Episode 3: A Seat At The Table - Lauren Fong

‘A Seat At The Table’ is the new monthly podcast from The Icehouse - a place for courageous conversations and empowering diversity and community in business. Regular hosts Liz Wotherspoon, Chief Executive of Growth at The Icehouse, Bryar Stewart, The Icehouse Community Manager, and Melanie Spencer, Co-CEO at Socialites, invite special guests for courageous conversations.

Lauren Fong, Principle at Icehouse Ventures, Arc Angels Manager, DJ / Music Producer

Introducing Episode 3 of A Seat At The Table with guest Lauren Fong. Lauren is a Principle at Icehouse Ventures, Arc Angels Manager and DJ/Music Producer.

Her mission is to help female founders access funding in New Zealand. Since 2020, Lauren helped raise millions for NZ’s first fund that will invest specifically in women-led ventures. She manages a network of angel investors that exclusively invest in female-led startups. Lauren is also rising in the NZ music scene as an electronic artist.

She takes A Seat At The Table on behalf and beside many New Zealand women, backing them to achieve big things and believing in them.

This courageous conversation unpacks;

• Lauren’s career background and passions which has led to her clear life mission
• The alignment and learnings from the DJ/Music industry and business
• Her journey in helping female founders access funding and the realities of this
• The benefits of investing in Women-led ventures
• How listeners can support and get involved, not only with money but time and knowledge
• What success looks like for Lauren and Arc Angels
• Much more!

Lauren highlights key statistics that made us think and ignited a fire in us to do more to support Lauren and Arc Angels on their mission to see more female-led ventures funded and backed by investors in New Zealand.

• In the US, only 3% of Venture Capitalist funding went to female-led companies in 2020
• In New Zealand, 18% of angel investment went to female founders in 2018
• Despite the above, studies show women are 35% more capital efficient
  

Available now through listening platforms, Spotify, YouTube, The Icehouse’s Podcast Series page and social media channels.

Join the community by listening, sharing, and engaging.

If you want to get in touch with our hosts, provide feedback, inspiration, guest ideas or more, contact Bryar Stewart at grow@theicehouse.co.nz