VC Corner Q&A: Lolita Taub of Backstage Capital
Lolita Taub is Backstage Capital’s Principal for the “It’s About Damn Time Fund,” a fund focused on investing in black women-founded tech startups. Follow her on Twitter at @lolitataub.
Learn more about Backstage Capital at backstagecapital.com.
— What is Backstage Capital’s mission?
We are an early-stage tech venture capital fund investing in the best startups founded and led by women, people of color, and LGBTQ.
— What is one thing you’re excited about right now?
Disruption of age-old industries.
— Who is one founder you think we should watch?
Jessica Matthews
— What are 3 top qualities of every great leader?
- Curiosity.
- Courage.
- Compassion.
— What was your very first investment? What struck you about it?
NextShift Robotics in 2017 (through Portfolia’s Enterprise Fund). The team is solid, has domain expertise and hustle. They’re operating in a growing market and scalability is achievable. The cherry on top: the disruption of the massive e-commerce distribution market, through material handling systems, is sexy. Context: My first job was as a Supply Chain & Planning Consultant at IBM.
— What’s one question you ask yourself before investing in a company?
Long term, am I excited about working through the ups and downs with this founder(s)?
— What’s one thing every founder should ask themselves before walking into a meeting with a potential investor?
Does my company fit this investor’s thesis and how can they help my business grow, besides money?
— What do you think should be in a CEO’s top 3 company priorities?
- People.
- Product.
- Profit.
— Favorite business book or podcast?
— What’s your favorite thing to do when you’re not working?
Molecular gastronomy. Eating it, that is.
— Who is one leader you admire?
Arlan Hamilton
— What’s one interesting thing most people don’t know about you?
I was a greco-roman wrestler in an all-boy’s team in high school.
— What’s one piece of advice you’d give every founder?
Think of taking money from a VC as a marriage and not a one-night stand.
Ready to make a pitch? Startups looking for an opportunity to pitch Backstage Capital can apply here!
