Marcia Dawood is an early-stage investor who serves on the Securities and Exchange Commission’s Small Business Capital Formation Advisory Committee, is a venture partner with Mindshift Capital, a member of Golden Seeds, and the chair emeritus of the Angel Capital Association (ACA), a global professional society for angel investors.
She is also an associate producer on the award-winning documentary Show Her the Money.
A TEDx speaker and the host of The Angel Next Door podcast, Marcia walks the talk and holds investments in over fifty early-stage companies and funds. She is committed to expanding support for diverse companies that overcome the world’s biggest problems and accelerate positive change. She is passionate about bridging the gap from early-stage inception to building thriving, profitable companies.
She is a founding member and chair of the ACA’s Growing Women’s Capital Group, which is building syndication and collaboration among US investment groups focused on women-led companies.
She is also a co-author of the book You Can, You Will, which was an Amazon bestseller in thirty-nine categories in four countries.
Prior to that, Marcia worked in sales, marketing, and operations for Kaplan Education for over sixteen years. Marcia received an MBA from the University of North Carolina Kenan-Flagler Business School.
Marcia currently lives in North Carolina with her husband, Izzy, and she feels lucky to be the stepmom to three amazing sons.
Recent Content
Have you ever wondered why some entrepreneurs seem to effortlessly connect with high-profile clients and seemingly land opportunities out of thin air? In this episode of The Angel Next Door Podcast, …
Have you ever wonder…
Have you ever wondered why some entrepreneurs seem to effortlessly connect with high-profile clients and seemingly land opportunities out of thin air? In this episode of The Angel Next Door Podcast, we unravel the secrets behind successful networking and relationship building, which are crucial to making those magic moments happen.Our guest today, Michelle Tillis Lederman, is an accomplished author, networking expert, and dynamic speaker known for her strategic insight into the world of Relationships and connections. With a background as diverse as being a former CPA, an adrenaline junkie, an…
What does it take to turn a humble beginning into a thriving empire? In this episode of The Angel Next Door Podcast, host Marcia Dawood explores the intricacies of entrepreneurship and franchising wit…
What does it take to…
What does it take to turn a humble beginning into a thriving empire? In this episode of The Angel Next Door Podcast, host Marcia Dawood explores the intricacies of entrepreneurship and franchising with Dawn Lafreeda, a highly successful Denny’s franchisee. Dawn's entrepreneurial journey from a young hostess to owning more Denny’s franchises than anyone else globally underscores the power of determination, resilience, and strategic thinking.Dawn Lafreeda began her career at Denny’s at the age of 16 as a hostess and worked her way up to waitress before seizing her first business opportunit…
Ever wondered what it really takes to break into the world of venture capital, especially as an underrepresented entrepreneur or an emerging fund manager? In our milestone 100th episode, host Marcia D…
Ever wondered what i…
Ever wondered what it really takes to break into the world of venture capital, especially as an underrepresented entrepreneur or an emerging fund manager? In our milestone 100th episode, host Marcia Dawood sits down with Catherine Gray, the visionary Executive Producer of the award-winning documentary *Show Her the Money,* to demystify this complex space. The film shines a light on the staggering statistics around the lack of funding for female entrepreneurs but goes beyond the numbers with powerful storytelling and remarkable profiles of women founders making a difference.Catherine Gray, the …
Have you ever considered the possibilities that arise when philanthropic capital is directed towards funding startup companies? In this episode of The Angel Next Door Podcast, host Marcia Dawood sits…
Have you ever consid…
Have you ever considered the possibilities that arise when philanthropic capital is directed towards funding startup companies? In this episode of The Angel Next Door Podcast, host Marcia Dawood sits down with Sally Boulter from Impact Assets to unravel an often overlooked but transformative investment approach—using donor-advised funds to fuel entrepreneurial ventures. If you're an angel investor or contemplating entering the startup ecosystem, this episode will give you a fresh perspective on navigating investments impactfully.Sally Boulter brings a wealth of experience to the table, havi…
What does it take to transition from being a dedicated emergency medicine physician to a groundbreaking entrepreneur? In this thought-provoking episode of The Angel Next Door Podcast, Marcia Dawood e…
What does it take to…
What does it take to transition from being a dedicated emergency medicine physician to a groundbreaking entrepreneur? In this thought-provoking episode of The Angel Next Door Podcast, Marcia Dawood explores the journey of Dr. Liz Clayborne, the inspiring founder behind NasaClip. Liz's story sheds light on the innovative process of developing a medical device and the unique challenges she encountered while fundraising for her venture.Dr. Liz Clayborne is not your average entrepreneur. A committed emergency medicine physician and faculty member at the University of Maryland, Liz pivoted her car…
Are You Ready to Invest in Your Dreams?What does it take to transform a vision into a sustainable business and eventually into a lucrative investment opportunity? This week's episode of The Angel Next…
Are You Ready to Inv…
Are You Ready to Invest in Your Dreams?What does it take to transform a vision into a sustainable business and eventually into a lucrative investment opportunity? This week's episode of The Angel Next Door Podcast with Marcia Dawood discusses the often-overlooked world of franchising and angel Investing, revealing the essential elements driving entrepreneurial success. Alongside guest Domineca Neal, an experienced entrepreneur and angel investor, listeners are taken on an educational journey through the nuances of starting and scaling a business, whether independently or through franchising.Do…
Have you ever wondered what it takes to turn around a failing organization or to drive remarkable change in business, government, and Philanthropy? This thought-provoking question sets the stage for a…
Have you ever wonder…
Have you ever wondered what it takes to turn around a failing organization or to drive remarkable change in business, government, and philanthropy? This thought-provoking question sets the stage for an insightful conversation with Lisa Gable, a seasoned expert in orchestrating turnarounds across diverse sectors. In this episode, Marcia Dawood sits down with Lisa to unveil the intricacies of driving meaningful change, tackling complex problems, and navigating the turbulent waters of entrepreneurship.Lisa Gable boasts an illustrious career, beginning with her time in the Reagan White House and D…
Have you ever wondered what it takes for a startup, particularly in a niche field like women's health, to secure the necessary funding to move forward and make a meaningful impact? In this episode of …
Have you ever wonder…
Have you ever wondered what it takes for a startup, particularly in a niche field like women's health, to secure the necessary funding to move forward and make a meaningful impact? In this episode of The Angel Next Door Podcast, Marcia Dawood sits down with Mark Gannott, who brings a unique blend of neuroscience, economics, and entrepreneurship to the table. From navigating the complex landscape of women's health financing to shedding light on economic modeling and network strategies, Mark's insights are invaluable for anyone looking to understand the intricacies of funding in highly specializ…
Have you ever wondered what the future of entrepreneurship looks like in a world where Artificial Intelligence can take on the roles traditionally reserved for human employees? In this episode of The …
Have you ever wonder…
Have you ever wondered what the future of entrepreneurship looks like in a world where artificial intelligence can take on the roles traditionally reserved for human employees? In this episode of The Angel Next Door Podcast, host Marcia Dawood sits down with AI expert Sharon Zhang to explore the transformative impact of AI on business and society. Sharon talks about the evolving landscape of AI and its potential to not only automate mundane tasks but also to foster new business models and opportunities for creative entrepreneurship.Sharon Zhang, who boasts over 16 years of experience in artifi…
Have you ever wondered what it takes to turn a groundbreaking idea into a successful startup, especially in the face of seemingly insurmountable challenges? In this episode of The Angel Next Door Podc…
Have you ever wonder…
Have you ever wondered what it takes to turn a groundbreaking idea into a successful startup, especially in the face of seemingly insurmountable challenges? In this episode of The Angel Next Door Podcast, Marcia Dawood sits down with Tricia Compas-Markman, a civil engineer turned entrepreneur, to explore the uncharted waters of innovative problem-solving and business resilience. Through their engaging discussion, listeners gain an intimate look at the complexities and triumphs of launching a mission-driven venture.With a background in civil engineering from Cal Poly and a passion for providing…
What if the key to a successful startup lies not just in its venture's brilliance but in its workplace's inclusivity? In this episode of "The Angel Next Door Podcast," Marcia Dawood invites Gena Cox t…
What if the key to a…
What if the key to a successful startup lies not just in its venture's brilliance but in its workplace's inclusivity? In this episode of "The Angel Next Door Podcast," Marcia Dawood invites Gena Cox to explore a crucial aspect that entrepreneurs often overlook amidst the hustle of financial planning and product development—organizational culture. Cox, an organizational psychologist with over 30 years of experience, asserts that the human experience within an organization is foundational to its Innovation, customer satisfaction, and overall success.Gena Cox is a distinguished expert in workpl…
Have you ever wondered what it takes to turn a personal experience into a thriving business? In this inspiring episode of The Angel Next Door Podcast, we dive into the incredible entrepreneurial journ…
Have you ever wonder…
Have you ever wondered what it takes to turn a personal experience into a thriving business? In this inspiring episode of The Angel Next Door Podcast, we dive into the incredible entrepreneurial journey of Jasmine Jones, a remarkable founder and CEO who channeled her life's experiences and challenges into creating a groundbreaking company. This episode offers invaluable insights for anyone interested in the power of resilience, innovation, and purpose-driven entrepreneurship.Jasmine Jones, the dynamic founder, and CEO of Myya, joins host Marcia Dawood to share her unique journey. From witnessi…
Have you ever wondered what lies behind the meticulous management of your startup’s equity and the unseen challenges of maintaining a clean cap table? In this episode of The Angel Next Door Podcast,…
Have you ever wonder…
Have you ever wondered what lies behind the meticulous management of your startup’s equity and the unseen challenges of maintaining a clean cap table? In this episode of The Angel Next Door Podcast, host Marcia Dawood dives deep into the essential but often overlooked facets of cap table management with industry expert and guest, Colin McCrea. Together, they unravel the complexities that every founder should be aware of and how to navigate the turbulent waters of startup Finance.Colin McCrea, a seasoned professional in accounting and finance, shares his journey from working at a CPA firm to …
Have you ever considered how varying attitudes toward AI could shape entrepreneurial opportunities? In this episode of "The Angel Next Door Podcast," host Marcia Dawood engages with Lucy Farey-Jones, …
Have you ever consid…
Have you ever considered how varying attitudes toward AI could shape entrepreneurial opportunities? In this episode of "The Angel Next Door Podcast," host Marcia Dawood engages with Lucy Farey-Jones, a marketing expert and tech enthusiast. Lucy's TED Talk on AI adoption garnered over 2 million views and combines her marketing prowess with a keen interest in consumer behavior to explore the public’s evolving relationship with Technology.Lucy discusses her research on AI adoption pre-pandemic and post-vaccine, shedding light on generational differences and shifting attitudes toward technology.…
Have you ever wondered what it takes to revolutionize an industry and make a significant impact on society? In this thought-provoking episode of The Angel Next Door Podcast, we explore the world of en…
Have you ever wonder…
Have you ever wondered what it takes to revolutionize an industry and make a significant impact on society? In this thought-provoking episode of The Angel Next Door Podcast, we explore the world of entrepreneurship and the potential of innovative technologies to transform the way we invest and participate in private markets.Our guest, Kendrick Nguyen, is the founder of Republic.com, an equity Crowdfunding platform that aims to democratize access to private market investing. With a background in law and traditional finance, Kendrick's journey into the world of tech entrepreneurship was sparked …
What if investing in groundbreaking startups was as easy and engaging as scrolling through Instagram? In this episode of The Angel Next Door Podcast, host Marcia Dawood talks with Cheryl Kellond, a se…
What if investing in…
What if investing in groundbreaking startups was as easy and engaging as scrolling through Instagram? In this episode of The Angel Next Door Podcast, host Marcia Dawood talks with Cheryl Kellond, a seasoned entrepreneur and innovator, about Play Money, her cutting-edge platform that streamlines angel investing for both investors and founders.Cheryl Kellond brings a wealth of experience, having launched three venture-backed startups, including a top-rated fitness wearable on Amazon and a healthcare fintech. Now, she’s channeling her expertise into Play Money, making it simpler for accredited …
Have you ever wondered what it takes to transition from a successful corporate career to a vibrant role in the world of angel investing and entrepreneurship? In this episode of "The Angel Next Door Po…
Have you ever wonder…
Have you ever wondered what it takes to transition from a successful corporate career to a vibrant role in the world of angel investing and entrepreneurship? In this episode of "The Angel Next Door Podcast," we look into the captivating journey of Amy Jacobs, who took the bold step to leave the world of corporate banking and immerse herself in the dynamic environment of first, nonprofit organizations and now start-ups. Her story is both inspiring and a testament to the power of following one's passion and continuous learning.Amy Jacobs is no stranger to change. Growing up in the suburbs of Cle…
Did you know there are tax advantages Congress put in place to spur entrepreneurship and investing in early-stage companies? In today's episode of The Angel Next Door Podcast, host Marcia Dawood sits …
Did you know there a…
Did you know there are tax advantages Congress put in place to spur entrepreneurship and investing in early-stage companies? In today's episode of The Angel Next Door Podcast, host Marcia Dawood sits down with Jeff Solomon, a seasoned CPA with over 35 years of experience, to unearth some of the most critical tax strategies that can significantly impact founders and angel investors alike. As they dive into the complexities of U.S. tax codes, they uncover and simplify valuable insights that can help maximize returns and minimize financial pitfalls for those investing in small, high-Growth busine…