We recently connected with Lolita Taub and have shared our conversation below.
Lolita, we’re thrilled to have you sharing your thoughts and lessons with our community. So, for folks who are at a stage in their life or career where they are trying to be more resilient, can you share where you get your resilience from?
Picture this: my parents coming to a country where they barely understand the language. They’ve left behind their home in Mexico, their families, the streets they grew up on. It was the ’80s, and they were chasing the American dream – a better chance for me and my siblings. Life was always tough. My mom worked long hours in sweatshops, as a babysitter, a maid – she still cleans houses, even now. And my dad, he picked fruit, worked in factories, and finally became a truck driver. I was 23 when a terminal illness, one we couldn’t afford to treat properly, took him. Just like that. Hearing his last breath, I knew life was forever changed. I had to grow up fast, help my mom, and step up for my brother and sister.
But through it all, there was one thing that kept us going. My dad’s mantra: ¡Échale ganas! Give it your all. It’s that grit I inherited, that stubborn belief that quitting wasn’t an option. It’s what got me through my early career in tech at IBM and Cisco. Sure, there were late nights, frustrating projects, and those moments when I thought “this isn’t what I signed up for!”. But those images of my parents, starting over with nothing, whispered in the back of my mind.
Years later, after working in startups and investing in over 90 startups, building a sizable community, came the idea for Ganas Ventures. It made my heart pound, but those doubts crept in. Could I do this – build my own fund? Could I build a fund focused on community, backing underestimated founders, changing the face of VC? And the truth is…I didn’t know. But I remembered those images of my parents – tired, aching, yet with that determined fire in their eyes. I thought, “If they can start from scratch, so can I!” So, I launched Ganas Ventures.
Turns out, the startup and VC world is full of its own kind of setbacks. Deals die, funding dries up, the market gets tough, and it takes a toll on mental health. But instead of giving in, I channel my inner ¡échale ganas!. I remind myself: WHY am I doing this? It’s about the founders, especially the ones nobody believes in enough. It’s about shaking up the system, building companies that change lives, just like my parents dreamed.
That’s what keeps me going. Seeing founders that look like me get the backing they deserve and disrupting everything – that’s when I know I’m right where I need to be. Sure, it’s not about being a superhero. It’s about that legacy – scrappy, stubborn, and full of belief. It’s about carrying on that ¡échale ganas! spirit. And honestly? That’s when it gets fun. Bio: Lolita Taub is a trailblazer in the venture capital world and General Partner at top Latina-VC fund, Ganas Ventures. With over 15 years in the tech world and Silicon Valley, she’s made a mark with over $70M in tech sales and 100+ venture deals, including four exits. Recognized by Nasdaq, LAVCA, and Forbes, Lolita’s a standout Latina VC both in the US and Latin America. She’s all about lifting underrepresented founders and zeroes in on pre-seed and seed startups in the US and LATAM, chasing big returns, and changing the face of VC. As a IE Business School MBA alum and the brain behind the Startup-Investor Matching Tool, she leads a whopping 85,000-strong community, pushing for a more inclusive and community-driven VC world.
About Ganas Ventures:
Ganas Ventures invests in pre-seed and seed community-driven startups in the US and Latin America.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
I’m a VC at Ganas Ventures, and we back community-driven founders in the US and Latin America. We’re not your typical suit-and-tie investors. The wins that get me pumped are the underestimated founders who fight hard and crush it. That feeling of seeing someone succeed against the odds? That’s why I do this. My parents’ immigrant story fuels me, and we’re built on the belief that everyone deserves a shot, regardless of what the “old school” VC world says. If you share this vision – whether you’re a founder, mentor, scout or want to invest alongside us – join the Ganas family at ganas.vc. Let’s shake up the startup world together!
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Three things fueled my journey:
1. Grit: My parents taught me “échale ganas” – to never give up. Early in your journey, things will get hard. Remind yourself of the “why” behind what you’re doing and push through.
2. Community: Nobody succeeds alone. Find your people early – mentors, advisors, those who believe in you. Don’t be afraid to ask for help and offer it back.
3. Action over Perfection: I didn’t know if Ganas would work, but I started anyway. Don’t overanalyze. Be bold, take calculated risks, and learn as you go.
That’s what got me here, and it can help you too!
Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?
We’re always open to collaboration, that’s part of our DNA at Ganas – working in community! Here’s who we love to connect with:
1. Scrappy, driven founders: If you’re building something great for your community, pre-seed or seed stage in the US or Latin America, we want to hear from you. Pitch us through ganas.vc.
2. Mentors with a heart: We’re about more than money – we need mentors who’ve been there, understand the founder experience, and are ready to guide and advise. Sign up on our site!
3. Deal Scouts: Think you’ve got an eye for the next big thing? Join our Ganas Deal Partner program! Get the inside scoop on finding great companies for us and earn rewards when we invest. Learn more on our website.
4. Investors who get it: Interested in backing Ganas Ventures and making a change while getting solid returns? Reach out through our website.
Bottom line: if you believe in building the future of tech together and making it more inclusive and collaborative – you’re our people!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://ganas.vc
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/lolitataub
- Linkedin: https://linkedin.com/in/lolitataub
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/lolitataub
