Women, BIPOC, and LGBTQIA+ founders still get boxed out of capital, but Katie Dunn has built her angel investing thesis to do the opposite, and she’s doing it with actual reps (29 investments) and serious financial scar tissue (25+ years in banking with $10B financed).Subscribe nowIn this episode, Katie breaks down what early-stage angels really look for when they say they’re “betting on the founder”, why most cold outreach fails (hint: nobody reads the investor’s thesis), and how underrepresented founders can cut through the noise with clarity, credibility, and a simple story that lands.We also get into the underrated part: investor relationships. Katie explains why your first investors should be your easiest next-round capital, why founders go dark when things get hard (and how that backfires), and how angels often deliver more value than VCs because they actually have time, context, and intent to help.If you’re raising pre-seed/seed, building community, or trying to stop fundraising from eating your soul, this one’s a practical reset.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Angel Investing04:18 Katie’s Journey in Finance06:55 The Importance of Diversity in Funding10:04 The Role of Immigrants in Startups12:43 Building Community and Networks15:30 The Value of Collaboration18:23 The Role of Angels vs. VCs21:07 The Importance of Communication23:45 Finding the Right Investors26:45 Using Technology to Connect29:32 Assessing Founders and Their Pitches32:20 The Art of the Pitch Deck35:01 Final Thoughts and ResourcesKatie DunnAn experienced angel investor, board director, and startup advisor investing in underrepresented U.S. founders at the pre-seed and seed stages, primarily in CPG and technology. Through Masthead Strategies, she’s helped founders raise over $30M by combining investor psychology, storytelling, and AI-powered tools.Her portfolio includes Outcast Brands (Blood Monkey Gin, Two Shores Rum), Another Tomorrow, Juliet Wine, WTHN, Forecastr, and Goodword. Katie also serves on the boards of Outcast Brands and the Enthuse Foundation, and advises Fierce Foundry, a femtech venture studio.Who Should ListenFounders preparing to raise pre-seed or seed capitalUnderrepresented founders seeking tactical fundraising adviceAngels or new investors looking to sharpen their evaluation processAnyone who wants to understand how trust, clarity, and communication drive funding decisionsMusic Credit“Neptuno” – Phondupe (Album: Onykia)Access All Areas.Listen: Apple || Spotify || YouTubeSubscribe: SubstackCommunity & Events: Founders CircleConnect: LinkedInSocials: TikTok || Instagram || XWeb: startupsdecoded.comStartups Decoded is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.
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Women, BIPOC, and LGBTQIA+ founders still get boxed out of capital, but Katie Dunn has built her angel investing thesis to do the opposite, and she’s doing it with actual reps (29 investments) and serious financial scar tissue (25+ years in banking with $10B financed).Subscribe nowIn this episode, Katie breaks down what early-stage angels really look for when they say they’re “betting on the founder”, why most cold outreach fails (hint: nobody reads the investor’s thesis), and how underrepresented founders can cut through the noise with clarity, credibility, and a simple story that lands.We also get into the underrated part: investor relationships. Katie explains why your first investors should be your easiest next-round capital, why founders go dark when things get hard (and how that backfires), and how angels often deliver more value than VCs because they actually have time, context, and intent to help.If you’re raising pre-seed/seed, building community, or trying to stop fundraising from eating your soul, this one’s a practical reset.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Angel Investing04:18 Katie’s Journey in Finance06:55 The Importance of Diversity in Funding10:04 The Role of Immigrants in Startups12:43 Building Community and Networks15:30 The Value of Collaboration18:23 The Role of Angels vs. VCs21:07 The Importance of Communication23:45 Finding the Right Investors26:45 Using Technology to Connect29:32 Assessing Founders and Their Pitches32:20 The Art of the Pitch Deck35:01 Final Thoughts and ResourcesKatie DunnAn experienced angel investor, board director, and startup advisor investing in underrepresented U.S. founders at the pre-seed and seed stages, primarily in CPG and technology. Through Masthead Strategies, she’s helped founders raise over $30M by combining investor psychology, storytelling, and AI-powered tools.Her portfolio includes Outcast Brands (Blood Monkey Gin, Two Shores Rum), Another Tomorrow, Juliet Wine, WTHN, Forecastr, and Goodword. Katie also serves on the boards of Outcast Brands and the Enthuse Foundation, and advises Fierce Foundry, a femtech venture studio.Who Should ListenFounders preparing to raise pre-seed or seed capitalUnderrepresented founders seeking tactical fundraising adviceAngels or new investors looking to sharpen their evaluation processAnyone who wants to understand how trust, clarity, and communication drive funding decisionsMusic Credit“Neptuno” – Phondupe (Album: Onykia)Access All Areas.Listen: Apple || Spotify || YouTubeSubscribe: SubstackCommunity & Events: Founders CircleConnect: LinkedInSocials: TikTok || Instagram || XWeb: startupsdecoded.comStartups Decoded is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.
S2E3: Crack the LinkedIn Code: How to Hit 100,000 Followers with Charlie Hills
Startups Decoded
43 minutes
3 months ago
S2E3: Crack the LinkedIn Code: How to Hit 100,000 Followers with Charlie Hills
Send us a textIn this episode of Startups Decoded, Andy Walsh talks with Charlie Hills, a global leader in LinkedIn growth strategy.AI is rewriting LinkedIn, and Charlie Hills has the receipts. In 466 days, he went from zero to 100k+ followers and ranked #1 worldwide for LinkedIn Growth. We break down the exact AI-led playbook: repeatable content systems, scroll-stopping visuals, audience targeting, repurposing loops, and lead-magnet funnels that turn attention into revenue.If you want your LinkedIn to stand out and convert in 2025, this is the blueprint.Access All Areas.Listen: Apple || Spotify || YouTubeSubscribe: SubstackCommunity & Events: Founders CircleConnect: LinkedInSocials: TikTok || Instagram || XWeb: startupsdecoded.comCharlie HillsCharlie Hills is the Founder of Linked Agency and a global leader in LinkedIn growth strategy. In 2024, he scaled his following to 50k+ in under one year, and by early 2025, he surpassed 100k+ followers in just 466 days. Ranked #1 worldwide for LinkedIn Growth, Charlie blends AI tools with proven content frameworks to help brands and individuals grow faster, engage deeper, and convert more effectively.Linked AgencyLinked Agency helps founders, executives, and creators dominate LinkedIn using AI-powered content strategies. Through bespoke content plans, engagement systems, and visual optimisation, Linked Agency enables clients to scale their reach, build authority, and drive inbound opportunities without spending countless hours on content creation.Music Credit: “Neptuno” - Phondupe (Album: Onykia)Chapters00:00 Introduction to LinkedIn and Personal BranNeed clarity on fundraising, strategy, or scaling? You can book me, Andy Walsh, directly on Hubble for focused 1:1 advice. 15, 30, or 45 minutes no fluff, just solutions.Head to hubble.social/AndyWalsh Forget what you know about non-alc beer, Heaps Normal is here to blow your mind. Aussie-made, purpose-driven, and built for founder life. Pick up a can in select Bay Area spots, including Whole Foods.HeapsNormal.comDiscover Smarter Investing with the Teaminvest Wealth Builders PodcastExpert insights and proven strategies from Australia's top investors. Build your wealth.Listen on: Apple Podcasts SpotifySupport the show
Startups Decoded
Women, BIPOC, and LGBTQIA+ founders still get boxed out of capital, but Katie Dunn has built her angel investing thesis to do the opposite, and she’s doing it with actual reps (29 investments) and serious financial scar tissue (25+ years in banking with $10B financed).Subscribe nowIn this episode, Katie breaks down what early-stage angels really look for when they say they’re “betting on the founder”, why most cold outreach fails (hint: nobody reads the investor’s thesis), and how underrepresented founders can cut through the noise with clarity, credibility, and a simple story that lands.We also get into the underrated part: investor relationships. Katie explains why your first investors should be your easiest next-round capital, why founders go dark when things get hard (and how that backfires), and how angels often deliver more value than VCs because they actually have time, context, and intent to help.If you’re raising pre-seed/seed, building community, or trying to stop fundraising from eating your soul, this one’s a practical reset.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Angel Investing04:18 Katie’s Journey in Finance06:55 The Importance of Diversity in Funding10:04 The Role of Immigrants in Startups12:43 Building Community and Networks15:30 The Value of Collaboration18:23 The Role of Angels vs. VCs21:07 The Importance of Communication23:45 Finding the Right Investors26:45 Using Technology to Connect29:32 Assessing Founders and Their Pitches32:20 The Art of the Pitch Deck35:01 Final Thoughts and ResourcesKatie DunnAn experienced angel investor, board director, and startup advisor investing in underrepresented U.S. founders at the pre-seed and seed stages, primarily in CPG and technology. Through Masthead Strategies, she’s helped founders raise over $30M by combining investor psychology, storytelling, and AI-powered tools.Her portfolio includes Outcast Brands (Blood Monkey Gin, Two Shores Rum), Another Tomorrow, Juliet Wine, WTHN, Forecastr, and Goodword. Katie also serves on the boards of Outcast Brands and the Enthuse Foundation, and advises Fierce Foundry, a femtech venture studio.Who Should ListenFounders preparing to raise pre-seed or seed capitalUnderrepresented founders seeking tactical fundraising adviceAngels or new investors looking to sharpen their evaluation processAnyone who wants to understand how trust, clarity, and communication drive funding decisionsMusic Credit“Neptuno” – Phondupe (Album: Onykia)Access All Areas.Listen: Apple || Spotify || YouTubeSubscribe: SubstackCommunity & Events: Founders CircleConnect: LinkedInSocials: TikTok || Instagram || XWeb: startupsdecoded.comStartups Decoded is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.
