I am thankful the @1517fund team they took a chance on me when no one else would. Days before their investment -- I was dead. My phone was getting shut off. I couldn't pay my health insurance. I had $100 in the companies bank account and was literally going into debt to keep the lights on for the business. As a founder I felt defeated and it had been so grueling but @DStrachman did so much before that initial check to show support and believe in me.. I started as a medici- grant and used that $1000 to get my SaaS to 5000 downloads (I used that money to keep me alive and cover my OAI bill, I had only $50 in OAI credits which wasn't enough) The founder I am today and the confidence I have now wouldn't have been possible without her and the team, it taught me how to ask questions that seem foolish without fear and challenge dogma and not conform. As founders we all attend the church of "disruption" hoping that we get baptized as one of the greats, and upend an industry -- but I learned from 1517 that disruption is often ideas that are quiet and overlooked and with the right support and capital the volume gets turned all the way up and you are more equipped to build a generational company. It might not be your first idea but you build that muscle and it starts with removing the imposter syndrome and being willing to look a little foolish and ignore the noise. My mindset was completely unraveled. Before 1517 I had this mentality that I had to look perfect as a founder and everything had to look like I had it all under control and anytime someone would ask me "How is your company doing" I would have to remain insanely optimistic. Thats not realistic and as a founder, building a company is not only hard but can be down-right miserable and lonely but within our community we have such a strong support system that it liberates you to be honest and not have to pretend things are better than they are and find help when you need it the most. @1517fund isn't a traditional fund, its the worlds greatest playground for those who want to push boundaries on ideas and do so with the willingness to look a little foolish with purpose and conviction.