Back to “US mode”
As Daniel and Reuben were traveling through Southern Tanzania, I was getting back into “US mode”, unfortunately missing out on all the exciting progress in Tanzania. But, it was great to be back in the US for two main reasons – (1) to catch up with family and (2) to meet with people in the US.
My trip began in my home in Conyers, GA. There, I turned our “computer” room into my office, and I spent my days directing things in Tanzania with 6am phone calls and preparing for my three weeks ahead, which were going to be supremely hectic. I was able to squeeze in a meeting with First Light Ventures and Grayghost Ventures, which was a great experience, especially in giving me insight into what types of companies they fund. I also came to realize the greatest part of presenting to them, as Ross told me himself…if anything, it’s free consulting.
After Atlanta, I went straight to Boston. I met with Brown Rudnick, our lawyers, and we wrapped up all our founder paperwork and prepared both our common and preferred stock certificates. Aside from that, I soaked back up the MIT atmosphere, meeting with former SEID president Chris Mitchell, 100K mentor Joost Bonsen, D-Lab, and then, of course, the 100K team. It was a great time, for sure.
Two cities later, I ended up in Manhattan to meet with Kim from Presumed Abundance. It was great to catch up with her, as she was really the essence of funding it forward. After talking with her, I rode out of her house on her bike (that she let me borrow, of course!), ready to take on Echoing Green Selection Weekend, which ended up being truly phenomenal.
As to what made it what it was, it was really meeting the staff, the board, the past fellows, and then the fellow finalists! The finalists had so much passion, and it was truly invigorating. It was also a great time to network, and it really cracked us up how we all moved in the same circles, having connected with all the same social venture funds, seeking money to help us get our start-ups off the ground.
Moreover, it was fantastic to realize how many finalists I could connect with because of our experiences in East Africa. There were two other finalists already working full-time in Tanzania, including fellow MIT alumnus Jamie Yang with EGG Energy and Drew Durbin from Anza Technologies. And then there was Josh Nesbit and Isaac Holeman from FrontlineSMS: Medic working in Malawi and Uganda, using SMS to save lives. With such a short weekend, we only had a chance to exchange a few words, but I look forward to seeing how we might work together in the future, especially since both of us have ideas/concepts so closely tied with the cell phone.
As for Echoing Green itself, I’ll keep you posted on who is named the finalists. And wish Daniel the best as he gets the first taste of the Unreasonable Institute! As for me, back to “US mode” with long hours and endless energy, ready to take on the world!
Jodie | New York City, USA
