Latest news with #TheCurve
1News
05-05-2025
- Business
- 1News
Seven harsh truths we've learned as young female business founders
Fifteen years of working in the finance world didn't prepare Victoria Harris for the harsh realities young female entrepreneurs face when they seek investment in a startup. She shares seven lessons she and business partner Sophie Hallwright learned when they co-founded their business Let's set the scene. Before The Curve, I (Vic) spent about 15 years in the finance world hearing investment pitches — slick decks, sharp suits, confident projections. I thought I'd seen it all. So when it was our turn to raise money for our own business, I thought: 'We've got this'. We had the numbers. We had the traction. We had a big, world-changing idea. LOL. What I veeeeeery quickly learned is that being a female founder in a male-dominated industry is a whole different game — and the rules aren't exactly fair. Here are seven raw, honest truths we uncovered along the way. The Curve co-founder Victoria Harris tells Breakfast about the brutal - but beautiful - truths of raising money as female business founders. (Source: Breakfast) You read that right. Less than 2% of global venture capital funding (or VC) goes to women-led startups — and it shows. That means out of every $100 invested, less than $2 goes to women. And it's not because our ideas aren't good enough. It's because we often don't look like what investors expect to see when they hear the word 'founder'. So we were already playing catch-up the second we walked through the door (or entered the Google Meet) — pitching ourselves before we even pitched the business. One of the hardest — and most frustrating — truths to accept? People back people who look like them. It's not always conscious, but it's deeply human. We gravitate toward the familiar. We trust what we recognise. And in finance, that usually means men investing in… you guessed it, men. And in the world of finance, the 'norm' is still white, male, and very at home on the corporate ladder. So what happens when two women in their early 30s walk into the room, talking about a finance platform built for women, by women? We've felt the shift. The tilt of a head. The polite-but-sceptical smile. Suddenly, our ambition is seen as 'aggressive". Our confidence gets side-eyed. We've had our numbers picked apart, not because they didn't stack up — but because they came from us. Spoiler: we didn't just know the numbers — we built them. This is the part that truly blows our minds. Female-founded startups generate 78 cents of revenue for every dollar invested. Male-founded ones? Just 31 cents. And yet, women get a tiny fraction of the funding. Whhhaaaat?? To go even further, female founders generate 10% more revenue over five years than their male counterparts. The numbers don't lie — women-led businesses deliver. Having seen hundreds of investment pitches in my previous career, I thought I'd be immune to the nerves. Wrong. It's totally different when it's your baby on the table. Your dream. Your pitch. Your vision that someone's about to judge — usually in a room full of people who've never had to fight this hard to be taken seriously. The imposter syndrome is real. Turns out, when women pitch to investors, we're not just judged more harshly — we're asked completely different questions. Men are way more likely to be asked about how big their business could be — things like growth, potential, and vision. Us? We got grilled about what could go wrong. Risk, churn, competition, failure. So while a male founder might be asked, 'How will you scale to a million users?' we got, 'How will you stop people from leaving?' Even worse? When asked these questions, we naturally answered in the tone of the question. So when we are asked about risk, we naturally talk about risk — and boom, you stay stuck in the 'safe but small' box reserved for women. The cycle repeats. And the sad news is that we weren't even conscious of this happening until after we'd left the room and it was too late to change the dialogue. Cool. We pitched The Curve over 100 times to various potential investors. Some meetings were energising. Some were soul-crushing. Some investors loved the idea but didn't understand the space. Others thought it was 'a bit niche' (aka 'for women', who are over 50% of the population, I might add). Eventually, we stopped trying to win everyone over. Instead, we focused on finding the right people — investors who got it, who got us, and who had a passion to be a part of something bigger than just our business. We've always been protective of The Curve. It's our firstborn. So the idea of bringing in outside investors? Terrifying. What if they didn't get it? What if they tried to change it? But we made a decision early on: we didn't want to just take money. We wanted to take the right money. The kind that comes with belief, support, and the kind of brainpower that helps you scale. The Curve now has a group of investors filled with incredibly talented women, fintech veterans, brand experts, and operators who know how to build things that last. And yes, we eventually raised the money we needed to raise our baby. So, if you're a woman thinking about raising capital — do it. Just know it'll be tough. Know the stats aren't on your side (yet). But also know that the more women who raise money, grow their businesses and scale — the more we change the narrative. Also remember, fear is growth. If you ever need a gut check, a pep talk or a behind-the-scenes download, our DMs are wide open. Let's raise the curve. Victoria Harris (with Sophie Hallwright) runs The Curve, a finance education platform.
Forbes
19-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Discover This Artist Leading Bali's Feminist Visual Revolution
Into Eternal Land exhibition at The Curve, Barbican, in London Citra Sasmita's work boldly reclaims and reimagines Balinese cultural narratives through a distinctly feminist perspective. Rooted in her deep connection to her island's pre-colonial heritage, she challenges the commodified, tourist-driven image of Balinese art by reviving 15th-century Kamasan scroll painting traditionally practiced by men and infusing it with powerful depictions of real and mythological female figures, botanical symbolism and ancestral knowledge. Her practice spans painting, installation, textile and video, often incorporating collaborative craft traditions that are at risk of disappearing, such as embroidery with women artisans in West Bali. By intertwining mythology, resistance and ritual, Sasmita creates works that confront colonial legacies and patriarchal norms, offering a profound meditation on identity, history and the sacred feminine, with 'Into Eternal Land' at the Barbican in London marking her first solo show at a major institution. She's currently exhibiting all new works in 'Into Eternal Land' at the Barbican in London, which marks her first solo show at a major institution, as well as at the Hawaii Triennial until May 4, 2025 and the Sharjah Biennial, on view through June 15, 2025. As a self-taught artist, you started your artistic journey outside the traditional fine arts path. What drew you to art and can you tell us about your background, your family and how growing up in Bali influenced your practice? My family comes from a farming background, and my father was a chemistry teacher at a private school. The idea of becoming an artist was never part of my family's thinking. I once aspired to study at an art institution, but my late father did not support that idea, so I ended up studying physics. However, I have a strong interest and passion for creative thinking, and even though I studied science, I applied that creative mindset, especially in designing installations related to physics concepts. How I eventually stepped into the world of art was a very organic process, influenced by interactions with many artists and activists, which laid the foundation for me to use art as a medium to convey messages. On one hand, I believe that being born Balinese was a stroke of luck because I have been exposed to art since childhood, even though it can't be directly defined within institutional art references. The forms of art found in rituals, daily life and communal cooperation celebrate life through music, songs and decorations in rituals. These experiences have been my artistic deposits since childhood. Citra Sasmita, Act Three, 2024, from Into Eternal Land, The Curve, Barbican What made you decide to become an artist? My choice to become an artist today is an accumulation of memories and experiences that give me a vision. My creative process mirrors my cultural life; creating art is like planting rice seeds and nurturing them to grow, or preparing a ritual offering as a prayer for the safety and balance of nature. These simple concepts motivate my current artistic endeavors. You trained under Kamasan painter and Hindu priestess, Mangku Muriati. How did this experience shape your understanding of Balinese art, storytelling and spirituality? My encounter with Mangku Muriati began with my intention to study the trajectory of Balinese women artists, who have largely been overlooked in the discourse on art in Bali and Indonesia as a whole. This opportunity allowed me not only to learn about the art of Kamasan painting, but also to gain insights into Mangku's life lessons and experiences as both a traditional Balinese woman artist and a Hindu priestess, who has faced various challenges in terms of existence and ideology in her work. The work ethic and artistic principles of Mangku Muriati have significantly influenced my perspective on art as a pathway to personal growth and deeper access to knowledge. Spirituality is a discipline and emotional practice chosen by the artist as a way of life, enabling her artwork to resonate with the true purpose of art, which is to humanize humans. Citra Sasmita, Timur Merah Project XV: Poetry of The Sea, Vow of the Sun (detail), 2024, commissioned by Sharjah Art Foundation. Installation view at the Sharjah Biennial 16, Calligraphy Museum, Sharjah, 2025. Your work often reimagines Hindu and indigenous mythology and challenges traditional narratives. What draws you to these epic tales of love and romance, war and death, the journey to the afterlife, heaven and hell, and how do you reinterpret them for contemporary audiences? In the 'Timur Merah' project, the foundation of its narrative is rooted in literary legacies that have long been considered canonical, such as the Ramayana and Mahabharata. Bhima Swarga, for instance, tells a story of a journey from hell to heaven that is reminiscent of Dante Alighieri's Divine Comedy. This eventually evolves into a narrative that explores personal cosmology. The goal of the project is to position women as central figures, as many ancient texts and paintings traditionally depict male heroism, while women are often relegated to mere decoration and reproductive roles. Feminism serves as a bridge for understanding the symbolism and narratives of this heritage for contemporary audiences. Although this work draws upon traditional elements in terms of mediums and methods, it also has the agency to address current issues faced by women and broader humanitarian concerns.
Yahoo
07-03-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Lane restrictions and ramp closures planned for several Phoenix-area freeways this weekend
The Arizona Department of Transportation has scheduled several freeway improvement projects that will affect drivers on Interstate 10, Interstate 17 and State Route 143. These projects require multiple closures and lane restrictions. Some will last several days while others just hours. Two of the weekend restrictions are related to work on the I-10 Broadway Curve Improvement Project. To stay up to date on road conditions and closures, motorists can use a free mobile app, TheCurve or visit the alerts section of the project website before traveling. Drivers can also use or the az511 app to keep updated. ADOT recommended motorists allow for extra time and follow any detours while driving through closures and construction. Schedules are subject to change due to inclement weather or other factors, according to ADOT. Here's what to know about road closures from March 7 through March 10. Southbound I-17 will go down to two lanes between Loop 303 and Happy Valley Road in north Phoenix from 9 p.m. Friday to 8 a.m. Sunday due to lane striping as part of a pavement improvement project. The southbound I-17 on-ramps at Loop 303 and Dixileta Drive and the southbound off- and on-ramps at Jomax Road will also be closed. Northbound I-17 will be narrowed to two lanes between Dove Valley Road and State Route 74/Carefree Highway from 1 to 11 p.m. Saturday for lane striping as part of the pavement improvement project. Northbound I-17 on-ramps at Loop 303 and Dove Valley Road will be closed as well as the northbound I-17 off-ramps at SR 74. The northbound I-17 frontage road between Loop 303 and SR 74 will be closed to motorists as well. I-10 will be down to three lanes in both directions between the I-17 Split interchange near Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport and U.S. 60 (Superstition Freeway) from 8 p.m. Friday to 4 a.m. Monday. The restrictions are due to work on the I-10 Broadway Curve Improvement Project. Note: The westbound I-10 lane restrictions are scheduled to end by 10 a.m. Sunday. The westbound I-10 on-ramp at Baseline Road will also be closed this weekend. Southbound SR 143 (Hohokam Expressway) will be closed between Loop 202 (Red Mountain Freeway) and I-10 near Sky Harbor Airport from 10 p.m. Friday to 10 a.m. Sunday for a traffic shift as part of the I-10 Broadway Curve Improvement Project. The westbound Loop 202 exit ramp to Sky Harbor Airport will also be closed from 8 p.m. Friday to 10 a.m. Sunday. ADOT said to consider using southbound 44th Street to enter the airport. Detour: Alternate routes include westbound Loop 202 to eastbound I-10 at the State Route 51 Mini-Stack. Note: Guadalupe Road will be closed between Pointe Parkway and Calle Sahuaro over the I-10 from 8 p.m. Friday to 4 a.m. March 24 for construction. Plan on using alternative routes, including Elliot Road. Slow freeway drivers, beware: You could face hefty fine under this proposed Arizona bill This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Phoenix-area freeway closures, lane restrictions this weekend
Yahoo
19-02-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
What to know about traffic restrictions this week for US 60, I-10 and I-17 drivers
The busy holiday weekend is over, but traffic may still be congested due to several projects the Arizona Department of Transportation is working on during the week. Major freeway closures for Tuesday through Friday are set for U.S. 60 and Interstate 17. Interstate 10 won't close entirely, but lane restrictions will happen in some areas, ADOT said. The department urged motorists to allow for extra travel time and to use the detours suggested. For real-time highway conditions, drivers can check the az511 app or call 511. Here's what you need to know about both daytime and nighttime restrictions that could affect your commute to work or drive home. ADOT advised drivers to plan for traffic restrictions for blasting operations as part of a bridge replacement project along U.S. 60. U.S. 60 between Superior and Miami, mileposts 227 to 243, will be closed from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday. The U.S. 60 will remain open for local traffic only between Miami and Magma Mine Road, mileposts 231 to 243. Detour: Eastbound U.S. 60 drivers can use southbound State Route 177 through Winkelman to northbound SR 77. Westbound U.S. 60 drivers can use southbound SR 77 through Winkelman to northbound SR 177. ADOT advised drivers to plan to travel before 9 a.m. and after 2 p.m. due to the roughly 75-mile length of this detour. The detour is estimated to add an additional hour for trips between Superior and Miami. A new section of the I-10 will be closed nightly for the continuance of the Broadway Curve Project. Northbound 48th Street will close between Broadway Road and the I-10 nightly from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. beginning Tuesday through Friday morning for barrier work. Download The Curve app for more details. Plan for overnight lane restrictions and ramp closures on I-17 during the week. The restrictions started Tuesday and go until Saturday morning as work continues between Anthem Way and Sunset Point. The off-ramp from northbound I-17 to Coldwater Road will be closed from 6 p.m. Wednesday to 6 a.m. Thursday for removal of a concrete barrier, ADOT said. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Closures, lane restrictions impacting Phoenix area traffic this week
Yahoo
07-02-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Improvement projects will close major Phoenix-area freeways for a few days: What to know
Improvement projects will close major Phoenix-area freeways this weekend. Closures and lane restrictions will affect traffic along Interstate 10 and Interstate 17. The Arizona Department of Transportation recommended motorists allow for extra time and follow the detours while driving through closures and construction. To stay up-to-date on road conditions and closures while driving through the I-10 Broadway Curve Improvement Project, motorists can use a free mobile app, TheCurve or visit the alerts section of the project website before traveling. Drivers can also use or the az511 app to keep updated. Here are the weekend closures for Feb. 7 to Feb. 10. The closure will occur from 10 p.m. Friday to 4 a.m. Monday. Multiple ramp closures will be in place during the same time: The ramp from southbound I-17 to eastbound I-10. The westbound Loop 202 (Red Mountain Freeway) ramp to eastbound I-10. The ramps from southbound SR 51 to eastbound I-10. The eastbound I-10 on-ramp at Jefferson Street. The high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) ramp from eastbound I-10 to eastbound Loop 202 (Red Mountain Freeway). Other ramps will be closed from 8 p.m. Friday to 4 a.m. Monday: The eastbound I-10 on-ramps at Third and Seventh Streets, Buckeye Road, 24th, 32nd and 40th streets. The southbound I-17 on-ramps at Seventh Avenue and Seventh Street. The southbound SR 51 on-ramp at McDowell Road. Detour: ADOT recommended motorists use eastbound Loop 202 to southbound Loop 101 to westbound U.S. 60 or westbound Loop 101 to access I-10 east beyond the closure. Drivers traveling southbound I-17 can use westbound I-10 to reach Loop 202 east. West Valley drivers heading to the southeast Valley can bypass the closure by using Loop 202. From I-10 and 59th Avenue, drivers should travel south and east to connect with eastbound I-10 south of Chandler Boulevard, ADOT said. Northbound I-17 will be closed between Loop 303 and State Route 74/Carefree Highway from 10 p.m. Friday to 5 a.m. Monday for pavement work near Loop 303. Eastbound Loop 303 traffic will be limited to right turns only to southbound I-17. Eastbound Jomax Road and Dixileta Drive will be closed at the I-17 south frontage road. Detour: Northbound I-17 traffic exiting at Loop 303 will detour on the northbound frontage road to SR 74 to reach I-17. ADOT urged drivers to use the frontage road since local streets are not designed to handle freeway traffic. Eastbound Loop 303 and westbound Sonoran Desert Drive traffic will not be able to travel under I-17. Drivers on eastbound Loop 303 can access northbound I-17 by traveling north on 43rd Avenue to eastbound Dove Valley Road and continuing to SR 74 on the northbound I-17 frontage road. Drivers who usually use westbound Sonoran Desert Drive to I-17 include southbound North Valley Parkway to westbound Jomax Road. Three additional closures are scheduled for improvement work: Southbound I-17 closed between Loop 303 and Happy Valley Road from 10 p.m. Friday, Feb. 14, to 5 a.m. Monday, Feb. 17. Northbound I-17 closed between Happy Valley Road and Loop 303 from 10 p.m. Friday, Feb. 21, to 5 a.m. Monday, Feb. 24. Southbound I-17 closed between SR 74/Carefree Highway and Loop 303 from 10 p.m. Friday, Feb. 28, to 5 a.m. Monday, March 3. The closure will last from 8 p.m. Friday to 4 a.m. Monday for sign work. The I-10 west off- and on-ramps at Broadway Road and 52nd Street at Broadway Road will also be closed. Northbound 48th Street is scheduled to be closed between Broadway Road and I-10 for bridge work. Westbound I-10 will be narrowed to three lanes between Baseline and Broadway roads from 4 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. Detours: Alternate routes will be available. Check for more information. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Allow extra time, use detours due to Phoenix-area freeway projects
