I've Been There...

I founded my company, Caregiven, so that no other daughter would feel as I did when caring for, and losing, my father. Had I known that launching a start-up was so soul-wrenchingly difficult (albeit equally as rewarding) I may have chosen a different way to work through my grief.

As it is...the lessons I've learned about entrepreneurship, about raising venture, bringing a product to market, hiring and laying off a team and ultimately deciding it was time to say when...

...if any of my insight can help another innovator, then it all will have been worth it.

I Choose to Work with:

Mission-Driven Founders

Those who are focused on bringing a product or service to market that addresses an unmet pain that they personally have experienced.

Ideators & Dreamers

Those who are at the earliest stages of their entrepreneurial journey and are often faced with crossroad after crossroad, knowing the decisions they make today impacts tomorrow's trajectory.

Human-Centered Design Practitioners

Those who trust the insights of their target customers over their own convictions and are eager to learn, to be proven right and welcome being wrong.

Open-Minds & Open-Hearts

Those who approach their work with

Honesty

Openness &

Willingness.

Answers to Some Often Asked Questions:

What markets or sectors do you have experience with?

Care-tech & caregiving technologies

Age-tech & longevity

Insurtech & Fintech solutions focused on customer engagement

What company stage can you help?

Idea-stage companies (deciding on for-profit or non-profit pathways).

Bootstrapped companies considering external funding options.

Pre-seed and seed round seekers.

What milestones did you achieve?

Product ideation through launch.

Participation in reputable accelerator programs & innovation searches.

Venture-funding including avoiding several "bad" investors.

Growing company from first user to 1,400 on platform.

Pivots from B2C to B2B2C and from consumer tech to insurtech.

Hired initial team - ultimately laid off the team.

Potential acquisition.

Company paused.

Will you help me raise capital?

Maybe. I will share my experience raising capital and see if I can add value to your path but I will not create pitch decks or present your company for you.

Will you introduce me to X, Y or Z?

Maybe. I am a natural connector and happily facilitate meaningful introductions that are beneficial to both parties involved. This entails my getting to know you, your organization and motivations - this takes time.

Can you help me get into an accelerator like TechStars or YC?

Maybe. I have my own opinions on why, when and what accelerator programs are best and will happily discuss this with anyone interested. I am happy to give input on applications or help founders evaluate opportunities but I don't write applications or lobby program managers.

Your company didn't thrive, why should I want your advice?

I'm not giving advice, I'm sharing my experiences and collaborating with founders to help them think through the challenge/opportunity of the moment. I do not believe I have the answers but I do have the scars that lead to better understanding.

How much do you charge?

I don't charge for conversations and am not looking to create an income stream based on my connections or start-up experience. I am here to give support and be a partner to CEO's and founders.

Candice Smith

I've Been There...

I Choose to Work with:

Mission-Driven Founders

Ideators & Dreamers

Human-Centered Design Practitioners

Open-Minds & Open-Hearts

Answers to Some Often Asked Questions:

Let's Talk...

I've Been There...

I Choose to Work with:

Mission-Driven Founders

Ideators & Dreamers

Human-Centered Design Practitioners

Open-Minds & Open-Hearts

Answers to Some Often Asked Questions:

Let's Talk...

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