How to Get Into Venture Capital and Discover the Best Tech Trends with Kelli Jones

Airbnb, Lyft, Redbull and Monster all have something in common. Kelli Jones has helped them all with experiential marketing.

Experimental marketing and brand activations were just coming on to the scene in 2010 when Kelli started working in this space. Until then sponsorship looked like logos on a banner. On today's show we dive into spotting trends and identifying opportunities that can catapult your company (and career) to new heights.

Kelli Jones is the Co-Founder and General partner at Sixty8 Capital. The first Indiana-based Venture Capital firm dedicated to investing in undercapitalized founders, including Black, Latinx, Women, LGBTQ+, and disabled founders.

She is also the Founder and CEO of Be Nimble Foundation, a social enterprise with the goal of advancing diversity initiatives to create fully inclusive tech ecosystems.

On today's show you'll hear about how Kelli and her team are using capital, connections, and community to support scalable and investable tech and tech-enabled companies led by undercapitalized founders.

Be sure to check out these great clips from the show:

• [2:40] How physical location affects business strategy
• [8:30] Kelli's first entrepreneurial endeavor
• [17:08] The characteristics that make a great show or creator
• [23:09] Advice for leaders to be more nimble at work
• [27:05] Why programs for underrepresented and undercapitalized groups are essential
• [32:58] Kelli's five-year outlook on the tech industry and the evolving inclusivity
• [34:50] Kelli's first investment and how she got her first check

In our conversation with Kelli, you will learn about:

• How brands can leverage experiential marketing
• Spotting trends that are key differentiators in business
• How to raise a fund and write your first check

Get IN. is the show focused on the unfolding stories and most extraordinary innovations happening in the heartland today. The show is hosted by Christopher (Toph) Day, CEO of Elevate Ventures and Matt Hunckler, CEO of Powderkeg. Get IN. is brought to you by Powderkeg and Elevate Ventures.

If you have a chance, please leave an honest rating and review on Apple Podcasts by clicking here. It will help the show and its ranking on Apple Podcasts incredibly! Thank you so much!

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