CC029: providing equal access to the Triangle startup community // a coffee chat with Molly Demarest (American Underground)

Summary: Interview begins: 6:30 Debrief begins: 47:37 Molly Demarest is the General Manager of American Underground. The American Underground is based in the Durham-Raleigh area in North Carolina and focuses on connecting startups and founders in the region with the different resources needed to help their companies flourish. A Durham native herself, Molly discusses the development of the American Underground since its start six years ago and how the American Underground has in turn helped develop its community. The American Underground prides itself on their intention to help women and minority founders find their places in the startup landscape. Companies they work with include Bee Downtown, DaVinci Ed, LoanWell, and IdeaBlock. We discuss: - Ad: Improved methods to sourcing talent and finding new possible colleagues (5:07) - Molly's transition from accounting to community-based work (8:05) - Initial foundation of the American Underground (13:05) - Describing the American Underground today, including it's investment approach and model (15:50) - What is the Research Triangle? (21:15) - Types of companies a part of the American Underground (24:50) - What is means to be a Google for Startups Tech Hub (27:13) - Women and minority focus and the pipeline issue (29:22) - Companies of the AU to watch (39:30) American Underground was founded 2010 and based in the Triangle of North Carolina. Learn more about American Underground: https://www.americanunderground.com/ Follow upside on Twitter: https://twitter.com/upsidefm -- This episode is sponsored by Integrity Power Search, the #1 full stack high growth startup recruiting firm between the coasts. They partner with venture capitalists, private equity groups and CEOs to build amazing teams for the world’s most disrupting companies. Learn more about or get in touch with Integrity Power Search: https://upside.fm/integrity