Has anyone read this bullshit? Just because you did the “best pitch of your life” does not entitle you to money, whether you’re an ethnic minority or not.

I’m African American. I know I’m not funded because I live in a shit market for it and lack angel investor connections. Sometimes I really think I’m surrounded by idiots. I can’t afford to get the hell outta here. I also know that we are encouraged to ask for smaller amounts because there’s this dumb rationalization that we can do more on less because of all we endure as a community ( This was told to me by a European American aka white investor)

I think it sounds like he’s extremely passionate about what he does and if you keep working on a product for that long with only 1,000 users, it’s time to get some strategic marketing going. He needs to find a way to increase users to 10k and get money from them.

Then, he can get $500k. But he also has to be creative enough to come up with more.

There’s a lot of crap you have to deal with when trying to fundraise. So add to the pressure of society telling you, you are less than because of the color of your skin or the vagina in between your legs. It screws with your psyche no matter how well intentioned you or they are.

I personally would take the note as a compliment. They do series B. He’s talking to the wrong firm, but the response was polite.

I need funding, but everywhere I have tried says no because I am a true disruptor. I have to go to the government because people on the street are too scared or too unfamiliar with the sector.

Hope he keeps pushing, but just so you know, here below are a couple of things I’ve been told during the process so you can see that it’s psychological warfare out here:

1) man, if you had children I would invest. There’s no bigger cash cow than a single black mom.

2) why aren’t your team members black too? I don’t know if you’ll be successful that way. You know, you have to hire black. I only hire black.

3) I am very interested in learning about your startup, we should meet for dinner. (To hit on me)

4) there’s no way black girls can code. I’ve never seen that.

5) you’re black, you can’t make money that way.

Believe me, there are some cocky and arrogant black founders who have been fortunate enough to get funding, but I think there are very few of those as compared to the people who just want to be treated fairly and with respect.