Kayla Dusing

Having worked at early-stage startups for the last 5 years, I am no stranger to the challenges of building something from scratch, figuring out things as I go, and testing new ideas. That hands-on experience has given me a deep appreciation for the chaos, resilience, and creativity it takes to bring an idea to life. I’m excited to bring that perspective to the venture side and have the opportunity to help founders on their journeys.

At TechNexus, I support our portfolio companies by understanding and learning what resources they need to grow. Whether it’s connecting founders to other experts in the space or sharing best practices on going to market, I ensure startups have the programs they need to succeed. I also assist in bringing together the broader venture ecosystem through industry events and networking opportunities.

My background was initially in public relations & event marketing, and I spent the first 3 years of my career writing case studies, organizing multi-day conferences, and coordinating logistics for national trade shows. After taking a chance on a month-long freelance gig with an early-stage startup, one month turned into four years and I eventually carved out a full-time role for myself scaling operations, creating internal processes, and leading projects to identify and optimize for business inefficiencies. I’ve worn so many different hats, embraced a lot of ambiguous decisions, and learned many lessons from mistakes and wins over the years.

When I’m not lost in a fantasy book, you can find me building a new Lego creation, relaxing with a cozy video game, or catering to the unreasonable demands of my dog, Otis, and my cat, Macaroni. I also enjoy hunting for treasures at the thrift store and will absolutely rearrange my schedule for a concert with one of my favorite artists.