David Lewis’ Post

11 days left. At the event, we will have founders with notable experience, including those in Forbes 30 Under 30, a TEDx speaker, founder with 3 successful exits, Let me introduce another star founder joining MELT! ☞ Founder & CEO @ Papr Industry: AI, SaaS Stage: Seed, Pre-seed An AI workspace that understands your company data. 💎 Notable: 3 founders with Forbes 30 under 30, 30+ patents in ML, and state-of-the-art retrieval tech for AI. ☞ Co-Founder @ Blok Industry: AI, B2B, SaaS Stage: Seed Helping product teams build for their ideal customers by simulating potential product experiments using AI. 💎 Notable: 3x exited founder, former data scientist in defense, TEDx speaker on AI, advisor to the UN on data security. ☞ CEO @ Rayda Industry: B2B, E-commerce, SaaS, Climate tech Stage: Pre-seed, Seed Global employee device-as-a-service platform. 💎 Notable: 3x founder, last company got into YC, Rayda just got into Techstars, and closed several strategic global partnerships. ☞ CEO @ Speedlegal.io Industry: Legaltech Stage: Pre-seed Speedlegal is Grammarly & Uber for contract review and drafting, saving founders and professionals ~$1k/contract and ~$140k+ per year in legal fees. 💎 Notable: 470+ active users, growing ~100% MoM, seven design partners, 20 EOs in the pipeline (2 public companies), 19k+ contracts reviewed, $30k+ in paid POCs. ☞ CEO @ dabbL Industry: Edtech, AI, B2C, Mobility Stage: Pre-seed, Seed A social app democratizing college counseling by empowering anxious high school students through personalized college and career recommendations 💎 Notable: App launched in August 24 with a user base of 350+ and 20-25% WAU Top 200 Startup Battlefield company for 2024 ☞ CEO & Founder @ Saptiva Industry: AI, Fintech, SaaS Stage: Seed Orchestrating smart AI agents for enterprises. 💎 Notable: Acquired by Twilio in 2020, bootstrapped to $6M USD MRR, and led an 18-person team—one of the only founders to achieve this success in Latam. ☞ CEO/Founder @ Oyyo.ai Industry: Insurtech, B2B, SaaS Stage: Seed Insurance underwriting platform for AI + human collaborative apps. 💎 Notable: Bootstrapped to $3M+ revenue, exited once, and gained first customers through bootstrapping. ☞ CEO & Co-Founder @ Fika Industry: B2C, AI Stage: Seed AI matchmaker connecting people from online to offline by setting up dates. 💎 Notable: Fika is Vietnam's 2nd largest dating app with >2M downloads, raised $3M from VCs, including Sebastian Knutsson, Co-Founder of Candy Crush. ☞ CEO @ Accessercise Industry: Healthtech, B2C, B2B, SaaS, E-commerce, Others World's first fitness app for disability. 💎 Notable: Founder is a 3x world champion, 3x European champion, and 5x National Sailing Champion turned founder. 【VIP Sponsored by】 Kyle Hudson , Founder of Stacks, Inc (Stacklist) ,Stacklist is a social bookmarking platform to save cross-platform and share with anyone 『MELT』in SF ｜10/7 5:00pm https://lu.ma/7zypq83u See you in 11 days :)

4 things I learned by studying Brad Feld (co-founder of Techstars) 💥 An estimated Half of new ventures are started by teams, with founders recruited from their networks. 💥 Being connected with others is vital to found a company  💥 Yesterday’s Innovation Came from R&D Labs; Innovation Labs and Startups Will Drive Tomorrow’s Innovation and Economy 💥 In the startup world, Give First means simply trying to help anyone—especially entrepreneurs—with no expectation of getting anything back. The data above can be found in his book: Feld, Brad, and Ian Hathaway. The Startup Community Way: Evolving an Entrepreneurial Ecosystem. Hoboken, New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons, 2020. This is why I became very diligent in tracking my own ecosystem. Here is the catch; most people use HubSpot to do sales; I using it for this; yes but ALSO; to track my entire ecosystem. I create custom properties in contacts and organizations to whom in which category they belong. One day, someone needs help (e.g., an entrepreneur) for X reason, and I look in a 4000+ personal engaged contacts who can be helpful to them. Because I categorize my contacts and add notes about how they can add value, in a matter of 2-3 minutes, I can find something relevant and often offer an introduction. ➤ That's what I call Ecosystem Data Mapping - Building your ecosystem with the help of data! How do you do it?

🚀 Less than 24 hours left to Unrest Demo Day 🚀 We just wrapped up our final dry runs and I couldn’t be more excited to share tomorrow what Caroline Roberts RNutr SENr 🌱 and I have been working on over the last few weeks. We’re proud of what we have achieved with Morrow (Nihilo Food Systems) and are now ready to supercharge the next stage of growth. For any impact investors who haven’t yet RSVP’d - this is your last chance!! 📣 #impactinvesting #coffeeoftomorrow #upcycledingredients #coffeewithoutcoffeebeans #demoday

🚨 NEWS 🚨 One of the biggest pull factors for joining Roei Samuel and Connectd is a joint belief of utilising those around you, building networks and a bank of advisors to make yourself successful, whether personally, professionally or for your startup 🧠 INTRODUCING Connectd: For Startups 🎉 We’ve analysed 1000s of start-ups, and the 2 behaviours that we see most strongly correlated with successful outcomes are: 1) Strong investor relations - leading to great relationships and accountability on core metric development 2) Access to experts that fill the blind spots that you have as a small team. This brand new product allows founders to make these behaviours - the 2 most linked with success - totally seamless. 🔢 Automated data reporting tools that lets you build dashboards within MINUTES and save you up to 16 hours - the only OS you’ll ever need for early stage growth 💼 Access to over 3,000 C-suite executives, board advisors and non-executive directors as well as 1,200+ investors on our platform 🚀 🎁 Free benefits such as $5,000 AWS credits, $15,000 worth of waived fees in Stripe and a 30% discount with Hubspot 📈 Produce your financial forecasts and models much easier with our built-in framework that has over 53 metrics If you’re serious about taking your business to the next level, you don’t want to miss out on this. Check out the carousel below for more info and hit the link to get started - https://lnkd.in/euhm4Vez #Startups #Founders #ConnectdForStartups

Whom should I meet? Isn't this one of the main questions we ask ourselves daily? Especially for startups and investors. - Who else is investing in this sector? - Which are similar companies to particular prospect? - What's happening in this country? - Who else is solving this problem? - Who targets this customer segment? - Who are companies at this event I should have a chat? At Starwatcher.io, we’ve spent considerable time working on this problem. Ever seen those "500+ active SaaS/Deep tech/Health investors" lists? Overwhelming, right? You open them and think, "Now what?" Some use them as spam lists. (Trust me, I'm on the receiving end!) VCs face similar challenges with expensive, tech-heavy databases. The value is there. Somewhere in that big pile of data. Same "Now what?" moment. It’s not about the size of the database but the ability to effectively narrow it down to a meaningful shortlist in context. At Starwatcher, we’ve built a different kind of database. Think of it as a map of the startup universe. You provide a point—whether it’s a startup URL, investor profile, or industry—and we’ll show you what’s happening around this point: related startups, investors, and more. Here's how it works: 1. Input a startup URL or type an industry 2. We show you what's happening around that point 3. Discover related startups, investors, and more The best part? We can analyze any startup URL in real-time. 🎉 We're in live beta! Head to Starwatcher.io to: - Try it! - Break it! - Share it! - Send us your feedback! Plus, claim your investor or startup profile to boost your visibility! So! Should we meet? P.S. Curious about our philosophy? Check out the full article in the comments below. 👇

Great to be back at my favorite NYC event, the NY Enterprise Tech Meetup (NYETM), hosted by my friends at Work-Bench. It was a packed house of startup professionals, including founders, leaders, VCs, and individuals seeking their next opportunity. The panel of VCs was moderated by Madeline Renbarger of Newcomer and included Grace Isford of Lux Capital, Priyanka Somrah of Work-Bench, and Sarah Wang of Andreessen Horowitz. Here are some key takeaways for me: 💡 It's not just TAM and cap tables. VCs are a lot like industry analysts in that they are a nexus of information. As you would expect, they speak with founders and customers, but they also consult experts in academia in their network to vet technology and trends. 💡 The startup community talks a LOT about GTM — go to market. For too many startups, GTM has a Princess Bride problem: "It does not mean what they think it means." This is something too few pre-seed and seed founders truly understand. Creating a product is difficult in itself. GTM is not intuitive, especially for the enterprise market. 💡 Very few large-scale LLMs are in production. It's still early. Huge opportunity. The customer POV is: "What can I run in a secure, compliant way that doesn’t break the business?" Every founder focused on AI needs to paste this on their monitor. Actually, every founder focused on enterprise should. What's hot? 🔥 Security (MyPOV: Not sexy, very messy. Always necessary) 🔥 Revisiting existing categories in data infrastructure 🔥 Vertical software that solves problems with high urgency and high frequency. And the quote of the night for me was from Grace Isford: "What is your narrative? What is your story?" She's speaking my language. Thank you Jonathan Lehr and Jessica Lin for curating such a great community. NYETM is taking a break for the summer. Can't wait until it picks up again in the fall. See you there!

💎 This post is for all the startups, founders and SMBs focused on growth. 💎 Paris Heymann, a Partner at Index Ventures, shared great insights from his firm's deep dive into the data behind successful startup teams and go-to-market strategies at Pilot.com's conference: #FounderTactics. Paris highlighted the importance of getting the right people in the right roles at the right time, debunking the myth that great products alone can drive growth. "Ideas don't build businesses. People do." Here are our takeaways: 📍 The Importance of People in Scaling Startups: ➡ Data shows that sales and marketing make up a significant portion of a growing startup's headcount, often increasing from 25% at 50 FTEs to 36% at 500 FTEs. ➡ Founders must focus on building a strong, aligned team and culture, as people are the true drivers of business success. 📍 Frameworks for Scaling Go-to-Market: ➡ At the seed stage, the priority is proving product-market fit through founder-led sales. ➡ In the venture stage, the focus shifts to establishing repeatable go-to-market motions and building a sales team. ➡ In the growth stage, the emphasis is on optimizing the return on investment in sales and marketing. 📍 Specialization and Attrition in Sales Teams: ➡ Sales teams tend to become more specialized as companies scale, with roles like sales engineers and sales operations becoming more prevalent. ➡ Sales organizations often experience higher-than-average attrition, particularly among individual contributors, requiring proactive management. 📍 The Impact of AI on Go-to-Market Strategies:  ➡ While AI is transforming various aspects of technology companies, its impact on sales and marketing has not yet been as significant as some may expect.  ➡ Founders should focus on building a more human-centric, personalized approach to customer engagement in the face of increasing market saturation. 📍 Navigating the Current Venture Capital Landscape:  ➡ Investors are seeking founders who are tenaciously solving the biggest problems and are deeply passionate about their mission.  ➡ During times of uncertainty, investors are looking for opportunities where the "why now" is compelling, as uncertainty can create significant opportunities. Want to dive deeper? Tap into #TheGreenRoomGuide's post "How to Master Product-Market Fit, the Index Ventures Way" and more resources below. #greenroomguide #conferencenotes #founders

Hello, New Week! . . Let's talk about Partnership: . . . In the startup ecosystem, no company is an island. Strategic partnerships can accelerate growth, expand reach, and enhance capabilities. But for purpose-driven startups, it's crucial that these partnerships align with your core mission. Here's how to build purpose-aligned partnerships: . 1. Define Your Criteria: Establish clear criteria for potential partners based on your purpose and values. This helps you quickly identify suitable collaborators. . 2. Look Beyond Traditional Partners: Consider non-profits, social enterprises, or even competitors who share your mission. Sometimes, unlikely alliances can yield the most impactful results. . 3. Conduct Due Diligence: Research potential partners thoroughly. Look at their track record, reputation, and commitment to purpose-driven business. . 4. Start with Shared Goals: Identify areas where your purposes overlap. This common ground forms the foundation of a strong, mission-aligned partnership. . 5. Be Transparent: Clearly communicate your expectations, limitations, and non-negotiables upfront. Honesty builds trust and prevents misalignments down the road. . 6. Create a Shared Value Proposition: Develop partnerships where both parties contribute to and benefit from the collaboration in ways that advance your respective purposes. . 7. Establish Metrics for Success: Define how you'll measure the impact of your partnership, both in terms of business outcomes and progress toward your shared purpose. . 8. Maintain Open Communication: Regular check-ins ensure both parties remain aligned and can address any drifts from the shared purpose quickly. . 9. Be Prepared to Walk Away: If a partnership no longer serves your purpose or compromises your values, have the courage to end it respectfully. . 10. Celebrate and Communicate Successes: Share the positive outcomes of your partnerships with your stakeholders. This reinforces your commitment to your purpose and can attract like-minded partners. . . Remember, purpose-aligned partnerships are not just about what you can gain, but about how you can collectively create greater impact. By choosing partners who share your values and vision, you amplify your ability to drive meaningful change while growing your business. #PurposefulPartnerships #StartupCollaboration #AlignedImpact #Falkeh3Cs #Purpose_month #Monday

Paris Heymann, a Partner at Index Ventures shared great insights from Index's deep dive into the data behind successful startup teams and go-to-market strategies at Pilot.com's conference: #FounderTactics. Paris highlighted the importance of getting the right people in the right roles at the right time, debunking the myth that great products alone can drive growth. "Ideas don't build businesses, people do." Here are my takeaways: 📍 The Importance of People in Scaling Startups: ➡ Data shows that sales and marketing make up a significant portion of a growing startup's headcount, often increasing from 25% at 50 FTEs to 36% at 500 FTEs. ➡ Founders must focus on building a strong, aligned team and culture, as people are the true drivers of business success. 📍 Frameworks for Scaling Go-to-Market: ➡ At the seed stage, the priority is proving product-market fit through founder-led sales. ➡ In the venture stage, the focus shifts to establishing repeatable go-to-market motions and building a sales team. ➡ In the growth stage, the emphasis is on optimizing the return on investment in sales and marketing. 📍 Specialization and Attrition in Sales Teams: ➡ Sales teams tend to become more specialized as companies scale, with roles like sales engineers and sales operations becoming more prevalent. ➡ Sales organizations often experience higher-than-average attrition, particularly among individual contributors, requiring proactive management. 📍 The Impact of AI on Go-to-Market Strategies:  ➡ While AI is transforming various aspects of technology companies, its impact on sales and marketing has not yet been as significant as some may expect.  ➡ Founders should focus on building a more human-centric, personalized approach to customer engagement in the face of increasing market saturation. 📍 Navigating the Current Venture Capital Landscape:  ➡ Investors are seeking founders who are tenaciously solving the biggest problems and are deeply passionate about their mission.  ➡ During times of uncertainty, investors are looking for opportunities where the "why now" is compelling, as uncertainty can create significant opportunities. Want to dive deeper? Tap into #TheGreenRoomGuide's post "How to Master Product-Market Fit, the Index Ventures Way" and more resources here: https://lnkd.in/etfqiNCW #greenroomguide #conferencenotes #founders

What do you need to consider before becoming an Advisor to an early stage tech company? Have you ever wondered why some tech start-ups skyrocket while others stall? One key ingredient could be their advisors. Last week, I had the privilege of chatting with Ollie Sharpe, a powerhouse in the tech industry. With his experience as an early employee at LinkedIn and the first commercial hire for Salesloft in Europe, Ollie brings a wealth of knowledge to the table. He’s now building Lative and advising companies like trumpet 🎺 and Glyphic. In our conversation, we explored: Why Companies Need Advisors: Discover how the right advisor can transform a startup’s trajectory. Finding the Right Fit: Ollie shared actionable tips on how startups can identify advisors who align with their vision and goals, and how advisors can find the right companies too. Building Effective GTM Teams: Learn the profiles of individuals that can help drive go-to-market success. Ollie was incredibly generous with his insights, and I’m excited for you to hear all the wisdom he shared. 🎧 📺 Watch the Full Interview: Check out the link in the comments to dive deeper into our discussion and gain valuable insights! 💬 What are your thoughts on the role of advisors in tech? Have you had any experiences that shaped your view? Share in the comments! 👉 Don’t forget to subscribe for more expert insights and tips on navigating the tech landscape! #saucedpresents #saasadvice #saasadvisory #startupsaas #techstartup