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 download our Mobile App

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 […]

  • (15)

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