What happens when overlooked innovators are empowered to solve problems for communities often left out of the conversation—and, even more, when those innovators have lived experience of the challenges they’re addressing? In this episode of The Angel Next Door Podcast, Marcia sits down with Brittany and Rich Palmer, a dynamic entrepreneurial couple, to explore how true innovation and impact are ignited at the intersection of necessity, lived experience, and meaningful capital.

Brittany and Rich Palmer are not only successful entrepreneurs and angel investors but are also the visionary founders behind Adaptation Ventures, an investment firm and community dedicated to empowering startups focused on disability, neurodivergence, accessibility, and aging. Brittany, herself born with a limb difference, brings firsthand perspective to the conversation, while Rich’s journey includes a personal medical challenge that became a catalyst for his mission-driven career shift. Together, they’ve built a unique fund and ecosystem that actively includes investors and decision-makers with disabilities—something almost unheard of in the traditional VC world.

This episode covers why only 1% of venture capital currently flows to accessibility-related innovation, details Brittany and Rich’s journey to plugging that gap, and shares stories of the groundbreaking companies they’re backing—from hardware innovations with million-dollar pipelines to products with the “curb cut effect” that benefit everyone. Whether you’re an investor, entrepreneur, or passionate catalyst for change, this conversation reveals how capital, community, and lived expertise can combine to drive scalable, high-impact solutions. If you care about innovation that truly changes lives, this episode is a must-listen—showcasing why Adaptation Ventures’ ecosystem model may reshape the future of inclusive investing.

To get the latest from Rich and Brittany Palmer, you can follow them below!

https://www.linkedin.com/in/therichpalmer/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/brittanytofinchio/

https://adaptation.vc/

Rich's first appearance on the Angel Next Door

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What does it really take to thrive as a first-time fund manager in today’s challenging investment landscape, especially when you’re building a venture fund from scratch while championing diversity and innovation? This episode delves into the real experiences behind the headlines, inviting listeners to consider the often unseen hurdles and triumphs that define entrepreneurial journeys.

Our guest, Laurel Mintz, is the founder of Fabric VC—a new venture capital fund spun out of her extensive 17-year run as the leader of a successful marketing agency. With a background that includes corporate M&A law, entrepreneurship, and marketing, Laurel Mintz brings a unique and practical perspective to the venture capital world. Her approach blends deep sector knowledge with a commitment to supporting underrepresented founders and championing women’s health, fintech, and consumer tech sectors.

In this update, listeners get an inside look at the nuts and bolts of raising and deploying Fabric VC’s first fund—just under $8 million, already largely deployed across 23 portfolio companies. Laurel Mintz shares candid insights on the emotional rollercoaster of fundraising, the critical importance of diversity, and the creative approaches to supporting women-led companies, such as accepting investments via donor-advised funds and retirement accounts. This episode is a must-listen for aspiring investors, founders, or anyone interested in how real change is being made within venture capital. It’s raw, motivating, and packed with unfiltered advice on how to show up, take risks, and put capital to work for the next generation.

To get the latest from Laurel Mintz, you can follow her below!

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurel-mintz/

https://www.fabricvc.com/

Laurel's first appearance on The Angel Next Door

Sign up for Marcia's newsletter to receive tips and the latest on Angel Investing!

Website: www.marciadawood.com

Learn more about the documentary Show Her the Money: www.showherthemoneymovie.com

And don't forget to follow us wherever you are!

Apple Podcasts: https://pod.link/1586445642.apple

Spotify: https://pod.link/1586445642.spotify

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/angel-next-door-podcast/

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TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@marciadawood

What’s the true cost of getting your startup’s legal foundation wrong—and how can overlooking legal nuances derail even the most promising entrepreneurial dreams? In this episode of The Angel Next Door Podcast, host Marcia Dawood dives into the questions every founder and early-stage investor should be asking about company formation, equity, and governance.

Our guest, Meredith Haviland, is a partner in the corporate group at Foley Hoag, a law firm serving clients in innovation-driven sectors like life sciences, technology, and private capital. Bringing years of experience working with both startups and investors, Meredith Haviland shares her expertise on navigating the legal landscape that underpins successful new ventures.

This episode unpacks everything from LLC versus C-corp structures and the importance of choosing the right legal counsel, to equity allocation, 83b elections, and the risks of mishandling intellectual property—especially when AI technology is involved. Marcia Dawood and Meredith Haviland discuss regulatory obligations, governance, board responsibilities, compliance pitfalls, and the growing scrutiny on AI-related legal risks. Whether you’re just starting out or preparing for your next funding round, this conversation is packed with real-world guidance and cautionary tales, making it a must listen for founders, fund managers, and angel investors who want to avoid costly mistakes and build resilient companies from day one.

To get the latest from Meredith Haviland, you can follow her below!

https://www.linkedin.com/in/meredithhaviland/

Sign up for Marcia's newsletter to receive tips and the latest on Angel Investing!

Website: www.marciadawood.com

Learn more about the documentary Show Her the Money: www.showherthemoneymovie.com

And don't forget to follow us wherever you are!

Apple Podcasts: https://pod.link/1586445642.apple

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