Diverse Tech Founders Media

Diverse Tech Founders - Alana Mann

Scaling a startup is challenging. In addition, the ability to collect the appropriate resources at the right moments would decide the success or failure of such a procedure. This week on the Diverse Tech Founders podcast, we are speaking with Alana Mann, Principal at Cultivation Capital, a venture capital firm that invests in new startups whose ideas have the potential to revolutionize the way we live and work.
[00:48] Alana's Story - Alana describes who she was as a youngster and whether her younger self would be her friend today. Moreover, she discusses her childhood, where she grew up, and how it influenced her mindset and work.
[05:08] First Experience - Alana recalls her first experience with investing in innovation.
[08:06] Cultivation Capital – Alana talks about her company and how it differs from other companies.
[12:55] Enterprise SAS Strategy - Selling to enterprises on a large scale requires a distinct procurement process, sales pipeline, and sales approach. Alana points out the importance of adopting an enterprise SAS strategy for someone just starting a business and attempting to decide between B2B and B2C marketing.
[15:55] Be Selected - Alana explains what her clients need to know about her business model as a venture capital fund to reach the investment stage in which her firm is interested.
[22:31] Selection Criteria - Alana outlines what she looks for when a founder reaches out to her via email, direct message, or in-person meeting.
[26:39] Influence - Alana describes her grandma's influence on her and the positive effects her journey has had on her family.
[32:04] Ideal Co-Founder - Alana discusses an uncommon trait that she would want to incorporate in a co-founder if she were building one.
[32:57] Inspiration from Arts - Alana reveals which musicians most influence her lifestyle and investment strategy.
[38:39] Nashville - Alana highlights the specialty of Nashville, explaining why startups are relocating there and why there is so much excitement surrounding this city.
42:47] Another Ecosystem – Alana describes the startup ecosystem she would relocate to if she had to leave Nashville and go somewhere other than Silicon Valley.
[45:53] Pivot – Alana reflects on a turning point in her professional life.
[49:45] Network is Your Net Worth – By sharing some of her experiences, Alana emphasizes the significance of networking.
[53:41] Billion-Dollar Company – Alana discusses whether or not she would like to head a billion-dollar company.
[01:02:28] Most Valuable Contribution - Alana expresses what she considers the most valuable contribution she makes to the people she is attempting to assist.
Rankings
#11 Startup Podcasts in 2022: checkout the full list here -> https://blog.feedspot.com/startup_podcasts/

Resources:
Connect with Alana:
Email: amann@cultivationcapital.com
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/alana-sierra-mann/

Quotes
Product stickiness doesn't work, if you're losing your key customer advocate on the other side of the table because it's a high turnover industry.
The moment in my life that has shocked me the most has been how impressive of a network I've been able to build just by cold emailing people.
How you find ways to build connective tissue with these people before you need them is the biggest piece of why network equals net worth because if you're waiting to hit them up when you need something, that's too late.