In this episode of the Innovators and Investors Podcast, host Kristian Marquez welcomes Ralph Groce, an angel investor and partner at Scroobious. The conversation dives into the systemic challenges faced by underrepresented founders—especially women and people of color—in accessing capital. Scroobious aims to bridge the gap between these talented founders and a vast network of angel investors, tackling misconceptions about perceived risks associated with diverse entrepreneurs. Ralph shares his journey into angel investing, which was influenced by his father’s early investment education and his own entrepreneurial experiences. He emphasizes the importance of team dynamics, problem-solving relevance, and execution capabilities when assessing potential investments. Additionally, the discussion touches on the growing significance of AI in various sectors, especially financial services, indicating it as a transformative force for the future. Listeners will gain insights into investment philosophies, the role of mentorship for founders, and the influential strategies behind Scroobious’s mission of democratizing access to funding for innovative ideas. Learn more about Ralph's work at https://www.scroobious.com/ and https://thedarkoptimist.com/ Connect with Ralph on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/rhg3d/ Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply at https://finstratmgmt.com/innovators-investors-podcast/ Want to learn more about Kristian Marquez's work? Check out his website at https://finstratmgmt.com…