Heather Hartnett

C10 Labs Expanding into the New England AI and innovation ecosystem! C10 Labs and RIHub have partnered to accelerate the growth of applied AI startups across Massachusetts and Rhode Island. The collaboration provides early-stage founders with shared resources, accelerator support, investor access, and mentorship in sectors like applied at the intersection of core sectors like health, energy, climate, biotech, and robotics. #AI #Startups #Innovation #NewEngland #VentureCapital. David Berlin Patricia Geli Beth Porter Marissa Flanagan

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It is incredible what care.fi has built - an OS for healthcare players —unifying RCM, claims intelligence, and embedded finance into a single execution layer. Welcome to July Family, Care.fi

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Starting a venture capital firm today feels a lot like starting a startup 20 years ago. Many people begin with passion, conviction, and a large dose of naïveté — without fully understanding what they are getting into. That was definitely my case. Raising a fund is not the same as building a firm. And building a firm is not the same as creating a franchise. That is why this new Kauffman Fellows study, Zero to Four: How VCs Evolve From Fund to Firm, and From Firm to Franchise, is so important. Years ago, Venture Deals by Brad Feld became a turning point in how the venture capital industry explained itself to entrepreneurs. It helped bring transparency, better language, and more symmetry of information to a process that had historically been opaque. My partners and I used to give the book to entrepreneurs and encourage them to read it before entering a financing negotiation with us. Better-informed founders led to better investments. I believe this Kauffman Fellows study has the potential to do for venture capitalists — or “venturepreneurs” — what Venture Deals did for entrepreneurs. Reading it was both humbling and enlightening. I have been in venture capital for more than 20 years. We built a firm, raised two funds, backed exceptional founders, and generated outcomes we are very proud of. But we also experienced firsthand how great returns alone do not automatically translate into firm durability. Great returns are great. But they are not sufficient. Better-informed VCs will lead to better firms, and better backers for their founders, which is what matters in the end. 🚨 This is a must-read for anyone already building a VC firm — and perhaps even more importantly, for anyone thinking about starting one. 🚨 Congratulations to Fernando Fabre, the whole Kauffman Fellows team and Kauffman Fellows Network for putting this work together.

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📊 AmTech Daily: Deals Defining America's Future — Feb 25, 2026 Each morning, Commonweal Ventures compiles the day's top #AmTech deals and news at the intersection of government and technology. Here's today's. Comment "Subscribe" to get the full briefing, news included, in your inbox. Education  🔹 Subject (Beverly Hills, CA), which offers an AI-powered digital curriculum platform for middle and high school students, raised $28 million in funding led by Vistara Growth, joined by NextEquity Partners, Green Street Impact Partners, Outcomes Collective Growth Capital, and other existing investors. Health  🔹 Handl Health (Los Angeles, CA), which provides an analytics platform to help health plans and benefits consultants design employer health benefits that lower costs and improve care quality, raised $14.2 million in Series A funding led by Arthur Ventures, joined by Syndra Capital Partners, a strategic investor, Mucker Capital, Riverfront Ventures, Digital Health Venture Partners, and Boutique Venture Partners. Aerospace  🔹 Sophia Space (Pasadena, CA), building orbital data centers composed of ultra-thin, solar-powered computer panels called TILES that sit on or next to satellites, raised $10 million in seed funding led by Alpha Funds, KDDI Corporation Green Partners Fund, and Unlock Venture Partners. Finance  🔹 Comeryx Insurance (Denver, CO), which runs an AI-driven online insurance platform that automatically prices and issues specialty liability coverage for small trade contractors that traditional carriers won't easily underwrite, raised $7.5 million in seed funding led by Altai Ventures, joined by American Family Ventures, Intact Ventures, Boulder Ventures, Arch Capital Group, and Echelon. AI Chips  🔹 Cerebras (Sunnyvale, CA), which designs wafer-scale AI chips and computer systems that let large organizations train and run advanced AI models faster and more efficiently, has confidentially filed to go public in the U.S. after previously raising more than $2.5 billion in private funding across eight rounds. Energy  🔹 Terrasmart's eBOS division (Grand Rapids, MI), which makes prefabricated electrical wiring and combiner-box systems that connect utility-scale solar panels to inverters and the grid, was acquired by GameChange Energy Technologies for $70 million to extend its end-to-end solar infrastructure offering. What is #AmTech? It's our term for the companies tackling America's biggest challenges in sectors like energy, defense, healthcare, and infrastructure. In these markets, the path to building category-winning companies runs through government, and the founders who understand that are building the most consequential technology businesses of our generation.

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🎙️ New Podcast Announcement! 🎙️ Joel Palathinkal sits down with Bruce Hamilton, co-founder and General Partner at MechVentures, to explore the intersection of music, culture, and venture capital—and the art of discovering talent across industries. Key Discussion Points: • From A&R executive to venture capitalist: A talent scout's journey 🎵 • Working with icons: Travis Scott, Mary J. Blige, and cultural impact 🌟 • Parallels between discovering artists and sourcing startups 🔍 • The future of pop culture investing and celebrity-led funds 📈 • Founder mindset, adaptability, and mental resilience 🧠 • Gaming, esports, and generational wealth in the creative community 🎮 • Authentic relationship-building in business and life 🤝 Perfect For: Founders at the culture-tech intersection, entertainment investors, emerging managers, and anyone building at the crossroads of talent and innovation! 👉 Listen Now! 👈 Apple Podcasts: https://lnkd.in/e5uFRZFY Spotify: https://lnkd.in/ekqixcKs YouTube: https://lnkd.in/exr-5tV4 #VentureCapital #PopCulture #MusicIndustry #TalentScouting #CulturalInvesting

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Seth Levines’s new book, co-authored with Elizabeth MacBride, became a bestseller in its first week, a sign that many people sense the rules of capitalism are shifting in real time. I sat down with Seth, Partner at Foundry and cofounder of Pledge 1%, to discuss Capital Evolution and what it means for investors and founders. We cover the shift away from shareholder-first thinking, his concept of “dynamic capitalism,” and why restoring upward mobility is critical to an ownership economy. He also shares his perspective on today’s venture landscape, why transformational waves like AI and quantum often create bubbles that are more feature than bug, and what’s next for him after decades of investing and firm-building. Listen to Episode 502 of The Full Ratchet for the conversation. The link to the full episode is in the comment section below.

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**Navigating Change in Venture Capital: Lessons from a16z's TxO Fund Pause** The recent decision by Andreessen Horowitz to pause its Talent x Opportunity (TxO) Fund raises critical questions about sustainability in venture initiatives aimed at supporting underserved founders. At ElevenX Capital, we recognize the importance of adaptability in our strategies and maintaining robust support systems for diverse entrepreneurs. How can funds better navigate economic uncertainties while still prioritizing inclusivity and innovation? #investing #innovation #venturecapital #entrepreneurship

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For the past few years, I’ve been deeply focused on one question: What does it actually take to help #Black and underfunded founders build businesses that scale? A recent Pew Research Center study reinforced something many of us working in this space already know: while access to capital is the most visible barrier, it’s rarely the only one. Many #underfunded businesses struggle to grow not because the founders lack talent or vision, but because the structures around their businesses weren’t designed for efficiency or scale in the first place. Why? Because access to: • the right networks • technical assistance • stage-specific guidance has historically been uneven. So instead of focusing on just one intervention (like #funding), I started designing a support structure that tackles the how of business growth. Here’s the framework we’ve been building: 1. Assess: Founders evaluate where their business actually is today. 2. Equip: They get access to the tools, education, and resources that match their stage. 3. Support: They receive targeted opportunities to grow based on that stage. Today I want to highlight #3: Support. One way we’re doing this is through the Rialto Business Directory. Yes, #founders can list their products or services, but the real value is deeper than that. The directory can also be used to: • find early customers • recruit beta users • run market research • test new ideas with a supportive ecosystem In other words, it’s not just a directory, it’s a growth tool. And the best part? It’s free for founders. If you’re building something and want a space to test, learn, and grow, I’d love for you to join us. Sign up here: https://lnkd.in/eMteVkGX #MelsMondayMusings

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Maybe it’s old-fashioned, but at Adaptation Ventures we actually write our own newsletters - and my favorite part is looking across history, industries, and cultures to share insights about disability, innovation, and capital allocation. This past quarter, it was Ludwig van Beethoven, who composed his Ninth Symphony while profoundly deaf, turning constraint into creative advantage. The quarter before, it was “Crumbling Barriers: Graham Crackers and Growth Mindsets”: Paul Graham of Y Combinator and Benjamin Graham, author of The Intelligent Investor and Warren Buffett’s teacher and primary mentor - two very different, but deeply influential guides for founders and investors alike. Before that, we dug into Epictetus, one of history’s most influential Stoic philosophers, born into slavery nearly 2,000 years ago and disabled as a child, whose ideas still resonate with how resilient founders can navigate adversity. With the speed of information and constant innovation, it can be grounding to pause and explore how the themes of history apply to the modern world. As the saying goes, it may not repeat - but it often rhymes. If you enjoy this lens on disability, neurodivergence, and accessibility - our quarterly digest is for you. Check out the latest edition and sign up for the newsletter for the most timely access.

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A big milestone today for Grow Therapy, which just announced a $150M Series D led by TCV and Growth Equity at Goldman Sachs Alternatives, with BCI and Menlo Ventures joining Sequoia, Transformation Capital, and SignalFire. When we led Grow’s Series A in 2021, it was rooted in a belief that mental health access in the U.S. isn’t hindered by supply, it’s a systems problem. To win, Grow needed to be deeply integrated into the healthcare ecosystem, not operating as a point solution. In just 5 years, more than 2 million people have used Grow, with over 10 million therapy and medication management visits delivered on the platform. What stands out is the infrastructure the team has built: Grow now partners with 125+ health insurers, including Medicare and Medicaid across most states, reaching 220 million covered lives. At the same time, tools like its clinically-guided AI notetaker are reducing provider documentation time by nearly 70%, helping clinicians focus more on care. This is what durable healthtech looks like: deep payer integrations, measurable outcomes, and technology embedded directly into existing healthcare workflows. Excited to continue partnering with Jake Cooper, Manoj Kanagaraj, MD, Alan Ni, and the entire Grow team as they build trusted mental health infrastructure for insurers, employers, health systems, and most importantly, patients.

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You can feel it, something’s shifting in hard tech. From materials to manufacturing to energy, we’re seeing founders take on harder problems, and raising from investors who finally understand what it takes to build in these sectors. When Harpoon Ventures started Black Flag, our goal was simple: help critical-tech founders close the distance between great ideas and the right capital. Over the past few months, we asked hundreds of founders which investors they trust and recommend most. Their answers became something worth sharing: a public list of the most active deep-tech funds today. It’s meant to save founders time, connect them to the right partners, and make this ecosystem a little easier to navigate. 🏴‍☠️ Introducing The Black Flag Investor List → https://lnkd.in/dYsCnpnd

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Company building in energy is shaped by early decisions that compound over time—how capital is structured, how technical risk is absorbed, and how teams prepare for scale well before it arrives.    Much of my work with founders centers on navigating those choices as deep science becomes real businesses. The details differ across power, materials, and industrial systems, but the challenge is consistent: building companies that can operate, adapt, and grow over long horizons.  You can see that work taking shape across the Breakthrough Energy portfolio. https://lnkd.in/eXd72trE

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Florida women interested in a career in early stage investing, we’re in Miami! Chai Ventures is in Miami for iConnections, and we’re excited to connect with the next generation of women exploring careers in VC and finance. Through Chai Fellows, our global community of 150 women in college and early in their careers, participants gain real exposure to venture, investing, and adjacent industries. Our fellows have: • Presented internationally (including Japan) • Attended Clinton Global to meet world leaders • Met billion-dollar women founders • Engaged with policymakers and senior leaders in intimate settings • Gained weekly access to our VC firm • Attended 100+ VC, startup, family office, and finance events Chai Fellows aren’t just exploring finance, they’re building conviction, access, and community while carving their own path. If you’re based in Miami and curious about venture capital or investing, we’d love to meet you. Reach out directly to find time! Together we rise. 

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Great things happened in the Techstars network in June: →  83 new investments →  8 portfolio companies secured funding →  1 portfolio companies were acquired →  3 Founder Catalyst programs have opened applications ➕Kumulus Water (Techstars 2022) raises €3.1M for atmospheric water generators that turn air into water. ➕Lendorse raises €1.7M to offer income-based financing for international students. ➕Poppy Flowers (Techstars 2020) raises $1.7M to build on its floral business. ➕NeedEnergy (Techstars'23) (Techstars 2023) secures funding for clean-energy sector. ➕Alva Health Inc. (Techstars 2021) gets $500K NSF Grant to advance real-time stroke detection wearable. ➕Wibo (Techstars 2023) secures €500K to scale its corporate learning startup. ➕CubeNexus Inc (Techstars 2024) raises $650K in pre-seed funding. ➕Serve First CX (Techstars 2024) secures £4.6M to expand its AI-driven customer experience offering. https://lnkd.in/gqskDqtv

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This is an excellent report on the #VC activity in Florida for the first half of 2025, put together by our partner,s eMerge Americas. 💡 5 Takeaways from the eMerge Americas 1H 2025 Florida VC Insights Report: 1. Startups across Florida raised $2.85B across 270 deals, putting 2025 on pace for the strongest year since 2022. 2. AI dominates, 33% of all funded startups are AI-focused, with $830M raised in South Florida alone. 3. Cybersecurity and defense tech are booming, with Tampa emerging as “Cyber Bay” and major new AI-cyber programs launching. 4. Fintech, climatetech & Web3 continue to shine, with record funding and renewed investor confidence in Miami. 5. “If you’re not investing in AI, you’re asleep at the wheel,” says Me! https://lnkd.in/eVb-eYA9

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Excited to launch the 2026 Climate Tech course with Bruce Usher and Alan West! Teams now will include Columbia Business School, Columbia Engineering and Columbia Climate School grad students. These interdisciplinary teams will work with 10 VC funds on deep dives in sectors for innovation in climate mitigation, resilience, efficiency, and decarbonization. Thanks to the participating funds - Active Impact Investments, Aligned Climate Capital, Blackhorn Ventures, Blue Bear Capital, Buoyant Ventures, Clean Energy Ventures, Congruent Ventures, Lime Rock New Energy, Prelude Ventures and Renewal Funds!

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Excited to share that we have closed RA Capital’s $120M Planetary Health Fund. We are bringing RA Capital’s evidence-based, returns-driven approach to companies addressing urgent planetary challenges. Planetary Health is about people, planet, and profits. What sets us apart: • Deep technical and market diligence • Precision capital deployment based on proprietary research • Active support across technology, regulatory strategy, hiring, and scale-up • Focus on market readiness over momentum or funding rounds • Portfolio companies are commercially viable and not reliant on policy tailwinds Our expanding portfolio includes companies like Sortera Technologies (AI-powered metal recycling), AM Batteries (advanced battery manufacturing), and several exciting companies still in stealth. Each is built on strong fundamentals, with clear paths to impact and profitability. Proud to rejoin Kyle Teamey and partner with the RA Capital Management team to help build enduring, high-performing businesses that create both strong returns and lasting impact. The opportunity is real. The timing is right. Let’s build. https://lnkd.in/guU6hktt

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Mentorship compounds. Especially for early stage women founders. On March 19 in New York, 2M Mentors Live is hosting its 4th annual event in partnership with DVF, focused on expanding access to meaningful mentorship and capital for strong early stage founders. Selected founders will receive: • A high-impact mentorship day • Curated mentor circles aligned to their needs • An opportunity to participate in a founder showcase Learn more and apply here by February 20: https://lnkd.in/eD-nawTn Access matters, and rooms like this can change a founder’s trajectory.

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Had a great time at DC Startup & Tech Week (Formerly DC Startup Week) moderating a panel with Scott Christensen (Chesapeake Bay Seed Capital Fund (CBSCF) , Faith Davis (Exelon) and Bill McNulty (NextEra Energy Investments), convened by the great C'pher Gresham. Here's a quick recap: 1) The panelists were phenomenal - a mixture of corporate, state and foundation-backed VC's all focusing on climate. They're actively funding companies across a range of sectors - e.g. nature-based solutions, energy + AI, water, etc. Point being, we were lucky to have experts with such broad purviews. 2) The current climate could be pushing at least some climate VC's to focus on software and move away from hardware, at least temporarily. This type of capital may indeed just be better suited for software companies at this juncture. It also reflects the fact that certain segments of the climate-tech market are just more mature than others - e.g. software performs best once the hardware and the business case around it are solid, then it becomes and optimization and efficiency game. 3) Founders need to target "must-solve" climate problems from the investor lens. In other words, yes there's a sea of climate challenges where startups can be additive. However, in this environment, few of these areas are attracting meaningful capital. There's nothing wrong with tackling problem areas that are under-invested, we need this in spades. However, for those trying to get capital in the door, realize the constraints that come with targeting problems that investors just aren't prioritizing. 4) Look to funders overseas. The EU, where so much climate finance, policy and general expertise has come from, could be playing a much more important role. I'd also argue that Gulf countries like KSA and UAE are going to be critical here too, not to mention China, of course. 5) We need mentoring and coaching to be at an all-time high. With so much uncertainty, networks/communities where both founders and investors can learn from/lean on each other have never been more important. The panel/audience was a nice microcosm of the types of support networks we need to be actively building. Big thanks again to C'pher, Faith, Scott and Bill, as well as the whole DC Startup + Tech Week team. Til next year!

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