness, becoming a Belong Circle facilitator, hosting a Belong Block Party, or more, reach out at becca@belongcenter.org. And if you want to learn more about our work, check out our features in The Wall Street Journal or The Guardian (https://lnkd.in/gsXDzjxJ) - or take a peek at our website at www.belongcenter.org. (ps: please excuse Belong Center's LinkedIn presence - hasn't been a priority for this team!)

With only a number of weeks to go before Climb24, it is great to see that the #TeamSPB sessions have now been announced. These are closed sessions, if you are interested in attending please follow the links to register your interest. #Climb24 #TeamSPB #VC #VentureCapital #GrowthCapital

For anyone wanting a sneak peek behind the scenes of the female founders summit - this is for you! Tickets are selling quickly and the price increases in a couple of weeks. If you’re on the fence - I recommend taking a look at the link below and getting yourself in the room. No matter how big or small your business, it really is unmissable. We understand the ticket cost is high for some owners, which is why the event is also available on Eventbrite if you wish to pay in installments. Regardless - the masterclasses and sessions are worth thousands when purchased alone. I’d say it’s sound business sense to treat yourself!! 🤣 Upshot - what we are about, possibility, dignity and empowerment. Our vision - equality in entrepreneurship. Our mission - empowering female founders to build brilliant businesses. Like the sound of it? Here’s more info: https://lnkd.in/ednTeNcv Oh and Mary Portas is coming. Just in case that sways you!!!

One of the defining characteristics of Gen Z is their commitment to social and environmental issues. This generation is more likely to prioritize sustainability, ethical business practices, and social impact, and they are adept at leveraging social media not just for marketing, but as a platform for advocacy and building community around shared values. At Formation Ventures, our approach and mission directly align with Gen Z's entrepreneurial needs. What generation group do you belong to? Comment below!

Often, I have been asked - how do you run long distances without any music? When I run, its to feel myself and get connected to the nature around me. While running in Cubbon park today, took the below picture. Being the founder, I could see LeRemitt in it where businesses across can converge. Its branches reaching across borders embracing the values of : Transparency: Like the clear sky above, we ensures openness ensuring trust Efficiency: The tree's branches reminded me of streamlined processes. Transactions flow seamlessly, minimizing bureaucracy and delays. Security: The pigeons sitting on the branches represented our customers to me . The platform safeguards their and their transactions data Economical: The tree’s resilience despite its leafless state reflected resourcefulness to me. LeRemitt empowers small businesses without excessive costs. #naturelovers #crossborderpayments #exporters #msmes

Dear Business Owner, Director or Manager, If you are reading this ... You may like this post that we have handpicked for you. Fearless Fund hits back at conservative group’s lawsuit Fearless Fund, the venture capital firm started by Black women to invest in women of color that a conservative group sued alleging racial discrimination, announced their legal team Thursday and hit back at the court challenge. You can read more about it here: https://lnkd.in/gnFY8G94 HOWEVER, as an owner, director or manager, you may be having a hard time, or know someone who is having a hard time generating inspiring, high quality branded social posts and SEO optimised blog content. Our low cost service can help you captivate current customers and future potential customers. We will increase your brand visibility, and foster higher levels of human interaction. Inform, entertain, advise, introduce, persuade, educate, build rapport, inspire, instruct, motivate… whilst driving traffic and sales on auto-pilot. It just takes one click to learn more: https://lnkd.in/gzE3sv6v #SmallBizOwnerSuccess #SmallBizOwnerHustle #MarketingDirectorGoals #MarketingDirectorInspiration...

Reliability is key when your talking about the trust your customers put in you to get their product in time and on budget. Your shipping department is one of the biggest pieces to your customer satisfaction. Nobody is more reliable than EasyPost....NOBODY!

It is now time to cast your vote for your favorite venture! Our top 50 finalists need you to secure a $25k award to grow their business. The poll will be open until Monday, October 18th at 5pm PST. Watch this tutorial, to see how quick and easy it is to vote! In the comments be sure to tag what business or founder you will be voting for. Also, visit each of our founders’ websites, using the link in our announcement, to learn more about their company and to secure a product or service! #votenow #publicvoting #blackambition #fundingopportunity

Dot and I are back on the tools for 2024 🎉 For those of you that aren't familiar with my Sheepadoodle, two things are important to her: 1️⃣ Protecting our house from the postie 📬 🙃 2️⃣ Nurturing, funding and accelerating startups founded and led by women 💅 And Dot has been at me all break on the latter. To make her proud, I'm opening my The Melt calendar for office hours for female founders of hardware and climate tech startups. 📅 Office hours is for you if you're a female founder of a hardware startup anywhere from idea stage to scaleup looking for: 🟡Feedback on your idea or product (think product-market fit, business model, commercialisation etc) 🟡Guidance on prototyping, piloting or producing your product 🟡An opportunity to rubber duck a problem 🐶 jokes aside, I want more women to feel confident, encouraged and equipped to build hardware companies. So for those of you that aren't sure if this offer is for you: it is. Don't die wondering, come have a chat. 💬 Link will be in the comments. #Hardware #ClimateTech #OfficeHours #FemaleFounders