We're Moving to Oklahoma

Sharing a personal update this week.

I’m moving to Oklahoma.

I’m excited to say that I’ve accepted a role as an associate at Atento Capital in Tulsa, Oklahoma. I’ll be focusing on deal sourcing, due diligence, platform services, fund operations, and industry research.

Atento is an early-stage venture capital firm focused on generating returns and creating quality jobs in Tulsa. Officially formed in January, Atento is currently investing out of its $40 million fund one and is primarily focused on pre-seed investments but will also invest in seed and Series A stages opportunities. Atento is industry agnostic, investing in a variety of categories where they have some domain expertise or can play to the strengths of Tulsa’s existing economy.

Here are a few of the companies Atento has invested in to-date:

1. Clean Cult: A direct-to-consumer cleaning products company with a subscription revenue model. The make the cleanest cleaners on the planet. From their supply chain to the actual product, Clean Cult makes some of the most sustainable cleaning products on the market.

2. Televet: TeleVet is a telemedicine platform that connects veterinarians to their existing clients through an online portal. Atento most recently participated in their $5 million Series A.

3. Respond Flow: Tulsa-based Respond Flow is a relationship-building software that automates text message outreach and follow-up for businesses. Respond Flow is the first business text automation software that allows two-way text and call from a 10-digit Twilio number.

The firm not only makes direct investments in pre-seed, seed-stage, and Series A companies, they also make fund-of-funds investments in great venture fund managers across the country. Atento is an LP in funds run by Mercury Fund, Bonfire Ventures, BBG Ventures, Core Innovation Capital, and more.

Atento has one sole LP, the George Kaiser Family Foundation (GKFF). GKFF’s mission is to bridge existing health care and service gaps in the Tulsa community by ensuring that families receive the basic services they need to raise healthy and thriving children.

The team’s culture is intensely collaborative and curious. Atento means “helpful” in Spanish and when you meet the team, you’ll encounter talented people from a variety of backgrounds. The diversity of the team reflects Atento’s dedication to the journey of the entrepreneur and building a more diverse+inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystem in Tula and across Oklahoma. This is a firm that believes in being more than just a check.

I want to give a big thanks to Chandler Malone, Ciore Taylor, Will Gray, Mike Basch, and the rest of the Atento team for this opportunity. I have a lot to learn and I can’t wait to get started.

I owe a big thank you to my good friend and fellow VFA fellow Alfred Jackson for connecting me with the team.

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Two years ago, before I moved to Alabama, I never thought I would ever work and live in the South. Yet, this month I leave a Southern city that I owe so much to. Birmingham introduced me to a community of people who are some of the most passionate, talented, and intelligent people that I know (including my now wife). Birmingham’s tech ecosystem is on the path for continued tremendous success and I am so happy I got to be a part (albeit a very small part) of it.

I am forever thankful to Venture for America, Sara Williamson, Abby Guerin, Colt Byrom and so many more folks for everything they taught me and did for me during my time in Birmingham. Thank you for helping me pursue my passion.

I’ll continue to be a resource to founders, operators, and Venture for America fellows in Birmingham as well as in the Southeast and will always do my best to be helpful in any way that I can.

For those who know me, it is no secret that I love working with founders and with startups. Nothing excites me more than when companies and cities outside of the traditional startup hubs win. That passion is what drove me to do Venture For America, to move to Birmingham, and now to Tulsa.

If you’re an early-stage founder looking for help and/or looking to raise your initial or next round of early-stage funding, let’s talk.

You can reach me at sjmccroskey@gmail.com or by sending me a message on Twitter.

-Sean