The First 200

Business EN ↓ 5 episodes

The First 200 is a media platform and podcast documenting entrepreneurs from distinct backgrounds who have raised more than $1 million in venture capital funding. The first season of the podcast focuses on the first 200 Black women founders in the United States to raise more than $1 million in a single venture round. We’ll discuss what it actually takes to build a venture-backed company and explored topics including fundraising, leadership, growth, pivots, execution, and the realities of scaling a business when the odds aren’t always in your favor.

Author

The First 200

Episodes

Vanessa Rissetto: Why You Should Build for Customers, Not Investors 09.07.2026 49:42

What does it take to build a venture-backed healthcare company while challenging everything people think they know about nutrition? In this episode of The First 200, host Amira Rasool sits down with Vanessa Rissetto, Co-Founder and CEO of Culina Health, the virtual nutrition care platform she has raised $10 million in venture capital to build. As a registered dietitian turned entrepreneur, Vanessa...

Tanya Van Court: Why Financial Literacy Is the Greatest Investment You Can Make 30.06.2026 54:05

What does it take to build a venture-backed fintech company in an industry that wasn't built for you to win? In this episode of The First 200, host Amira Rasool sits down with Tanya Van Court, Founder and CEO of Goalsetter, the family financial education platform she has raised more than $30 million in venture capital to build. Backed by investors including NBA legends Carmelo Anthony and Chr...

Cheraé Robinson: How to Balance Passion and Profit as a Founder 24.06.2026 1:06:47

What does it take to build a venture-backed company in an industry few investors understand? In this episode of The First 200, host Amira Rasool sits down with Cheraé Robinson, Co-Founder and former CEO of Tastemakers Africa, the travel experiences marketplace she raised $2.6 million in venture capital funding for. Through Tastemakers Africa, Cheraé helped connect travelers with authentic experien...

Tiffany Dufu: Why Community Is the Key to Business and Personal Success 24.06.2026 1:05:20

How do you build a successful company and a successful life? According to Tiffany Dufu, you don't do it alone. In this episode of The First 200, host Amira Rasool sits down with Tiffany Dufu, Founder and former CEO of The Cru, the peer coaching platform she launched in 2018, raised $4 million to build, and successfully exited through its acquisition by Luminary in 2023. Today, Tiffany serves...

Introducing The First 200: The Black Women Who Broke Venture Capital's Funding Barrier 22.06.2026 1:47

What does it take to become one of the first? Hosted by entrepreneur Amira Rasool , The First 200 is a podcast documenting the stories of founders from distinct backgrounds who were among the first 200 in their communities to raise more than $1 million in venture capital funding. Each year we explore a different cohort of trailblazing entrepreneurs, preserving the stories behind the milestones an...