Bridging The Funding Gap

In this episode of Looking For The Exit, we’re joined by Preston James II — Co-Founder and CEO of DivInc — to explore how he's breaking down barriers for underrepresented founders in tech. With over 30 years of experience spanning engineering, product, and executive leadership, Preston shares how DivInc is reshaping the startup landscape by building inclusive innovation ecosystems. From launching accelerators to challenging the status quo, Preston James II offers powerful insights into how we build a more equitable future in venture.

Tech to Transform explores the power of innovation to tackle society’s biggest challenges. In this episode of Looking For The Exit, Clarence Wooten—Director and Entrepreneur in Residence at Alphabet’s moonshot factory, X—shares lessons from his remarkable journey building and exiting multiple startups, pioneering enterprise tech, and now developing radical solutions at the frontiers of AI, SaaS, and blockchain. From his early exits to his work at Google X, Clarence offers practical insights into building technology with impact, leading with vision, and changing the complexion of tech for the next generation.

Finding Your Niche explores the journey of carving out space in competitive markets by solving unique problems. In this episode of Looking For The Exit, host Charles Morgan speaks with Jamar Williams, founder of PromoDrone—an aerial drone platform built for experiential marketing. Jamar shares how identifying an underserved opportunity at the intersection of drone tech and consumer engagement helped him pioneer a brand-new category. From leadership lessons to market differentiation, this episode offers actionable insights for founders looking to stand out and scale.

Bridging The Funding Gap dives into the structural barriers and opportunities shaping early-stage funding for underestimated founders. In this episode of Looking For The Exit, host Charles Morgan sits down with Khadijah Robinson—former tech CEO, attorney, and now General Partner at Fictive Ventures—to discuss how her work is helping level the playing field for Black-led, tech-enabled startups. From her days leading complex legal cases to selling her own startup, Khadijah brings a sharp, strategic lens to the capital access conversation. Tune in for practical insights on how founders can navigate early-stage capital, and what investors can do to truly bridge the gap.

The New Rules to Investing in Early Stage AI explores how emerging technologies are reshaping the way investors identify and fund startups. In this episode of Looking For The Exit, host Charles Morgan is joined by Grace Gong—angel investor, media founder, and host of two top-ranked VC podcasts. Grace shares what she’s learned from conversations with leading investors, unicorn founders, and big tech execs, and unpacks the critical trends defining early-stage AI investing today. Whether you're a founder seeking funding or an investor chasing the next wave, this episode offers insights on what’s working—and what’s next.

Policy and Innovation dives into the intersection of government, entrepreneurship, and equitable progress. In this episode of Looking For The Exit, host Charles Morgan sits down with Amanda Edwards—former Houston City Council Member, attorney, and founder of The Community Based Solutions Firm. With experience spanning public office, the legal field, Amanda shares how policy can be a powerful tool to unlock innovation and create systemic change. For founders thinking about impact, infrastructure, and inclusion, this conversation is essential.

Pitch Competition Hustle explores what it takes to win when the spotlight’s on and the clock is ticking. In this episode of Looking For The Exit, host Charles Morgan sits down with MC Spano—a seasoned founder and pitch strategist who’s raised venture capital and earned major wins on some of the startup world's most competitive stages. From mastering your story to commanding the room, MC shares how to approach every pitch like a performance and every investor like an opportunity. If you’re getting ready to pitch, this one’s for you.

Learning to Speak VC dives into the art and strategy of communicating with investors—especially when you don’t come from traditional startup circles. In this episode of Looking For The Exit, host Charles Morgan talks with Joah Spearman, founder of TenYour and one of the few Black tech CEOs to raise over $5 million without early Silicon Valley backing. Joah shares insights from a journey rooted in purpose, resilience, and storytelling—explaining how middle-class founders can unlock access, attract mission-aligned investors, and build lasting generational wealth. Whether you're raising your first round or rethinking your pitch, this episode is your VC crash course from someone who’s lived it.

Balancing Purpose and Profit isn’t just a mantra—it’s a mindset. In this episode of Looking For The Exit, host Charles Morgan sits down with Claudius Taylor, a purpose-driven leader and entrepreneur focused on building equitable ventures. Together, they unpack what it really means to lead with values while staying financially viable, and how underrepresented founders can bridge mission and margin without compromise.

In this episode of Looking For The Exit, host Charles Morgan sits down with startup lawyer-extraordinaire Abraham J. Williamson—former Vault‑25 firm associate, co‑founder, and seed-round specialist—to break down the essentials of legal groundwork: incorporation, equity splits, investor agreements, option pools, compliance, diligence, and tech-enabled legal tools. Abraham’s real-world experience—from advising Techstars teams to closing millions in early-stage funding—offers founders clear, actionable steps to protect their vision and prepare for scaling and exits.