Latest news with #GrahamWalker
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Female founders are optimistic that AI could solve challenges they face funding and scaling startups
– Founding story. Forty percent of female founders say that macroeconomic conditions have hurt their businesses—and 46% say that political uncertainty in the U.S. is a direct threat, too. But amid the challenges of tariffs, weakened consumer confidence, and political attacks on diversity and inclusion, female founders see opportunity in other areas—namely, AI. The early-stage VC firm Graham & Walker gathered these results from a survey of 180 female founders of 'VC scalable' startups in North America. Fifty-six percent of all-female founding teams see 'more opportunities' because of AI, compared to only 46% of mixed-gender founding teams who say the same. This report speculates that female founders—who also cite fundraising as, still, a major challenge—could be looking at AI as a way to scale with less capital and avoid some of those fundraising challenges. Seventy-one percent of founders surveyed said raising their last round was harder than they thought it would be. Forty percent of founders still say their gender was a top factor in that difficulty. In 2024, according to Pitchbook, teams including female founders raised 27% more capital than the year prior, with $38 billion closed—but across 13.1% fewer deals than 2023. Other fundraising challenges include 'shifting goalposts'—with norms changing for early-stage funding and early-stage investors expecting founders to meet benchmarks that might have previously been reserved for Series A. Fourteen founders in the survey specifically called out their experiences with female investors. Many of the concerns they raised are likely related to the pressure those female investors are under. One founder surveyed said female investors are 'harder to win over' and 'require every box to be checked,' while another said that they've pitched women who have 'no real ability to do deals.' Emma The Most Powerful Women Daily newsletter is Fortune's daily briefing for and about the women leading the business world. Today's edition was curated by Nina Ajemian. Subscribe here. This story was originally featured on Sign in to access your portfolio
Geek Wire
6 days ago
- Business
- Geek Wire
Female founders' paradox: 71% cite difficulties in fundraising, but also strongly optimistic
GeekWire's startup coverage documents the Pacific Northwest entrepreneurial scene. Sign up for our weekly startup newsletter , and check out the GeekWire funding tracker and venture capital directory . Leslie Feinzaig, founder and general partner of Graham & Walker and founder of Female Founders Alliance, presenting at a recent event with women entrepreneurs in New York City. (Graham & Walker Photo) In the eight years since a Seattle group launched to support female entrepreneurs, funding for women-led startups in the U.S. has actually declined. From 2017 to last year, their share of venture capital dollars to slid from 2.6% down to 2%, according to PitchBook. That organization, Female Founders Alliance (FFA), today is sharing results from a survey of 180 women who lead early-stage tech companies in North America, illuminating their entrepreneurial experience. The 'Forged in Fire' report poses the knotty question of whether anything has changed for female founders. For Leslie Feinzaig, founder and general partner of Graham & Walker, the VC firm that operates FFA, the answer is 'not a lot.' Leslie Feinzaig, founder and general partner for Graham & Walker. (LinkedIn Photo) Highlights from the survey, which drew heavily from leaders in Washington, California and New York and was conducted in February and March, include: 71% of respondents said raising money in their last funding round was somewhat or much hard than expected 40% said gender was a top barrier to landing VC 79% report using AI, mostly for product development and marketing 36% said gender had a negative impact on their startup, while 39% said it created positive as well as negative impacts Despite revealing persistent hurdles, the leaders were still hopeful, with nearly three-quarters of respondents optimistic about hitting their next milestones. Reasons for that sunny outlook include strong product and customer momentum; market tailwinds, particularly for AI; and confidence in their team and strategy. And Feinzaig points to two notable improvements since she launched FFA that should generate positive returns: artificial intelligence is making it both easier to innovate and lowering the cost of deploying new technologies, and there's much more community today for female entrepreneurs to connect and network. Female-centered groups 'just became louder and more prominent,' she said. 'So it's easier for women to find each other.' While U.S. public policy around tariffs, regulations and immigration have created a heightened level of economic uncertainty for startups in general, some of the challenges faced by female leaders are gender specific. Some of those surveyed said investors approach them with an attitude of skepticism, rather than seeing the potential of their startup. 'They ask how we're not going to fail, versus asking males how they will succeed,' one respondent said. 'It's so biased.' Feinzaig noted that both male and female investors may take a more critical eye to women who pitch their companies. Respondents also noted that women don't always trumpet their accomplishments in the same way as men and can be more measured in their pitch. Those surveyed also called out bias when investors focus on women's responsibilities outside of work, such as caregiving for children and older parents, and consider that a liability. Some recalled being hit on. Another factor tamping down female-fundraising totals is women disproportionately launch companies selling to consumers, as opposed to selling to other businesses. And when it comes to landing funding, Feinzaig said, 'right now, consumer tech startups have it harder.' Feinzaig offered three points of advice for women considering the leap into entrepreneurship: 'Make sure the river runs deep, because you're going to be challenged and you're going to need to anchor yourself in why you're doing what you're doing over and over and over again,' she said, crediting serial entrepreneur Liz Pearce for advising her that strong personal convictions and fortitude are essential. Rohre Titcom, CEO of the WNBA's Seattle Storm, once asked her, 'When's the last time you were proud of doing something easy?' And so while launching a company is tough, Feinzaig said, 'I don't think non-founders will ever experience the incredible pride and fulfillment that comes from building something from nothing, and building something people care about and making a difference in someone's life.' And finally, Feinzaig said that while one shouldn't literally risk it all, 'there's really very little downside to trying. And if you fail, I promise you'll be okay. It might take a minute, it might sting, but it's not the end of the world, and you're going to be so much stronger for it.' The report doesn't aim to shame investors into writing checks to female-led companies, Feinzaig said. Rather it means to give founders a voice and realize they're not alone. 'We want them to be able to keep doing what they're doing and sort of set aside the things that they have no control over and focus on the things that they can,' she added. 'Just because the numbers are what they are, doesn't mean that you don't find your people and find your believers. You do, and it's just harder to get there.'
Yahoo
31-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
For Mark Cuban, A Healthy Healthcare System Means Doctors Have Time For Golf On Wednesdays Like They Used To. Here's Why
Mark Cuban isn't a doctor, but he may be one of the most outspoken advocates for fixing America's broken healthcare system. In a recent episode of the 'How I Doctor' podcast hosted by Dr. Graham Walker, Cuban laid out what he believes is fundamentally wrong with U.S. healthcare—and what we can do about it. 'Healthcare is really a simple business,' Cuban said. 'You go to the doctor, hopefully the doctor says nothing's wrong. If there's a complication or some need, the doctor tells you what you need... There's really only two questions: What's it going to cost and how are you going to pay for it? That's it.' He calls it a 'two-questioned industry.' Don't Miss: Deloitte's fastest-growing software company partners with Amazon, Walmart & Target – Hasbro, MGM, and Skechers trust this AI marketing firm — But instead of staying that simple, the system has become a web of complications. 'Every complication you add is an opportunity for arbitrage,' he said. In other words, more complexity results in more people taking a slice of the money flowing through the system. And doctors? They're stuck dealing with the mess. 'Let me just tell you upfront, doctors are underpaid,' he said. 'I want that motherf***er doctor to make $10,000,' Cuban said about heart surgeons getting paid a fraction of what hospitals bill for transplants. 'So he's paying attention or she's paying attention and not worried about getting to the next heart transplant or worried about the patient that's got a boo-boo.' Trending: Cuban was brutally honest when it came to insurance companies: 'The insurance companies are the worst of the worst of the worst, of the worst of the worst.' He explained that insurers design plans with deductibles and out-of-pocket costs that make healthcare unaffordable for people who need it most. Yet doctors are the ones left holding the financial risk. 'Even if they're broke as a joke and don't have two nickels to rub together, you have to still care for them,' he said. That debt becomes the doctor's problem, not the insurance company's. If all the pricing were transparent, doctors would be able to just take care of their patients, take notes, and put them in the electronic medical record. He added that there would be nothing else for them to do, 'because that's what this whole conversation is about, how can we get doctors to be able to golf on Wednesdays like they used to?' Cuban referenced a time when doctors could practice medicine without being buried in billing Cuban, one fix is simple: increase the supply of doctors. He suggested making medical school free to attract the best candidates regardless of financial background. Cuban estimated the total cost of doing this would be around $24 billion over four years, based on roughly 10,000 students annually and $60,000 per student per year. 'So you truly get the best of the best as opposed to the best of the people who can either afford it or are willing to take on the debt.' Looking ahead, Cuban said doctors need to embrace AI, not fear it. 'Learn everything you can about AI, period. End of story,' he said. He believes AI tools will soon be as normal in healthcare as phones and emails. Doctors who learn to integrate them will be better equipped to help more patients, more efficiently. Cuban wrapped the interview by expressing gratitude. 'Thank you for all the blood, sweat and tears you put in to keep us healthy, to keep us alive,' he said. 'I know how hard it is. I can't imagine the stress it creates.' Read Next: 'Scrolling To UBI' — Deloitte's #1 fastest-growing software company allows users to earn money on their phones. UNLOCKED: 5 NEW TRADES EVERY WEEK. Click now to get top trade ideas daily, plus unlimited access to cutting-edge tools and strategies to gain an edge in the markets. Get the latest stock analysis from Benzinga? APPLE (AAPL): Free Stock Analysis Report TESLA (TSLA): Free Stock Analysis Report This article For Mark Cuban, A Healthy Healthcare System Means Doctors Have Time For Golf On Wednesdays Like They Used To. Here's Why originally appeared on © 2025 Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved. Sign in to access your portfolio
USA Today
09-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Kansas City Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes had a family presence at rookie minicamp
Kansas City Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes had a family presence at rookie minicamp By request, here's video of @RiceFootball TE Graham Walker (No. 89) at Chiefs rookie minicamp on Sunday. Walker is the half-brother of Patrick Mahomes. Yes, shot on an iPhone from approximately 120 yards away with Andy Reid in the foreground. #MinicampLifeforReporters — Matt Derrick (@mattderrick) May 4, 2025 The Kansas City Chiefs held their rookie minicamp last weekend. It featured 87 players, 60 of whom were reportedly invited on a tryout basis. One of the many invitees was quarterback Patrick Mahomes' half-brother, Graham Walker. The former Rice tight end, who is listed at 6'3" and 227 pounds, is a converted wide receiver who transferred from Brown University. "He's supportive, as he always is. Hopefully, in this offseason, Patrick will get a chance to throw the ball to him," said Mahomes Sr. during an interview with FOX 4 Kansas City last year, "run routes, as Patrick always has his receivers come down." He finished his last college season with 44 receptions for 515 yards and six touchdowns. He previously played three seasons at Brown, his best season being his first year, when he caught 53 passes for 658 yards and six touchdowns.
Yahoo
05-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Vermont's Graham Walker, Patrick Mahomes' half-brother, among rookies at Chiefs' minicamp
Vermont native Graham Walker's bid to make an NFL roster has brought him to familiar territory. Walker is currently participating at the rookie minicamp tryout for the Kansas City Chiefs, home to his famous half-brother, Patrick Mahomes, the superstar quarterback and three-time Super Bowl MVP. A former Champlain Valley Union High School standout, Walker is one of 60 players hoping to land a contract with the Chiefs during their minicamp, which opened Saturday, May 3 and wraps on Monday, May 5. Advertisement Walker and Patrick Mahomes share a father, Pat Mahomes, Sr., who played in the MLB from 1992-2003. Walker grew up in Shelburne and Hinesburg and was raised by his mother Jessamyn Walker, and stepfather, Gerry Howatt, according to a recent Seven Days feature story on Graham Walker. More: Middlebury's Thomas Perry invited to an NFL rookie minicamp tryout. Find out which team. Walker was an all-state football and basketball player at CVU before opting to go to Avon Old Farms, a prep school in Connecticut. After Avon, Walker spent four seasons (2020-2023) at Brown University, where he earned All-Ivy honors and finished with 1,496 receiving yards and 25 touchdowns in 27 games. Advertisement Ahead of the 2024 season, Walker transferred to Rice, located in Houston, Texas. With the Owls, the 6-foot-3, 227-pound Walker moved from receiver to tight end and caught 24 balls for 252 yards. "I like to think that I am a tight end who has the skills of a wide receiver," Walker told Seven Days. Walker is the second player with Vermont ties this year to earn an invitation to an NFL rookie minicamp tryout. After going undrafted, Middlebury College lineman Thomas Perry is attending Ravens' camp, which also wraps Monday, May 5. Contact Alex Abrami at aabrami@ Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter: @aabrami5. This article originally appeared on Burlington Free Press: Patrick Mahomes' half-brother Graham Walker at Chiefs rookie minicamp
