gBETA Alumni Feature: Selfless.ly
gBETA Indy Spring 2018 Graduate
Selfless.ly is an all-in-one solution for SMBs to manage their workplace philanthropy. Whether creating volunteer events, matching employee donations or sponsoring events, Selfless.ly allows companies to empower employees to support their favorite causes. With social benefits on the rise, Selfless.ly is an affordable option for all companies.
Where were you at as a company when you started with gBETA?
When we started gBETA in the Spring of 2018 we weren’t much more than an idea, we didn’t have funding, had zero customers or revenue and product was still being built.
Where are you at currently as a company?
Since gBETA, we have continued to grow steadily and we now are excited to have a fully built product with a quickly growing customer base while raising a funding round.
Who were some of the most helpful introductions for you during the program?
The gener8tor team have been one of our biggest supporters, Chelsea is incredible. We’ve been able to have continued support and guidance from the entire gener8tor team.
What would your advice be to incoming gBETA companies?
Put in the effort and trust the process. There is so much to do when starting a business it can be overwhelming and not feel like you’re making day to day progress, hang in there and keep moving forward. Always ask for help when you need it, there’s a community that is eager to provide support and want to see you succeed.
Angie Stocklin, Angel Investor, Co-Founder of One-Click
How did you first get involved with gBETA?
As a former entrepreneur, I am always looking for ways to plug into the startup community in Indianapolis. Getting involved in gBETA through their mentor and investor swarms has not only allowed me to meet up and coming entrepreneurs and learn about new startups in Indy, it has also given me access to similar communities throughout the US. I feel fortunate that I’ve been able to plug into gBETA cohorts from Nebraska and Wisconsin, and look forward to working with additional entrepreneurs in the future.
Why did you invest in Selfless.ly?
I decided to invest in Selfless.ly because I believe in Josh and Zach as founders and I believe in the mission of Selfless.ly. Anyone that meets Josh can see his passion for giving back to the community and through Selfless.ly, he has taken that passion and funneled it into a company that directly connects other passionate people with immediate needs in the community. By the time I came onboard as an investor, Selfless.ly had a full beta program ready to launch and a long list of additional interested companies, I saw an opportunity to add value to their creation of an amazing company culture.
What is your venture investment “MO”?
As a new angel investor, I am still refining my investment philosophy. I love investing in companies where I can add value through my experience with direct to consumer e-commerce, operations and company culture. I have to see a clear path to revenue and customer acquisition. I also love founders that are trying to make the world a better place through social impact or disrupting outdated ideas. Every founder that I invest in must have a clear vision for their company, be open to feedback and suggestions, be able to have direct conversations and be 100% honest and transparent along the way.
Interested in learning more about gBETA or applying for an upcoming program? Please visit https://www.gbetastartups.com/indy for more information.
