Zap's Wrap June 2nd

hi friends,

Last week was a lot. In the best way, but still a lot.

Here’s what’s exciting: Nashville’s startup ecosystem isn’t just growing- it’s evolving. I’ve never been in touch with so many ambitious tech founders at once. And the volume of venture-backed deals we’re seeing this season? Unprecedented. There’s real momentum.

At the same time, I’ve been sitting with a humbling truth: I’m not the right support for every founder, or for every stage. And that’s okay. The work isn’t about being everything to everyone- it’s about showing up where I’m most useful and letting go of the rest. I’m a cheerleader for anyone building in Nashville, but I’m finding more success niching down to help a specific type of high-growth tech founder.

Startup stuff that’s cool

• Optura announced a 6.5M raise led by Matrix & Susa ventures! I just met Jerry and Michael and I told them they must’ve been hiding from me! lol. They are hiring for local solutions engineers, so check it out here.

• Joey went VIRAL for quitting his venture fund to build a home services business. Longview is also my 18th investment and I’m so proud (:

• If you are a startup hiring engineers, I have a few more spots next week for Nashville founders to share what they are building with them! Email me to sign up to share.

• I hosted my first ever founder retreat!!! We borrowed an Airbnb outside of town from Stephen with Project Admission to get music/entertainment founders together to eat, drink, sauna, roast s’mores, and sing songs! I’m so lucky I get to spend quality time with Travis with Soundstripe, Ira with CUE, Nikki with Giggs, Johnny with Genni, Channing with Eva, and Chris with Heard. Leaning on other founders is what helps us all win!

Upcoming Events

• Tuesday, June 3rd: Getting Started as an Angel Investor

  • I have 2 spots left!

• Friday, June 6th: Equity 101: Founder Equity from Issuance to Exit

  • This workshop is full, but if you’d like to participate in 1×1 legal office hours afterwards please let me know!

• Thursday, June 12th: Engineers Only: Meet Nashville Startups

  • This event is only for founders and engineers!!

Lighthouse

• For the fourth week in a row, a 4th founder got a term sheet! I’m so pumped!

• I need some help with decorating! Surprise, the Lighthouse is not just 1 house, it’s 2 houses. I haven’t even started decorating the 2nd house and interior design is my weakness LOL. If you have an eye for aesthetic, please help me!

• We hosted a unit economics workshop last week with Tim and 10 founders. I’ve become a big advocate of his winning metrics framework with founders.

Personal updates

My dad was in town and we went to the Nashville Zoo!

Ask me questions about Nashville startups through my AI-self here.

Or, come visit me at in-person office hours weekly on Thursdays.

to the moon,

zap