From 10 to 20: Sarah Kunst, Founder & Managing Director — Cleo Capital
We asked 12 amazing founders and investors to share a look back and predictions for the road ahead. Celebrity photographer Ashley Batz joined in to capture these trailblazers on the cusp between decades & author Alice Berman penned an essay about decade that was. Find the full article here.
What’s been an obstacle you’ve consistently run up against in this industry, and do you see that changing? There is an epidemic of tunnel vision when it comes to understanding who and what is fundable. Investors often chase the same narrow company sectors or founder profiles, over indexing on buzzwords or alma maters while making it near impossible for truly new ideas and diverse people to succeed. There’s been glacial change in these areas but with Cleo Capital I hope to catalyze transformation on both fronts.
Where should we be looking for inspiration on “what’s next” in investing? There’s too much in our daily lives that we don’t question. Interrogating why the status quo exists and what it would take to change it in every area is what will drive the next wave of innovation and investment. Much like a 3 year old who responds to every piece of information with a simple ‘why?”, we must begin questioning the very fabric of our world. From climate change and ocean tech to birth control, education, the criminal justice system, housing, shopping, dating and our food supply, we owe it to ourselves to take a hard look at what is and imagine how it could be made more humane, inclusive and prosperous for all.
What are you personally invested in (on an emotional level) over the next decade? Personal relationships. As tech automates more and more jobs and daily tasks, it’s easy to send a pithy reaction gif instead of being vulnerable or Prime a gift instead of attending major life events for those you love. The end result is that while we have more freedom than ever to travel & communicate, people are lonelier than ever. I want to help change this for myself, my friends and family and the world. Technology should enhance, not replace, human connection.
Who inspires you? People with resilience, integrity, fun, fortitude and grace. Those are ‘must have’ qualities for me when I choose people in my personal and professional lives.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever given? When I was little, my dad asked me to define a spelling word, ‘Perseverance’. I confidently told him it meant you sweat a lot. While I likely was thinking of ‘perspiration’, I stand by my answer. Perseverance means you’re going to sweat a lot.
Read all 12 profiles here.
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