ZARZA We are Zarza, the prestigious firm behind major projects in information technology.
Listen "Diverse by Default - One Year Later"
Episode Synopsis
Last year in September, we published a unique report called ‘Diverse by Default’ (Link) in which we explored the What, the Why, and the How of the topic.
We all know the what (Lower funding to diverse founders, founder experience being filled with challenges). We also understand the 'Why' - Diverse teams make better decisions and investments, leading to more innovation and better business outcomes. But, we needed to build and implement the ‘How.’
In last year’s report, we surveyed and interviewed around 40 ecosystem people (Investors, founders, and operators) to find a pragmatic approach, tangible methods, and productive frameworks. Now. One year later, I’m interviewing VCs with topics like diversity, overlooked founders, underrepresented founders, and immigrant founders embedded in their investment thesis and exploring what has changed in our ecosystem.
So, to discuss this topic from multiple dimensions, I was joined by Ihar Mahaniok from Geek Ventures
Where to find Ihar Mahaniok:
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mahaniok/
• Website: https://geek.vc/
Where to find Rohit Yadav:
• Web: https://linktr.ee/rohityadav
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rohityadav23/
• Newsletter: All Things VC ( https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/7081921640367808512/
In this episode, we cover:
(00:00) Episode intro
(01:21) Intro: Ihar Mahaniok
(02:09) The story and inspiration behind Geek Ventures
(05:57) Experience running Geek Ventures and Portfolio discussion
(10:43) Evolving landscape of diversity and immigration
(18:36) Future of diversity aligned funds
(21:32) Biggest challenges faced by diverse founders
(25:11) Low-hanging solutions to the challenges
(29:57) Rationalizing founders choosing VCs
(32:53) Another piece of advice for founders
(33:56) One interesting thing from the ecosystem
Thanks for listening.
We all know the what (Lower funding to diverse founders, founder experience being filled with challenges). We also understand the 'Why' - Diverse teams make better decisions and investments, leading to more innovation and better business outcomes. But, we needed to build and implement the ‘How.’
In last year’s report, we surveyed and interviewed around 40 ecosystem people (Investors, founders, and operators) to find a pragmatic approach, tangible methods, and productive frameworks. Now. One year later, I’m interviewing VCs with topics like diversity, overlooked founders, underrepresented founders, and immigrant founders embedded in their investment thesis and exploring what has changed in our ecosystem.
So, to discuss this topic from multiple dimensions, I was joined by Ihar Mahaniok from Geek Ventures
Where to find Ihar Mahaniok:
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mahaniok/
• Website: https://geek.vc/
Where to find Rohit Yadav:
• Web: https://linktr.ee/rohityadav
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rohityadav23/
• Newsletter: All Things VC ( https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/7081921640367808512/
In this episode, we cover:
(00:00) Episode intro
(01:21) Intro: Ihar Mahaniok
(02:09) The story and inspiration behind Geek Ventures
(05:57) Experience running Geek Ventures and Portfolio discussion
(10:43) Evolving landscape of diversity and immigration
(18:36) Future of diversity aligned funds
(21:32) Biggest challenges faced by diverse founders
(25:11) Low-hanging solutions to the challenges
(29:57) Rationalizing founders choosing VCs
(32:53) Another piece of advice for founders
(33:56) One interesting thing from the ecosystem
Thanks for listening.
More episodes of the podcast TheOnePoint
Frontiers of HardTech
09/10/2025
Secondaries in Venture
01/10/2025
The Reindustrialization Moment for the U.S.
25/09/2025
The Blitzhire Acquisition
23/09/2025
One Trillion in Women-Led Wealth
08/09/2025
In God we trust