Meet Antoine Woods Jr of Vertical404 in Midtown

Today we’d like to introduce you to Antoine Woods Jr.

Antoine, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I am a 3x founder, programmer, brand strategist, and venture capitalist. I had the great fortune of joining a startup while in college, and that experience led me to a life of entrepreneurship. I began building apps & websites in the late-2000s and eventually pivoted to helping other founders launch companies as a brand strategist. Several years ago, I experienced personal loss, and through that experience, I gained an understanding of the importance and value of legacy. Since that time, I have discovered that if I had my way, my legacy is to be known as someone “who deposited more into others than I withdrew.” I’m on a mission to be a resource and to invest in the success of others who look like me. So I have now pivoted into venture capital, and I’m now working to support Black & Latinx tech founders to create companies that have a great economic and generational impact within our communities.

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Yes, there have been plenty of obstacles throughout my entrepreneurial journey, some self-inflicted and some that were out of my control — but failure is part of the human condition. Attempting to create something new or to drive change is difficult in any capacity, and we will undoubtedly face challenges, but doing what is easy only ensures we will limit our potential. Over the years, I’ve conditioned myself to embrace the role of failure and to understand that my vision and goals only stop when I do, and I’ve chosen to continue regardless of the circumstances.

We’d love to hear more about your business.
Vertical404 is an Atlanta-based Pre-Seed Venture Capital Firm and Startup Accelerator is driven to provide people color with the education, mentorship, network, and capital required to impact the future of tech. We believe that with the right support, Black and Latinx entrepreneurs & technologists can build and lead companies that reshape our everyday economy — and we are here to see that this belief becomes a reality.

What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
My proudest moment at this point in my career has been creating companies that have employed great people and provided them with the financial ability to live a great quality of life. Knowing that I’ve been part of giving others opportunities and helping them start their own careers has been rewarding.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://vertical404.com
• Phone: 404.565.4838
• Email: hello@vertical404.com
• Twitter: twitter.com/vertical_404

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