LET’S TALK IMPACT: ON HOW TO GET IMPACT VC FUNDING WITH SARAH CONE FROM SOCIAL IMPACT CAPITAL
ABOUT SARAH CONE:
Sarah Cone is the founder and Managing Partner at Social Impact Capital. Founded in 2016, Social Impact Capital has secured follow-on financing for 100% of its portfolio companies, with 94% of the financings being led by top-tier venture capital firms. Sarah was one of the earliest investors in Prometheus Fuels, the world’s first zero-carbon fuel unicorn, and was an early investor in Andela, another social impact unicorn. She was the first VC investor in OpenInvest which was acquired by JP Morgan. Other portfolio companies include Totus Medicines, Charm Industrial, Aether Diamonds, and Menten AI. Sarah is a board observer for Emitwise and JUDY, and was formerly on the board of PreAct.
Sarah Cone has a passion and a proven track record for impact investing that generates strong financial returns while producing a positive effect on the world. Sarah received her J.D. from the University of California, Berkeley, where she received the Jurisprudence Award for academic excellence and the Advocacy Award for persuasive writing. She also holds a B.A. in interdisciplinary studies from Evergreen State College.
ABOUT THE PODCAST:
Let’s Talk Impact is a podcast series that explores the intersection of entrepreneurship and social impact. Hosted by Justyna Kedra and produced by The New School’s Impact Entrepreneurship Initiative and WERULE, the podcast features interviews with a diverse range of changemakers. From government officials to activists and entrepreneurs, these guests share their insights on the evolving definition of impactful work and the motivations driving their efforts. By focusing on the stories behind the initiatives, Let’s Talk Impact aims to inspire and inform listeners about the power of entrepreneurship to create positive change in the world.
ABOUT THE HOST:
Justyna Kedra, the founder of WERULE, received her BFA degree from Parsons the New School where she successfully finished their toughest major: Fashion Design. Since then she worked in Public Relations with celebrities ranging from Jeremy Scott, Lady Gaga to Madonna at People’s Revolution under the wing of Kelly Cutrone. Justyna is also no stranger to the corporate world working for 6 years in financial services at American Express generating over 20 Billion in acquisitions for Centurion, Platinum, Green Cards as well features such as their most successful “Employee Card” treatment. She also served as an advisor to the American Express’ President of US Consumer Services on topics related to the team’s culture.
She is a mentor & a team member at The New School’s Impact Entrepreneurship Initiative and a mentor at the Tory Burch Foundation, the AARP Foundation x Bridge for Billions program for aspiring founders over 50. Because of her work, she was recognized as the youngest Champion of Change at the United Nations. A book she co-authored with Erika De La Cruz, Editor in Chief at The La Girl, has become a bestseller across multiple categories and is available at Barnes and Noble.
Justyna also hosts a podcast, a collaboration between WERULE and The New School’s Impact Entrepreneurship Initiative, called Let’s Talk Impact, which was in the top 5% most shared podcasts globally according to Spotify Wrapped.
ABOUT IMPACT ENTREPRENEURSHIP INITIATIVE:
The Impact Entrepreneurship Initiative (IEI) at The New School fosters a transformative approach to business and social change. We equip students with the skills to create innovative, inclusive, and sustainable ventures that address pressing global challenges. Through our interdisciplinary curriculum, experiential learning opportunities, and strong community partnerships, we empower students to become agents of positive change and build a more equitable world.
ABOUT WERULE:
WERULE is a global platform dedicated to connecting individuals with life-changing mentors. Founded in 2015, they started by sharing stories of successful female entrepreneurs, becoming a recognized resource for women seeking inspiration and guidance. Today, WERULE offers a wider range of resources, including an AI-powered mentorship app used by businesses and organizations worldwide. Their mission is to make mentorship accessible to everyone, regardless of background or stage in life. They believe in the transformative power of mentorship and strive to create a world where everyone has the opportunity to reach their full potential.
CLICK HERE TO LISTEN & SUBSCRIBE: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0wQXx7jjz1vDY1KpWe8wKu?si=6813096f87f34ffd
HOSTED BY: Justyna Kedra (IG: @thisisjustyna) & Kosi Dunn