Investor AMA w/ Kendra Schultz, Benchstrength VC
Calling all Xoogler Founders! Join us for this AMA with Xoogler and Investor, Kendra Schultz.
This is an off-the-record AMA on what's actually happening in early-stage fundraising right now, lessons from the founders we're working with, and the practical stuff: when to raise vs. wait, how to think about dilution, and what makes investors actually lean in. This is an opportunity for founders or potential founders to ask questions they normally feel they couldn't, no pitch attached.
Kendra Schultz is a Xoogler and Principal at Benchstrength, a New York-based early-stage venture firm investing in AI-native companies at the pre-seed and seed stage, focusing on enterprise, vertical AI, consumer, and cybersecurity.
Kendra frequently convenes founders and investors in New York, and believes community is the ultimate multiplier. Before Benchstrength, she worked at Google in Responsible Innovation and People Operations, and earned her MBA from Harvard Business School.
Kendra was also just named one of Business Insider's 37 Rising Stars in Venture Capital for 2026! Huge congrats to Kendra — we're so excited to chat with her!
Ground rules:
No pitching. Use this as an opportunity to prepare for a better conversation with an investor.
Confidentiality: Generally, anything you learn about each other confidential in this meeting, unless otherwise stated. We want to create a safe space for Xoogler Founders and investors to have candid conversations related to fundraising, investment, and the startup ecosystem, but this means that we're, at minimum, operating with Chatham House Rules.
One question at a time, succinctly: Avoid going into a long story to set up your question. Give very brief context, then ask your question directly!
Respect: Everyone is in a different stage of learning on these topics, so let's approach every person and question with curiosity and openness.
No personal questions. This is a given!