Elevate Capital Newsletter
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December 2020
At Elevate Capital, we believe there is tremendous opportunity to invest early and offer mentorship to underserved entrepreneurs. We provide the inclusive venture capital and guidance they need to turn their startups into great companies.
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Decreasing the $4 Trillion Racial Equity Gap and Expanding Opportunities for Black and Brown Entrepreneurs
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Stephanie Lampkin, Founder and CEO of Blendoor (an Elevate Capital portfolio company since 2018), and Nitin Rai, Managing Partner of Elevate Capital spoke at TechfestNW on December 3 about the $4 trillion gap and expanding opportunities for Black and Brown entrepreneurs.
“We have power with our wallet. We have power in where we choose to work, which is where companies are most sensitive,” Lampkin tells Willamette Week.
“I've had to fight every battle and had my own challenges,” says Rai. "If I was going to invest in a fund and create a fund, that's where I would put my money in because that's where we're going to make that money.”
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Celebrate #NationalApp Day on December 11
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Spread the word about your favorite app on #NationalAppDay, December 11. Here are a few Elevate Capital portfolio company apps to check out and download.
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Blendoor: Blendoor is a blind recruiting app that hides the candidate’s name and photo to circumvent unconscious bias. Learn More
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Bumped: Bumped is a no-fee investment app that gives consumers the power to turn their everyday spending into free stock ownership. Learn More
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The Dyrt: The Dyrt is a platform where campers can easily find and review over 35,000 campgrounds throughout the United States. Learn More
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ToolBelt: With the residential construction industry facing a skilled labor shortage, the ToolBelt app addresses the industry’s biggest challenge–limited labor capacity. Learn More
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Holiday Gift Ideas and Savings: Support Local Businesses and Shop Online
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Goodwell: Goodwell toothbrushes, toothpaste, floss, and accessories make great stocking stuffers. The company offers a sustainable twist on the classic manual toothbrush with its Premium Toothbrush and degradable brush head subscription. Get 30% off all products when you use discount code PSF2020. Shop Now
Handful: Handful products elevate, motivate, and support women to grab life! Free shipping on orders over $40 and save 25% off all products (hoodies, tops, bras, and leggings) through 12/31/20 (sale items included) when you use discount code PSF25. Shop Now
Healers PetCare: Healers PetCare focuses on keeping your pet healthy and strong with pet products that keep your pups safe all year long. Check out Healers’ $10 supplement sale and enjoy free shipping on orders over $50. Shop Now.
Wildfang: Wildfang is known for their “Tomboy” tee and “Wild Feminist” designs. Check out the Wild Feminist Wildflower Tee that has a relaxed unisex fit and 100% cotton. Use the discount code WILDFANGLOVESPSF to save 15% off all full-price items. Shop Now
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Bumped Raises $10.4 Million for Series A Round
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The Bumped team officially launched its new stock rewards app with 50,000 users after raising $10.4 million for its Series A round, reports Crunchbase, as well as closing on $5 million in debt financing. “We’re thrilled to have brought our new stock app to the market this year,” said David Nelson, Founder and CEO of Bumped.
“We’ve spent almost two years doing a formal study where we gave out 2 million stock rewards to understand what happens when someone becomes an owner in a company they shop with,” said Nelson. “We are so incredibly grateful for all that we’ve learned to get here.”
How Bumped Works: Open an account, select your rewards, choose your brands, spend and get Bumped rewards.
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Stephanie Lampkin Shares Her Entrepreneur Journey and Success With Willamette Week
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Stephanie Lampkin, Founder and CEO of Blendoor, recently met with Willamette Week for an exclusive look at how diversity equity and inclusion software can beat bias in hiring.
Blendoor’s proprietary BlendScore technology enables brand, strategy, and talent recommendations tailored to your business’s unique needs. The 10-employee company has 120 corporate clients and nearly 1 million job seekers using the platform.
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Toolbelt Receives #Create OEN Entrepreneurship Award
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“In a year when finding success as entrepreneurs has never been more difficult, ToolBelt is honored to have received a 2020 OEN Entrepreneurship Award from the Oregon Entrepreneurs Network in the #Create category,” said Josh Englebrecht, Co-Founder and CEO of Toolbelt.
“This distinction was made possible by a dedicated team, outstanding partners, and knowledgeable advisors,” said Englebrecht. “We are grateful for this recognition and inspired to keep working hard and strive for continued success.”
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The Wild Receives #Disrupt OEN Entrepreneurship Award
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“We are humbled, grateful, and honored to have won a 2020 OEN Entrepreneurship Award from the Oregon Entrepreneurs Network in the Disrupt category,” said Gabe Paez, Founder and CEO of The Wild. "We've all been disrupted by 2020. But we can also be disruptors by sharing authentic joy during this challenging time."
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The Wild Shares How Virtual Reality is a Better Way for People to Collaborate from Anywhere
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Gabe Paez, Founder and CEO of The Wild, spoke with Willamette Week about how virtual reality platforms are becoming a reality during a global pandemic.
"We need a more sustainable way to work together from anywhere on this planet. The commuting we're doing to and from an office really doesn't make sense,” said Paez. “On a Zoom conference call, you can't lean over and talk to the person next to you, or stand up and address the group. With The Wild, you can."
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Portfolio Companies Are Hiring
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Happy Holidays from Elevate Capital
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As we prepare to take some time away to celebrate winter holidays, the Elevate Capital team wishes you and your family a joyous and festive holiday season, and a new year filled with success, happiness, good health, and prosperity.
#HappyHolidays #WinterSolstice #HappyHanukkah #MerryChristmas #HappyKwanzaa #HappyNewYear
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December 16 (5:30 pm) – Pitch Club, Mock Investor Meeting, TiE Oregon
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