Top VC Breaks Down How LinkedIn Helped Him Raise $250M

In this conversation, I sit down with Henri Pierre-Jacques, co-founder of Harlem Capital Partners, to discuss the power of personal brand, the evolution of LinkedIn as a platform for VCs, and how authentic storytelling can unlock millions in opportunities.

Henri shares his journey from being the only Black person in his investment banking group at Bank of America to co-founding a $250M+ diversity-focused venture capital firm. We dive deep into:

🔑 KEY TOPICS:
• How a single LinkedIn DM led to a $1M check from KKR's co-founder
• Why Henri raised ~$50M directly through LinkedIn connections and DMs
• The evolution from Twitter to LinkedIn for professional content
• Building authentic personal brand vs. becoming an "influencer"
• The strategy behind posting on social media as a founder/investor
• Why "you can't be what you can't see" drives their media-first approach
• Balancing professional content with personal stories (fatherhood, faith, etc.)
• The launch of "Winners Welcome" podcast and platform diversification

💡 STANDOUT MOMENTS:
• Starting an angel syndicate at 25 with $5K checks while working in finance
• Raising $40M while still in Harvard Business School
• Getting a call from Jamie Dimon after a Wall Street Journal feature
• Why LinkedIn DMs are more valuable than follower counts
• The mindset shift from "buying bottles to buying businesses"

📈 FOR FOUNDERS & CREATORS:
Henri breaks down when founders should invest in personal brand, how to create "surface area for luck," and why media can be both your biggest asset and potential distraction. He also shares honest insights about the pressure of posting, dealing with algorithm changes, and staying authentic when your platform grows.

Connect With Henri Here:   / hpierrejacques