3rd Annual Event at Georgetown University

Georgetown knows how to create catalyzing moments with top voices across industries, and their student-led 3rd Annual Venture in the Capital Summit was no exception. Hat’s off to the organizers for gathering such a well-rounded (one might even dare to say it was diverse and equitable) mix of expertise – corporate, government and fund partners representing large and more boutique firms.

Had to be There?

As of this writing the videos were not yet available online; however, Cameras were running for every session. Be sure to visit the website for the latest information: https://eship.georgetown.edu/events/venture-in-the-capital/). The energy of attending in person was immersive, and for that reason it is best to show up to this type event in person. That said, the information and ability to engage via the website can get any founder a foot in the door.

Key Take-Aways

It is hard to summarize an event like this – so many knowledge bombs. A number of “founder forums” are focused on the mechanics of how to start a start-up, how to scope a market, or how to leverage a specific framework. Venture in the Capital goes more for authentic exposure to the experts answering panel-style questions about their real world experiences within the start-up ecosystem.

Some key highlights include:

• There was a moment when Adrian Fenty got emotionally charged on the subject of government funding (relative to startups, including grant money). In short, he reviewed the time-tested challenge of how public sector finance pushes money at problems, but doesn’t know how to measure for results. It was a great moment when the audience applauded his call for measuring the results of public sector funding. Impact investing has been championed a long time, and his perspective underscored the need to keep the charge going.
  
• There was another moment when Kara Swisher, who is openly not a fan of President Trump or Elon Musk, agreed that the overhaul of government is long overdue; however, her primary concern was around the execution. She called for more transparency, she wanted Congress to not be OK with DOGE being chartered to do the job they were constitutionally supposed to be fulfilling. Kara was not only underscoring the key to quality journalism, but calling out the gap in quality governance: that same transparency and objectivity.
  
• Finally, since the event was for founders, it is obligatory to recant the moment they asked Craig Shapiro, Eddy Chan, Marcie Vu and Tobi Coker how founders could craft communication and get the attention of an investor. There were many details, worthy of future exploration, but what ultimately reigned supreme was the concept of authenticity. The same thing recruiters want from candidates is the same thing investors want from their founders. Don’t be a robot, don’t be perfect, be yourself, be quirky. . . but be all that in an endearing way! It is easier said than done, but it is critical to stand out from the competition in a way that garners traction.

These are just highlights – each member of each panel that day brought insightful perspective.

Thanks to the Students

Seriously, student-led. They all have their stylish head shots on the website, so no need to repeat all that. Event logistics is a huge time vortex filled with 12 second details that all compete for criticality and this is just a shout out to so scroll all the way down on said website and thank all those students who will be your boss in the next few years, mkay? Mkay.

Image & Text Credits