James Maiocco

Great points !! The dynamics of selling a SaaS business, especially to Private Equity (PE), can be complex and emotionally challenging. When considering this path, founders need to evaluate their role, ownership, and influence in the company post-sale. Here’s my take: 1️⃣ If you’re the **majority holder** and believe in the business’s future, continue as CEO to maintain influence and control over the direction. Retain enough "skin in the game" to drive results and keep a hand on the wheel. 2️⃣ If you’re a **minority holder**, with a new PE-appointed CEO, it may be wiser to take a substantial payout and invest in a new venture. In this situation, you often lose decision-making power, risking becoming a spectator in a company you helped build. 🔑 **What’s crucial?** If you still have meaningful equity, you should have a say in the direction. When you’re not in the driver’s seat, it’s often better to start fresh, investing your energy and passion into something new where you’re not just "cheering from the sidelines." Selling is a monumental decision; make sure it aligns with your values and vision for your future. #SaaSFounders #ExitStrategy #PrivateEquity #BusinessOwnership #EntrepreneurJourney #Leadership

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Here are some thoughts for founders on evaluating and filtering startup advisors and advice. https://lnkd.in/gr-j_ks4

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Fantastic guidance from Michael Jaconi, CEO and founder of Button, one of Norwest's portfolio companies, on the value of capital efficiency. His four tips are great for any entrepreneur building a business (regardless of the market)

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I’m excited to publicly share something that has been in the works for a few months at the 9point8 Collective. We’ve launched our Virtual Studio! This is a program for early-stage companies that provides the coaching, development and venture-building tools they need to find traction and scale. The program is modeled off of the venture-building processes found inside #VentureStudios, which have delivered 2X IRR and exit 45% faster than traditional #VC-backed #startups over the last 10 years. Some of the secret sauce to this is that studios have found a way to validate strategies early on, de-risk execution, preserve and extend limited runway, and create efficient business models very fast. We at 9point8 are seasoned studio builders and are on a mission to bring this value to founding teams as they navigate their startup journeys. What we’ve done with the Virtual Studio is distill these key processes and techniques, add in our own expertise and best practices, and package them into a program which meets start-ups where they are. We are now opening up our Summer 2024 Cohort, slated to begin in July. Space is limited, so I’m sharing the opportunity with my network before we fill the cohort. Here are the details: -It’s a 3-month program which takes the founder through the key phases of venture-building and de-risking (refining target market, product-market fit, economics and financials, planning, and fundraising). -Founders can expect to achieve greater focus, improved operations and increased marketability to customers and investors. -The end results include collaboratively-drafted operational plans, commercial / investment pitch decks, and elevated management practices within the founding team. These draft off frameworks from 9point8's proprietary venture-building process: Targets Over Everything. -It’s built for founders facing (or approaching) a critical inflection point, where fresh perspectives and strategic management levers are critical. These might include fundraising preparation, new product launch, market expansion, and post-MVP scaling efforts. Why did we build this program? Because building a new company is really hard. 90(!) percent of startups fail, and even moderate risk reduction can create a huge lift to survival rate and eventual returns. The studio model is proven to drive greater venture success; our virtual program is extending that success to more and more teams. The program is highly collaborative and hands-on, so we only take on a few companies at a time. This is a great opportunity for founders who are looking to level-up their abilities when it comes to unlocking traction, growth, and an express lane to superior returns. If interested, please reach out immediately as we expect the program to be fully enrolled very soon! Blair Merlino Evan Allen Neal Ghosh

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If you're a SaaS, CPG, or e-commerce business collecting revenue in every state you need to worry about sales taxes now 😫 . Every state has slightly different rules too! I just made an investment in the space to solve this problem, read below 👇 I'm excited to announce a new investment that's targeting that problem. Zamp is announcing it's series A, they work with over 400 companies already (a mix of CPG, SaaS and E-commerce). If you're looking for a solution to the complicated situation of collecting sales taxes for your business, look no further.

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dub is on to something special... and our mission is resonating with the people as seen by our recent growth. We're just at the beginning of enabling anyone to invest alongside the best investing talent - and build real wealth.

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I had several people reach out with interest in the Triangle Tweener Fund asking for details on the accreditation requirement. It's a SEC requirement and here's a quick guide on what an accredited investor is and how our partner AngelList verifies-> https://lnkd.in/gidDDWP3

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At Costanoa Ventures, we pride ourselves on identifying and supporting exceptional founders poised to create impactful, lasting change. Hona is a shining example, driven by a trio of extremely talented founders: Manny Griffiths, Joshua Christensen, and Matt McClellan. They each bring unique, differentiated expertise to the table, and Amy Cheetham and I are extremely excited to partner with them. There are approximately 450,000 law firms in the United States, with half of those firms being B2C - think personal injury, mass tort, or immigration law as opposed to BigLaw. One of the reasons we love how Hona is tackling this market is their focus on B2C law firms and product excellence - B2B firms are historically difficult to sell brand new software products into, but B2C firms are completely different buyers. Oftentimes there's just a handful of lawyers and paralegals in a partnership, and any piece of technology they can use to give them an edge would be valuable. 44% of negative Google reviews on law firms directly reference poor communication as the reason for a negative experience, and the number 1 reason for Attorney Bar complaints in the U.S. is "lack of communication". On the lawyer's side, attorneys, paralegals and legal assistants spend an average of 7.4 hours per week on unnecessary updates, redundant communication, and activities that aren't directly contributing towards getting a client's case solved. Manny and the team at Hona are working to change all of that. Hona delivers a tightly-integrated communications platform to help facilitate better communication between law firms and their clients. During legal proceedings, client communications tend to be a large resource-stressor for law firms. Clients will frequently call firms for case updates, legal explanations, or general administrative questions that tend to eat away at firm resources without providing any additional progress toward case resolution. Hona exists to ease that burden - it’s a platform that allows law firms to efficiently communicate with their clients over text, easily build customizable web pages and embed videos, and share information on case status and basic legal process education. This crucial communication processes allow attorneys to focus on their job – moving cases forward, while keeping their clients informed and educated. If you're a lawyer dealing with these problems - don't hesitate to reach out to us or the Hona team! It's a privilege to work with Hona on this journey. The company has been growing at a rapid pace, and they're delivering meaningful technology to help people get through legal proceedings in a much more fluid, transparent, and easy process. Manny, Joshua, and Matt are exceptional founders whose combined skills and dedication to continuous learning position them perfectly to lead Hona to success. They're just getting started, and we can't wait to see what they'll achieve.

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Exciting news! We just sent out the inaugural newsletter for Future Frontier Capital, our pre-seed venture fund backing frontier tech startups. As I hit "send," I realized how launching FFC parallels the path of the founders we support. Starting FFC has required the same passion, perseverance, and self-belief that drive entrepreneurs. Just like a startup, getting a VC fund off the ground demands relentless hustle—building the brand, perfecting the pitch, and networking tirelessly. There are constant challenges that test your resolve and endless hours of unglamorous work behind the scenes. And perhaps most daunting - the self-doubt, wondering if you're crazy for attempting something so bold. Pushing through that negative self-talk requires unshakable faith in your mission. Raising this VC fund reminds me of starting our IP strategy and patent analytics firm two decades ago. It’s a powerful reminder of the perseverance, creativity, and resilience needed to turn an ambitious idea into reality. This experience makes us more empathetic partners, ready to support the founders we back. Our work is just beginning, and this inaugural newsletter underscores our commitment to supporting frontier tech startups every step of the way. #startups #VentureCapital #EmergingManagers #Entrepreneurship #InnovationMindSet

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Last week, we shared the first part (1/2) of our perspectives on vertical SaaS (vSaaS), more specifically on which metrics define the performance of vSaaS businesses and outlining the benchmarks for each of these metrics. If you have not yet read the piece, give it a read here - https://lnkd.in/d94n2bgN This week we published the second part (2/2) where we call out certain strategies deployed by successful vSaaS companies like Procore Technologies Toast ServiceNow Zenoti and others that can be used to improve the metrics that matter. Read on to layer the numbers with the strats- https://lnkd.in/dPkmWFax Do reach out if you are building in the space or want to exchange notes / feedback on the perspectives. #fintech #verticaSaaS #embeddedfinance #investments

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Vertical Exit Advisors: Official Launch and Mission Vertical Exit Advisors (VEA) will officially launch in Q4 of 2024 after several successful engagements over the past two years creating a foundation for the firm’s success. We specialize in collaborating with Founder/Owners, Private Equity and Venture Capital partners to create optimal exit/profitability strategies for both portfolio and non-portfolio companies. We started with several successful engagements prior to our launch and now look to formalize the offering for both company buy side sourcing and sell side activity. This provides alternative pathways to success for customers beyond billion-dollar mergers or IPOs, offering solutions prior to unicorn valuations and diluted ownership. These solutions include enhanced profitability for current leadership or pathways to exits for owners and founders along with buy side partners. Our Approach: Many companies need support in product development, go-to-market (GTM) strategy, or financial cleanup to position themselves for a successful exit or profits within 6-12 months. VEA addresses these needs by integrating experienced operators into your team to preparing your firm for an optimal outcome. Our network of PE, VC, and investment banking partners enables us to perform thorough health checks, ensuring that founders and owners have clear expectations throughout the engagement. We become an extension of your team and align to your goals whether creating a stronger company or pushing for an exit through our partners. The duration of our engagements varies based on your company’s status, but our goal remains the same: achieve the financial outcomes required by our founders, operators, and investment teams. Our Partnerships: VEA collaborates with some of the top PE, VC, and Consulting Teams globally to fulfill our vision. Building on the success we’ve experienced over the past two years; we are expanding our internal team and partner ecosystem. This expansion will enhance our capacity to prepare your company for successful outcomes, whether through M&A, improved EBITDA, or increased profitability. Leadership: Steve Gantenbein, the owner and operator of VEA, brings a wealth of experience from managing companies with revenues ranging from $5M to $250M and facilitating over $10B in exits. Over the past five years, Steve has worked in the Private Equity sector, providing expertise on mergers from $75M to over $1.5B. He is a Stanford University graduate with a strong background as an operator, executive, or advisory board member. What's next: We will be providing additional updates following this announcement leading to our formal launch in Q4, however, wanted to provide a preview due to our success prior to the formal launch.

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LLC vs C Corp for software founders Watch this video to hear the thought process behind which entity to choose when starting out. Essentially it comes down to: do you plan on raising venture capital or issuing equity? If so, choose C Corp from the beginning. If you don’t, you’ll likely end up having to convert later down the line. Follow me for more legal business tips for SaaS founders.

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We just made Entrepreneur Media! THE NEW FRONTIER Dive into how Ascend Venture Capital's innovative strategies are redefining the game and what this means for the future of venture capital 📈💡 Read more here: https://lnkd.in/gd2nn5Hv #VentureCapital #Investing #Innovation #Finance #Entrepreneurship

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Product Market Fit (PMF) is a crucial yet elusive concept for many early-stage startups. Achieving it can make or break a company's long-term success. In the latest episode of the "Founder & CEO Podcast," Michael Viscuso and I discuss what PMF is, what it looks like, and what to do once it's achieved. Check out the podcast here: https://lnkd.in/g2fw7v9g

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Matt Sharrers emphasizes the critical role of vulnerability and humility for founders: 🌟 Being a great founder doesn’t mean you’re automatically a great board member or talent picker. 🌟 Ask for help—seek objectivity from experts who can guide you. 🌟 Focus on what’s right, not who’s right—it’s about the best decision for the business. 🌟 Embracing humility allows you to see the bigger picture and make better choices. "Success isn’t about having all the answers—it’s about knowing when to ask for help." 🎧 Watch the full conversation: https://loom.ly/sUc4-T0

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There’s a common misconception that high performance for professionals means pulling all-nighters and grinding until burnout. Placemade.co CEO Celia Lopez reveals the true key to sustained, long-term success. #founders #startupfounder #startuplifestyle #startupadvice #entrapreneur #femalefounder #founderlife #healthylifestyle

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