Aurelien V.

6 Articles Every Startup Founder Must Read. #startup #jol ▶ How to Start a Startup: A Guide for Entrepreneurs - Y Combinator https://lnkd.in/gDJnMNKQ ▶ The Lean Startup: How Today's Entrepreneurs Use Continuous Innovation to Create Radically Successful Businesses - Eric Ries https://lnkd.in/fuVyBPy ▶ Why Startups Fail: A New Roadmap for Entrepreneurs - Harvard Business Review https://lnkd.in/dx4QGvv ▶ The Secret to Scaling a Startup: Strategies for Growth - TechCrunch https://lnkd.in/gY4fNzuB ▶ Building a Great Company Culture: Lessons from Successful Startups - Inc. https://lnkd.in/gCeAwBjn ▶ The Art of Pivoting: How to Successfully Change Your Startup's Direction - Fast Company https://lnkd.in/gcjx5jUe

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Good list. I follow most of these and other accelerators, to find potential seed-stage investments for Emerging Ventures Capital

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You love startups and want to enjoy a Spanish lifestyle? List of recently funded Spanish startups - April 2024: - Factorial (hr saas) raised 80M. - Onum (data) raised 28M - RevenueCat (in-app subs) raised 12M. - Aistech Space (geospatial) raised 5M. - TaxDown (fintech) raised 5M. - Facephi (identity) raised 5M. - Nymiz (cybersecurity) raised 2.8M. - Kokoro Kids (edtech) raised 2.2M. - Vidext (AI generated videos) raised 2M. - MEDIBIOFARMA SL (biotech) raised 1M - intelia (sales tech) raised 1M. - EALYX (payment/ecommerce) raised 1M. - Sol de Ibiza (ecommerce) raised 370K. - g2-Zero (quantum) raised 315K. - Nuela (shift management) raised 300K. - Yuït (food) rasied 300K. Get monthly dealflow in your inbox with link under my name Ivan Landabaso Or signup with link in comments 👇 #founders #startups #entrepreneur #venturecapital #vc #tech #technology #B2BSales #ai #llm #artificialintelligence #saas #fundraising #business #entrepreneurship #empresa #emprendimiento #negocio

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💡Insight from Startup Grind: How to build a right 🦄Unicorm team for Startup & Innovators. Last week, I have attended few events Startup Grind NYC, I had the chance of mingling with a diverse crowd of Innovators Founders & fellow Investors, sparked some discussions about how to build right team & offshore development & Cost. Sharing questions folks asked & my insights benefit from building right tech team.🤝 🙋: So, offshore teams just toss code over the fence and call it a day, right? 🎯: Absolutely, if by "toss over the fence”, you mean meticulously craft code with the precision of a Swiss watchmaker. Quality isn’t about location, it’s about standards, processes, and, yes, some seriously nerdy dedication to good coding. 🙋: How can you trust a team that’s halfway around the world? 🎯: It’s like a long-distance relationship. Yes, there’s distance, but with commitment, communication tools, and regular virtual dates (I mean meetings), it’s not just manageable, it’s fruitful! 🙋: Aren’t language barriers too big of a wall to scale? 🎯: Not at all! Most offshore professionals juggle languages like circus performers. Plus, tech speak is universal. Ever heard a coder who doesn’t speak Python or JavaScript? 🙋: Can you actually manage a team you don’t see every day? 🎯: It can feel epic, but with right tools, weekly video calls, right project management tools & agile methods managing an offshore team is like conducting an orchestra . 🙋: But really, can offshore teams deliver quality that matches local standards? 🎯: You bet! There are offshore teams who are often more versed in cutting-edge technologies than anyone out there because of the cultural tech learning exposure. They’re not just playing catch up, they’re often leading the charge! 🙋: Do offshore teams really care about your project? 🎯: More than dragons love gold! When you find the right dragon as partners, they guard your project’s success as fiercely as any mythical creature would guard your treasures. 🙋: Isn’t the time zone difference a deal-breaker? 🎯: Think of it as having a baton passed around the globe, making your business truly 24/7 While you sleep, your offshore team can continue developing , ensuring non-stop progress. 🙋: How do you ensure your intellectual property stays secure with an offshore team? 🎯: Solid contracts, strict NDAs, and choosing reputable partners, these are your armor and sword to protect your kingdom’s treasures. 🙋: So, how do I start with offshore development? 🎯: Begin with a pilot project. It’s like a first date, it lets you gauge compatibility without too much commitment. If the chemistry’s right, you’re set for a beautiful partnership. I would say, think of your Tech product or startup as a space rocket. Sure, you’ve got the blueprint and the ambition, but without a world class crew from around the globe, it just end up orbiting the parking lot. #Software #web #app #startupgrind #AI #team #tech #mobile #develpment #AI #ML #Develop

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Last week I spoke to two founders with very contrary opinions. 👇 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝘄𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝘀𝗮𝘆: “𝘐 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘵𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘺 𝘪𝘯𝘷𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘳 𝘮𝘦𝘦𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴 𝘶𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘭 𝘐 𝘰𝘱𝘦𝘯 𝘮𝘺 𝘧𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘳𝘢𝘪𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥.” They are hoping to: - Build fomo - Perform a blitzkrieg raising - Not seem weak if a potential pivot occurs 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗱 𝘄𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝘀𝗮𝘆: “𝘐 𝘢𝘮 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘶𝘰𝘶𝘴𝘭𝘺 𝘮𝘦𝘦𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘪𝘯𝘷𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘴 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘯 𝘣𝘦𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘰𝘱𝘦𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘮𝘺 𝘧𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘳𝘢𝘪𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥.” They are hoping to: - Build a relationship - Explore the best investor fit - Involve the investors emotionally I don't think any of the two approaches is wrong. In fact, I think there's even a way to combine them. 1. Prepare a target investor list 2. Prioritize warm introductions 3. Prep a very light teaser deck 4. Do exploratory calls/meetings 5. “I’m trying to understand your investment focus.” 6. “We’re not raising. Opening a round in X months.” 7.  When the time comes perform a blitzkrieg raising Whichever approach you choose, remember: You have the power to provide context and it’s up to you what you share with the investors. P.S. How do you prefer to approach investors? The first, the second or a combination of both?

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"Does the VC model work anymore?" is a question I often ask myself. I now realise that it is the wrong question. The better question is : What other funding structures outside of VC are available for technology startups? Building a tech startup does not automatically qualify you for VC funding (since VCs generally look for large, winner-takes-all markets, and there aren't that many opportunities that can fulfill this criteria). However, there are a growing number of tech startups that solve a significant problem for a profitable niche and these don't get the small cash injection they might need to move fast and capitalise on an opportunity. Who are some of the people you know that are solving this funding gap? Is this a better funding model for tech startups in emerging markets? I'm currently obsessed with the investment thesis of Calm Company Fund from where I got the below excerpt from. It offers a great alternative solution. #funding #startups #techentrepreneurs

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How to Generate Innovative Startup Ideas That Get Funded Are you an aspiring founder searching for that million-dollar idea? Developing an innovative startup concept that gets funded requires creativity as well as a strategic, customer-focused approach. Yesterday, I had the privilege of attending an Antler masterclass led by Frank Kang on the art and science of "Idea Generation." Drawing from decades of experience advising startups, Frank shared invaluable insights to help unlock our creative potential and innovate effectively. Here are the key lessons I learned: 1. Start with the Problem, Not the Solution Deeply understand your customers' pain points. How urgent and painful is this problem for them? Validating real needs is crucial before even thinking about solutions. 2. Talk to Your Customers Have conversations early and often. Get feedback to validate your assumptions. This step is vital before building anything. 3. Innovate the Core Consider what's new in your product, process or business model. Don't just iterate, truly differentiate yourself. 4. Leverage Your Strengths Understand your unfair advantage. Why you? This can be the key to standing out. Aspiring founders, apply these lessons to develop innovative ideas that get funded. Let me know if you have any other tips! What was the breakthrough moment that sparked your startup idea? I'd love to hear your stories. #startup #anlterGlobal

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Jensen Huang mindmap on reinventing the future. "My will to survive exceeds everybody's will to kill me." (2003) "There is no such thing as a great sustainable idea." "You need to understand the essence of your business." "In tech, if you aren't reinventing yourself, you are slowly dying." - Jensen Huang, On reinventing the future #nvidia #artificialintelligence #llms #generativeai #gpu #servers #datacenter #cloud #ai #technology #innovation #business #Semiconductorindustry #electronics #semiconductor credit: Jason Shen

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Talk the talk: a giant 𝗹𝗶𝘀𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗙𝗣&𝗔 𝗮𝗯𝗯𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 (🔖save this post) 👇 ~~~ 📌𝗧𝗼𝗱𝗮𝘆'𝘀 𝗔𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁: Modeling guide 👉 https://lnkd.in/eUN-E-Qc ~~~ ✓ FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE METRICS: • ARPU: Average Revenue Per User • CAGR: Compound Annual Growth Rate • Cash EBITDA: Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, Amortization, and Change in Deferred Revenue • EBIT: Earnings Before Interest & Taxes • EBITDA: Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation & Amortization • EBITDAR: Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, Amortization & Restructuring or Rent Costs • EBITDAX: Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, Amortization & Exploration Expenses • EPS: Earnings per Share • FCF: Free Cash Flow • GP: Gross Profit • GM: Gross Margin • NOI: Net Operating Income • NOPAT: Net Operating Profit After Tax • NPV: Net Present Value • ROCE: Return On Capital Employed ✓ FINANCIAL STATEMENTS & COMPONENTS: • BS: Balance Sheet • COGS: Cost Of Goods Sold • COR: Cost Of Revenue • D&A: Depreciation & Amortization • IS: Income Statement • P&L: Profit & Loss • SCF: Statement of Cash Flows ✓ FINANCIAL RATIOS & ANALYSIS: • ABC: Activity-Based Costing • bps: Basis Points • DCF: Discounted Cash Flow • FR: Financial Ratios • IRR: Internal Rate of Return • QoE: Quality of Earnings • WACC: Weighted-average Cost of Capital ✓ FORECASTING & PLANNING: • BVA: Budget vs. Actuals • Budget: Estimated future income & expenses • FCST: Forecast • Forecast: Updated estimate of future financial results • FP&A: Financial Planning & Analysis • LE: Latest Estimate • MYR: Mid Year Review • Rolling Forecast: Continual update of future performance projection • S&OP: Sales & Operations Planning • xP&A: Extended Planning & Analysis ✓ TIME PERIODS: • 6+6, 3+9, etc.: Actuals (6 or 3 months) + Forecast (6 or 9 months) • BOY: Balance of Year • EOD: End of Day • FY: Fiscal Year or Full Year • MTD: Month To Date • MoM: Month Over Month • PTD: Period To Date • QoQ: Quarter Over Quarter • TTM/LTM: Trailing Twelve Months / Last Twelve Months • YTD: Year To Date • YoY: Year Over Year • YTG: Year To Go ✓ OPERATIONAL METRICS: • Actuals: Actual financial results • CapEx: Capital Expenditures • FTE: Full Time Equivalent • G&A: General & Administrative Expenses • KPI: Key Performance Indicator • OpEx: Operating Expenses • R&D: Research & Development • S&M: Sales & Marketing • WCR: Working Capital Requirement ✓ RISK & OPPORTUNITY: • DD: Due Diligence • R&O: Risks & Opportunities ✓ VALUATION & CAPITAL STRUCTURE: • EqV: Equity Value • EV: Enterprise Value • ND: Net Debt • NWC: Net Working Capital ✓ REPORTING & TOOLS: • Dashboard: Visual display of key metrics • Flash Report: Quick financial overview • IRL: Investor Request List • VDR: Virtual Data Room ~~~ 👋 Hey, I'm Chris Reilly, and I teach Financial Modeling based on real Private Equity and FP&A experience. 📌 Learn more here 👉 https://lnkd.in/eG_uVhsE

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We got +100 NPS for our recent SaaStock Founder Membership (SFM) retreat. Based on feedback and on reflection, here are a few reasons why: 1. Magic 🪄: We sourced a magical location in the Agafay Desert, Les Terrasses D'Agafay. It created the base for the first wow moment. Also as we were in the middle of the desert, it kept the group together (as no one could leave). 2. Grounding ⛺️: Glamping instead of 5* resorts. Kind of an unexpected one but a good learning. The previous retreats had been in 5* resorts which we could go to any time on holiday with family/friends. Glamping I think resulted in us feeling a bit more grounded which helped with the openness and transparency of the group. 3. Fire 🔥: We had a campfire which every evening created a central space for us to congregate and we ran roundtable discussions for the whole group with a level of transparency not seen before. 4: Ice 🧊: We broke the Ice the night before the retreat started with a dinner in Marrakech. Allowed everyone to connect and familiarise if they were new to the group. 5. Space 🛸: The agenda allowed for lots of space for people to just talk and relax 6: Power of 40 🔋: Not that one, but we cap the size at 40 people. Just the right amount for everyone to connect and bond. With this, i think we found the recipe for the perfect Founder retreat. Already planning next years and wish the NPS scale could go above +100 #saastockfoundermembership #retreat #events #saas #founders #community

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PitchBook’s Guide to VC Funding for Startups: Navigating the venture capital landscape can be daunting for startups. PitchBook’s guide to VC fundraising provides a roadmap filled with critical insights to help entrepreneurs from Silicon Valley to Tokyo secure the capital they need to transform their startups into market leaders. What the Guide Covers: 1) Stages of VC Funding: From seed to Series C and beyond, understand the typical progression startups follow and what is expected at each stage. 2) Evaluating Funding Needs: Determine whether your startup is ready for funding by assessing its current stage, from initial concept to scaling for market expansion. 3) Approaching Investors: Learn how to identify investors that align with your values, perfect your pitch, and effectively approach your target list. 4) Pros and Cons of Funding Types: A deep dive into the advantages and disadvantages of self-funding vs. external funding, helping you make informed decisions about the best path for your venture. PS. check out 🔔 for a winning pitch deck the template created by Silicon Valley legend, Peter Thiel https://lnkd.in/ejp-Bhnu

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Playing it safe in Southeast Asia’s startup scene? You’re getting left behind. If there’s one thing I’ve learned from building and scaling businesses, it’s this: You need to be bold. As a business coach for B2B startup founders in Southeast Asia, I’ve seen firsthand how embracing boldness can be a game-changer. Whether you’re stepping out of your comfort zone, networking with the right people, or pitching a new idea, being bold is what opens doors to new opportunities. Here’s how you can practice boldness in your professional journey: 1. Speak Up: Don’t hold back your ideas in meetings or discussions. Your perspective might just be what drives the next breakthrough. 2. Take Risks: The biggest opportunities often come from calculated risks. Don’t be afraid to step into the unknown. 3. Network Fearlessly: Get outside your usual circle. Attend events, join communities, and connect with people who challenge and inspire you. You never know where your next opportunity will come from. 4. Keep Learning: Boldness also means staying curious. Seek out new skills, dive into new topics, and always be in learning mode. The more you know, the more doors you can open. 5. Embrace Failure: Failure is part of the journey. Every setback is a lesson. Own it, share it, and use it to propel you forward. The startup ecosystem in Southeast Asia is full of potential. By being bold, you can carve your path, connect with the right people, and discover opportunities that match your passion and expertise. What bold step will you take today?

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🔥 tracking all open calls for startups 🔥 Generate hot leads on autopilot 2x a day 🤖👇 We used to pay a team of people for this - but the turnaround was never so fast! This is a trigger-based workflow monitoring all the open calls for startups from accelerators, VC funds or corporates looking to join acceleration programs or innovation challenges. There is so much opportunities for startups every day! The workflow, powered by N8N, Apify, and our proprietary APIs and outreach platform, is designed to: -> Monitor feed for any relevant keywords -> GPT-4 summarize and decide if relevant or not -> Push notification to Google Chat or Slack -> Turn relevant posts into leads -> GPT-4 rephrases the post -> Find the most relevant people to contact -> Add relevant leads to an always-on campaign -> Waterfall Email enrichment -> AI-personalized outreach -> Rotate multiple inboxes and go low volume for best deliverability Tomorrow, I'll be hosting a workshop at The Marketing Festival, where I'll be excited to teach people how to build trigger based - AI-powered workflows like this one. Do you WANT a blue-print how to build workflows like this? 👇 —> COMMENT to get a template —> Like it /repost if you want to see more content like this

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𝗖𝗼𝗹𝗱 𝗶𝗻𝘃𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿 𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵 𝗶𝘀 𝗡𝗢𝗧 𝗱𝗲𝗮𝗱. Think cold emailing VCs and angel investors is outdated? Think again. The right approach can open doors to pivotal conversations and opportunities. Here are some great email openers and practical tips for cold emails that can get you noticed by VCs and angel investors, inspired by Eva Dobrzanska’s Cold Outreach Playbook: ✅ 𝗠𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮 𝗺𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗮𝗹 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗿 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗵 𝗮 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗿𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁. ● Example: "I noticed you recently invested in [company] and I share your passion for [industry]." ● Why it works: Establishes personal rapport and shows you’ve done your homework. ✅ 𝗛𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗮 𝗿𝗲𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝘀𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗸 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗩𝗖'𝘀 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁. ● Example: "Our AI-powered SaaS startup has achieved 40% MoM growth and secured a lead investor for our seed round." ● Why it works: Demonstrates your startup’s potential and grabs attention with concrete results. ✅ 𝗥𝗲𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗮 𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰 𝗶𝗻𝘃𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘀𝗶𝘀 𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗼 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝘆𝗼𝘂'𝘃𝗲 𝗱𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵. ● Example: "I'm reaching out because I believe [your fund] would be a great fit for our [industry] startup given your investments in [company] and [company]." ● Why it works: Shows you’ve researched their portfolio and align with their investment goals. ✅ 𝗠𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗻 𝘂𝗽𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗼𝗿 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂'𝗹𝗹 𝗯𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘁. ● Example: "I'll be attending [conference] next month and would love to discuss our startup over coffee if you'll also be there." ● Why it works: Offers a natural and convenient opportunity to connect in person. ✅ 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘃𝗲𝘆 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗵𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗮𝘀𝗺 𝗶𝗻 𝗮 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗰𝗶𝘀𝗲 𝘄𝗮𝘆. ● Example: "I'm confident our [product] will change the [industry] landscape and would welcome the opportunity to discuss further." ● Why it works: Projects assurance and excitement about your venture. 🚫 𝗢𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗔𝘃𝗼𝗶𝗱: “I’m reaching out to discuss an investment opportunity.” “We are a startup looking for funding.” “I found your contact information online and thought to reach out.” A well-crafted email opener can significantly increase your chances of getting a response from investors. Personalization, relevance, and confidence are key to making a strong first impression. 💬 What cold email openers have worked for you? Share in the comments to help build our community library of successful outreach strategies! #fundraising #venturecapital #entrepeneurship #startup Comment: I work with innovators just like you on a daily basis, and they often seem to feel isolated, navigating the complex world of startup funding without a guiding hand. Explore how I can help you seize more opportunities: https://lnkd.in/gRYiGxcn. 

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Stop focusing solely on your pitch deck: (Here’s how Jensen Huang got funding for Nvidia) 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗡𝗼𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗗𝗼: - Don’t wait until you need money to start building relationships. - Don’t focus only on the pitch—investors want to know you first. 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗗𝗼: - Start networking early: Connect with investors months before you need funding. - Attend investor events: Be present at key industry events, webinars, and conferences. - Make yourself visible on LinkedIn: Consistently share updates about your product, company milestones, and industry insights. This builds trust over time and keeps investors engaged. - Provide value first: Offer insights, introductions, or support to build a relationship before asking for money. 𝗞𝗲𝘆 𝗟𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗼𝗻: When Jensen Huang was ready to start Nvidia, he was introduced to Don Valentine, one of the most well-known venture capitalists. Even though Huang was nervous and felt he gave a terrible pitch, the relationship he had built beforehand was what mattered. His former boss had already vouched for him, and Valentine had trust in him before he even walked into the room. Valentine’s parting words were blunt: “If you lose my money, I’ll kill you.” Huang’s story shows that the strength of relationships can outweigh even a poor pitch—trust and connections often matter more than the perfect presentation. Start building relationships and not just pitch decks. Pitch decks are for intriguing investors, not convincing them. The convinced part happens when they 𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄, 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲 and 𝘁𝗿𝘂𝘀𝘁 you. -MK

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Y Combinator Grad, Gumloop (YC W24) , Secures $3.1 Million USD in Seed Funding! 💰 🔹Funding Details: - Total raised to date: $3.4 million USD - Recent seed round: $3.1 million USD ($4.28 million CAD) - Led by First Round Capital - Backed by Y Combinator and angel investors from Instacart, Dropbox, and WePay About Gumloop: - A no-code platform to automate workflows using AI 🤖 - Founded in April 2023 by McGill University classmates Max Brodeur-Urbas and Rahul Behal - Initially named AgentHub; rebranded to Gumloop for broader accessibility Founders' Background: - Max Brodeur-Urbas: Former Microsoft employee - Rahul Behal: Former machine learning engineer at Amazon - Current team: Brodeur-Urbas, Behal, and an intern Journey and Milestones: - Participated in Y Combinator Winter 2024 Demo Day - Among the few Canadian companies showcased - Platform evolution: Started as a UI wrapper around AutoGPT, now developing its own automation framework Gumloop in Action: - Users automate workflows by connecting integrations like Google Sheets, Slack, YouTube, websites, emails, and more - Example: Extracting invoice data from PDFs in an email and inputting it into a Google Sheet - Provides workflow templates for tasks like meeting prep and converting YouTube video transcripts into blog posts Vision and Future Plans: - Aim to expand the team but “stay lean” with a goal to be a team of four by the end of the year - Vision to become an integral part of 1000 businesses within the next year

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The investors at Sequoia Capital have come up with a very handy framework to predict if a startup has product-market fit. All startups, more or less, fit into one of three archetypes, so identifying which archetype a company fits in can help it focus and develop. - "Hair on Fire"   Roughly means that your startup addresses an urgent problem. For example, companies that offered services to businesses and users when they were suddenly sheltering in place and working from home during the peak of COVID-19 fits this archetype. - "Hard Fact" A startup that solves an existing problem better than what already exists. As the famous quote goes, "Build a better mousetrap, and the world will beat a path to your door." - "Future Vision" This archetype consists of startups that relate to deep tech, moonshots and products out of left field. These would include quantum startups, but also those building flying cars or even autonomous robots. Which archetype does your startup fall under? https://lnkd.in/ePndgpHu

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Don’t stack post-money SAFEs. I know YC backs them & I, as an investor, love them. But for founders, 1 post-money SAFE is fine—2+ can be deadly: What if I told you I’ll lead your seed round but I want: 1- Full ratchet anti-dilution rights. If your next round is say at a 50% lower valuation, my share price gets lowered by 50%. 2- Anti-dilution against future options. If you if you increase the size of your ESOP, 100% of the dilution goes to founders and existing employees. 3- Anti-dilution against future notes. If you raise a pre-or post money SAFE or a convertible note, only the founders and employees get diluted, not me. You’d tell me I’m crazy, right? You’d at least tell me it’s not market, not standard? But it is market, it is standard, and it’s called a post money SAFE. #startups #founders #venturecapital

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Startup decks vs Business plans. It's accepted that a startup needs a deck. Dax Dasilva of Lightspeed Commerce made an important point on 20VC. Writing a business plan - including financial projections - is an important step. It requires discipline. It provides a rigorous framework for thinking deeply about the problem you're trying to solve. Harry Stebbings countered that he doesn't even want to see a deck since it's all dreams. We spent a lot of time and energy on our business plan with the expectation that we would show it to no one ever. The business plan was part of our roadmap for the company. We researched customers - including having 50+ conversations. We wanted to understand them: their background, their interests, their presence on social media. We also wanted to understand how they were evaluated by leadership and how integrated they were with the business of the company they were protecting. We researched pricing both with potential customers and other products in our industry to find out if OpEx or CapEx was a better fit. How did they buy today? How would they like to buy? We did market research to understand the verticals and map the right entry point - we were wrong but that doesn't reduce the value of the research. We looked at competitors in depth to understand what they were seeing that we weren't. Dax is right. This is an invaluable document that should be updated every year - the company is changing, the market is changing, there's more feedback about price and ICP. It's not for sharing with the outside world. It's a map for driving forward. Decks won't get you investment - VCs invest in people. We make decks but we know they don't tell our story. The deck is a calling card. Dax and Harry are both right. https://lnkd.in/e25M82xY

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