Spencer Gallagher

⏰There is a Tick Tock pulse in fundraising and sales⏱️ If Tick is fundraising, Tock is sales. ❌ The problem is most founders go Tick Tick Tick > Tock Tock Tock ❗️Now the next Tick will be much harder because your valuation has now priced in all that past revenue (fair) but without a clear line of sight to future revenues that drive venture-scale growth. 🕥This can prolong the fundraising process as investors wait to see your next batch of contracts come in. 💡One solution is to fundraise after signing a contract but before servicing it. In other words, pre-A/B rounds. It’s a short window but this is the Tick Tock pulse that works incredibly well if you get it right. Here’s the narrative: 1️⃣We have $x in signed contracts and will have to service them over the next 12 months 2️⃣We’re raising now so we can focus on pleasing our customers when the time comes. 3️⃣For this peace of mind, we’re willing to take a 20% discount on our next round valuation given the contracts are already signed. 4️⃣Of course, you are welcomed to join after we’ve closed the revenues. We might be raising at 20% discount to the following round by then. 💡As an added benefit, founders get to focus on one thing at a time - fundraising > sales > fundraising > sales (Tick Tock Tick Tock!) ➡️As with most things I share, works for B2B deep tech. I think? 🧐 💸Don’t try this at home (consumer tech).

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Angel investors are the most critical part of the startup and tech ecosystem. Whilst VCs get the attention and publicity, Angels actually support a much larger share of the market and in my opinion choosing the right Angel for your business will have one of the most significant impacts on your chances of success. I’m lucky that I have a network of Angels involved in Brawn Power, they all add unique and tangible value. Some have backed me for the third time, know my strengths and weaknesses and I treat them as co-founders. Are you looking to raise through angel investors? If so, it’s not just a case of choosing an Angel with a big name on their CV, you need someone that knows how to weather the storm and is prepared to back you as a person. (Look at how they earnt their capital and their stripes.) #markets, #products and #strategy will change but the #people stay. They need to understand that and truly believe in you. My advice to founders looking at angel investors- Make sure you have a personal connection with them. They are passionate about the sector, space or problem. That are you aligned on the long term vision. Paul Richardson

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𝗟𝗮𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗡𝗲𝘅𝘁 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸: The co&co L*nkedIn Essentials 'To Smash It' one-to-one Workshop. 💥 Perfect for... 👉 Biz Devs 👉 Bootstrappers 👉 Entrepreneurs 👉 Business owners 👉 Start-up Founders ... or anyone who just needs a kick up the ar*e to start creating LinkedIn content. ❌ 𝗡𝗼 𝗵𝗶𝗴𝗵 𝗳𝗲𝗲𝘀 ❌ 𝗡𝗼 𝗴𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗸𝗲𝗲𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗴 Just solid advice on how to build an audience and grow a following that helps to drive enquiries. Simple. --------------------------------------------------------- 👇 Drop me a comment or a DM to be sent full details before anyone else. 𝗣.𝗦. 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗹𝗼𝗼𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗼𝗿𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘃𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗱𝗼𝘄 𝗯𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝗵𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗻 🙄 #LinkedIngrowth #LinkedIntips #personalbrand

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Building a fundraising strategy as a B2B CEO? I hope you are posting on LinkedIn. Staying front of mind with investors is key to getting them in the room. We’ve had clients where 90% of the meetings they have with investors mention their content. And you can orientate your content to make every post just like your pitch deck: 1. Highlight Key Metrics: Share your growth numbers, user engagement stats, and any significant milestones. This builds credibility. 2. Showcase Your Team: Post about your team’s expertise and achievements. Investors invest in people as much as they do in ideas. 3. Share Customer Success Stories: Real-life examples of how your product or service has made an impact can be very persuasive. 4. Discuss Industry Trends: Position yourself as a thought leader by commenting on industry news and trends. It shows you’re in touch with the market. 5. Engage with Your Network: Respond to comments, share insights, and ask for feedback. This builds trust and keeps you top-of-mind. 6. Visual Content: Use graphs, charts, and infographics to make your data easy to understand and engaging. Make your content a part of your fundraising strategy, and watch those investor meetings increase increase increase.

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Fundraising GPs Alert📢 🧐Are you raising a new VC fund? 💎Then you will be glad to see another gem from AlphaQ Venture Capital - a Track Record Template Read the latest post and use the template link: https://lnkd.in/eircdUis ✅ Looking to raise capital for your #VCfund and increase the international pool of your LPs?   🤝 Need warm #LP introductions?   📝 Selling #secondaries to increase liquidity?   🧐 Looking for co-investments (Series A/Series B)?   ▶ G+QUANT's link for inquiries and fund decks: https://lnkd.in/gjC_EuTE #VentureCapital #VentureFunding #VentureDebt #Fundraising #Innovation #Technology #Entrepreneurship #Investing #Network #Investors #LPs #GPs #EmergingManagers #FamilyOffice #Markets #Economy #Business #Founders #Startups #StartupFunding #ai #artificialintelligence #unicorn #secondaries #secondarydeals

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Founders – there’s only two ways to get it → You either have it or you don’t → Life’s better with it → Especially if you’ve been without it You’ve heard that cash is king. 𝗜𝘁 𝗶𝘀. And let’s be real, unless you’re a trust fund baby with a private jet on speed dial, the only way to get that sweet, sweet runway is by acquiring customers and generating revenue – or by getting cozy with a VC. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗲𝘅𝗰𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻? A magical money tree… but until that sprouts in your backyard, you’ve got two priorities: #1 Customer acquisition #2 Fundraising (for those venture-backed warriors) But seriously, having a mountain of cash is like a catwalk with swagger – just ask Warren Buffet, who sold off 55.8% of Berkshire’s Apple stock (an $84.2B stake!) for one reason: liquidity. The man knows 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿 of a fat wallet. As startup founders, our #1 focus should be customer acquisition – 𝗮𝗸𝗮 𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘂𝗲. And if you’ve got VCs in the mix, 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗳𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗿𝗮𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝗵𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗹𝗲. We have to be great at both, because nothing says “I’ve got this” like a runway that can take you to Mars and back. So, whether you’re building your empire brick by brick or charming the pants off VCs, remember: cash is king. And if you’re not stacking it, 𝘆𝗼𝘂’𝗿𝗲 𝘀𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝘁. Need help, visit our site. Like this? Follow Gerald Duran for daily Startup and VC advice, and sometimes — a kick in the nuts. #startups #founders #venturecapital #entrepreneurship

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Over the past six months, it seems like every (pet) start-up has just tacked AI onto the end of its name to attract investors. But we won't be transitioning to Dogdrop AI. Here's why... The problem I set out to solve was providing convenient, flexible, and quality dog care through technology. To do this, I mapped out many different solutions with the mindset of: Does this actually solve the problem? Is this the best way to do it? Can this be a profitable business? Am I the right person to solve this problem with the proposed solution? Before starting Dogdrop, I was in the hardware industry. An obvious route could have been an interactive hardware product. I had expertise in hardware and manufacturing, and strong connections in China from living and working there for four years. It seemed scalable. However, it didn't address the core pain points I saw in the industry. While interactive hardware devices can be useful, I firmly believe that physical interaction—with humans and other dogs—is irreplaceable for pack animals. I frequently get asked, will AI/robots ever be able to truly take care of dogs? We're not there yet and we're not focused on that. Human / paw touch is so important. That said, we do use a significant amount of AI behind the scenes. Our team leverages AI daily to enhance the support we provide to our human and dog members. We integrate out-of-the-box AI solutions (from companies that have heavily invested in AI development) with our proprietary software and workflows to boost efficiency and deliver an exceptional member and employee experience. Adding AI to your name nowadays is like adding INTERNET in the early days or look back in 24+ months ago "web3". Every company should be utilizing it, we don't need it in your name. Now, comment below with companies that should keep AI in their name 👇

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How do we know if we're building something people actually want? Last night, I had the pleasure of attending Marketing Mixology by BLOCK71 Global, an incredibly insightful event centred on go-to-market strategies for startups. Here are a few powerful lessons that really stood out: 🔑 Fake Door Testing: Not commonly seen in Asia, this strategy—building a website to test market interest without having a fully developed product—can provide crucial insights. While it might feel unconventional here, it's a great way to gauge true demand. 👗 Carousell's Growth Story: They started with a "spray and pray" approach, trying to target everyone as their customer. When they zeroed in on their biggest users, women aged 18-25, things started to change. By studying their behaviours (like impulse buying during sales), Carousell crafted targeted campaigns, sparking real growth. ♻️ The Power of Pivots: Pivots aren’t something to be ashamed of—they can save a company! US founders view opportunity cost seriously and pivot early when needed. Making the topic less taboo and talking openly about pivots can make the process much easier. ⛔ Grants Can Hold You Back: Startups sometimes survive on grants for years, building things the market doesn’t want. In parallel, there need to be focus on validating customer needs to drive real long-term value. The event was filled with actionable insights and a refreshing perspective on startup strategy, especially in the Southeast Asian context. Thanks to BLOCK71 Global for such a great evening, and the huge lineup of speakers: Hsu Ken Ooi, Jonathan Low and Marcus Tan 🌟

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For the founders, who are BOLD ENOUGH TO START UP! Having some experience in this industry, I have learned that the real game changers aren’t those who duly fit into the mould; it is the misfits, rebels, and visionaries, who break the norm and redefine the industry. Some founders see things differently. Many times, they are misunderstood, and sometimes, they are just ignored. They dare to dream, they have the audacity to visualise a future that others cannot. Let us remember, that the most powerful startups in the world have been crafted by audacious unconventional founders, those who dare to think differently. As investors, our job is to spot their genius and supply the fuel to make their bold ideas realities. Let us raise a toast to “The crazy ones” who believe they can change the world, are the ones who actually do it. Tag some “crazy ones” that you have met in your life - would love to exchange thoughts with them. PS: Image from X #FounderLife #Entrepreneurship #Startup #VentureCapital #Founders #Investments

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My first tip is to help both founders and investors when it comes to raising capital and angel investing. Founders want to know how to get investors to invest... Investors want to know how to pick the right founders to invest in... The key to success for both parties? Put yourself in the shoes of the other person. It's that simple. For founders, remember that angels are investing their hard-earned money. Investors seek a return. They need to trust the people they invest in. Founders, differentiate yourselves in a competitive landscape. Understand investors' needs, build relationships, and earn trust. Investors, empathise with founders. They risk everything in their ventures. Be supportive, build trust, and create an environment where founders feel comfortable sharing challenges. Remember, understanding the other party is crucial for success in both raising capital and in angel investing. How do you build trust? If you find this valuable, please share. For those interested in angel investing, follow my syndicate here. [Link: https://lnkd.in/gRWbuGFZ] (Available to sophisticated investors only.) #startups #raisingcapital #angelinvesting #venturecapital #foundertips

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***Podcast Guest News*** Announcing the latest Guest to join Invest In Yourself: The Digital Entrepreneur Podcast is Mark Ainley, Contemporary Feng Shui Consultant of Sense of Space! If you have any questions you want answered about their industry, let me know in the comments below! #InvestInYourselfPod

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Full Guide to Storytelling for Founders looking to build a solid personal brand on Youtube.. Starting a new series where i'll cover step-by-step how founders can build a solid personal brand. Why Storytelling Matters? 🎯 Engage & Retain A compelling story makes viewers feel invested, leading to higher retention rates and more views. Key Elements of Storytelling 🗣️ Words The core of your video’s message. 🎥 Visuals Show, don’t tell—enhance with b-roll, animations, and visuals. 🎶 Sound Music and sound effects amplify the experience. Mastering Forward Motion: 🚀 Keep Them Hooked Guide viewers step-by-step. Create a clear path to make it easy to follow and understand. Creating Tension & Stakes: 😲 Keep Them on the Edge Introduce uncertainty and stakes (like losing money or facing consequences) to keep viewers engaged. Resolving Tension: ✅ Satisfy Your Viewers Resolve the tension by the end of your video to deliver a satisfying conclusion and insert your key message. Hiding Your Message: 🕵️ Strategic Impact Place your message or lesson in the climax of the tension for a more impactful and memorable experience. The Iceberg Theory: 🔍 Show Less, Engage More Only reveal a fraction of your story. Let viewers’ imagination fill in the gaps and keep them engaged. (follow for more i'll cover each part of building a solid personal brand on youtube everyday) #founders #saas #startups #founder #alexhormozi

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Such an insightful post by Cintia Mano highlighting the Defiance Capital study. The rise of 'underdog founders' in the unicorn space is truly inspiring. The traits highlighted - 'no plan B,' 'a chip on the shoulder,' and 'unlimited self-belief' - are indeed defining factors. The call for new funds to support immigrant and female founders resonates deeply. Exciting times ahead for the entrepreneurial landscape! #UnicornFounderDNA #Entrepreneurship #DiversityInTech"

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We’ve been on the CAC rollercoaster - and it’s not a ride you want to experience. Keeping it in check is daunting, but only if you don’t have the right approach. Here’s how we consistently manage our CAC while scaling at Obvi: Initially, we leaned heavily on just one platform for most of our ads - Meta. If you’ve been paying attention for the last couple of months then you know that’s not the best idea, but back in 2021, Meta was PRINTING on all fronts Then came IOS 14.5, and in less time than you can say “We’re f*cked”... Our CAC went from $30 to $93 And monthly adspend dropped from $600k to $250k. Personally, I wanted Obvi to exist in a year - and that meant that we needed to go back to square 1 and optimize every single aspect of our existing funnels. - Relearning how to make better creatives that convert - Completely reworking our landing pages, product pages, etc. - Ruthlessly testing new offers Our goal was to make every single interaction with us as valuable as the last. Meta will always have its good days and bad days and that holds true even recently. We saw the only sustainable solution was to give our entire process a deep renovation. But The #1 biggest lesson I learned from all this - good marketing is NEVER cut and dry. Ensuring the survival and growth of your business means you need to get scrappy (And become an amateur psychologist)  So - start using every resource available to you. Here’s what I recommend: 1. Know Thy Enemy Leverage platforms that can give you data, insights, and strategies for both you and your biggest competitors. There isn’t a single professional athlete who doesn’t step onto the field without watching film, so neither should you. 2. Become Your Customer I don’t mean this literally - but you can start buying your own products if you want. Go nuts. What I mean is start a community, interact with your customers. get yourself into your own funnel and scroll mindfully, etc. If you can understand your audience on a personal level, then everything you do on the marketing end will reflect it. 3. Leverage Multiple Marketing Channels Paid Media, Affiliate Marketing, Pop up stores at a farmers market - whatever. When you really start to diversify your marketing, 2 things happen: - Your risk of getting screwed if something goes wrong goes way down - Your target audience starts to see you EVERYWHERE Both are ideal, and both will contribute 1000% to the sustainable growth of your brand. Everything I said above we have done, and every single one has helped us to grow Obvi to where it is today. The world of DTC is constantly changing, and your best bet will be to innovate, build genuine relationships, and work to stay AHEAD of the curve.

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Scale-up business guide to getting investor-ready: THE PITCH (4/7) Have you got your business up and running but never pitched to an investor before? Do you know what you need to prepare for a pitch? Your business’ future may depend on your next pitch. This article outlines the different aspects of your business you need to bring into a pitch. #Investorready #Business #Growth #Funding

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Enough with being spoon-fed 'what' and 'why' advice on pitch decks that's not even fit for pop-ups, forget startups or for your cat, forget investors. It's like trying to light a damp fire when you’re supposed to be launching a rocket, right? "This Is HOW to Write Your Pitch Deck" is for founders ready to cut through the blah and get **it done. Link in comments below for the ❤️ of startups __________________________________ Connect or Follow DeReK WaTSoN Fusion42 F42 In Real Life ___________________________________ #startups #founders #cofounders #venturecapital #angelinvestors

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21 Ways to Kill Your Company Day 15: Forget the Most Important Person Never forget your customer! They should be central to everything you do which means you're constantly getting feedback and constantly iterating. Regardless of stage, if you aren't talking to customers you are doing something wrong. Too many founders get heads down on product or strategy and forget the most important stakeholder. #entrepreneurship #founderadvice

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“THE ULTIMATE INVESTOR LIST” 📜✨ Every day, another list drops. The “who’s who” of investors. Just add your pitch, and voila—funding secured, right? But those of us in the trenches know it’s never that easy. Raising for a startup or a fund—it’s a bloody hard job. The lists are just the start. 💡💼 Because behind each name is a person with their own goals, beliefs, and priorities. And the real challenge? Building that trust, aligning visions, and finding the people who choose you. 🤝✨ So, next time you see “the ultimate list,” ask yourself: do I understand what these investors truly want? Do they align with my vision, my values? 🎯 The magic isn’t in the list. It’s in knowing the people behind it and building that connection. 🔗💬 To the founders, fund managers—anyone out there raising—you know the grind. It’s a bloody hard job. 👉 Let me know what really works for you. 🚀🔥

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In 2019, I led a £9m Seed Round. It was the largest Seed Round in the UK that year. Now... You would expect the usual reasons why we invested so much: 1. A clear story 2. Special founders 3. A large opportunity But there was also something else that was a big reason for why we invested. What was it? The founders were able to hire in some of the best people we had seen. They had already built exactly what this company needed to. They had extreme amounts of success doing it. And now were willing to risk everything to join this tiny little start-up. Funnily enough one of those exceptional hires ended up being the CEO! That’s how good their hiring was. At the end of the day, investors invest into teams. And those teams are the people who are going to be the difference between a successful company or not. So as a founder you have to show investors that you can, will and have hired the best of the best. Because second-rate hires will never cut it. -- P.S. What do you think about team-building and its importance? ♻️ Repost to help a founder in your network

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