2023 #HeinzAward for the Economy winner Kathryn Finney is breaking down the barriers that have long hindered Black and Brown women from entering the tech startup ecosystem. As the founding partner of Genius Guild, she invests in companies led by diverse founders across the U.S.

On Sept 20th, the Heinz Family Foundation named Genius Guild’s managing general partner, Kathryn Finney, as a recipient of the prestigious 28th Heinz Awards for the Economy.

Kathryn recently spoke with PayPal CEO Dan Schulman for Marie Claire’s Ambition Issue. They discussed the most important things they’ve learned through their journeys, Kathryn’s tips for women looking to take their careers to the next level, and creating a career with purpose.

Kathryn spoke with Bridget Fitzpatrick, the co-founder of ASBN Small Business Network, on The Female Founder show about how she helps diverse entrepreneurs find funding.

Who are the changemakers?

Kathryn was interviewed by Kate Cronin for Moderna’s SXSW panel with Jacqueline Jones, where they discussed what it takes to become a #changemaker, how companies can use their platforms for good, and how to build an effective and engaging approach to drive action.

Three years after the pandemic shutdown, the crisis may be receding, but we don’t seem any closer to the “new normal” than we were back then, especially when it comes to the workplace. More than two-thirds of Americans aren’t feeling engaged with their work, according to a recent Gallup poll, and job unhappiness is at a record high. Many are considering switching careers altogether. Forget the Great Resignation. Millions of Americans are looking for a Great…

Daring to be different feels risky. There’s constant pressure to “read the room” or “tone it down.”

Kathryn is a model for how being yourself can get you ahead in both business and relationships. She is: an author, an entrepreneur, a fund manager, and a celebrated non-conformist.

Kathryn was selected by her peers as one of the most important VCs in the Midwest. She was recognized on Business Insider’s list for her impressive resume as an investor, founder, and author, and epidemiologist.

Kathryn joined host Deborah Owens for a conversation about how Black women can get their fair share of venture capital, build wealth, and achieve financial freedom on The Black Star Network’s weekly television show, Get Wealthy.

Kathryn spoke at the 2022 Inc. 5000 Conference and Gala in Phoenix, Arizona. Her session, Why Building a Diverse Team Can Take Your Company Further, examined the best path forward in making startups, and the overall startup sector, more inclusive and inviting for individuals of all backgrounds, genders, and races.

Kathryn participated in a fireside chat moderated by June Cohen at the Masters of Scale Summit in San Francisco, California on October 19th. Kathryn shared her investment thesis, explored the question ‘what happens when everyone wins?’ and spoke about her experience as a woman of color navigating the complexities building a successful company and venture capital fund.

Kathryn attended the Chicago Smart Business Dealmakers Conference and Awards, where she was honored as a 2022 Dealmaker of the Year award winner. Kathryn was recognized for her business savvy, investing success, and societal impact.

Kathryn joined host Bridget Fitzpatrick on the Atlanta Small Business Network’s “The Female Founder” series to discuss her journey so far as an investor and how diverse entrepreneurs can find funding.

Kathryn joined Geri Stengel from ForbesWomen to discuss how to get your entrepreneurial venture started if you aren’t a rich white guy.

On this week’s episode, I talk with Kathryn Finney, a former Yale-trained epidemiologist turned blogger turned investor and philanthropist. Before Wordpress even existed and you had to print out photos and then scan and upload them online, Kathryn created her blog, The Budget Fashionista. After running that for many years, she sold the blog and founded digitalundivided, a social enterprise focused on helping Black women own their work.

Kathryn Finney created Genius Guild to support Black entrepreneurs in their VC and startup journeys. Her new book, Build the Damn Thing: How to Start a Successful Business If You’re Not a Rich White Guy, provides a guide for entrepreneurs on building a startup from the ground up, arming folks with networks and resources—and “responses to investors who say ‘great pitch, but I just don’t do Black women.’”

Kathryn Finney, managing partner of Genius Guild, a $20 million venture fund and studio that invests in amazing Black founders and author of Build The Damn Thing, joins the podcast to discuss her evolution into entrepreneurship, the importance of being honest with yourself when thinking about going out on your own, and how your exit number should be your guiding force.

Kathryn Finney, Founder and CEO at Genius Guild, discusses her book Build The Damn Thing: How to Start a Successful Business If You’re Not a Rich White Guy.

Carol Massar and Tim Stenovec bring together the latest news from the world of business and finance and the interesting stories of global technology, politics, economics and more by harnessing the power of Bloomberg Businessweek reporters and editor.

Entrepreneur and investor Kathryn Finney joins to share lessons and take-aways from her new book Build the D*mn Thing: How to Start a Successful Business if You're Not a Rich White Guy.

When the COVID pandemic started, I saw firsthand the challenges that Black female founders were facing. That’s why I decided to create the Doonie Fund, named after my grandmother, Kathryn “Doonie” Hale, and raised over $150,000 to provide micro investments to over 1,500 Black women founders. I also founded Genius Guild, in tandem with the Greenhouse Fund, a business creation platform that uses the venture studio model (lab and venture fund) to invest in Black entrepreneurs building scalable businesses that serve Black communities and beyond.