Cheryl Kellond

“Build for a new market a new way bravery is the alpha I want to fund. Eve and Anan built around their deep earned insight for a new demographic in investing. They had to fight off "conventional wisdom" from YC advisors the whole way. Now they are minting revenue at a pace that was obvious only to them the whole time. I also invested because I am learning from them. They monthly invest updates are like a Masters degree and make me a better founder.”

“My biggest check - pulled from my investing budget and my social impact budget. 3 years in and there isn't a single day I don't wake up not excited to be part of helping this team and their science become the new standard of endometriois care.”

“This team is so clearly next level. I am giddy that we were able to get access, thanks to the Play Money community.”

“Diem was the first writeoff in my portfolio, and I would still invest again if I could. This was the big data and content bet that was supposed to make AI reflect "the other" 50% of the population. Given the money reddit makes, it's a crime they didn't get the runway they deserved because VC lacks a certain type of imagination.”

“I love cash-flowing investments, and I am super bullish on the upside of Krista and Ingrid's approach.”

“This team is so impressive. This business feels inevitable. But what pushed me over the edge to do a larger-than-my-normal investment was talking with deal lead Andrew Eil. His vetting process for the startups he works with, and the way he rolls up his sleeves alongside the team, has me sold. If Andrew had a fund, I'd invest in it without a second thought. Until then, I am going to invest in every deal he brings to Play Money.”

“I gravitate towards teams that just sweep you away with their founder-market fit. The Coca-Cola deal + the Jack in the Box demo had me sold. And this quote was the cherry on top: 🍒 "Every YC company is full of vim and vigor about how they're gonna dominate [this industry] by adding AI on top of existing systems. The technology all these existing systems run on went end of life when those founders were in 2nd grade." They don't even know where to start.”

“Probably one of my biggest angel learnings.... I am sure this company is doing well, but i followed someone else's conviction. Anyone could have written this check. It has no soul for me.”

“I love founders making crazy, bold bets and doing hard things. I actually wrote about this company in my newsletter a few weeks ago. Curbside charging is inevitable as urban infrastructure, and Tiya is the type of founder who gets it done. Plus NYC? Seriously? That's a big get!!”

“I've been fixated on this deal since Beckett Industries shared it with us. I want to build out the climate/sustainability part of my portfolio, and I love the combination of a real-life revenue-generating business with a data/SaaS/AI upside. Industry and Angels teaming up to fund more deals that fall outside of the "traditional" tech VC mold gets me excited.”

“The fervor for this brand, both from existing Play Money investors and new folks coming in caught my attention. I had never tried the product before so I bought all 3 flavors + Chamberlin & Blue Bottle RTD options. Three thoughts: 1. This stuff is fantastic!! Instantly hooked. 2. Those others taste like swill. No wonder folks are 🍌🍌 for this. 3. Sahra's platform with Robusta is so much bigger than a single product. Count me in.”

“I love businesses with lots of moving parts where required complexity is part of the moat. And this is one of those you can't unsee. This team's earned insights are deep and it's fun to be able to invest right at an inflection point on growth.”

“Do I think this business is a $1B exit? No. Do I need it to be? No. I love the product innovation and the earned insight into their very specific go-to-market. If I were a betting woman, I'd say this would be an early acquisition candidate.”