How to raise startup capital

    Payment Options

        • Free
        About Course

        Arlan Hamilton will show you how to raise startup capital as she did with millions of dollars as the founder of investment fund Backstage Capital, and have generated millions of dollars in revenue as the founder of three companies — Backstage, Runner, & Arlan Was Here LLC — all for a combined $20+ million in the past 5+ years!

        Since 2015, I have invested in nearly 200 companies led by women, people of color, and LGBTQ founders! I have reviewed THOUSANDS of companies and their pitches, and NEGOTIATED with hundreds of millionaires and billionaires.

        How to raise startup capital

        Let me save you hundreds of hours and thousands of dollars by teaching you fundamental lessons, rules of the road, tips, and hacks to skip the mistakes many entrepreneurs make.

        For the more advanced entrepreneur, let’s unstick you and open up even more potential for you to raise and earn capital for your company.

        Contact us at Speakers Inc and follow us on  LinkedIn

        Arlan Hamilton is a remarkable entrepreneur who built a venture capital fund from the ground up, while homeless.

        She is the Founder and Managing Partner of Backstage Capital, a venture capital firm dedicated to minimizing funding disparities in tech by investing in high-potential founders who are people of color, women, and/or LGBT.

        Started in 2015, Backstage has now invested over $15M into 175 startups led by underestimated founders and has been featured in Forbes, Fortune, Wall Street Journal, CNN Money, Inc., Entrepreneur, and Quartz.

        Arlan made history by making the cover of Fast Company as the first Black woman non-celebrity to do so, and her book “It’s About Damn Time” is out on Penguin Random House’s business imprint Currency.

        Learning Points

        • How to get “in the room” — even virtually…
        • Where to find your “edge”
        • When to quit your day job
        • The huge mistake 99% of all entrepreneurs make while pitching
        • The 3 takeaways that will help you negotiate with any millionaire with confidence
        • How to get your first (or 100th) “yes” from an investor
        • The hack that will help you skip the investor route altogether
          and much more.

        • Arlan’s intro & what you’ll learn (required)
        • Student introductions! [welcome]
        • Course reading list [highly recommended]
        • Arlan’s incredible journey
        • Portfolio company testimonials: Curlmix & Uncharted Power
        • Portfolio company testimonial: Haute Hijab
        • Portfolio company testimonial: Sunhouse
        • Portfolio company short film: Haute Hijab
        • Download my 65-page action guide to complement this masterclass

        Videos

        Instructor Speaking Profiles

            Arlan Hamilton - Image 06 (March 10, 2026)
            • Inspiring Innovation

            Arlan Hamilton is a trailblazing entrepreneur who defies the odds and inspires countless individuals with her remarkable journey. Rising from homelessness to becoming a prominent figure in the venture capital industry, she is the epitome of resilience, determination, and unwavering belief in her vision. As the Founder and Managing Partner of Backstage Capital, Arlan has […]

            • (23)

            User Reviews

            View other courses available

                Marci Shimoff
                • Growth Mindset

                Happy for No Reason personal learning course – CDs or MP3 Edition This means that no matter what happens in your life — no matter what stress plows into you — no matter how dire the circumstances might turn — you can AUTOMATICALLY return to a higher level of happiness than you have today. Happy for No […]

                • Instructor: Marci Shimoff
                • Online Course
                    • Growth Mindset

                    This is a four week course which explores four key areas essential to your own personal growth and success for the power is in you. They are: WEEK 1. The Power of Calm and Presence WEEK 2. The Power of Small Changes WEEK 3. The Power of Decision WEEK 4. The Power of Your Response […]

                    • Instructor: Alison Canavan
                    • Video Course
                        speakers inc logo 2023

                        30X Wealth: Build Passive Income | Leverage Investing | Learn the Right Steps to Building Wealth. Everyone dreams of being wealthy, but so few people actually take the steps required to achieve a life of wealth and fortune. The crazy thing is – getting rich is a lot simpler than most people realize; it’s as […]

                        • Instructor: Brad Sugars
                        • Online Course
                            Debbie Millman
                            • Creativity Courses

                            When you look at the choices you’ve made in your life to REINVENTING YOU, or when you consider your future, do you base your decisions on what’s possible, or on what you believe to be more realistic? There’s a lot to be said for making choices based on safety and stability, but that often comes […]

                            • Instructor: Debbie Millman
                            • Linkedin Learning
                                James Clear Ohio Speaker

                                Imagine two versions of yourself, 5 years into the future. What would your life be like if you continued to repeat your bad habits each day? What would life look like in five years if you stuck with good habits each day from The Habits Academy? From day to day, you may not recognize the […]

                                • Instructor: James Clear
                                • Mastermind
                                    Dr. Jackie Freiberg

                                    BE RESILIENT is a course specifically designed to help YOU confront your fear, renounce routine and resignation, and trade “okay and getting by” for a bigger YES! YES, gives you the courage to take a chance, to step out of your comfort zone and into your adventure. The world, your world is crying out for […]

                                    • Instructor: Dr. Kevin Freiberg
                                    • Online Course
                                        speakers inc logo 2023

                                        This self-paced On-Demand Certificate Program is designed to equip leaders and practitioners with research-based tools and strategies to foster digital flourishing. On-Demand Certificate Program Understand key terminology of digital wellness and the attention economy Identify the warning signs of technology addiction, dependency and distress Understand current technology trends and their impact on human behavior Discuss […]

                                        • Instructor: Digital Wellness Institute
                                        • Online Course

                                            Every business and industry is facing an unprecedented level of digital, demographic and regulatory disruption. In this turbulent climate, it is vital to stay one step ahead with the Battle for Relevance Masterclass. Winning the Battle for Relevance Masterclass Based on Michael McQueen’s international bestselling book, this deep-dive online masterclass course will help you: Determine your […]

                                            • Instructor: Michael McQueen
                                            • Online Course

                                            The profiles and artwork embedded on these pages are from various speakers and talent.

                                            WeSpeak Global provides costs that are accurate at time of publishing.

                                            These remain the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by WeSpeak Global.

                                            Course Fees listed on this website are intended to serve as a guideline only.

                                            Speakers Inc.

                                            Connecting you with the perfect speaker.

                                            We connect you with world-class speakers to create impactful, memorable events.

                                            Find the Perfect Speaker

                                            Tell us about your event and we’ll match you with the right speaker.

                                            © All rights reserved 2026.  Designed using Voxel

                                            AI Assistant