Presented by Visible Hands · Symphonic Capital · 100km Ventures

Where check writers talk shop.

Three Black female GPs pull back the curtain on how venture capital actually works — the deals, the passes, and the unspoken rules founders rarely hear out loud.

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$50M+
Raised & deployed
12 eps
& counting
Bi-weekly
New episodes
617.500.8284
Ask a VC hotline

The hosts

Sydney, Shalanda, and Yasmin — the Check Writers Room hosts
ST
Sydney Thomas
Founder & GP · Symphonic Capital

A decade deep in California venture, writing pre-seed checks before it was cool. On her second fund at Symphonic Capital, backing the 99% that Silicon Valley keeps missing. From the youngest in the room to the one they call when they need to know what's actually fundable.

SA
Shalanda Armstrong
Founder & Managing Partner · 100KM Ventures

Detroit born with operator instincts and technical depth. Computer science background, operator scars, and a mid-range jumper. At 100KM Ventures, backing founders who push boundaries — from writing code to writing checks.

YC
Yasmin Cruz Ferrine
Co-Founder & GP · Visible Hands VC

Boston bred, finance trained, family office forged. Survived the GFC, thrived through chaos, birthed two babies and two funds. 100+ investments deep — not six degrees from your next deal. Try two.

Recent episodes

12
The Room with William Crowder
Jun 2026 · Venture Capital · 39 min
Play
11
The Room with AI and Investor Strategy
Jun 11 · AI & Investing · 57 min
Play
10
The Room with Way Up Bonus
Jun 4 · Special Episode · 10 min
Play
09
The Room with Continuation Vehicles and Echocardiograms
May 21 · Fund Management · 33 min
Play
08
The Room with Takedowns, Stealth Mode, & Women in AI
May 14 · Women in Tech · 36 min
Play
07
The Room with Automation Resilience & Tech-Enabled Services
May 7 · AI & Automation · 36 min
Play
06
The Room with Introspection, Consumer Deals & Real Estate
Apr 30 · Investment Strategy · 35 min
Play
05
The Room with Fund Cycles & the Future of SaaS
Apr 23 · Fund Cycles · 37 min
Play
04
The Room with Moonshot Moves in Sports, Space & Retail Investing
Apr 16 · Market Dynamics · 39 min
Play
03
The Room with Paternity Leave & Maternal Health Investments
Apr 9 · Healthcare · 36 min
Play
02
The Room with Bridge Rounds & Layoffs
Apr 1 · Venture Capital · 38 min
Play
01
Welcome to the Check Writers Room!
Apr 1 · Introduction
Play

Ask a VC

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617.500.8284

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Biweekly updates — episode drops, founder resources, and dispatches from three GPs thinking out loud.