Mrudul Shah

🚀 Unlocking the nuances of Product Market Fit (PMF) is key to building successful ventures. It's not just about creating value; it's about capturing it effectively. In the world of startups and innovation, the VC2 framework offers a lens to understand this dynamic interplay. At its core, PMF is about delivering a product that resonates deeply with customers while addressing a specific market need. But let's dive deeper. PMF extends beyond mere satisfaction, but also validate revenue models, ensuring your offering can be monetized successfully. Here's where the distinction between creating and capturing value becomes pivotal. To capture value, you must first create it. In the realm of macroeconomics, value creation translates to enhancing customer experiences in B2C scenarios or boosting profitability for B2B entities. Pricing models play a crucial role here, as they must strike a balance between delivering value and capturing it. Ultimately, the success of any product hinges on its ability to generate sustainable revenue. If a product or service fails to do so, its long-term viability comes into question. In essence, PMF isn't just about creating buzz; it's about building a solid foundation for sustainable growth. By understanding the intricate dance between value creation and capture, entrepreneurs can steer their ventures towards lasting success. Courtesy : Harvard Kennedy School and The Lean Product Playbook. #ProductMarketFit #BusinessStrategy #Entrepreneurship #VC2

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Simplifying the Asset Purchase Agreement (APA) in Micro SaaS Acquisitions // What is an APA? - Buyers acquire specific assets, avoiding unwanted liabilities. - Common in Micro SaaS to select valuable assets and minimize risks. // Key Components: - Purchased Assets: Codebase, customer lists, etc. - Liabilities: Buyers avoid seller’s debts. - Payment: Often a mix of cash, seller notes, and earnouts. Understanding the APA helps guide smoother acquisitions. Here if any Founders are considering an exit...

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GenAI continues to move at pace. In just a few short weeks, we have updates from Google and OpenAI, as well as a truly competitive offering from xAI. And the latest entrant from Mistral AI hasn’t even been recorded yet. But the real question we need to ask ourselves is how does this impact our products and services? ➡️Is ChatGPT moving a few points on the scale going to really drive more revenue for my business? ➡️How can I ensure that the functionality that I launched last quarter will be the same? ➡️What’s is the impact to customer engagement and am I seeing any noticeable change in MAU? Bottom line, thank you Jamie Hu for compiling, as I will continue to keep an eye on this space for my clients, but let’s make sure we connect this to metrics that matter. #genai #spaceRace #metricsThatMatter NB: I haven’t taken Grok seriously because it’s really not a very safe model, but this latest release is very worth taking note of.

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Unpopular opinion: (how investors can better support founders) Let just dive into it. There's a growing issue where startups thinks the first thing they should do is just raise capital... Not every company is entitled to investment, but when you (investors) open that dialogue or advertise this service, you must be aware of the impact you have on people. The most sensitive time for a business owner is when they are raising capital. To you, this might be a big check and 1 of 300 applicants this month. But to a founder, this is a salary for the next year. This is real life, and it's not to be messed around with. Here are some things to be more mindful of, and recognize when you (investors) are doing them: 1. 𝗜𝗳 𝗶𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝗮 "𝗻𝗼", 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝘀𝗮𝘆 𝗻𝗼: Don't lead founders on and give them false hope. 2. 𝗚𝗵𝗼𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗻𝘁𝘀: Failing to respond leaves founders in limbo. 3. 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗶𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗡𝗼 𝗙𝗲𝗲𝗱𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸: Offer constructive feedback to help founders improve. 4. 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗶𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗡𝗼 𝗔𝗹𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗹: Suggest other resources or investors if you can't help. 5. 𝗠𝗶𝘀𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗜𝗻𝘃𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗖𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗮: Be transparent about what you're looking for. 6. 𝗠𝗼𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗚𝗼𝗮𝗹𝗽𝗼𝘀𝘁𝘀: Keep your criteria consistent throughout the process. 7. 𝗗𝗿𝗮𝗴𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗢𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀: Respect the founders' time and urgency. 8. 𝗦𝘂𝗱𝗱𝗲𝗻𝗹𝘆 𝗣𝘂𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗢𝘂𝘁: Communicate clearly if you decide not to invest. There are some who do this incredibly well. Trust me, I've had the pleasure of working with them. I hope everyone else follows their lead. 🤔 Have you experienced any of these? How did it impact you? 📢 Comment or DM me "funding" to hear more from me about raising money for your startup. I'm here to serve! 🔁 Repost to your network if you enjoyed it and follow Travis James Mathers, for more about fundraising, entrepreneurship, high performance, and reaching your full potential. #business #entrepreneurship #fundraising

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𝗕𝗼𝗼𝘁𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘃𝘀. 𝗙𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗿𝗮𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴: 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗚𝗿𝗼𝘄𝘁𝗵? I see more and more early-stage founders willfully choosing bootstrapping/profitability over fundraising. Why is that? Adam Robinson recently shared about his remarkable journey from 0-$1M ARR in 16 weeks. This made me rethink the whole speed/stability paradigm of raising vs. bootstrapping. From my personal angle, I’ve tried both - Early on in Trendemon, we raised some initial capital and had to revert to profitability after I failed to secure our next round. That really sucked for the first couple of years (yes, years) but it also forced us to take a hard look at our unit economics and efficiency. Here a few learnings and questions I’d ask myself if I were at that crossroad again: CAC is King ========= VC capital can create some serious distortions in reality. It’s their model, I get it, but for many otherwise good companies, it can also be destructive. Focusing on growth over retention or CAC creates a very hungry yet inefficient animal. When there’s lots of money in the system (Hey 2020/21) all seems fine but as we entered the Hunger Game years of 2022-4, those VC-backed startups started dying in droves. Meanwhile, scrappy, efficient startups who have experience with starvation, thrive. Building s$%! is cheaper, GTM is faster ============================= Today, shipping new saas products is cheaper and easier than ever before. Validation and monetization can happen in weeks instead of months or years. In the past, raising capital was needed because unless you had 10 FT developers and inhouse GTM teams, it was virtually impossible to start let alone scale. Leveraging content, social and partnerships enable even very small teams to capture market share over their more well funded, mature rivals. Which path may be right for you and your company? I’d ask this: 𝗠𝘆 𝗦𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗲  Is your field highly competitive and rapidly growing, with only a few survivors making it big? Or does it allow for many players, most of whom won’t exceed tens of millions in revenue? What are the barriers to entry? If not very high, more proof/traction will probably be needed before you could raise. Is there a supportive VC ecosystem for your space? Do you have access to it? 𝗠𝘆𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗳 & 𝗠𝘆 𝗧𝗲𝗮𝗺  What are you personally willing to endure and for how long? How about your family/partners/co-founders? Why are you in this? What’s your endgame? Is it about building or exiting? Are there mentors/support networks you can access? Your most valuable resource is time. Deciding whether to spend it fundraising or building > selling will impact your company’s outcome the most. This decision isn’t permanent. Don’t be afraid to switch modes if circumstances change or if you still believe in your vision despite investor rejections, and as with anything, enjoy the ride, even when it's hell :)

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Slashing costs 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐭 prejudice is a false economy. Don't use an axe, use a scalpel. 👇 𝐄𝐱𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐑𝐮𝐧𝐰𝐚𝐲? ✂️ 𝐂𝐮𝐭 𝐂𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐬 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐟𝐮𝐥𝐥𝐲—𝐃𝐨𝐧’𝐭 𝐒𝐚𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐆𝐫𝐨𝐰𝐭𝐡 🚀 For SaaS founders looking to extend their runway, cutting costs might seem like the fastest solution. Sure, it can free up cash in the short term, but be careful: indiscriminate cuts can destroy what truly drives long-term success—innovation and strong customer relationships. 💡 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐥 𝐂𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐭-𝐓𝐞𝐫𝐦 𝐒𝐚𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 🕵️‍♂️ While reducing expenses may offer some immediate relief, overdoing it can undermine the very foundation of your business. Sustainable growth isn’t built on temporary savings. It’s built on a continuous commitment to delivering value. So, before slashing budgets, ask yourself: “Will this cut affect our ability to innovate or serve our customers?” If the answer is yes, think twice. ⚠️ 𝐀𝐥𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐒𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐁𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 🌱 Instead of cutting deep and wide, consider a more strategic approach: 1️⃣ Focus on Customer Retention: It’s more cost-effective to keep existing customers than to find new ones. Invest in improving customer experience, offering enhanced support, or rolling out loyalty programs to maintain satisfaction and reduce churn. 🔄 2️⃣ Innovate Within Constraints: Continue investing in essential features and product improvements that meet evolving client needs. In a competitive market, staying innovative is key to keeping clients engaged and loyal. 💪 3️⃣ Refine Your Sales Process: Streamline your sales funnel and target the highest-quality leads. A more efficient sales process can increase conversions without needing to cut costs elsewhere. 🎯 𝐁𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐨𝐬𝐭-𝐂𝐮𝐭𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐕𝐚𝐥𝐮𝐞 𝐂𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 ⚖️ Yes, there’s a time and place for cost-cutting—but it must be done thoughtfully. Don’t compromise on what makes your business unique: a product that solves real problems and a team that clients trust. 🤝 If you focus only on savings, you risk losing what makes you indispensable. 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤 𝐋𝐨𝐧𝐠-𝐓𝐞𝐫𝐦: 𝐈𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩𝐬 🌐 SaaS success isn’t just about closing deals; it’s about fostering relationships that drive long-term growth. Consistent value creation builds trust 🤝, and trust drives recurring revenue and referrals. Instead of asking, “How can we cut more?” ask, “How can we build more value?” 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐁𝐨𝐭𝐭𝐨𝐦 𝐋𝐢𝐧𝐞 🧠 Extending your runway is about making smart choices that won’t come back to bite you later. Cut where you can, but never at the expense of what keeps your customers coming back. 🔄

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People overcomplicate startup fundraising Listen, if you’re a first time founder: Avoid: - Long pitch decks to send out < (15 slides IMO) - Unreasonable financial projections - To much focus on your product/features - Not showing current competition Instead: - Focus on a simple pitch deck that can be skimmed (cause it will) - Reasonable financial projections with assumptions - Focus on the investment opportunity vs product - Show how you are unique vs competition Do this before you send out your pitch deck again. Sent it out from there. Investment is about multiplying money and getting someone to trust that you are the multiplier. Simple yet hard. If you want the exact formula for building up a pitch deck that helped me raise over 4 mio usd. Connect with me and comment PD and I will sent it to you. -MK

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𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗽 𝗙𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿’𝘀 𝗚𝘂𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗽 𝗙𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴📚 This ebook dives deep into the entire startup funding life cycle—from seed to exit—exploring all the funding sources available. 💰✨ 🔍 Here’s what you’ll find inside: 1️⃣ The startup funding life cycle 2️⃣ Funding sources 3️⃣ Real-life stories—funding experiences from startups 4️⃣ How to prepare for fundraising Hope you find it helpful! 🤝 ~~~~ Credit: Standard Ledger “Startup to Stayup” ♻️Repost to inspire your Startup Network💡 LinkedIn: Dr. Michael Tadros Agile | PMP® | cPgM® | BSc. | MSc. | PhD. #startup #startups #michael_theprofessor #startupfunding #success #research #partnerships #fundraising #investing #entrepreneurlife #innovation #founders #projectmanagement #smallbusiness #entrepreneurship #entrepreneur #entrepreneurs #venturecapital #investment #venturecapital #siliconvalley #technology

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OpenAI will kill many Startups. Here is how... Sam Altman has already mentioned that GPT 4 is going to be the dumbest model that we have ever seen. GPT 2 was already a big game changer when it was released, but now we are looking at GPT 5 and AGI. AI startups are being built on the OpenAI's model planning strategy based on only the current resources available instead of future planning with the upcoming models. With the current pace of the technology, they will soon be irrelevant as the new AI models would be able to outperform by 10x or even 100x better in all aspects. Also, as Sam mentioned, they would blame the OpenAI for their failure but it would be them thinking short term. Follow Shrey Chavez to stay updated. #ai #tech #openai #gpt5

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💡 Record-Breaking Acquisitions for Startups in 2024! 💡 Peter Walkers data reveals a striking trend: 77 startups, each having raised $10M+, were acquired in Q3 2024—the highest quarterly figure since 2022. 📈 But here’s the big question: Are these exits delivering real value to founders, employees, and investors, or are we seeing quick exits with limited upside across the cap table? It’s encouraging to see liquidity options picking up, yet quality matters just as much as quantity in these deals. As Peter hints, understanding the nature and impact of these acquisitions could reshape expectations for founders and #VC alike heading into 2025. 🔹 Could this mark the start of a new liquidity wave? 🔹 Will we see better data on the economic impact of these exits? Looking forward to more insights on this from Carta’s data team. 📊 #Startups #Acquisitions #Founders #VentureCapital #Liquidity

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Every experienced VC will tell you. At the beginning of their career when evaluating a new investment they were solely focused on TAM, Metrics, etc But as they got more time under their belt, they learned the only thing that matters is the people. Do I enjoy this person, Do I want to grab a beer with them after work? VC founder relationship is a marriage. You are going to be together for a minimum of 10 years. So you better make sure you like each other. Lior M. VC Battery Ventures Link to the full episode in comments

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How to Close an Angel Round: Securing angel investment requires strategic planning and building momentum. Here are essential steps to help you close the round: 1. Mass Syndication: Approach multiple investors simultaneously to create urgency and increase social proof. 2. Set Terms Below Market: Start with investor-friendly terms and valuation to gain initial traction with interested angels. 3. Build Social Proof: Mention reputable backers who have shown interest, as this can create momentum among other investors. 4. Rolling Close Strategy: Accept funds as they come, rather than waiting for the full round to close, allowing you to stay agile with cash flow. 5. Use Angel Networks: Platforms like AngelList can connect you with potential investors and streamline introductions. 6. Clear Deadline: Set a timeline to push for commitment, using milestones like holidays or oversubscription to create urgency. #AngelInvesting #StartupFunding #InvestorRelations #Entrepreneurship #VentureCapital 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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Why do VCs invest in laser guns over light bulbs? Because VCs prioritize founders who have a laser-focused path to product-market fit and growth. So, what does this mean for you? When preparing for your investor meeting, be crystal clear on these three things: 1️⃣ Who is your Ideal Customer Profile (ICP)? 2️⃣ What problem are you solving for them? 3️⃣ Why would they pay for your solution? Once the investor is convinced about the problem and your solution, then you can talk about your big vision: ➡️ How you’ll scale to $100M (expansion plans, PMF #2, PMF #3). Here’s an example: 💡 Bad: “Our product can help anyone struggling with productivity.” 🎯 Good: “Our platform targets remote startup teams with 5-20 members, helping them save an average of 15 hours a week by automating project tracking.” Do you know your ICP? Can you explain in one sentence why your ICP would pay for your product? Do you have a clear and confident roadmap for growth beyond your first product-market fit? Clarity wins meetings. Lasers over light bulbs, always. A personal note: I told you I like biking but mountain biking was not yet on the list until a trip I did to Namibia and it seemed like a good idea. It started easy, then got very hilly and rocky - happy I survived ;)

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🟧 What Makes a Startup YC-Worthy? Y Combinator (YC) is the world’s most successful startup accelerator, backing over 4,000 startups with a combined valuation exceeding $600 billion. With alumni like Airbnb, Stripe, and Reddit, it’s no wonder YC startups are reshaping industries. After analyzing the Winter 2023, Summer 2023, and Winter 2024 batches, some key trends stand out that provide insights into what makes a startup YC-worthy.  #️⃣ YC batches in Numbers: ~ 80% of teams have 2-3 co-founders. In the W24 batch, 65%+ of the startups are AI-focused. ~ 52% of the W23 startups entered YC with only an idea. 50%+ of the startups were in the B2B SaaS space. ~ 80% of startups of the W23 batch were based in North America. ~ 40% are based in San Francisco or the Bay Area. 🔍 Key Characteristics of YC-Worthy Startups in 2023-2024:  1️⃣ AI Everywhere 🤖 More than 65% of startups in the Winter 2024 batch embed AI in their solutions.   - Startups like RowBoat Labs (YC S24) specialize in AI-powered customer support, while Mica AI automates B2B sales follow-ups, demonstrating how AI is becoming the backbone of many industries.   - Generative AI use is booming, with startups such as DreamRP turning AI into creative tools for entertainment. 2️⃣ B2B SaaS Continues to Dominate 💼 Many YC startups are B2B-focused, offering SaaS solutions to streamline processes.   - OrgOrg (YC S24) enhances organizational productivity, and Merlin AI (YC S24) eliminates the need for multiple ERP tools in construction firms, saving up to 60% on software costs.   - These SaaS startups provide measurable ROI by automating tedious processes and driving efficiency. 3️⃣ Vertical Specialization is Growing 🏗️ YC startups are becoming increasingly industry-specific:  - Healthcare: Syntra (YC S24) offers tools to reduce administrative costs for private practices.    - Construction: DraftAid automates CAD drawings, cutting design time by 90%.    - Fintech: Affil.ai (YC S24).ai simplifies affiliate marketing compliance with AI, enabling faster growth. 4️⃣ Open Source and Generative AI Drive Innovation ⚙️ - Void (YC S24) offers an open-source AI code editor, empowering developers with greater control.   - HeyPurple (YC W24) taps into generative AI to automate e-commerce transactions, demonstrating how new technologies can simplify operations.  5️⃣ San Francisco Remains a Key Hub 📍 Despite increased remote work, San Francisco attracts around 40% of YC startups, making it a central hub for innovation. The Bay Area ecosystem provides proximity to investors, talent, and a robust startup community, giving local companies a strategic advantage. Sources: This analysis combines insights from Y Combinator’s latest batches and LaunchRoad’s research on 50+ YC startups, with valuable input from our colleague Ghazaal Hayavi. #YCombinator #StartupTrends #TechEntrepreneurship #AI #B2B

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Exciting Opportunity for Founders and Aspiring Entrepreneurs 🌟 Are you considering starting a C corporation in Delaware? 🚀 Look no further! Check out this free Founder Handbook tailored just for you! 💼 In this comprehensive guide, you'll discover valuable insights, practical tips, and essential information to help you establish and run a successful C corporation in Delaware. Download your free copy here: https://lnkd.in/g4R8MXaH Don't miss out on this valuable resource! #entrepreneurship #startup #Ccorp #Delaware #FounderHandbook 🌐

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#TISeed #ImpactBillionsRevenueTrillions #SanjayBhargavaMentoredFund Sanjay Bhargava is on the scaled up disruption path again. I have known him for more than 13 years of more than 20 years, since he and his better half Anita came back post the PayPal buyout in 2002 by eBay. For me the couple has the flavour of Don Quixote, wanting the Muskian Mars-shots on Earth ! They have involved themselves in IAC ( India Against Corruption), Anita has been involved in Clean Up Delhi campaigns, been shadow Municipal Councillor to see how Indian Bureaucracy stymies much progressive movement but then both worked on setting up International Innovation Corps (now headquartered in University of Chicago), to help top bureaucracy get talent from top US & Indian universities to envision & implement big transformations. They were involved in setting up Bharosa Club along with their son and his partner, to encourage direct selling and transparent data analysis of mutual funds. Now Sanjay is going solo. He wants young teams anywhere to attempt impact disruptions of planetary scale, and willing to put 100,000 USD of his own, help raise the other 400,000 USD and mentor through governments and his networks, these pilots. And he desires to see teams from anywhere in the world, working on all sides of the Economic & Social Pyramid, across geographies to build a Balanced Sustainable, Healthy and Prosperous planet, inspired by the Gita, he doesn't care if he succeeds but he is going to do his bit. And the prosperity index for him includes good health of both it's peoples and nature. He believes the world can live better lives with lesser consumption. These are the top professionals, who have seen the West & East and want the enterprise pathways out of the ideological & geopolitical impasses. And what are the ideas that will get this support? There are many trillion dollar impact ideas possible from any domain. These examples are just pointers. Poverty Eradication Not Just Alleviation: Reimagining responsible credit, welfare, and UBI Target: 1B+ users, $10+ ARPU Global Youth Platform: Serving the 18-45 demographic Focus: Community and global prosperity Target: 1B+ users, $10+ ARPU Sustainable Employment: Bridging global labor market inefficiencies Solving worker surplus/shortage mismatches Focus on scalable, ethical solutions Smart Villages: Innovative rural development Climate change mitigation Replicable, customizable solutions Investment Focus Focus on trillion-dollar impact potential Deep involvement until Series A AI-powered solutions for global scale Sanjay's Track Record : PayPal pioneer (Employee #7 at X.com) Former Country Head, Starlink India Led Citibank's growth from 1% to 36% market share in Thailand Scaled Citibank India to process 5% of national GDP with just 6 branches Endorsed by industry titans: Elon Musk Founder & CEO, Tesla, SpaceX Reid Hoffman Co-founder, LinkedIn David Sacks First COO, PayPal

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Tips & tricks for European VCs fundraising right now. From Rainer Märkle, General Partner at HV Capital. Have courage. Step up. Don't let yourself down on some negative. Pursue your goals. Don't just try to do the same things that others have already done. Do something different. Do your own thing. Find your niche. Find your theme. Find your segment. BUT. Don't be overly ambitious at first. It's a long-term game. Don't set the bar too high. Start with a very small fund. Invest the fund for a year or a year and a half. What do you think? Join the conversation below. 🔽 #venturecapital #angelinvesting #startupfunding #europe

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How Many VC Meetings Do Startups Need to Raise Their Seed Round? (by Data Driven VC) Dropbox analyzed several thousand Seed processes using a combination of pitch deck data and founder questionnaires. Adam Shuaib from Episode 1 summarized the results for us: 🔹 More VC meetings did NOT translate into raising more money 🔹 Founders who successfully raised had an average of 40 VCs in the funnel 🔹 Early-stage founders should aim to build relationships with the right VCs who fund companies in their sector and at their stage, rather than playing a high-volume numbers game. KEY TAKEAWAY Pitching smarter rather than harder continues to be the optimal way to get your seed round away with on average around 40 investors in the funnel.

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🚀 Ready to launch your VC fund? VC Lab Cohort 17 has a new AI-powered mission control, LP mixers, new tracks, and more. Learn how we can help... 🛠️ AI-Powered Launch Suite + Decile Base: Your AI co-pilot + Smart LP targeting & network analysis + AI-powered thesis builder + Personalized outreach tools 🤝 Enhanced Support + Regional Demo Days + Global GP-LP mixers + Premium mentoring + Institutional-grade resources 🌌 Specialized Tracks + Space Technology + Later-Stage (Series A/B) + Family Office Funds + Enhanced Emerging Manager Program 👉 Perfect Timing + Exceptional deals at reasonable valuations + Billions in LP capital seeking emerging managers + Unique window as established firms face challenges The Early Admissions Deadline for Cohort 17 is Monday, November 18th. Join the 50+% of new VC firms we've launched in the last two years. 🚀

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