Casey Allen’s Post

startup community - what's the biggest questions you have around angel rounds? next week I'm hosting a founder panel on how to raise a successful angel round and I'm curious to hear where you guys struggle on this the most. Share your questions in the comments! ⬇️

if you're a founder in my LinkedIn network, drop a hi, or link to your startup if you're building something interesting. I wanna see how many of us are tuned into the conversation

Every time I work on a pitch deck, I make sure it answers all these questions (see carousel) But there's more to it: Working on a pitch deck is SO USEFUL because you get to think about questions that you don't usually ask yourself or may not consider at all if it wasn't for the pitch deck. Constructing a great pitch deck is almost like writing an exciting story about your business. Doing so really helps refresh the big picture and may reveal some gaps that actually stop you from growing. P.S. I've already shared that (and more useful stuff) in our "100M$ Idea Incubator🚀" community. If you're an enthusiast looking for an environment to help you build a startup, DM me to invite you.

Ever try to break into the startup world, but felt like everyone's in their own exclusive club? ✋ Yeah, me too. I spent months reaching out to founders, attending events... Then, I discovered the AMAZING power of online communities! Here are 10 communities that totally changed the game: ✅Business Network International & Coffeemug connect you with experienced entrepreneurs for real conversations. ☕ ✅PushStart, eChai & Startup Grind offer killer events and resources to fuel your startup journey. ✅YS Club gets you connected with a network of passionate young founders. ✅Furlough & MakersHQ offer vibrant online communities where founders share tips and build together ✅Entrepreneur's Network & Band of Entrepreneurs bring together inspiring discussions and connections on the platform you already know. These communities are GOLD! You'll find genuine support, mentorship, and maybe even your future co-founder. What are your favorite startup communities? Share them in the comments!

24six9 is the power of community realized. Every Friday, we welcome new faces to our meetups, and the community takes it upon themselves to share the 24six9 ethos with the newbies. It’s a pleasure to witness every community member do their bit to keep the 24six9 spark alight. As a quick recap, here’s what we aim to do with the community: ✅Enhance networking skills: The goal closest to our heart is to help every community member make impactful, invaluable connections. Whether it’s overcoming jitters, introversion, shyness, we nip ALL that in the bud.  ✅Mentorship: New startup founders will tell you how difficult it is to take that first step towards your startup journey. The 24six9 community ensures you’re getting the right advice every step of the way, by hosting incredible leaders and mentors to offer you support on your journey. ✅Investor Confidence: The 24six9 community firmly believes in giving back, whether it's through investing in new startups or connecting founders with investors that can best help them. We keep the ball rolling when it comes to connecting you with investors. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Join the 24six9 movement and see growth occur in real time, for you AND your business. #24six9 #entrepreneurs #mycommunity

Introducing The Startup Barn Dance: A Pitch Event with Community Why “Barn Dance”? The term is a nod to family and community-centred gatherings where everyone, from beginners to pros, participates. Like a barn dance, this event is designed to be welcoming, supportive, and low-pressure—perfect for founders and supporters who may be new to pitch events or want to try something that isn't a competition. Each Startup Barn Dance invites 4-5 startups to pitch, but instead of seeking investment, they’re here for genuine feedback and connections. Every attendee is expected to share at least one person from their network with a founder, helping open doors for those with ideas worth spreading. Who will pitch will be confirmed the day before the event. Why Attend? - Community: Join a trusted, application-only space where everyone is committed to supporting one another. - New Connections: Help founders expand their networks and meet potential collaborators. - Fresh Ideas: Learn what’s happening in your local startup scene, and support the builders of tomorrow! Think of it as a barn dance for startups—a supportive room of interesting people where everyone has a chance to participate, whether it’s your first pitch event or your hundredth. 💬 Interested? Apply now to join us at the next event and be part of a community focused on growth, learning, and collaboration! https://lu.ma/frrpk5yv #StartupBarnDance #Networking #Founders #Community #Startups

Last week, I attended AFROTECH for the first time, and it was nothing short of inspiring. From Morgan DeBaun’s energizing kickoff to Marlon C. Nichols’ CultureHouse event, the conference was a celebration of innovation and resilience. Marlon’s panel with Patreon stood out—a young creator turned her platform success into a TV series highlighting DEI experiences. But the real inspiration came from conversations with attendees (of which there were tens of thousands). Amid concerns about growing societal tensions and cuts to DEI initiatives, I saw defiance, brilliance, resourcefulness, and determination. These tech professionals are crafting strategies to recruit top talent and foster inclusion—even in challenging environments. They reminded me of Zulu warriors at the Battle of Isandlwana— fearless. Others, undeterred by the challenges of the moment, are already strategizing to seize opportunities during this period of uncertainty. AfroTech reminded me that the best of us are here, building a brighter, more inclusive future. I left with a renewed belief in the power of community and collective action. Let’s keep moving forward and keep focused on our respective interests! Here are a few other amazing organizations doing the Work: Register and Apply NOW: Unicorn Ambition Conference Join us at the Unicorn Ambition Conference, where underrepresented founders share their journeys of building building unicorns. Connect with major corporations seeking enterprise tech design collaborations and investors looking for end-of-year investment opportunities in fintech and healthtech startups. Don’t miss this chance to elevate your entrepreneurial journey and to find community! Register and Apply here: www.unicornambition.co Date: Dec 9th | Venue: The Forum, Harlem APPLY NOW: Spring 2025 Factor Fellowship backed by Primary Venture Partners Applications for the Spring 2025 Fellowship are now live! Tom Ogletree and team are looking for ambitious early-career professionals from diverse backgrounds looking to break into the startup ecosystem. Through the program, you will learn the ins-and-outs of startups and VC, connect with leading investors & entrepreneurs, and receive hands-on support to successfully transition to a startup operator role.  Apply here: https://lnkd.in/eMVpWpnd Apply NOW: In partnership with Management Leadership for Tomorrow (MLT), PEERLESS, managed by Desiree Almodovar, elevates exceptional founders from their earliest days through ongoing mentorship, intentional networking, and a $1M investment from AlleyCorp. Our goal is to create a more innovative and equitable venture ecosystem that scales the best ideas from founders of all backgrounds. Apply here: https://lnkd.in/e4sVpJ_g

The Power of Building Startup Communities 🌟 Today, I want to talk about the power of building communities for startups. In a world that’s increasingly digital, focusing on creating a community around your product or service is no longer optional—it’s essential. A strong community fosters growth, opens up networking opportunities, and builds brand loyalty like nothing else. One person I’ve truly admired for his consistency in building and nurturing communities is Inioluwa Mobolorunduro. Watching him grow and maintain a network that thrives on collaboration and mutual support has been inspiring. His approach is a reminder of how impactful consistency is in the long run. So, if you’re building a startup, remember: community is everything. It’s not just about your product but the people behind and around it. 🙌 🔹 Have you been part of a startup community? Let’s hear your experiences!

🔥  Don’t sleep on Substack - the new platform of influence that’s perfect for founders, startups, and thought leaders. Founders are already leveraging Substack, riding the wave of the 'building in public' trend dominating 2024. The newsletter platform is the perfect fit for those who prefer not to be in the spotlight. It offers a cool and effective way to build your personal brand, share BTS, and foster community around the things you love - whether it's work or life beyond your brand. Founders are leading the new era of influence, particularly as we seek substance from those we follow ✨🧨 💥 My hot list of founder Substacks to follow: 🔥 Meg Strachan - Dorsey 🔥 Alyssa Wasko - DONNI. 🔥 Emily Oberg - Sporty & Rich   🔥 Bobbi Brown 🔥 Melanie Masarin - Gaia 🔥 Victoria Prew 🔊 - HURR

How to host a Founder Fridays meetup in your city 🚀 Founder Fridays are monthly meetups powered by This Week in Startups that happen on the first Friday of each month. These local gatherings, run by founders, are a chance to discuss challenges, share ideas, and support one another. Want to host? 1️⃣ Search for your city on RIVER 2️⃣ No meetup? Start one! 3️⃣ Apply to host 4️⃣ Pick a spot and time 5️⃣ Invite other founders 6️⃣ Lead a meaningful chat 💬 Ready to bring founders together in your city? Learn more at founderfridays.tech 🔗 #FounderFridays