Michelle Huynh

Case study: A new founder, who saw me present at The Price Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation, UCLA Anderson School of Management UCLA Anderson School of Management Venture Accelerator, recently reached out to me. After 25 years in construction management, and having never built nor designed software, she recently launched a B2B platform to fill an industry gap and solve a critical problem only someone with her experience and expertise would understand how to tackle. With the product in its first prototype iteration, she’s signed five paying pilot customers, and is now scrambling to build new features critical to future sales. This is a common story. I see this a lot with new digital B2B founders. “David, we need to build this critical feature set to sign up new customers. We’re on an outdated codebase, our UX is wonky, and we’d like to get it right for these new features. Can you help?” My first question was, “have you fully mapped out the user journey or drafted a process flowchart for how your target end-users currently conduct their business?” “I know their process…but no, we haven’t mapped out anything yet” she responded. “Ok then, that’s where we’ll start” I said. “And yes, I will help.” New founders on a mission, with a million (or billion) dollar idea, often miss the critical step of drafting what exists today for their target end-user. This is the value of journey maps and process flowcharts. These tools help visualize how end-users think at very specific points in their work day, and where, when and how they make critical decisions to move a process forward. Within the P.R.I.D.E. product framework, which I developed for new founders to build successful and scalable digital products, the above tools are described as “R”, for Relevance. After a new founder has discovered their “P”, Purpose or Problem to solve, the experience must be Relevant to targeted end-users. Have you encountered this challenge as a #startup #founder or in a #productmanagement or #UX role at a company? Please comment and share your insights. DM me for on-demand product coaching. BCG Digital Ventures GV (Google Ventures) UX Design Institute UCLA Anderson School of Management

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Case study: A new founder, who I met while presenting at The Price Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation, UCLA Anderson School of Management UCLA Anderson School of Management Venture Accelerator, recently reached out to me. After 25 years in construction management, and having never built nor designed software, she recently launched a B2B platform to fill an industry gap and solve a critical problem only someone with her experience and expertise would understand how to tackle. With the product in its first prototype iteration, she’s signed five paying pilot customers, and is now scrambling to build new features critical to future sales. This is a common story. I see this a lot with new digital B2B founders. “David, we need to build this critical feature set to sign up new customers. We’re on an outdated codebase, our UX is wonky, and we’d like to get it right for these new features. Can you help?” My first question was, “have you fully mapped out the user journey or drafted a process flowchart for how your target end-users currently conduct their business?” “I know their process…but no, we haven’t mapped out anything yet” she responded. “Ok then, that’s where we’ll start” I said. “And yes, I will help.” New founders on a mission, with a million (or billion) dollar idea, often miss the critical step of drafting what exists today for their target end-user. This is the value of journey maps and process flowcharts. These tools help visualize how end-users think at very specific points in their work day, and where, when and how they make critical decisions to move a process forward. Within the P.R.I.D.E. product framework, which I developed for new founders to build successful and scalable digital products, the above tools are described as “R”, for Relevance. After a new founder has discovered their “P”, Purpose or Problem to solve, the experience must be Relevant to targeted end-users. Have you encountered this challenge as a #startup #founder or in a #productmanagement or #UX role at a company? Please comment and share your insights. DM me for on-demand product coaching. BCG Digital Ventures GV (Google Ventures) UX Design Institute UCLA Anderson School of Management

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If you’re only thinking about how AI can make your teams more efficient, you’re just scratching the surface of what’s possible. Tombras partnered with PODS and encouraged creatives and marketers to consider how Google AI-powered products can help them not only do more faster, but also turn “impossible” ideas into a successful campaign. See our top learnings in the latest from Think with Google. #GoogleAILighthouse #ThinkLeadGen2024

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Introducing Relay™  built by Rebrandly in partnership with Wonder Cave: transforming text messaging with every click .🚀 The most powerful links meet the most powerful automation platform. Now, every messaging campaign can scale with: 📱 Branded short links that improve deliverability 🎯 Recipient-level personalization 📊 Real-time attribution tracking  🔒 Enterprise-grade security + trust See how global organizations are already using  Relay to boost conversion performance by 40%: http://relay.click #MarTech #SMSMarketing #TechNews #MarketingAutomation #ConversionOptimization

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Two weeks ago I spent 3 days with brilliant human beings discussing the state of AI investment with other angel syndicate leads, angel investors and VCs at Hustle Fund's #camphustle in Los Gatos. It was brilliant. Truly awesome to learn so much from insanely accomplished investors. But was so clear to me again is that the US and the UK are two countries divided by separate languages of ambition. Aspiration and ambition underlined by the cluster effect of successful exits, incredible talent and venture capital driven by operators and founders rather than accountants. But one reason why the US often trumps (pun not intended) the UK is they learn from failure. Run a startup that didn't reach the dizzying heights of venture-scale returns? Learn, reset and go again. What they certainly do not do is look at failure with glee and an "I told you so" attitude. Which is what I sense when I read most of the narrative around the failure of Cazoo. Alex Chesterman swung and missed. The business was flawed, unit economics didn't add up and in reality - there was very little innovation outside the vertical alignment of a well-understood business. But when we look down upon what he tried to do and 💩 💩 it all we're doing is making it harder for someone else to be equally as ambitious. Focus on what went wrong. Focus on the fundamental underlying business models that drive efficient use of capital and the push for profitability. But let's celebrate people shooting their shot and not celebrate the failures.

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Every quarter, California is home to more startup fundraising activity than any other state in the U.S. But in Q1 2024, the startup industry's traditional home was even more dominant than usual. Startups based in California raised 59.25% of all capital on Carta during Q1 among states where at least 10 deals took place. Compare that to a year ago: In Q1 2023, California startups raised 37.9% of all funding. Over the full course of 2023, the state's share of the fundraising pie was 40.41%. In total, startups from the Golden State raised $9 billion in Q1, up from $7 billion the prior quarter and the highest quarterly total since Q3 2022, when overall cash raised across the whole U.S. was significantly higher ($22.9 billion, compared to $16.3 billion in Q1 2024). This wasn't a matter of funding from other states receding while California held steady. The California funding scene seems to be surging, aided by the ongoing AI gold rush underway in and around the Bay Area. Some other highlights from the Q1 map of VC funding: -Massachusetts had the second highest share of capital raised in the quarter of any state, with 11.25%. New York was third, at 11.05%. -It was a tepid quarter in Texas: Startups in the state raised just 2.32% of all capital among states with at least 10 deals, down from 6.45% over the course of 2023. -The whole South region raised 12% of U.S. venture funding in Q1 2024, down from 23% compared to Q1 2023. -Colorado was another western state with a big Q1. The state's startups raised 3.64% of funding last quarter, up from about 2% last year and the fourth-highest Q1 share of any state. I'll drop a link in the comments below to my full story on how the Q1 map of funding shook out.

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USC just posted a nice writeup of the Incubator's run up to 250 companies. Nice brief on the program, which includes hundreds of founders, many funding rounds, acquisitions, funded accelerator participants, grant awardees, and more. Thanks to the many people who have been involved over the years, as founders, mentors, investors, supporters, and more. Looking forward to the next cohorts... (Article link in the comments)

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#SanFrancisco VC Contact Database. Over 275 venture capital firms, more than 2,100 VC professionals (including partners and principals), and 1,600 email addresses available. https://payhip.com/b/idx8b #startup #startups #vc #venturecapital #investmentbanking #privateequity #managementconsulting #b2b #founders #entrepreneurs

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Meta has launched Meta Credits, a new currency for purchasing virtual goods in Horizon Worlds! Discover how it works, the age restrictions, and what it means for the future of virtual economies. Will Meta Credits change the way we interact in the metaverse? Read more to find out! #Meta #HorizonWorlds #Metaverse #VirtualEconomy #DigitalCurrency #TechNews #VirtualGoods https://lnkd.in/dHGdGP-h

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Get GAP news: http://eepurl.com/sBQCT Resources for Research Institution POC, Startup Accelerator, and Venture GAP Fund Programs: https://lnkd.in/gRD4yDMC Berkeley to lead ‘Innovation Hub’ helping turn basic research into innovative businesses Picture this hypothetical: Another cutting-edge discovery happens in a laboratory beaker or on a computer screen crisscrossed by lines of code. Researchers agree it’s a big leap with real-world applications, but when it comes time to turn the published scientific paper into a business plan, they’re unsure of next steps or what use cases for […] #innovation #university #research #gapfunding #proofofconcept #startup #accelerator #venture #commercialization

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Ready to elevate your ad game? Discover how to craft captivating sequences that keep your audience hooked and drive conversions. From strategic ad placement to compelling storytelling, learn the secrets to turning clicks into loyal customers. Unlock the full potential of your Facebook campaigns today! 💡 ➡️ 𝐃𝐞𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐀𝐮𝐝𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞: Pinpoint your ideal customer to customize content and guide them through the sales funnel. ➡️ 𝐂𝐫𝐚𝐟𝐭 𝐚 𝐂𝐨𝐡𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐍𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞: Build a consistent and engaging brand story that flows across each ad in your sequence. ➡️ 𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐳𝐞 𝐂𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐄𝐱𝐜𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞: Use compelling visuals and memorable copy to capture attention and build brand loyalty. ➡️ 𝐎𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐢𝐳𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬: Ensure a seamless conversion experience from ads to landing pages, with a focus on mobile optimization. ➡️ 𝐒𝐞𝐭 𝐌𝐞𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐒𝐮𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬: Establish clear goals and monitor key performance indicators to fine-tune your campaign’s effectiveness.

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Seattle's startup scene is growing, but it’s clear we have some work to do. That was a main takeaway from our panel discussion last week featuring venture capitalists from top-tier firms including Brentt Baltimore of Greycroft, Victoria Treyger of Felicis, and Sunil Nagaraj of Ubiquity Ventures, moderated by Kirby Winfield. Their goal: analyze Seattle's startup landscape from an outsider’s perspective with active Seattle investments. They see a city rich in technical talent but with several missing pieces. Go-to-market strategies often lag behind technical capabilities; capital is available, but frequently from outside the region; and stronger community cohesion is needed to bridge incumbent tech leaders with founder types. I transcribed and edited our panel last week "Valley VCs 💗 Seattle Startups." https://lnkd.in/ggchXW4B

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📹 Ready to decide how to align your content strategy with Google’s preferences? In this video, we dive deep into AI Overviews and reveal a powerful strategy to help you choose the best direction for your embedding clusters! 🤔🔄 With Market Brew, you get a clear, actionable guide on whether to align your page’s top embedding cluster to match the target snippet, or to reshape the snippet to reflect your most relevant cluster. 💡 No guesswork here—Market Brew analyzes and provides the specific instructions you can feed into your LLM of choice, empowering you to refine your content like a pro! ✍️✨ So, if you’ve ever wondered which direction gives the best results, don’t miss this video. 🧩 It’s time to let data guide your content and get you closer to those top-ranking results! 🚀 👉 Watch now to learn more! 🎬

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Transform your browser into a powerful A/B testing lab with our new Chrome extension. No code? No problem! Now, marketers can effortlessly tweak, test, and transform website elements right from their browser using Statsig's Sidecar. Start making data-driven decisions and optimize your website on the fly. Read more: https://lnkd.in/geVJ2vxp Author: Jack Virag #abtesting #nocode #featureflags #productanalytics

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Summary: VC Neil Mehta, co-founder of Greenoaks Capital, has been facing criticism for his growing number of building purchases in San Francisco's Fillmore Street. In an op-ed, Mehta defends himself and states his intention to revitalize the city. Key takeaways: Mehta is facing backlash from local politicians and community members for displacing small businesses with his building purchases. He argues that his purchases are being made through a non-profit organization and he will not personally benefit financially. Mehta plans to reinvest any profits back into the community. Counter arguments: Local politicians, including SF Supervisor Aaron Peskin, argue that Mehta's purchases will harm the small business community. Mehta's ownership of a real estate fund that is backing the purchases raises questions about his personal financial motivation. #venturecapital #vc #venture #realestate #startups

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Good to know

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What exactly is Pre-seed funding? Ask 10 different VCs, and you’ll get 10 different answers. In this video, I explain how I define pre-seed at The Council Capital and why it’s so important for founders raising their first round of capital. #VentureCapital #PreSeed #StartupFunding #FounderJourney

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