Rich Maloy’s Post

Curious to lean about Angel Investing? Joins us today at 10am PT with Paul Walborsky to learn how to start investing in startups. Spread your angel wings and register here: https://lnkd.in/gt74_Ke5. #AngelInvesting #Startups #InvestmentPortfolio.

Tonight we're hosting Sumeet Shah from VHS Ventures at Startup Grind New York. Sumeet has spent over a decade shaping the future of #consumer products and #venturecapital, helping build and scale some of the most innovative early-stage brands. Tonight, we'll hear from Sumeet on: - how to build a strong foundation for your consumer #startup without relying on rapid growth at all costs. - why infrastructure (#supplychain, #data, #analytics) is the hidden key to long-term success in consumer brands. - lessons from the trenches to stay adaptable and scale sustainably by listening to your customers. From navigating #privateequity to founding VHS Ventures, Sumeet’s story tonight at Startup Grind will be packed with valuable lessons for both #founders and #investors. https://lnkd.in/dVg8B86G

Venture capital is not the secret sauce for startup success. The product you’ve built is. > Is it solving the problem you said it would? > Does it bring joy to your customers?  > How quickly is your target audience adopting it? In this climate, you’re not even likely to secure VC funding without showing traction in the form of revenue (especially as a pre-seed founder). In the first year at Connectd, we were generating bits of revenue through beta testing groups and personalised product packages for our early adopters. So not only did we make sales but we also received indispensable customer feedback. Just remember that venture capital is there to accelerate something that’s already working. It’s not a means to an end. What do you guys think? How vital is venture capital for startup success? #Founders #VentureCapital #Startups #VCFunding 

Early-stage startup founders significantly underestimate the impact of having an external investment, particularly from large VC firms, on their decision making. Most VCs come with a very specific thesis on rapid growth through bigger and bigger investment rounds. If you decide to pivot to a different product, or a region or business model that doesn't align with rapid growth... the pressure from them to change course, indirectly leads to many founders shutting down and returning capital. Choosing the right investment partner is crucial for your startup journey. #startups #vc

Empowering the 99% - Founder VC’s Game-Changing Approach to VC Founder VC is redefining the venture capital landscape by focusing on the 99% of startups often overlooked by traditional VCs. In a world obsessed with billion-dollar moonshots, we champion the high-potential startups that pursue meaningful growth, sustainable profits, and impactful exits. Built with the same principles as the startups we fund, Founder VC operates with agility, data-driven precision, and a relentless focus on solving real problems in the ecosystem. By transforming overlooked opportunities into investment-worthy prospects, we open new capital pathways, reduce barriers, and strengthen our collective ecosystem. Our approach combines deep data insights, efficient automation, and proven programs designed to prepare companies for capital-readiness without disrupting operations. We believe in real results, scalable growth, and supporting founders building companies of the future—not the .01% of startups that go on to become billion dollar moonshots. Join us in shifting the venture capital model toward something more inclusive, effective, and visionary. Because real impact isn’t about chasing the mythical unicorn; it’s about backing real solutions with transformative potential. #VentureCapital #StartupFunding #FounderVC #EcosystemInnovation

One of the saddest things I’ve seen as a human being is how many VCs exclusively vet for billion-dollar moonshots—and how few founders know this. One of my biggest realisations as a VC is how little I care about billion dollar moonshots. I don’t believe in unicorns. I don’t believe in complexity for complexity’s sake. I believe in problems, solutions, and real markets. I believe in profitable business models. I believe in repeat customers. I believe in the incredible, untapped value within the 99% of startups that traditional venture capital ignores. Venture capital with New Zealand characteristics is about recognising the potential our amazing Kiwi startups. Founder VC bridges ecosystem funding gaps for founders building high-impact companies with realistic, achievable valuation targets in the $100M-$500M range. Founder VC's mission is simple- more successful startups. Curious about the untapped potential in venture capital? Discover how Founder VC bridges the funding gap for overlooked startups. #venturecapital #founders #startupfunding #newzealand

If you're a Founder raising your Seed round, you need to know this 🔻 While the Venture Capital market is showing positive signs of recovery, early-stage startups are still facing extended timelines between rounds and an increased reliance on bridge financing to stretch their runway. Recent data shows that most companies raising a Series A are taking nearly two years to do so, with only around 15% of Seed-funded startups successfully making it to Series A. That's almost half of what it was pre-pandemic 😳. I recently heard a founder at a pitch event tell investors, "We’ve got about 1.5 years of runway, so we're good for now." While that might sound reassuring, it made me raise my eyebrows 🤨 Now, they might be fine, but I always say: prepare for the worst and hope for the best. As a founder, you should always keep a pulse on the fundraising landscape and be ready for any shifts in the market, even when things seem stable. Despite the uptick in capital raised and fewer down rounds, Seed-stage founders must carefully manage their resources to survive these longer intervals between funding rounds. If you’ve just raised, or are in the process of raising your Seed, aim for at least two years of runway—conservatively 🛫 Of course, each startup's path varies, and your specific situation may differ based on a range of factors. Staying adaptable and well-prepared is 🔑 Here are some free resources📊 to check out: https://lnkd.in/gJ9J7tcX https://lnkd.in/gr283tKf https://lnkd.in/gvSYA3ZE 👉 How are you planning to manage your runway in this market?👈

New pod episode drops tomorrow! We missed y’all and wanted to bring a little summer surprise to your ears while we plan out Season 2 coming this fall. We’ll be revisiting the state of Venture Capital in travel (our MOST popular topic from Season 1) and what some of the brains in our space are seeing in the current market — including some other areas outside of traditional VC. Stay tuned! #venturecaptial #traveltech #startups

#Startups Grabbing More VC Eyeballs in 2024! The venture capital world is buzzing and how! 🚀#DocSendReport2024 reveals fascinating upticks in VC engagement for early-stage startups. Pre-seed companies grabbed investor attention with a 37.2% rise while Series A shining stars noted an impressive 39.2% surge. What's cooking? 🧐📈 The answer lies in the ever-evolving market dynamics and the startup response to the same. 2024 has seen pitch decks getting more meticulous, giving investors a panoramic view of the startup’s understanding of the market, its strategies, and the value it has already started creating. 💼🔎⏳ Interestingly, the report highlights the post-money stage as the easiest point for investments. Investors are clearly showing a penchant for startups that have kickstarted operations and could be gaining revenue. What does this mean for you, founders? Emphasis on detailing your pitch decks can significantly bootstrap your chances of securing early-stage investments. 💰👍 But here's the question - What strategies have worked for you to keep your investors engaged? You can read more about it here https://lnkd.in/djXtctAp #VentureCapital #StartupInvestment #PitchDeckInvestment

Explore how startups are tidying up their cap tables to attract serious investors in a VC-restrained landscape. Learn the significance of a clean cap table in my latest post. #Startups #VentureCapital #CapTableManagement