Entrepreneur Insights

Upstart Co-Lab interviewed entrepreneurs in our network about themselves, their companies, the impact they are having, and their experience with impact investors financing their company growth.


Interview with Max Slavkin, Creative Action Network

Max Slavkin discusses finding impact investors who share his values to finance a platform connecting artists with social causes.



Interview with Sam Farrazaino, Equinox Studios

Sam Farrazaino describes launching a ‘creative industrial complex’ for artists and artisans in Seattle, and its evolution into the Georgetown Community Development Authority.



Interview with Pree Walia, Preemadonna

Pree Walia discusses her inspiration for building a community of ‘Preemadonnas’ – girls and young women excited by tech, entrepreneurship and creative expression.



Interview with Dave Silver and Will Toms, REC Philly

Dave Silver and Will Toms describe building a creative community in their hometown of Philadelphia, and give advice to impact investors.

Read

Barron’s: Future Returns: Upstart Co-Lab to Create Inclusive Creative Economy Fund

Forbes: Upstart Co-Lab Aims To Create A $100 Million Portfolio Of Creative Economy Funds, Companies

The New York Times: A Push to Invest in the Arts Grows Stronger

Forbes: Amid This Year’s Struggle, New And Tougher Companies Are Born In The $900M Creative Economy

Monocle: Worthy Investment

Financial Times: Museums should lead in socially responsible investing

Pioneers Post: Global coalition explores ideas for new impact investment fund to back creative enterprises

ImpactAlpha: Building a personal portfolio of impact investments in the creative economy

Fast Company: Why Impact Investing Funds Need To Invest In Creativity

Stanford Social Innovation Review: Capital for Creativity

The New York Times: Investing in Creativity, and in the Greater Good

Real Leaders: The Innovator Connecting Impact Investing to The Creative Economy

Barron’s: Investing in the Creative Economy is a Boon to Artists and Communities

ImpactAlpha: Investments in the creative economy will help drive an inclusive COVID recovery

Real Leaders: The Power of Art, Design, Culture, Heritage and Creativity

The Art Newspaper: How museums can ethically invest their money

GenderSmart Investing: Is Impact Investing Repeating The Mistakes Of Investing? The Solution Is A Creative One

ImpactAlpha: Investment opportunities in expanding access and ownership in the creator economy

McKinsey & Company: How an alum is disrupting funding for creativity and culture