E105: Kt McBratney: Purpose Rounds® & Renew Venture Capital

Episode Highlights with Kt McBratney

Welcome back to the Female VC Lab Podcast! In this episode, we had the pleasure of speaking with Kt McBratney, a partner at Renew Venture Capital and the driving force behind Purpose Rounds. Kt shared her inspiring journey into the world of venture capital, her investment thesis, and her vision for the future of the industry.

From Journalism to Venture Capital

Kt path to becoming a venture capitalist was anything but conventional. Here are some key takeaways from her journey:

• Background: Kt began her career in journalism before transitioning to marketing for stability and health insurance.
• Founder's Perspective: After operating her own startup, she sought a new opportunity where she could make an impact, leading her to Renew Venture Capital.
• Community Focus: Kt emphasized the importance of true community connections over superficial networking, highlighting how community can serve as the connective tissue of a purpose-driven venture firm.

Investment Thesis

Kt investment philosophy is rooted in supporting impactful founders and historically overlooked groups:

• Impact Founders: Renew Venture Capital backs companies that aim to make a positive impact across various sectors.
• Women and Underrepresented Founders: A significant part of their thesis is dedicated to supporting women and founders from historically excluded backgrounds.

Kt articulated the critical intersectionality of these two focuses, noting that:

• Business Case: Companies led by diverse founders often demonstrate higher revenue and capital efficiency.
• Addressing Inequities: The venture capital landscape has a long way to go in addressing the systemic exclusion of diverse founders, and Katie is determined to be part of the solution.

Challenging Ineffective Systems

Kt discussed the need to confront and change exclusionary systems within the venture capital industry:

• Dual Mission: Renew Venture Capital aims to produce financial returns (alpha) while also challenging and changing ineffective systems.
• Critical Questions: She emphasized the importance of asking "why" and interrogating established norms in the industry.

Current Learning and Reading

Kt is an avid reader and lifelong learner. Recently, she has been diving into:

• Books: Currently reading Worn, which explores the history of textiles and their connection to economics and culture.
• Learning Approach: Kt believes in continually questioning and digging deeper into topics, challenging assumptions, and seeking a broader understanding of systems at play.

Future of Venture Capital

Looking ahead, Kt envisions a more inclusive and innovative venture capital landscape:

• Societal Alignment: More capital will be directed toward addressing societal challenges.
• Diverse Representation: The industry will see greater representation in decision-making roles, driven by the values of the upcoming generations.
• Innovation in VC: Venture capitalists will need to innovate alongside their portfolio companies, fostering a culture of growth and adaptation.

Connect with Kt

Kt is eager to connect with like-minded individuals. Here’s how you can reach her:

• LinkedIn: Connect with Kt McBratney
• Renew Venture Capital: Learn more about their work at renewvc.com
• Purpose Rounds: Explore equity crowdfunding opportunities at purposerounds.com

Thank you for joining us for this insightful episode featuring Kt McBratney! Stay tuned for more conversations that inspire change in the venture capital landscape.