Supporting Female Entrepreneurs: Anne Kennedy and The Mastersfund's Innovative Approach

In this episode of Sound Investments, host Ed Barker engages in a comprehensive discussion with Anne Kennedy, general partner at The Mastersfund. The conversation delves into the fund's mission to address the underfunding of female founders by leveraging a unique structured exit model that mitigates risk for investors and promotes financial stability for startups. Anne shares her journey from serial entrepreneurship to venture capital, highlights significant growth in portfolio companies, and explains the importance of diversity and profitability in investment strategies. The episode encompasses insights into scaling business operations, the importance of AI in various sectors, and reflections on fostering a supportive environment for women-led startups.

00:00 Introduction to Sound Investments

01:42 Meet Anne Kennedy

03:34 Challenges in Female Entrepreneurship

05:30 The Mastersfund: Mission and Model

10:30 Structured Exits: A New Investment Approach

23:44 Global Business Perspectives

25:51 Diversity in Leadership

28:08 Tech Investment Focus

31:40 Service-Based Business Models

34:38 Diligence and Investment Strategy

40:23 Portfolio Companies

47:22 Future Plans and Scaling Up

About Your Host

Ed Barker has enjoyed a weird and varied career. Ed is a Brit now resident in Seattle and has founded three startups, enjoyed a long career in corporate strategy, and most recently as a VC. He's now building a podcast production company, Studio 1878. Sound Investments is a modest attempt to shine some light on the fantastic work being done in the Pacific Northwest entrepreneurial community.

Anne Kennedy, Managing Director, Mastersfund Partner

Branding, marketing & global networking. Founder, entrepreneur, board director and advisor worldwide. Founding director of Helium.com, acquired by RR Donnelley and now the RRD Content Network. One of the earliest and most respected names in global digital marketing. Pioneer SEO, launched Zillow, Philips Lifeline, and other household names onto the web, building the world’s largest consortium of digital marketing agencies. Author of Global Search Marketing. Co-host & producer of CEOcoach podcast.

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