For the June issue of the Doubleshot Newsletter, we are highlighting SheCodesOKC as our builder as they host events for women in tech, and our summer intern Aaron Salazar Latham. We also happy to share more information about our latest investment The SnapBack and featured more background on the innovative AI technology that Relativity6 has built to better identify NAICS codes. Finally, we are happy to share some of the news publications and mentions from our Cortado team, including Manager Partner Nathaniel Harding’s selection on the Journal Record’s Powerlist in finance and banking as well as Platform Manager J.D. Baker’s featured piece in 405 Business Magazine highlighting the history and legacy of Black-owned businesses in Oklahoma City. Also, check out the upcoming events in the ecosystem.
Bottom Line Up Front (BLUF)
- Builder Highlight: SheCodesOKC
- Team Highlight: Aaron Salazar Latham, Intern
- New Investment Alert: Cortado Funds The SnapBack
- Relativity6’s AI Solution to Widespread Misclassifications
- Cortado In The News
- Events in the Ecosystem
Builder Highlight: SheCodesOKC
SheCodesOKC is hosting an informal meetup for female technologists as the organization works together to empower women in the OKC tech community and provide outreach for women learning about and entering tech. This month’s June Meet & Greet will be held tonight, June 21st at 5:30 pm at Social Capital in Downtown OKC. RSVP here.
Team Highlight: Aaron Salazar Latham
Aaron Salazar Latham is currently a student at the University of Oklahoma studying to earn his Bachelor’s in Management Information Systems at the Price College of Business. Aaron works with Oklahoma entrepreneurs and startups as a fellow at OU Startup Programs and serves as the Director of Board Fellows for the JCPenney Leadership Program in the colleges. He previously served as an intern for Cortado portfolio company, Privacy Brain. Please help us give Aaron a warm welcome as our summer intern!
Q: What has been the best experience so far working with startups?
A: “The best part of my experience is being able to see a bigger impact in my work. I enjoy creating meaningful relationships within the community and being a participant in the development of Oklahoma’s ecosystem, which been incredibly welcoming and it’s been easy to engage in the tight-knit community.” Connect with Aaron on LinkedIn
New Investment Alert: The SnapBack
The SnapBack is revolutionizing how women recover from pregnancy and childbirth. Founded by Dr. Pinkey Patel, their customizable app offers recovery workouts, feeding, diaper logging, diastasis recti management, and more. As a Clinical Pharmacist and Pre and Postnatal Corrective Exercise Specialist, Dr. Patel built The SnapBack to offer new moms a safe community, simple resources, and evidence-based methods to help them thrive.
Relativity6’s AI Solution to Widespread Misclassifications
NAICS codes are vital to commercial underwriting, lending, fraud detection, payment processing, customer segmentation, and more. However, classifications are wrong nearly 50% of the time. This post from Cortado Principal, Susan Moring, explains how Relativity6 uses AI technology for up to 90% accuracy in NAICS codes, saving companies, and the people who work for them, both money and time.
Cortado in the News
J.D. Baker writes for 405 Business Magazine
Just in time as our nation commemorates its second federally-official Juneteenth celebration, our Platform Manager J.D. Baker contributed to the cover story of the June/July issue of 405 Business Magazine. The issue includes his “Black-Print for Success” interview with the Oklahoma City Black Chamber of Commerce Executive Director and a featured piece highlighting the history and legacy of Black-owned businesses in Oklahoma City.
Nathaniel Harding Selected on Power List
Our Managing Partner Nathaniel Harding was selected in Journal Record’s Power List in Banking and Finance 2022. This feat is unique as Nathaniel worked nearly 20 years in the oil & gas industry before venturing into building Cortado Ventures in 2020. As one of 30 select leaders, the Power List highlights Banking and Finance leaders who are both trustworthy in their business and excel in their commitment to serving their communities at large.
Advantages of Venture Capital in the Midcontinent
With a record $128 billion raised by VC funds in 2021, startups have more access to venture capital than ever before. While more than 70% of U.S. venture capital goes to California, New York, and Massachusetts, our Managing Partner, Nathaniel Harding, recently shared why the economic downturn is drawing investors from the coasts to take a fresh look at the advantages the Midcontinent has to offer. Read More
Cortado Ventures Ranked #1 Emerging VC Firm in the Region
Venture Capital funds in the Midcontinent are outperforming prominent VC funds on the coasts. Cortado Ventures is the #1 emerging firm in our Midcontinent region and #6 overall, according to Crunchbase data of over 200,000 entities that looks at the “profile within the platform, the amount of community engagement, funding events, news articles, acquisitions, and more.” This is largely in part because of great founders whose teams are diligently working to build innovations for the future.
Events in the Ecosystem
Thanks to support from HoganTaylor and McAfee & Taft, Cortado Ventures hosted two events this spring to gather our growing diverse community of founders, LPs, and other stakeholders in the entrepreneurial ecosystem. In May, Cortado celebrated its second birthday and first close of Fund II with a Spring reception and this month, Cortado hosted another Founder Hour, gathering founders from across Oklahoma to connect and collaborate.
Get Funded: SBIR & STTR Grant Writing
We are excited to sponsor the Innovation District’s Get Funded event on July 14. Learn best practices on how to write a Small Business Innovation Research Grant (SBIR) and a Small Business Technology Transfer Grant (STTR) from Tom Wavering, the Executive Director of the OU Tom Love Innovation Hub. There will be complimentary drinks, small bites, and the opportunity to update your headshot free of charge. Register Today