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 […]

            • (19)

            User Reviews

            View other courses available

                speakers inc logo 2023
                • Growth Mindset

                OVERCOME YOUR HARSHEST CRITIC. YOU. Silence Your Self Doubt & Embrace Your Inner Badass. It is time to eliminate the things standing in your way… and smash goals that have escaped your grasp until now. Badass Masterclass Imposter Syndrome. Performance Anxiety. Self-Doubt. It’s easy to feel like you aren’t good enough. That you aren’t worthy of […]

                • Instructor: Michelle Curran
                • Join Waiting List
                    • Motivation

                    By the end of this transformational Get Unstuck Now journey, you will ADMIT what you truly desire, identify EXACTLY what’s stopping you from HAVING it, and give yourself PERMISSION to live a joyfully happy, fulfilling and rich life. If you don’t GET UNSTUCK NOW, you won’t position yourself the leader you KNOW you’re here to […]

                    • Instructor: Dr. Noah St. John
                    • Online Course
                        Dr. Willie Jolley

                        Dr. Willie Jolley answers the age-old question: What are the secrets that sustain successful organizations through difficult times? How can you help you team to not only survive the setbacks of business and life, but go past just surviving to actually thriving with Turn A Setback Into A Comeback video? Dr. Willie Jolley shares answers […]

                        • Instructor: Dr. Willie Jolley
                        • Vimeo On-Demand
                          • Featured
                          • Growth Mindset

                          Let’s be honest – you want more abundance in your life with my Abundance Mini Course. YOU HAVE NEXT-LEVEL SALES AND FINANCIAL GOALS THAT YOU DREAM OF HITTING, AND YOU ALSO WANT THE EXPERIENCE OF A MORE CONSISTENT FLOW OF MONEY WITHOUT GUILT, HANGUPS OR ANXIETY. And maybe you’ve already done a lot of work […]

                          • Instructor: Elyse Archer
                          • Online Course
                              speakers inc logo 2023
                              • Entrepreneurship

                              Dramatically boost your joy, happiness, and success – and reduce burnout and stress – in your Amazing Career Project today. Join the Amazing Career Project and take the right action to experience the relief and peace that comes from positive change. These are the tools, strategies, live coaching and expert guidance to get you there […]

                              • Instructor: Kathy Caprino
                              • Join Waiting List

                                  DO YOU WANT MORE FROM LIFE through Free Abundance Training? More money. More love. More adventure. More health. More spiritual connection. More acceptance of yourself. It can all be yours … anything you dream of and desire. In fact, it’s meant to be yours. Abundance in all areas of life is your birthright. Free Abundance […]

                                  • Instructor: Lis Nichols
                                  • Free

                                      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
                                          Carina Schmid - Image 04 (March 18, 2026)
                                          • Communication

                                          CONNECTION CANDY offers Authentic communication for more power at work. The energizing communication training for healthy health professionals, developed by Carina, who has been in the health business for 25 years. Let us take you by the hand and show you how you, too, can practice your profession again with ease and joy through strong […]

                                          • Instructor: Carina Schmid
                                          • 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