Everyone talks how important is networking to success. From getting a job, to raising for your company. Even meeting a partner can come down to networking.

What we don’t talk about often is that even if you network, the network will not open unless you are a “cultural fit”.

What I’ve seen happen (to myself & those around me) is that many manage to get “to the door” of a group, but not get the invite in. There are many layers of how nested you are somewhere & many layers of what makes you “suitable” or not.

Bias is deeply rooted in who we choose to bring into the fold. You might respond to an email, grab coffee with someone, but will you invite them to dinners where decision makers meet?

There are millions of networks, but the closer you are to the financial heavy spaces, circles get closer & tighter. Family members, family friends, school buddies, boyfriends, girlfriends & such make the cut.
Cold entries will rarely enter without any push.

This reflects heavily in venture funding for women. For people of different race & ethnic groups. For those who didn’t go to prestigeous schools or were born in enviroments from class to geo positions to prep them for it.

At the core of it, networking is not enough. One must know the language of the group they are trying to enter. Problem is, in many cases you won’t fit even if you know the language of that system. You simply won’t “look the part”.

More often than not, those that do pass through the door, don’t leave those doors open for others, but instead also expect everyone else to adhere to pre-set rules, that are usually silently enforced ruling over who gets in & who is out.

This is why women are heavily underfunded, from angel investments to venture capital. Those who are on the other side, mostly have already been in that fold prior to them starting an entepreneurship journey.

I think about this a lot as a founder.

From my own journey of “jumping class”, with relative marginalisation due to my background & personal experience, I’ve been thinking how to change this to not be affected by a reality beyond my control.

We live in a time where people value someone more because they work at a certain company. We live in a time where recruiters will “punish” someone for work gaps, not having “brand name” company on resume etc. For fivilous bullshit, heavy present in tech, no basis in skill.

And they say, network - that is the solution. I beg to differ. Not for everyone. Not at every level, or stage of career, life or business. Some things require to own the process & create your own eco-systems.

And some networks require you to enter five networks prior, to do certain work, earn certain amount of money, or speak a certain way to be considered as a equal member of that “system”.

I think people don’t understand how “class jumping” is a rare occurance. That many humans won’t change their circumstance.

Also, it doesn’t help that we are constantly targeted by “survivor bias” articles of success, especially in the startup space.

This causes frustration.

Networking is easy for those who fit the bill, in their already natural spaces. Networking is fucking hard if you are coming from the left field.

Networking can be super useful, but we have to be real - you can network your little heart out, and still open no “real” doors.

This is why women only get 1% of funding available (in EU, a bit more in the US). Black people even less.

This is why women & black folks have very few leadership roles.

This is why people who are searching for a job unemployed, have a harder time to get a job.

And so on..

So, what can we do? Be an agent of change. If you are in a position of power, actually bring people into the fold from different backgrounds.

If you crossed over, bring others in.

If you like some project, support it, invest into it & help those who actually need it.

And a special request to #VentureCapital firms - don’t use underrepresented founders as a branding thing that you dangle from time to time. Actually make a change in your ranks that people & projects you do invest in, show diversity, in every way possible.

Open the fold.

I’m passionate about this because I see so many smart people starting businesses, have ideas, have great potential, who simply do not have access & won’t get access because of these very rooted barriers. Imagine how our world would be if we were more open as a whole....