Overhauling the Venture Capital Landscape with Jesse Draper of Halogen Ventures

Jesse Draper is the Founding Partner of Halogen Ventures, an early-stage venture capital fund focused on women-founded consumer technologies. A 4th generation venture capitalist, Jesse is an advocate for investing in innovation that solves some of the biggest issues facing women and families today. A leading voice of women in technology, Jesse was listed by Marie Claire magazine as one of the 50 Most Connected Women in America and was nominated by the NRF as a DealMakeHer. In addition to their work at Halogen Ventures, Jesse and her team created the Halogen Fellowship in Venture Capital to increase diversity and inclusion in the industry. Jesse joins us today to discuss her experiences with simultaneously navigating an acting career and a budding interest in the tech industry. She describes the thought process and lessons she learned from building The Valley Girl Show. She reveals the best way to get the attention of a VC. Jesse also highlights the flaws of traditional funding and capital access and underscores the role of women- and minority-led funds in changing the system. “Access to capital is an old, broken part of the system that started in slave-holding days and it’s a real problem. Women and minority-led funds are going to change it.” - Jesse Draper If you’re looking to take your business to the next level, join the Entreprenista League today at entreprenista.com/join. We can’t wait to welcome you, support you, and be part of your business journey! This week’s takeaways from Entreprenista: Growing up in a family of entrepreneursJesse’s experience working in the entertainment industry and her journey to starting a venture capital fundCreating The Valley Girl Show and the challenges Jesse faced in the mediaEfficiently qualifying an investor for your fundHow much capital Jesse was able to raise for her first fundHow she decides which companies to invest inHow her thought process as an angel investor changed over timeWhy women need to start funds and help other women entrepreneursThe best ways to reach out to angel investors and venture capitalistsInfluencer marketing and finding creative ways to help women get fundingJesse’s tips for time management and balancing business and family Resources Mentioned: IFundWomenAffinity CRM Our Favorite Quotes: “You want to ensure that any fund manager you’re talking to thinks 20 years into the future.” - Jesse Draper“As an investor, I love it when entrepreneurs are ruthless and won’t give up when trying to find me.” - Jesse Draper“Don’t take an investment check from anyone until you have a plan on how to make it back.” - Jesse Draper Connect with Jesse Draper: HalogenHalogen on LinkedInHalogen on InstagramHalogen on FacebookHalogen on TwitterJesse Draper on LinkedInJesse Draper on InstagramJesse Draper on TwitterJesse Draper on YouTube If you’re looking to take your business to the next level: Join our Entreprenista League community of women founders! You’ll have access to a private community of like-minded Entreprenistas who are making an impact in business every day, special discounts on business products and solutions, exclusive content, private events, and the opportunity to have your story featured on our website and social channels, and MORE! Whether you’re looking to scale your existing business and want to make the right connections, or you’re thinking about finally taking the leap to launch your business, we’re here to give you access to a community of women who will celebrate your every step, and with whom you can share the candid reality of building a business from scratch.