Clarence Bethea

BETA accelerates the success of Minnesota-based startups by putting founders first. Since its founding in 2013, the organization has developed a strong community of support to provide founders the resources, capital and relationships required to grow and scale their companies. A Minneapolis-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, BETA operates the BETA Cohort accelerator, annual festival Twin Cities Startup Week, and regional media outlet tech.mn.

What VCs Won’t Say is a practical, no-nonsense platform for founders raising venture capital, especially those without warm intros, brand-name backgrounds, or insider access. Built by Clarence Bethea, a startup outsider who raised tens of millions, exited and now invest and coaches the next generation of founders. He has helped founders raise over $100m in venture capital. He breaks down the unspoken rules of venture capital: how investors actually evaluate startups, why most pitches get passed on without feedback, and what founders can do to materially improve their odds. The program combines live, in-person (or virtual) programming with an always-on, self-paced content library, allowing students and early stage entrepreneurs to learn directly from real-world experience while continuing to deepen their understanding beyond the classroom or entrepreneurial program. This isn’t theory or recycled blog advice. It’s the real context VCs rarely say out loud, shared clearly, honestly, and with empathy for how hard fundraising actually is.

True Ventures is a Silicon Valley venture capital firm that is first to believe in brilliant founders and invests in them at the earliest stages, when partnership matters most. Founded in 2005, the firm manages $4 billion in committed capital across over 450 teams spanning AI, software, hardware, cybersecurity, consumer, digital biology, and more. Notable investments include Veza, Enveda, Iceye, Handshake, Peloton, Duo Security and HashiCorp. Learn more at trueventures.com.

Upsie is confronting the $48-billion extended warranty industry by challenging marketplace conventions and empowering consumers with information, access and convenience. The industry’s checkered reputation has included high prices (markups as much as 500 percent), a “hard sell” from cashiers & sales personnel, along with murky terms and conditions. Upsies website and mobile app provide users with dependable, transparent coverage and pricing options that can be easily navigated through our user friendly interface. New warranties can be purchased directly through the web and/or mobile interface, while coverage information and receipts are stored for easier management and tracking on existing warranties.

With roots in Saint Paul since 1940 and partners across the state, we are Minnesota’s largest community foundation and the partner of choice for thousands of donors, professional advisors, nonprofits and community organizations. We inspire generosity to make Minnesota better for all who call it home. Our highly skilled team supports more than 2,000 charitable organizations and donor funds and manages $1.7 billion in assets, including F. R. Bigelow Foundation and Mardag Foundation. In keeping with our mission to share knowledge and resources to benefit the communities we serve, we work consistently to further our three strategic goals: Inspiring generosity, advocating for equity and investing in community-led solutions. We bring together donors, nonprofits and community members to address some of the biggest problems facing Minnesota communities. Our partners are change agents, and together we invest for good to make a lasting impact in our communities. Find us here: Web: https://www.spmcf.org Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/spmcfoundations Twitter: https://twitter.com/spmcfoundations Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/spmfoundation Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/spmcfoundations

BETA accelerates the success of Minnesota-based startups by putting founders first. Since its founding in 2013, the organization has developed a strong community of support to provide founders the resources, capital and relationships required to grow and scale their companies. A Minneapolis-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, BETA operates the BETA Cohort accelerator, annual festival Twin Cities Startup Week, and regional media outlet tech.mn.