Collide Capital’s Aaron Samuels on Creating Blavity Media for Black Millennials and Gen Z

Decerry Donato

Decerry Donato is a reporter at dot.LA. Prior to that, she was an editorial fellow at the company. Decerry received her bachelor's degree in literary journalism from the University of California, Irvine. She continues to write stories to inform the community about issues or events that take place in the L.A. area. On the weekends, she can be found hiking in the Angeles National forest or sifting through racks at your local thrift store.

Collide Capital’s Aaron Samuels on Creating Blavity Media for Black Millennials and Gen Z
Courtesy of LAV

On this episode of the LA Venture podcast, Collide Capital founder and managing partner Aaron Samuels discusses the importance of storytelling and talks about how his career journey led him to venture capital.


Collide Capital is a venture capital firm that just closed its first seed stage fund of $66 million. The fund is focused on investing in intersectional founders.

“We primarily look at three main buckets,” Samuels said. “We look at enterprise SaaS, we look at the regenerative economy and we look at Gen Z.”

Samuels says that working as a scout for Lightspeed, Canaan, Pear VC and Flybridge gave him and his partner Brian Hollins the start that they needed for Collide Fund I. He also has many Silicon Valley funds as LPs.

“I think that because of that actual LP relationship, it just makes the conversation a little bit more fluid for sharing deals,” Samuels said. “Many of these funds will invest up until the Series B and several of them even at a later stage. So because we are focused primarily on seed and a little bit of pre-seed, oftentimes, we can find deals a little bit earlier in the pipeline and then we share our top performers with those funds.”

Prior to starting Collide with Brian Hollins, Samuels served as a strategy consultant for Bain & Co. — the only Black employee in his cohort, the cohort above him, and the cohort below him. Coming from his undergraduate at Washington University, he was no stranger to existing in predominantly white spaces. But in school, he had a strong community he could turn to.

“Washington University in St. Louis is also a primarily white institution,” he said. “But the Black community there was very strong…It represented the total cacophony of all of the conversations that were happening in the Black community and that experience of sitting there seeing other Black people having them move toward one another and actually support each other, we call that Black gravity, or ‘blavity’ for short.”

Samuels said that when he and his friends found themselves in primarily white corporate spaces years later, they longed for that same sense of community.

“We started asking ourselves, is there a way that we can replicate that feeling that we had as undergrads to the rest of the world?” he said.

The lack of diversity and color in these corporate spaces inspired Samuels to create Blavity, the largest global Black media company for millennials and Gen-Z.

Samuels launched the company in 2014 and said it was bootstrapped up until they reached their millionth user. It was at that point when Blavity started gaining interest from VC funds.

Unfortunately, Black founders are still underfunded and underrepresented today. That’s why Samuels feels it’s important for Collide and Blavity to be in these spaces and to help drive change.

“The reality is the numbers have not been increasing for the number of Black founders that are getting invested into,” Samuels said. “Despite all of the media and all the attention that is being called to it.”

He added, “I do believe that there are rooms that things happen in that I’m not yet invited to,” he said. “But what I can also say is that the communities that I am a part of are really most of the underrepresented people in VC — Black people in venture, women in venture, latin folks in venture, queer folks in venture — There’s not a lot of us so we have to look out.”

In addition to his role as a venture capitalist and founder, Samuels is also a recognized spoken word artist. As someone who grew up in relatively radical activist spaces, Samuels understands the importance of storytelling and that’s why he held writing workshops for youth.

“I think it’s actually a pretty natural conclusion,” Samuels said. “I started as an artist because as a young, angsty teen that was learning about racism for the first time. I think it made me mad… But I think part of the anger also comes from an inability to do anything about it and you feel so powerless…and I think that the older I’ve gotten, the more I’ve observed the power that I do have to potentially make change.”

While Samuels is a VC, he still finds ways to implement the use of storytelling in his current role by sharing his knowledge with the founders in Collide’s portfolio.

“A lot of founders struggle with this [storytelling], especially founders that come from a more technical background,” he said. “It's not just about the numbers. In fact, it rarely is. It's about the story that you're telling. VCs are pretty smart, they're pretty savvy, they can see through if somebody's trying to tell them a lie.”

Samuels is a believer that the best endings to a story are both surprising yet inevitable. As a VC, his advice for founders is similar.

“Meaning you want to look at this pitch and say this is happening,” he said. “If this person doesn't create this technology or this company, somebody else will and the world is definitely moving in this way…And I think if you can create a pitch that leaves people with those two dual emotions, at the end of it, it can really, really, really strike a chord in the heartstrings of the person who's listening.”

dot.LA Reporter Decerry Donato contributed to this post.

Click the link above to hear the full episode, and subscribe to LA Venture on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.

This podcast is produced by L.A. Venture. The views and opinions expressed in the show are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect those of dot.LA or its newsroom.

🍵☕️Top 6 Coffee Alternatives for Enhanced Productivity

In the fast-paced world of startups and venture capital in Los Angeles, maintaining peak productivity is essential for founders and investors alike. As the hustle intensifies, many are seeking alternatives to traditional coffee that not only provide a sustained energy boost but also support overall health and well-being. The following list highlights some of the top-rated coffee alternatives that can enhance focus and productivity while minimizing the adverse effects of caffeine. These options incorporate adaptogens, superfoods, and gut-friendly ingredients, making them ideal choices for those looking to optimize their performance without the afternoon crash.


Matcha

Image Source: Jade Leaf Matcha

Matcha is a finely ground green tea that offers a moderate amount of caffeine, along with L-theanine, which promotes relaxation without drowsiness. This combination can enhance focus and concentration, making matcha a suitable alternative for those looking to boost productivity without the jitters of coffee.

Popular Brands: ReNude Chaga Matcha (60 mg caffeine), Golde Pure Matcha (60 mg caffeine), Organic Ceremonial Matcha - Teahouse Edition (30 mg caffeine)


Dandelion Root Coffee

Image Source: Amazon

Dandelion root coffee is a caffeine-free alternative that mimics the taste of coffee. It is known for its potential to support liver health and digestion, which can contribute to overall well-being and productivity. The drink can help avoid the acidity and jitters that often accompany regular coffee, making it a gentler option for those sensitive to caffeine.

Popular Brands: Dandy Blend (0 mg caffeine), Teeccino Dandelion Dark Roast (0 mg caffeine)


Adaptogenic Drinks

Image Source: MUD\WTR Masala Chai

Adaptogenic beverages, which include ingredients like ashwagandha, reishi, and maca, are designed to help the body adapt to stress and promote mental clarity. These drinks can provide a sustained energy boost without the crash, supporting productivity throughout the day. They are often made with superfoods and spices that enhance both physical and mental performance.

Popular Brands: MUD\WTR Masala Chai (35 mg caffeine), Four Sigmatic Think Coffee (150 mg caffeine), ReNude Chagaccino (0 mg caffeine)


Golden Milk (Turmeric Latte)

Image Source: Golde

Golden milk, made from turmeric, ginger, and milk (or a milk alternative), is a caffeine-free option that can improve mood and reduce inflammation. The calming properties of this drink can help maintain focus and clarity, making it a great addition to a productive morning routine.

Popular Brands: Golde Turmeric Latte Blend (0 mg caffeine), Blume Turmeric Blend (0 mg caffeine), Four Sigmatic Golden Latte Mix (0 mg caffeine)



Chicory Root Coffee

Image Source: Teeccino

Chicory root coffee is an excellent alternative that satisfies the desire for a warm beverage without caffeine. It is rich in inulin, a prebiotic fiber that aids in digestion and promotes gut health by supporting beneficial bacteria. Chicory coffee has a nutty, earthy flavor and can help control blood sugar levels, contributing to overall energy and productivity throughout the day.

Popular Brands: Anthony’s Instant Chicory Root (0 mg caffeine), Teeccino Chicory Coffee Alternative (0 mg caffeine)


Yerba Mate

Image Source: Guayaki Yerba Mate

Yerba mate is a traditional South American herbal tea made from the leaves of the Ilex paraguariensis plant. It contains about 40-80 mg of caffeine per serving, which is less than a standard cup of coffee but enough to provide a gentle energy boost. Yerba mate is rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals, and users often report feeling energized without the jitters or crashes associated with coffee. It has a unique, slightly bitter flavor and can be enjoyed in various forms, including loose-leaf tea and pre-brewed options.

Popular Brands: Guayaki Yerba Mate (40-150 mg caffeine)


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LA’s Data Center Supply Crunch

🔦 Spotlight

Happy Friday Los Angeles!

The Los Angeles data center market is experiencing a significant supply crunch, ranking 12th in growth among top markets since 2020 with only 265 megawatts of colocation inventory (data centers where businesses rent space to store their computing hardware and servers). Despite this, demand is surging, driven by AI, cloud, and hyperscaler needs, with AI accounting for 20% of new data center demand nationally. This scarcity is creating a highly competitive environment, with vacancy rates at a record low 3% and asking rents rising 13-37% year-over-year. For Los Angeles, this presents both challenges and opportunities in the big picture. The city's strategic position as a global entertainment hub and its connectivity to international markets through subsea cables make it an attractive location for data centers. However, the limited inventory and rising costs could potentially hinder growth and innovation in the tech sector. To maintain its competitive edge, Los Angeles will need to address these constraints through new developments, such as GI Partners' 16 MW addition at One Wilshire, and by focusing on high-connectivity, high-power capacity submarkets. The city's tech community should prepare for a landscape of increased competition for quality data center space, higher costs, and the need for innovative solutions to meet growing demand, particularly in AI and cloud services. While Los Angeles faces a challenging data center supply crunch, its strategic advantages and ongoing developments offer a promising path forward.


🤝 Venture Deals

LA Companies

  • Daisy, a one-year-old startup that designs and installs smart home and office technology systems, raised a $7M Series B co-led by Goldcrest and Bungalow, with previous investors Bullish and Burst Capital also stepping up. The company has raised a total of $13.3 million. - learn more

LA Venture Funds


    ✨ Featured Event ✨

    LA TECH CEO SUMMIT

    LA’s tech leadership is set to reunite after a long break! This two day summit will focus on building strong connections, sharing insights, and fortifying the local tech community.

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    🌐Decentralizing Data & Vacations: Sony's Web3 Leap and Sensible Weather's KOA Partnership

    🔦 Spotlight

    Happy Long Weekend Los Angeles!

    Sony Group is making a significant push into the blockchain and Web3 space, leveraging its Sony Pictures and Sony Music divisions along with a new global incubator. The company has developed the Soneium blockchain through Sony Block Solutions Labs, a joint venture aimed at accelerating Web3 innovation. Sony is launching the "Soneium Minato" public testnet and a developer incubation program called "Soneium Spark" to foster ecosystem growth and adoption. The initiative includes strategic partnerships with Web3 companies such as Astar Network, Circle, and Optimism. Sony aims to create a fan community centered on creators and connect diverse values through Soneium, with the ultimate goal of integrating Web3 services into people's daily lives. While the company acknowledges the challenges faced by Web3, including limited user adoption and the need for mainstream use cases, it remains committed to decentralizing the concentrated power of the current internet landscape.

    In completely unrelated and more digestible news Sensible Weather, a leading weather protection provider that we’ve featured many times, has partnered with Kampgrounds of America (KOA) to offer Weather Guarantees at over 450 KOA Campgrounds across the United States. This collaboration allows campers to purchase weather protection for their outdoor experiences, providing peace of mind and potential reimbursements of up to 100% of their nightly rate if weather conditions exceed predefined parameters. The partnership comes at an opportune time, as camping has seen a significant increase in popularity, with active campers growing by 68% over the past decade. If you are looking to do some camping this fall make sure you look into Sensible Weather protections to ensure that unpredictable weather won't dampen (nailed it) your camping experience.


    🤝 Venture Deals

    LA Companies

    • Space and Time, a blockchain data warehouse developer, raised a $20M Series A led by Framework Ventures. - learn more
    • Miris, a provider of spatial content streaming solutions, raised a $26M Seed Round led by IAG Capital Partners. - learn more

    LA Venture Funds

    • Fika Ventures led a $4.55M Seed Round for Revenew, a San Francisco startup that aims to help digital platforms and marketplaces manage their payments and optimize financial operations. - learn more
    • Bonfire Ventures participated in a $25M Series A for Supio, an AI platform for personal injury law firms. - learn more
    • Amplify LA participated in a $2M Seed Round for Pryzm, a startup that provides tools and data to help businesses navigate government contracting more efficiently. - learn more

      ✨ Featured Event ✨

      LA TECH CEO SUMMIT

      LA’s tech leadership is set to reunite after a long break! This two day summit will focus on building strong connections, sharing insights, and fortifying the local tech community.

      Learn More Here

      Register Here


      Download the dot.LA App

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