David Zhou’s Post

You're sitting across the table, your eyes alight with excitement over a pitch. But then, plot twist – someone starts questioning everything. It's part of the game, making sure we're not just seeing things through rose-colored glasses. Chatting with Sunil Nagaraj, Founding Partner at Ubiquity Ventures, highlighted one of the thrills of the early-stage investment game: the best funds out there, they've got a flair for the asymmetric - when someone at the table just can't hold back their enthusiasm. They're like, "Guys, this is it." They've spotted something – maybe it's the spark in a founder's eye or a market gap everyone else is missing. So, what's our playbook? It's about feeling that vibe, that "Let's roll with it" moment. We're not just throwing ideas at a wall; we're putting our weight behind them. We dig deep, ask the tough questions, but once we're on board, we're committed. That idea becomes part of the crew. And when those out-there bets win, it's high fives all around. Listen to the full episode: https://cutt.ly/Iw9uAt3z

"Organizations move at the speed of trust." In our latest conversation with Sunil Nagaraj, Founding Partner of Ubiquity Ventures, we discussed how without trust, you're basically trying to swim with one hand tied behind your back. And why do we lean into PR so much? If your story hits home with your audience right off the bat, by the time you're in your first pitch meeting, you're not starting from zero. They're already buying what you're selling, at least a quarter of the way in. That's the power of trust for you. And it's the same magic inside your team. When you're on the lookout for new talent, if they've already heard about the awesome culture you've built, how people are all-in on the mission, and they see you as the captain, day one, first meeting, or that initial one-on-one, they're not just showing up; they're already part of the journey. That's the kind of trust that builds the kind of organizations where everyone's raring to go, full steam ahead. Listen to the full episode: https://cutt.ly/Iw9uAt3z

Episode 10 drops tomorrow. Dr. Elouise and I discuss the rise of Private Equity (PE) in the ProcureTech space. Differences in Venture Capital (VE) and PE investments: VC: -Minority stake (<50) -Earlier stage -Less established -Greater tendency to be hands off; greater autonomy of the portfolio company -Investment is about growth -Accelerate innovation because they are more technology focused; not afraid to let the companies they back challenge the status quo, take novel approaches, or even pivot -Lead with innovation and obsession with a customer -Recognized procurement was a space to play in during COVID, but now there is too much tech -Do a good job of solving problems, but they're standalone and companies are moving away from standalone solutions -Standalone are doing the cooler things, but making each piece of your procurement value chain using a point solution is costly and prohibitive from a process perspective PE: -Majority stake (>50) -More mature -More established -Do a great job of finding the ones that have the highest opportunity to integrate into an ecosystem and helping them do that -Help expand a company's Monthly Active Users (MAU) count but things like customer satisfaction, support and innovation slow a little -Help bridge that gap to more of a partnership or ecosystem play -3 – 5 years is the goal to flip/sell the company or break it up into smaller pieces to sell Other things we discuss: Procurement leaders struggle going from one environment to another (ie VC to PE). PE firm will say to their portfolio companies, across our portfolio we use Oracle or SAP, and anything you use needs to feed into that. PE's priority is not necessarily to grow – goal is to flip (could involve growth or chopping it into little pieces); only buy so they can exit. Purchasing new tech is often hinderance to a PE's strategy unless something is so broken they can’t flip it – example: no financial accounting system. PE firms often push the use of consolidated suppliers (have their own buying group to consolidate spend and use bulk buying power to negotiate better contracts). PE's often replace large swaths or entire executive leadership team and come in immediately wipe out staff (often have the new CEO 'clean house'). 🎧 Episode drops tomorrow at 9AM ET.

Entrepreneurs and small business leaders, seeking practical insights for success, look no further! I highly recommend this podcast featuring interviews with individuals who have achieved remarkable success from humble beginnings. For instance, a nurse who started creating hair treatments at her kitchen table, later sold her business for US$0.5 billion. Key takeaways include: The importance of #curiosity over passion, #Resilience, #Partnerships Embracing #failure, a.s.a.p.. While these points may not be groundbreaking, hearing them in the context of this engaging podcast adds a new depth. Let me know if you agree #Entrepreneurship #SuccessTips #PodcastRecommendation

Episode #2 of The Hiten Show is out now... In today's episode, I'm trying something new! Two founders pitch me, and I share with them two perspectives: 🔴 The investor impression and the questions they'd likely face. 🔴 Then, I go deep into providing feedback on the pitch itself. You’ll learn: 🔴 The way I think about pitching investors 🔴 The one thing all great pitches have 🔴 The most common mistakes founders make when pitching 🔴 How to avoid these common mistakes Links to the full episode is in the comments.

Listen to our newest episode: "Nailing Your First Impression: The Anatomy of a Winning Pitch Deck, Part 2" out now! In this episode, hosts Michael Kelly, Jacob Schpok, and Ben Pidgeon break down the essentials of crafting a pitch that truly captivates investors. Here’s what you can expect: 🔍 Clarity & Accuracy: Learn how to communicate your startup’s vision and potential with precision.  📊 Strategic Competition Presentation: Discover how a well-researched competitive landscape can strengthen your pitch.  🎯 Investor Mindset: Gain insights into tailoring your pitch to align with what investors are looking for. This episode isn’t just about content; it's a masterclass in refining your pitch to resonate powerfully with investors. Tune in for actionable advice on creating a pitch that highlights your startup’s focus and potential! Listen now to learn more: https://lnkd.in/gWvhwrzt #InvestorPitch #BusinessStrategy #CompetitiveAdvantage

Your ideas are worth nothing. Unless you can execute better than anyone else. Or as Mike Cessario put it on the latest episode of Uncensored CMO they are worth ZERO dollars and is the mistake most people make at the start As he said investors will only back you once they can see proof that you can turn your idea into reality Its easy to spend all your energy on the idea but the really successful start ups became obsessed by how to execute it Liquid Death is a brilliant example of how to combine ideas with execution. Link to the full episode in the comments section below Kerry Collinge Andy Pearson Andrew Tindall

In our own lives, we may encounter setbacks, failures, or unexpected twists and turns. Instead of viewing these experiences as obstacles, we can choose to see them as opportunities for growth and learning. By embracing the idea that every experience is a lesson, we can cultivate a mindset of continuous growth and self-improvement. We can learn to appreciate the journey, with all its ups and downs, and use each experience as a building block for our future success. So, the next time you find yourself facing a challenging situation, remember that every experience is a lesson waiting to be learned. Embrace it, reflect on it, and use it to propel yourself forward on your path to personal and professional growth. Every experience, no matter how difficult or insignificant it may seem, has the potential to teach us something new about ourselves, others, or the world around us. In this episode of "Tech Careers and Money Talk," host Christopher Nelson speaks with Ryan Gallego, CEO and founder of Pouch 6 Studios. They discussed the financial strategies of long-term employees in the tech industry, including the importance of investing in company stock. Ryan shares insights on building wealth and growing your career in the tech world.

New Episode Alert: Maximizing Tech Company Growth within Private Equity with Nick Pericle and Nathan Henry on People-Powered Tech Tune into our latest episode, in which co-host Nick Pericle and guest expert Nathan Henry discuss the critical tactics that define successful tech ventures. In the fast-paced tech industry, knowing when to pivot and how to measure success effectively are essential skills that could dramatically influence your strategic outcomes, especially when dealing with investors expecting quick returns. In this episode, Nick and Nathan unpack the importance of end-user involvement and leveraging the 'voice of the customer' to propel your business forward. Listen now to gain invaluable insights that could redefine how you navigate the tech landscape and optimize your strategic approaches for better, faster results. https://lnkd.in/eCvGpp9X #TechStrategy #BusinessGrowth #ProfitOptics #PeoplePoweredTech #CustomerFeedback #StrategicAlignment #InvestorRelations #TechnologyPodcast

Research firm Preqin found that down rounds, where a company’s value declines compared with the previous financing, jumped to an unprecedented 27% of all venture deals in the fourth quarter globally, up from 14.5% in the prior quarter. In a #ClosingTime episode, Halle Tecco, MPH, MBA Tecco and I share some key pieces of advice for founders exploring a down round.   1. Prioritize clean terms over headline valuations. Choose simplicity. Shift your focus from headline valuation numbers to negotiating clean terms even at the cost of valuation. Avoid the complications of structured rounds for a more secure and straightforward financial future.   2. Try and safeguard your earliest supporters, if at all possible. If you must incorporate a pay-to-play, consider exploring legal exemptions to the P2P (based on share ownership, for example) to protect your angel investors to the greatest extent feasible. They believed in you back then, so try and look out for them now.   3. Incentivize employees through the storm. Incentivize your employees by negotiating a large option pool as part of the down round with a substantial portion to be allocated to the go-forward team. Transform demoralization into motivation by increasing their upside.   4. You got this. Embrace the journey. There are going to be hurdles and challenges in every startup journey. Recognize flat and down rounds as just a part of the entrepreneurial experience. This is just one moment in time after all!   Click here to listen to the full episode: https://lnkd.in/eGsXgzyV