Javy Martinez’s Post

👂 The (first) top 10 things I heard at the youngStartup Ventures NY Venture Summit yesterday... This was my first in the Venture Summit series. The panel discussions were *awesome* — so much insight and perspective shared from a huge variety of VCs. Here are the top things I heard from those panels. (These are in no particular order, and roughly paraphrased as I was taking notes on my 📱.) 1. "You should have tried *everything* you can to get funding BEFORE you approach VCs. If you're approaching a VC, you'd better be ready to scale." 📈 — Alison Perez, PhD of Lockheed Martin Ventures 2. "With the acceleration of AI, we will see the first one-man unicorn emerge within the next 5 years." 🤯 — Fred Campbell, Managing Partner at TRAC 3. "Being building your relationships with VCs *way in advance* of your first raise. Send them monthly updates as though they're already invested. And most importantly, I want to learn something from you." 📬 — George Krautzel of MissionOG ➡️ On raising angel/seed funding. 4. "If you're raising an angel round, there is zero proof of your value. It's a trust-based relationship at this stage. Build trust." 🤝 — Hemant Elhence, 3Lines VC 5. "At this stage, we're looking for founders to have realistic and grounded expectations of the future with evidence to back up any claims. We want to see that you have an outstanding team and the ability to manage the money you're asking for." 👭 — Daria Abbaei, Naples Technology Ventures 6. "We don't expect a seed stage company to have any/many customers. If you can introduce us to potential customers to understand what they see in you, that goes a long way." 👋 — John Dauer, Helium-3 Ventures 7. "If you're emailing us, especially cold, your subject line should be the most amazing proof-point you can share. Too many people waste that space with 'Coffee?' or something similar. Use it to get my attention." 📩 — Julia Gudish Krieger, Pari Passu Venture Partners 8. "If you're excited about pursuing a 50 million dollar exit for your company, don't bother reaching out to me. That type of return doesn't align to our business model." 💸 — Gary Benerofe, Mu Ventures ➡️ On getting VCs to sit forward and notice you. 9. "At the pre-seed or pre-revenue stage, financial models are meaningless. We're interested in how you're thinking about generating revenue: your GTM strategy, your ICP, and the future alignment of needs and features." 📢 — Zach Ellis, Jr., South Loop Ventures 10. "A financial model matters a lot at the pre-seed, pre-revenue stage. We know it will be wrong, but it's a window into how you view progress. It helps us assess your revenue expectations, your assumptions, on cost, and what needs to be true tomorrow to reach 50MM or more in revenue." 👀 — Karim Gillani, Luge Capital (There's no way I can pick just 10 nuggets. Look for the next batch this afternoon 🗓️.)

Launching a New Venture Structure — MA7 Venture The venture capital market is evolving rapidly, and over the past five years, my portfolio has expanded from just five to more than 40 startups. It is now time to streamline and structure this process. To this end, I am launching MA7 Venture— a comprehensive framework encompassing MA7 Self-funded Rolling Fund, MA7 Angels Club, and MA7 Community. MA7 Self-funded Rolling Fund represents a fund where I continue to invest solely my own capital, maintaining full control over risks and strategy. MA7 Angels Club offers a platform for investors who wish to join my ventures. This year alone, we have invested in promising startups such as Pioneers, Zeely, Zibra.AI, and Hero’s Journey. With over 80 investors already on board, we aim to expand the club to 300 members by next year. MA7 Community is an environment fostering robust networking and knowledge exchange. I firmly believe that people are the foundation of business success. Last year, my team and I launched a series of events for founders and industry experts, leading not only to new connections but also to real deals and partnerships. We will continue to organize key events, such as the upcoming Venture Apres Ski and Tech Venture Regatta, where investors and founders can discuss ideas, learn from each other, and uncover growth opportunities. You can find more details in media outlets today. To new horizons and successful ventures!

This week in our #𝗙𝗧𝗙, we’re spotlighting remarkable new 𝗩𝗖 𝗳𝘂𝗻𝗱𝘀!🚀🌍 🇺🇸 boldstart ventures 𝗩𝗜𝗜, 𝗳𝘂𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝗶𝘇𝗲: $𝟮𝟱𝟬𝗠 boldstart ventures, a Miami, FL-based venture capital firm founded in 2010, raised $250m for its seventh fund. boldstart ventures partners with founders even before their companies are incorporated, supporting them as they work to "reinvent the enterprise stack". They assist with testing ideas, securing early hires, and leading what they term inception rounds. Their initial investments range from $500k - $5m, with substantial reserves allocated for follow-on funding in their portfolio companies. Notable portfolio companies include Snyk, Blockdaemon, Kustomer, BigID, Superhuman, and others. 🇺🇸 Range Ventures, 𝗥𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲 𝗙𝘂𝗻𝗱 𝗜𝗜, 𝗳𝘂𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝗶𝘇𝗲: $𝟯𝟵𝗠 Denver-based Range Ventures recently raised $39 million for their Range Fund II, which will be invested in Colorado-based startups over the next three to four years. The fund aims to back roughly 25 businesses, with 70% of the investments going to seed stage startups and the remaining going to pre-seed rounds. Range Fund II has already made investments in companies such as Cascade Bio, MagicSchool AI, BettrData.io, BugZero, Scholarly Software, BoltWise, and HappyDoc. The firm’s limited partners include notable entrepreneurs and founders like Lee Mayer of Havenly, Bryan Leach of Ibotta, Seth Levine of Foundry, and others. Range Ventures takes an industry-agnostic approach, preferring to back founders with unique insights in often-overlooked industries. They prioritise being the first to financially support businesses with novel ideas, avoiding common trends like the "hundredth generative AI for sales enablement" platform. 🇺🇸 Fidelity Investments, 𝗙𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗩𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗖𝗮𝗽𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗙𝘂𝗻𝗱 𝗜, 𝗳𝘂𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝗶𝘇𝗲: $𝟮𝟱𝟬𝗠 Fidelity Investments, with a track record of over 600 investments spanning 15 years and a focus on high-growth, category-disrupting companies, has launched its first dedicated venture capital fund - Fidelity Ventures Capital Fund I. Fund I will pursue global investments across multiple sectors, with a focus on the U.S. market and the Technology, Media, and Telecommunications (TMT) sectors. The fund has already invested approximately $31 million across 10 companies in industries such as AI, aerospace, defence, data, and e-commerce. The leadership team includes Heather Bonner, Tim Cohen, Casey Condron, Jonathan Davis, Christina E., Lisa Di Iorio Krieser, and Tom Vercillo. If you want to stay updated on more fund announcements, sign up for our monthly newsletter here > https://lnkd.in/dUDMPTZx

Salesforce Ventures’ focus on reimagining the venture capital model highlights a forward-thinking approach that emphasizes long-term partnerships over short-term returns. This strategy is a game-changer not only for startups but for the entire ecosystem of businesses that rely on innovative solutions to evolve and grow. By leveraging Salesforce's vast network, operational expertise, and deep industry knowledge, Salesforce Ventures offers companies more than just funding—it provides a pathway to strategic growth and scalability with purpose. For enterprises, this long-term investment approach creates an opportunity to forge powerful B2B partnerships with innovative startups that are shaping the future of technology through Salesforce’s ecosystem. Enterprises can tap into cutting-edge solutions developed through these partnerships, driving transformation and unlocking new opportunities to enhance operations, customer engagement, and overall business agility. For SMBs, the Salesforce Ventures model democratizes access to innovation. By nurturing startups that develop scalable, AI-driven, and industry-specific solutions, Salesforce Ventures is fostering a unique ecosystem of tools and services that smaller businesses can readily adopt. These solutions often align with the specific challenges SMBs face, offering simplified yet impactful ways to accelerate their growth. At Maple DX, we value the role Salesforce Ventures plays in creating a dynamic ecosystem for growth and innovation. From enterprise-class enhancements to SMB-friendly solutions, the ripple effects of this reimagined VC model can be seen across industries. It mirrors our own mission—to help clients maximize value by staying ahead of the curve with the best in Salesforce technology and innovation. Let’s connect to discuss how Maple DX can help your business leverage the latest advancements brought by Salesforce’s ecosystem to streamline your Salesforce architecture and drive ROI. SalesforceVentures Innovation MapleDX BusinessGrowth DigitalTransformation Startups EnterpriseSolutions SMBSuccess SalesforceEcosystem ScalableGrowth StrategicPartnerships VCInnovation

The process of attracting and securing funding from VCs might seem mysterious, but it's attainable with a bit of know-how. Unlock the secrets to venture capital funding with these 12 things investors look for in startups. https://lnkd.in/ghNYyyBs #web3funding

Never stop fundraising!!! Don't let myths hold back your startup! This Perkins Coie StartupPercolator post reveals that venture capital deals happen all year round, even during the summer months. Stay prepared and align your growth strategy with investor interest to seize opportunities anytime. #Startups #VentureCapital #VCfunding #StartupPercolator

Today marks my last day as a VC fellow at f7 Ventures. As someone fascinated by startups and entrepreneurship, venture capital (VC) always seemed like an enigma to me and I was always curious how VCs assess startups. Thanks to Kellogg Venture Lab, I was given the opportunity to explore VC over the past winter quarter. This journey has been nothing short of extraordinary, filled with invaluable insights. Here are some of the key lessons I've learned: 1. VC Seeks Home Runs Over Base Hits: Venture capital is all about aiming for substantial returns. This journey taught me the importance of focusing on scalable solutions and significant market opportunities, evaluating startup growth from the lens of VC, and reflecting on my own entrepreneurship journey regarding what type of venture I want to pursue. 2. Good Pitch Decks Are Concise and Smooth as Slicing Through Butter: Successful fundraising pitches are sharply focused, weaving a compelling narrative effortlessly. After reviewing numerous fundraising decks, I’ve observed that the best ones are not overloaded with text. Instead, they clearly define the problem, propose a solution, outline the vision for success, and detail a strategic plan, all while maintaining a fluid narrative. 3. Idea Matters, But Execution Excellence is Key to Success: A novel idea catches the eye, but robust execution wins the day. I have been amazed by founders I’ve met who presented detailed financial projections, clear GTM (Go-To-Market) memos, and solid milestones for each step of their journey. This has shown me how founders with a solid plan and the operational prowess can bring their visions to life! 4. Tremendous Respect for the Founders: Building a venture is an arduous journey marked by countless obstacles. Throughout my fellowship, I met numerous passionate founders, including those from underrepresented groups and immigrants, inspiring profound respect for their resilience and innovation. Equally, I admire Francisca, Joanna, and Kelly at f7 Ventures for their exemplary conduct. Their dignified and humble approach to every founder, ensuring respect and consideration even in rejection, truly embodies the spirit of commendable VC. Thank you again to Francisca Gilmore-Yulee, Kelly Graziadei, and Joanna, for giving me this VC fellowship opportunity. It’s been an exhilarating journey filled with invaluable lessons. A special shoutout to Anais E. and Rahul Srivathsa, my fellow friends from Kellogg! This journey wouldn’t have been as enjoyable or smooth without you two. I hope our paths cross again soon! :) #VC #venturecapital #fellowship ⬇ For the full story of my VC fellowship journey and the insights gained: https://lnkd.in/gQa5N8nr

🚀 Revolutionizing Startups with A New Crowd 🚀 Thanks Irish Echo for asking us at Nobody Studios, how we're not just building start-ups; but reshaping the entire entrepreneurial landscape. Imagine creating 100 companies in the next five years—an ambitious mission that’s already in motion. 🔹 12 Companies in Production: Spanning health, edtech, legal tech, and more, with four ready for external investment. 🔹 Crowd-Powered Innovation: Over 1,000 investors from 55 countries in just two months, raising nearly $800,000. 🔹 Top 10 Global Venture Studio: Twice recognized for our groundbreaking approach. We’re moving at the speed of trust, leveraging advanced tech and specialized teams to identify niche opportunities quickly and efficiently. Dive into our article with #IrishAmericans leading journal, and maybe even join us in this exciting journey, whether as an investor, collaborator, or supporter. Let’s build the future together! 🌍✨ https://lnkd.in/gXKABrCb #Innovation #StartUps #VentureCapital #Crowdfunding #Entrepreneurship

Akshay Kothari, Co-Founder of Notion provides a unique and different perspective about why Notion raised $50 million from tier 1 venture funds such as Index Ventures and Coatue. In a conversation with Harry Stebbings from 20VC he says "We didn't have a need for $50 million, but we raised it because we saw that the talent was flocking to safety where all the people we wanted to hire needed some signal to say like this company is STABLE." There are different reasons why a startup would pursue a capital raise from venture capital funds, and as you hear from Akshay's story it's not always just about the money 💰. Here are a few reasons for startups to raise capital from VCs: 🚀 Startup need the capital to survive and scale - the basic state of tech startups, is that it takes them time and capital to develop their products and technologies and go to market. It might take a company 3-5 years to get their initial revenue, especially if we are talking about a deep tech and more scientific startups. In some cases of companies such as fusion energy or biotech, it might be as long as 15 years to get to commercial traction - VCs bridge that gap and allow those technologies to mature and scale. 🚀 Access to networks and commercial partnerships - VCs invest and support large portfolios, and by doing so they have some of the biggest assets which is their commercial and investment networks and relationships. It is difficult for a first time and even experienced founder to build those relationships themselves, and having VCs with portfolios who have done that in the past, and with existing relationship, will help them accelerate both follow on investments and commercial traction. 🚀 Specific industry expertise and experience - Founders that are building startups, and need market and technical expertise in specific industries, might chose to bring on board VCs with a lot of experience in their industries. They have Operating Partners and Advisors who can accelerate learning. Great examples are Gigascale Capital (Lindsay Walker, Mike Schroepfer) and Lowercarbon Capital (Clea Kolster, PhD, Alex Laplaza), Eclipse if you are building in the industrial space (Lior Susan, Aidan Madigan-Curtis) and of course the new NATO Innovation Fund (NIF) (Lars Frølund, Brooke Latham) if you are building a defense tech and deep tech company. 🚀 Access to talent and building stability - Akshay's story is quite a unique one where bringing on board top VCs with deep pockets and great reputation, bridge the gap for the right talent they needed. My assumption is that Notion was competing on the same execuitve and tech talent that would go to leadership positions at Google, Amazon and Microsoft, where they would find stability, cash and equity incentives competitive, and joining a startup would be risky. Having the back of Index and Coatue, bridge that risk gap. Each startup and its unique reason to raise VC money. #VentureCapital #Talent #Hiring #Startups #RaisingCapital

Don't let myths hold back your startup! This Perkins Coie StartupPercolator post reveals that venture capital deals happen all year round, even during the summer months. Stay prepared and align your growth strategy with investor interest to seize opportunities anytime. #Startups #VentureCapital #VCfunding #StartupPercolator