Digestly

Dec 3, 2024

The playbook for empathy-driven investing with Erin and Sara Foster from Oversubscribed Ventures

TechCrunch - The playbook for empathy-driven investing with Erin and Sara Foster from Oversubscribed Ventures

In this episode of the Found podcast, hosts bring listeners to TechCrunch Disrupt, featuring a conversation with Aaron and Sarah Foster, and their business partner Phil Schwarz. The Foster sisters, known for their ventures in fashion and media, discuss their pivot into venture capital and the types of investments that excite them. They emphasize the importance of empathy in investment, particularly from those with operational experience, as it helps in understanding the challenges founders face. Phil shares insights from his time at Tinder, highlighting the importance of humility and intentional messaging. The conversation also touches on the significance of maintaining work-life balance, with the Fosters sharing personal strategies for managing their diverse career responsibilities. They stress the importance of clear communication and boundaries, especially when working with family, and the need for investors to have empathy for founders. The episode concludes with reflections on the evolving media portrayal of female founders and the importance of staying true to oneself in business.

Key Points:

  • Empathy in Investment: Investors with operational experience tend to have more empathy for founders, understanding their challenges better.
  • Work-Life Balance: The Fosters prioritize personal time and set boundaries to maintain mental health and productivity.
  • Family Business Dynamics: Clear communication and defined roles are crucial when working with family to avoid conflicts.
  • Media and Female Founders: The portrayal of female founders in media is evolving, with a growing recognition of their business acumen.
  • Investment Strategies: The Fosters and Phil focus on investments that align with their values and have potential for significant impact.
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