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Silicon Valley and the media industry that surrounds it values youth. The culture is driven by the 20-something irreverent founder with huge technical chops who in a “David vs. Goliath” mythology take on the titans of industry and wins. It has historically been the case that VCs would rather fund the promise of 100x in a company with almost no revenue than the reality of a company growing at 50% but doing $20+ million in sales.
Contributed to EO by B. Jeffrey Madoff. When the first case of COVID-19 was diagnosed in the US in January of 2020, the situation demanded a rapid response. A new, highly contagious virus posed an imminent threat to the world. This situation kicked off a chain reaction of events, including: Scientists began experimenting to create vaccines to combat the virus.
The "What’s your valuation?" question is a common component of investor Q/A. You need to be aware of and ready for this tough question from investors. Seasoned founders have a particular way of framing their answer to this question. In this Dreamit Dose, Managing Director Adam Dakin reveals the right approach on how to answer the valuation question when pitching VCs.
Back in the early 2000s, it was exciting to blog and use social networks to create our own media and move away from the traditional media outlets. That was the pull that got me into blogging and got me investing in Twitter. It was a powerful feeling. But a decade and a half later, it is obvious that we just replaced one type of media company for another and that we don’t really control our own media yet.
AI adoption is reshaping sales and marketing. But is it delivering real results? We surveyed 1,000+ GTM professionals to find out. The data is clear: AI users report 47% higher productivity and an average of 12 hours saved per week. But leaders say mainstream AI tools still fall short on accuracy and business impact. Download the full report today to see how AI is being used — and where go-to-market professionals think there are gaps and opportunities.
By Bryce Kelly. In an era where an endless number of apps, news stories, social media posts, and products are all competing for attention, it can be difficult to distinguish yourself from the crowd. Developing your brand means deciding how you distinguish yourself to your audience, and it determines how many people will interact with your organization and what the world knows you stand for.
In June of 2019, I got a cold e-mail with a single link: “My name is Braeden Kelekona and I’m the founder of Kelekona, a drone service for passengers and cargo. Below is a link to the pitch video. I look forward to hearing back from you and hopefully scheduling a meeting here in the city.” I don’t have the original video, but from what I remember it was just an animation of what looked like a flying bus.
In June of 2019, I got a cold e-mail with a single link: “My name is Braeden Kelekona and I’m the founder of Kelekona, a drone service for passengers and cargo. Below is a link to the pitch video. I look forward to hearing back from you and hopefully scheduling a meeting here in the city.” I don’t have the original video, but from what I remember it was just an animation of what looked like a flying bus.
Systems change can help university innovation ecosystems address challenges embedded into their structural foundations and shift to more positively impactful models. The post systems change: strategies to engage university stakeholders for ecosystem transformation appeared first on VentureWell.
Caya and his team at Slidebean kindly interviewed me about often-invisible deal-killer for startup raising money: the investment-culture differences between varying groups of investors. Did you know if you are using a SAFE note that 2/3rds of angels in New England angel groups will categorically decline you? Learn more about this and about how to suss out the cultural norms of your investment community.
The ‘How much are you raising?’ question is a common and important component of investor Q&A. Seasoned founders have a particular way of answering this question. In this Dreamit Dose, Managing Director Adam Dakin presents his view on the right way to answer it after hearing hundreds, if not thousands, of founder pitches. Make the specific amount you are raising and corresponding milestones clear at the beginning of the pitch, and do not give a range.
Longtime AVC reader Alex Wolf has a Kickstarter project that I think is awesome. She has long been working on a “pattern alphabet” to encode the patterns of nature and life. This project turns this alphabet into cards that can be used by kids in school and at home to learn. I backed the project this morning and I hope and expect she will do great with this Kickstarter project.
Large enterprises face unique challenges in optimizing their Business Intelligence (BI) output due to the sheer scale and complexity of their operations. Unlike smaller organizations, where basic BI features and simple dashboards might suffice, enterprises must manage vast amounts of data from diverse sources. What are the top modern BI use cases for enterprise businesses to help you get a leg up on the competition?
By Jewelle Saunders. There are definite benefits to focusing on your branding efforts for your business or organization. According to HubSpot , “Successful branding yields benefits such as increased customer loyalty, an improved image, and a relatable identity.” Brand positioning is the process of putting your brand in the mind of your customers and organization supporters.
During our March Quarterly Conversation, affiliates discussed the challenges moving from individual entrepreneur support organizations to a collaborative, community-based model. The affiliates that joined the conversation in March wanted to learn more about engaging with the resource partners in their network, so SourceLink® set aside time in April to continue the conversation and address unanswered questions.
Faculty grantee, Pedro Arce, designed courses that tasked chemical engineering students with developing innovative, nature-inspired solutions to societal challenges. The post reimagining chemical engineering education: q&a with Dr. Pedro Arce of Tennessee Tech University appeared first on VentureWell.
Contributed by Julia L F Goldstein, the founder of JLFG Communications , which helps businesses share their world-changing ideas through clear and concise content. She is also the award-winning author of Material Value: More Sustainable, Less Wasteful Manufacturing of Everything from Cell Phones to Cleaning Products. During an online business workshop in December 2020, the presenter asked me whether our venture was a hobby or a business.
Gearing up for 2025 annual planning? Our latest eBook from the Operators Guild is your ultimate guide. Discover real-world solutions and best practices shared by top CFOs, drawn directly from discussions within OG’s vibrant online community. Learn from senior executives at high-growth tech startups as they outline financial planning strategies, align CEO and board goals, and coordinate budgets across departments.
Last week I spent three hours with my six partners in a conference room talking through what we are investing in and why. It was a terrific session and I had more “ahas” in those three hours than I have had in many many months. There really is no substitute for sitting together with your colleagues working things out face to face. This week our team met with a founder in Singapore via Zoom.
By Bryce Kelly. Launching your business or nonprofit organization will often be about more than offering a product or a service. It will be about telling your story. Many YLAI Fellows have realized the importance of telling their story by focusing on their brand and communicating what sets them apart. This often means building a relationship with members of your audience, making them feel personally connected to the cause of your organization.
How do you raise money for your venture capital or private equity fund from family offices and high net worths? . I see five innovative new methods for raising capital which emerging managers such as Versatile VC are using, which I’ve ranked in roughly descending order of popularity: . Join the online communities and virtual conferences where investors participate. .
Mighty Financial specializes in supporting the financial aspirations of small businesses and entrepreneurs. With our comprehensive bookkeeping and precise accounting expertise with decades of experience across diverse financial roles, our team offers tailor-made services ranging from essential bookkeeping to strategic fractional CFO support, catered specifically to the unique challenges of technology companies, startups, and SMEs.
For National Space Day (May 7), we’re spotlighting Dr. Olukemi Sawyerr and her Faculty Grant-supported work spearheading the launch of the experiential learning program, NASA-CPP. The post shooting for the stars: Cal Poly Pomona and NASA’s innovative approach to experiential learning appeared first on VentureWell.
Contributed by Vincent Finaldi, an EO New Jersey member and vice president of TeleCloud , a second-generation business that provides seamless VoIP communications solutions. Vincent also invests time in his passion project, $econd Generation , a video podcast that addresses second-generation businesses and the unique challenges of growing past the founder, navigating through family dynamics and continuing the family legacy.
The tabletop gaming industry has exploded over the last few years as millions discovered or rediscovered its joys, but it too is evolving — and The Last Gameboard hopes to be the venue for that evolution. The digital tabletop platform has progressed from crowdfunding to $4 million seed round, and having partnered with some of the biggest names in the industry, plans to ship by the end of the year.
There has been this narrative about investing in VC funds that you have to get into the top quartile (25%) or possibly the top decile (10%) in order to generate good returns. I have heard that for as long as I have been in VC and probably have written it here a few times. Well, it turns out that is not right. Half of all venture funds outperform the stock market which is the benchmark most institutions measure VC funds against.
Lack of digitalization decreases business competitiveness. To thrive, embracing modern solutions becomes essential. The approach to digitalization often aligns with a company's business model. This shift not only boosts productivity but also automates processes and improves security. The tech market offers a wealth of technologies tailored for management, planning, and forecasting, replacing outdated pen-and-paper methods.
Starting and building a business is outrageously difficult. It demands long hours, deep research and analysis, and more blood, sweat and tears than a body should ever be capable of. One moment, you’re riding high on your latest successful breakthrough. The next, you’re plunged into the psychic underworld of failure. StartupNation exclusive discounts and savings on Dell products and accessories: Learn more here.
U.S. small businesses are on the road to recovery from the financial losses experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a new report by Intuit QuickBooks. The report, Intuit QuickBooks Small Business Recovery, published today by Intuit, uncovers the varied impact the pandemic has had on small businesses across different industries and geographies since March 2020, when COVID-19 caused many business owners to temporarily shut their doors.
Iconic Air has developed an air quality monitoring device and software platform that gathers and analyzes the vital sustainability metrics that oil and gas companies need to reach their environmental goals. The post streamlining sustainability metrics in the oil and gas industry: q&a with James Carnes of Iconic Air appeared first on VentureWell.
Contributed by Matt Bromley , accomplished big-wave surfer, well known for his films Risky Business and Risky Ripples. Every storm has a big wave to ride. I can’t emphasize this enough. As a professional big-wave surfer, I chase storms around the world. I surf some of the scariest and largest waves on the planet. I’ve been out in storms with swell heights the size of a seven-story building, waves reaching almost 25 meters high.
CAPTARGET presents a masterclass in M&A deal sourcing. Learn to cast a wide net, embracing seller self-identification. Consistency is the linchpin: keep the origination process steady for a reliable flow of opportunities. Diversify your tactics, employing various tools and vendors. Tech matters! Understand DNS settings, domain authority, and brand presence for optimal outreach.
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