218 - Changing the Game in Venture Capital with Senofer Mendoza and Asya Bradley of Mendoza Ventures

This interview is extra exciting because we’ve never had someone on the show to talk about how to secure VC funding for your business, and my guests today, who are coming to us from Mendoza Ventures, have a very unique company that specifically helps female founders secure funding. They are also super unique and special in that every general partner at Mendoza Ventures is either a minority or female, and I’m so excited to talk about their mission and vision on the show. Senofer Mendoza is Co-Founder and General Partner of Mendoza Ventures. After having a career in enterprise sales and hospitality design, she started Mendoza Ventures to address the growing funding gap in the pre-seed investment stage. Senofer is a published author, innovator, and thought leader in the technology, startup, and VC space with a passion for equality and diversity. She is an advocate for DEI initiatives across both her professional and her personal life. Asya Bradley is a Senior Partner at Mendoza Ventures who is spearheading the firm's expansion to San Francisco. With over 20 years of experience in tech (founding team at Synapse, co-founder, Kinly, Cisco alum) and a track record of supporting underestimated founders, Bradley is an experienced investor, operator, and fintech entrepreneur. A champion of diversity and gender balance in the workplace, Bradley’s interests align perfectly with Mendoza Ventures mission to promote women, BIPOC, LGBTQ+ and other communities. Bradley has lived and worked throughout Europe, the Middle East, Asia and North America. Show Notes: [3:21] - If you don’t have experience with venture capital, it can be very overwhelming and confusing. [4:20] - Senofer and Asya explain how Mendoza Ventures was started. [5:28] - You can save a lot of time and money for people by helping them and creating strong alliances. [6:29] - When experiencing venture capital confusion and discrimination herself, Asya saw the need for Mendoza Ventures. [8:42] - Don’t underestimate yourself and the value you bring to the table. [9:45] - Women are not commonly found in this field. [11:20] - The questions differ based on a lot of biases. [13:04] - There are key things that women need to prepare for. [15:10] - We can try to change the system, which is something that Mendoza Ventures does, but it’s important to know how this system is designed. [16:29] - What is venture capital and do you need this funding? [18:22] - Venture capital is a great solution for tech. [20:47] - Think practically. How are you going to organize yourself? [22:15] - Sometimes you have to pause and try again. [23:34] - With venture capital you have to run it like a very firm pipe but also not telling anyone that you’re doing that. [24:51] - Do your own research and find out if they are the right fit for you, too. [25:35] - A diverse founding team is so important. [26:54] - It is proven that more diverse companies are more profitable. [28:15] - Build what you want to see. [30:10] - In businesses where women are underrepresented, the only way to be successful is to build it yourself. [32:18] - It is common for women to hide their pregnancies because they are considered a liability in some industries. [35:07] - When you look at other women and they look all put together, don’t compare yourself. [36:10] - Reach out to other women and create your board. Find the women who are inspirational to you. Connect with Mendoza Ventures: Website | Senofer on LinkedIn | Asya on LinkedIn Links and Resources: Instagram | LinkedIn | YouTube She Sells with Elyse Archer Home Page