Investor Connect Podcast

Metrics by Stage of Life

Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing.

Startups go through three stages of life: product, growth, and operations.

In the first stage, the startup focuses on the product.

The objective is to find product-market fit with the focus entirely on the product and its use by the customer.

Key metrics include number of signups, usage metrics, and number of customers. 

The next stage is growth which includes a go-to-market plan, effective marketing channels, and a scalable business model.

The objective is to find the sales and marketing actions that achieve growth at a reasonable cost.

Key metrics include cost of customer acquisition, retention rates, and sales metrics.

The third stage is operations which focus on the underlying functions supporting the business.

The objective is to tune the business model and the operations for maximum efficiency to allow for scaling. 

Key metrics include margins, sales efficiency, and burn rate.

Each stage of the startup has a focus and a set of metrics. 


Thank you for joining us for the Startup Funding Espresso where we help startups and investors connect for funding.

Let’s go startup something today.
___________________________________

For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at: http://investorconnect.org 

Check out our other podcasts here: https://investorconnect.org/ 
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Direct download: Metrics_by_stage_of_life.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:00am CST

On this episode of Investor Connect, Hall welcomes Peter Storment, Co-CEO at Cedar Street Capital.

Cedar Street Capital provides top-tier services to companies seeking growth capital and/or merger and acquisition services. They also assist institutional private equity investors in identifying, assessing, and closing prospective investments. Cedar focuses across industries in emerging and frontier markets and diversified technology in the US and Europe. Sector specialties include digital health, biotech, medical devices, SAAS software, AI, Big data, crypto, alternative energy, and robotics.

Peter brings more than 25 years of experience as an investment banker, entrepreneur, and financial analyst covering multiple industries in the US and around the globe. With significant experience and expertise in emerging and frontier markets, Peter has, over the last decade, led the efforts in strategically positioning and building a leading global middle-market investment banking practice specializing in emerging and frontier markets in Africa, Europe, Latin America, and Asia.

Over the past 3-4 years, Peter has pivoted back to the US and Europe in terms of raising funding for tech firms, and he has concentrated on building a robust vertical in biotech, digital health, and medical devices. Key historical transactions include $15 million of convertible preferred equity for a leading micro-finance institution - Blue Financial Services of South Africa - and $161 million in preferred equity for a leading African Universal Bank.

Peter shares with Hall what excites him now, and advises startups and investors. He also discusses how he sees the startup industry evolving and his investment thesis.

You can visit Cedar Street Capital at http://cedarstcapital.com/.

Peter can be contacted via email at pmstorment@gmail.com, and via LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/in/peter-storment-a174968/

___________________________________________________________

For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at: http://investorconnect.org  

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Category:general -- posted at: 6:00am CST

Metrics by Startup Objective

Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing.

A startup’s objective changes as it moves from early to later stages.

Here’s a list of metrics by stage objective:

In the earliest stages of the startup, look for conversions.  

Basic validation is important to prove the market wants the product.

This exercise will teach you what type of customers to pursue.

In the next stage, measure the CAC:LTV ratio which is the customer acquisition cost and lifetime value of the customer using a minimum viable product.

This exercise will validate you have a profitable business.

In the next stage, use MRR or monthly recurring revenue to test the repeatability and predictability of your business model.

This exercise will help you refine your business processes.

Next, measure retention.

This exercise will validate you have a business that can grow revenue rather than just maintain it.

Finally, measure recognized revenue which is the revenue for which you have provided the service while the remainder is deferred revenue.

This exercise will validate you have a self-sustaining business. 

In each stage, focus on the metric that helps you prove you are on the right track.


Thank you for joining us for the Startup Funding Espresso where we help startups and investors connect for funding.

Let’s go startup something today.
___________________________________

For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at: http://investorconnect.org 

Check out our other podcasts here: https://investorconnect.org/ 
For Investors check out: https://tencapital.group/investor-landing/ 
For Startups check out: https://tencapital.group/company-landing/ 
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Category:general -- posted at: 6:00am CST

On this episode of Investor Connect, Hall welcomes Gurdeep Prewal, Co-Founder and Managing Partner at Rocana Venture Partners.

Rocana Venture Partners is an LA-based venture capital firm that invests in early-stage consumer packaged goods brands. They find truly disruptive, hyper-growth, mission-driven brands that provide consumers with better living choices. Their primary area of focus is in food & beverage, with secondary verticals of focus in beauty and personal care, wellness, pet care, fitness, and fashion/apparel.

Prior to launching Rocana in February 2018, Gurdeep spent 17 years in investment banking M&A and capital markets, in both North America and Asia, with roughly half of his banking career at J.P. Morgan and the other half at BNP Paribas. Gurdeep advised numerous clients over the years on transformative and award-winning landmark M&A deals and IPOs across various sectors, but most notably in transportation and consumer. Gurdeep brings his deep thinking, savvy deal-making and financial acumen to his venture investments.

Gurdeep is also an active angel investor in various industries, including being an early investor in PaTu Wind Farm, Moven, Selina, Relativity Space, Employees Only Aisa, Bai, Kettle & Fire, and Splendid Spoon. He is also an active board member of numerous private companies. Gurdeep is a Canadian citizen and a Singapore permanent resident, residing in both Toronto and Singapore. He holds a BBA degree from Wilfrid Laurier University, is a CFA charter holder, and is a graduate certificate holder of Tufts University’s Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy.

Gurdeep advises startups and investors and discusses the state of CPG investing and how he sees the industry evolving.

You can visit Rocana Venture Partners at www.rocanaventures.com, via LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/company/rocana-ventures/, and via Twitter at www.twitter.com/rocanaventures

Gurdeep can be contacted via email at gprewal@rocanaventures.com, and via LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/in/gurdeepprewal/.   

_________________________________________

For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at: http://investorconnect.org  

Check out our other podcasts here: https://investorconnect.org/ 
For Investors check out: https://tencapital.group/investor-landing/ 
For Startups check out: https://tencapital.group/company-landing/ 
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Direct download: Gurdeep_Prewal_of_Rocana_Ventures.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:00am CST

3X in 3 Terms

Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing.

I analyzed the results of several angel networks and found that 65% of the investments after three years were still in business but were no longer on the venture track. 

In most cases, they were growing businesses but were not going to be bought out for a significant return to the investor as the market conditions had changed, competition had taken over, or the founder was no longer interested in keeping pace to achieve a venture exit.

The best-case scenario was the entrepreneur would sell the business for 2-3X after 10 years, in which case the investor would get a minimal return on investment.

In my investing experience, three years into the investment, it becomes clear if the company will continue on the venture path or not.  

I often saw the entrepreneur signal their departure from the venture path by taking above-market rate salaries. 

I called this taking the “payroll exit”, in which case they no longer needed an “equity exit”.  

This left the investor stranded on the equity plan with no way out.

I set up a deal structure that would allow the investor to go on the payroll exit in the event the startup chose that path.

In this structure, the investor receives 3 times their investment 3 years from the date of investment.  So $100K in, yields $300K out.

If the company continues on the equity exit, then the investor may choose to stay in the investment. 


Thank you for joining us for the Startup Funding Espresso where we help startups and investors connect for funding.

Let’s go startup something today.
___________________________________

For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at: http://investorconnect.org 

Check out our other podcasts here: https://investorconnect.org/ 
For Investors check out: https://tencapital.group/investor-landing/ 
For Startups check out: https://tencapital.group/company-landing/ 
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Category:general -- posted at: 6:00am CST

On this episode of Investor Connect, Hall welcomes Craig Martin, Founder, and President at The Family Wealth Consulting Group.

The Family Wealth Consulting Group is a family-owned and operated fee-only financial planning firm that has been a fiduciary with clients in Silicon Valley, California, for over 35 years. This family-centric team focuses on helping families maximize financial resources for today, as well as for generations to come. FWCG’s unique expertise is building portfolios including alternative investments that give clients more money during their retirement years, as well as helping families manage the tax and estate planning issues that are top of mind for many clients who have a net worth.

Craig has been coordinating estate and income tax planning with investments and cash flow for high-net-worth clients of Silicon Valley since 1976.  He was an early adopter in 1990 when he converted his firm to fee-only because of his conviction to being a fiduciary so he could remain agnostic to which product or ideas he was advising, only with a dedication to helping clients make informed decisions. 

Because Craig is dedicated to continuous education in an evolving financial industry, he is convinced of the importance of building risk-managed portfolios using dissimilar price movement asset classes. He considers alternatives as some of the most efficient risk-management tools, so he offers alternative investments to his clients now using two different funds, where he is now co-investing with clients as an angel investor in start-up businesses. He has extensive experience in performing due diligence on start-up businesses because he has participated in dozens of due diligence teams along with other members of Keiretsu Forum, the largest angel investment group in the world. He teaches due diligence to entrepreneurs and other angel investors in the Keiretsu Academy as well as leading focused academies on this topic for the angel investment community of both angels and entrepreneurs. 

Craig earned the Master of Science in Financial Services (MSFS) in 1989 from The American College out of Bryn Mawr, PA, the largest and oldest institution exclusively dedicated to the financial industry. He also has qualified for several undergraduate level designations from that same college, including the Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC) and Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU), and then earned the mark of Certified Financial Planner (CFP) from the CFP Board of Standards.  He has taught financial planning classes at the University of California at Berkeley. 

Craig speaks about the state of angel investing and the biggest change he thinks we will see in the next year or two. He also discusses some of the challenges startups and investors face. 

You can visit The Family Wealth Consulting Group at www.fwcg.net and www.fwcgfunds.net, and via LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/company/family-wealth-consulting-group

Craig can be contacted via email at craig@fwcg.net, and via LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/in/fwcgcraigmartin/.  

_________________________________________________________________________

For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at: http://investorconnect.org  

Check out our other podcasts here: https://investorconnect.org/ 
For Investors check out: https://tencapital.group/investor-landing/ 
For Startups check out: https://tencapital.group/company-landing/ 
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Direct download: Craig_Martin_of_The_Family_Wealth_Consulting_Group.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:00am CST

Startup Success Rates

Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing.

The early-stage failure rate of startups is quite high.

Out of 100 startups, only 40% go to the next level at Series A.

Only 22% of startups reach Series B.

Only 15% of startups reach Series C.

Only 8% of startups reach Series D.

As for the success rate, only 9% of pre-seed companies reach an acquisition.

Only 12% of Series A companies reach an acquisition.

Only 14% of Series B companies reach an acquisition.

The most any startup can reach an acquisition is 16%.

The failure rate is near exponential.

It’s a hit business. You have a hit or you most likely will lose your investment.


Thank you for joining us for the Startup Funding Espresso where we help startups and investors connect for funding.

Let’s go startup something today.
___________________________________

For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at: http://investorconnect.org 

Check out our other podcasts here: https://investorconnect.org/ 
For Investors check out: https://tencapital.group/investor-landing/ 
For Startups check out: https://tencapital.group/company-landing/ 
For eGuides check out: https://tencapital.group/education/ 
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Category:general -- posted at: 6:00am CST

On this episode of Investor Connect, Hall welcomes Maan Hamdan, Managing Director at Hexa Ventures.

HEXA provides its portfolio partner companies with a scope of services that support the entrepreneur and help to accelerate the growth of their early-stage investments, while at the same time, de-risking the investments made and increasing the return on investment.

The goal is to match the needs of the entrepreneur with these core services. This unique approach allows the entrepreneur to focus on his/her core products and competencies and complement them with proven, low-cost, HEXA services and help accelerate time to market.

Maan is an innovator, investor, philanthropist, and entrepreneur with a wealth of experience providing focused leadership, building effective management teams, and creating and developing profitable businesses. During his 43-year career, Maan built and exited many successful companies, and invested in, and mentored many others.

As a philanthropist, Maan recently founded Hexa, an innovation eco-system consisting of 6 global companies. As an investor, he founded TrenData, an AI-based, predictive analytics company, and acquired Insala, an HR tech company. Globally, Maan founded over 12 companies in all 5 continents and invested in over 30.

As a corporate executive between 1980 and 1994, Maan held senior positions with PageNet, the largest paging company in the world at the time, and telecommunications conglomerate GTE (currently Verizon).

Maan received his BEEE in computer systems engineering from the American University in Beirut and an M.B.A. from the University of Texas at Austin. He also pursued doctoral studies in economics at the University of South Florida.

Maan sits on the board of a few companies and is a philanthropist, having established, with the help of his wife Weeda, a global education foundation (www.EducationUnbound.com) for the benefit of disadvantaged kids. The nonprofit acquired NuMinds Enrichment and works on promoting STEAM education globally.

Maan advises startups and investors, discusses how he sees the startup industry evolving, and shares his investment thesis. 

You can visit Hexa Ventures at https://hexagv.com and https://hexatx.com, via LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/company/hexavc/, and via Twitter at www.twitter.com/hexagv.  

Maan can be contacted via email at maan@hamdans.com, and via LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/in/maan-hamdan-37880

___________________________________________________________________

For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at: http://investorconnect.org  

Check out our other podcasts here: https://investorconnect.org/ 
For Investors check out: https://tencapital.group/investor-landing/ 
For Startups check out: https://tencapital.group/company-landing/ 
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Direct download: Maan_Hamdan_of_Hexa_Ventures.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:00am CST

Payback Plans

Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing.

Not every funded startup continues on the venture path to a high payoff from the sale of the business. 

For those startups, investors using an early-exit term sheet can find a path out of the deal.

There are several options for the startup to pay back the investors.

The company can use a revenue share agreement.

While the funds may not be available immediately for payback, the company can pay out of incoming revenue over time.

This is typically 2-3% of top-line revenue and is paid monthly.

In many cases, this will take more than a year to pay off.

Other options include the following:

  • The CEO can put the company up for sale and pay off the investors with the proceeds.
  • The CEO can pay off the debt or assume the note with a personal guarantee.
  • Other investors in the company can buy out the early-exit investors as well. 
  • The follow-on investors can pay off the debt to remove the investors from the cap table. 
  • The company could declare a dividend to the investors and pay it out over time. 

The purpose of the early-exit term sheet is to provide the investor a path out of the deal.


Thank you for joining us for the Startup Funding Espresso where we help startups and investors connect for funding.

Let’s go startup something today.
___________________________________

For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at: http://investorconnect.org 

Check out our other podcasts here: https://investorconnect.org/ 
For Investors check out: https://tencapital.group/investor-landing/ 
For Startups check out: https://tencapital.group/company-landing/ 
For eGuides check out: https://tencapital.group/education/ 
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Direct download: Payback_plans.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:00am CST

Thank you for joining us today for our TEN Capital Fundraise Launch Program.

In this program, we help startups prepare for a fundraise. 

We provide templates, tools, eGuides, and advice to founders who are working towards raising funding.

We'll kick off the session with a short overview on a fundraising topic, then we'll answer questions from the founders.

I hope you enjoy this episode.
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Thank you for joining us for the TEN Capital Fundraise Launch Program where we help startups prepare for a fundraise. 

For more episodes, please visit the site at: http://investorconnect.org 

Check out our other podcasts here: https://investorconnect.org/ 
For Investors check out: https://tencapital.group/investor-landing/ 
For Startups check out: https://tencapital.group/company-landing/ 
For eGuides check out: https://tencapital.group/education/ 
For upcoming Events, check out https://tencapital.group/events/ 

For Feedback please contact info@tencapital.group

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Category:general -- posted at: 6:00am CST

Redemption Strategies

Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing.

In an early-exit term sheet, the investors have the right to redeem their stake in the company before an acquisition.

There are several redemption exercise strategies.

The first strategy is to recover the principal investment.  

This makes the investor whole and now lets them play with "house money".

The second strategy is to place a third of the shares into a cash redemption to recover the initial investment, a third into the company as an equity stake, and a third as a cash redemption to place into the next startup.

This keeps the investors’ fund evergreen, supports the current company, and expands the portfolio.

The third strategy is to take half in debt and leave the other half for equity.

This evenly divides the funds into both sides of the investment options.

These are the most common strategies investors use to redeem their stake in an early exit term sheet.  

It’s important to take into consideration the needs of the startup and how best to support them.


Thank you for joining us for the Startup Funding Espresso where we help startups and investors connect for funding.

Let’s go startup something today.
____________________________________

For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at: http://investorconnect.org 

Check out our other podcasts here: https://investorconnect.org/ 
For Investors check out: https://tencapital.group/investor-landing/ 
For Startups check out: https://tencapital.group/company-landing/ 
For eGuides check out: https://tencapital.group/education/ 
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Category:general -- posted at: 6:00am CST

On this episode of Investor Connect, Hall welcomes Kate Mitselmakher, CEO and General Partner at Bloccelerate VC.

Bloccelerate VC is a platform for blockchain products and services to actualize their true potential, providing them with world-class mentoring, go-to-market solutions, access to peers, developers pool, academic evaluation and research, access to markets, regulatory compliance, and funding necessary for them to succeed. 

Prior to starting Bloccelerate, Kate spent 10 years with global market research leader Gartner, where she supported CIOs of Fortune 500 enterprises, mentored enterprise software startups, and advised venture capital and private equity firms. Kate is a renowned public speaker at global gatherings such as the World Economic Forum in Davos. She has also been featured on Forbes, GeekWire, and other publications as the leading investor in this space. Kate graduated with honors from Harvard University.

Kate shares with Hall what excites her now and advises startups and investors. She discusses some of the challenges they face and the state of startup investing.

You can visit Bloccelerate VC at www.bloccelerate.vc, via LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/company/bloccelerate, and via Twitter at www.twitter.com/bloccelerate

Kate can be contacted via email at kate@bloccelerate.vc, via LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/in/kate-mitselmakher/, and via Twitter at www.twitter.com/KMitselmakher.  

_________________________________________________________________

For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at: http://investorconnect.org  

Check out our other podcasts here: https://investorconnect.org/ 
For Investors check out: https://tencapital.group/investor-landing/ 
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Direct download: Kate_Mitselmakher_of_Bloccelerate_VC.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:00am CST

Key to Facilitation Is Operational Involvement

Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing.

In managing an early exit term sheet, it’s important to facilitate the ongoing information rights due to the investors.

Most term sheets provide rights to the company’s financial statements, including the income statement and balance sheet as well as the cap table.

This duty is often left up to the founder to follow up.

In the rush to close sales, hire employees, and make the company successful, the founder sometimes leaves the information rights duty undone.

For an early exit term sheet, it’s important to maintain this duty.

It’s best to set up a service that accesses this information regularly, say monthly to provide the investors the information.

Most investors believe that legal control is the best way to enforce the terms and conditions of the term sheet.

A better way, though is operational control.  

By gaining access to the company’s accounting system and bank account, the investors gain a better understanding of the company.

The more the investors know the company’s situation, the more they can help the company achieve its goals.


Thank you for joining us for the Startup Funding Espresso where we help startups and investors connect for funding.

Let’s go startup something today.
___________________________________

For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at: http://investorconnect.org 

Check out our other podcasts here: https://investorconnect.org/ 
For Investors check out: https://tencapital.group/investor-landing/ 
For Startups check out: https://tencapital.group/company-landing/ 
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Category:general -- posted at: 6:00am CST

This is Investor Perspectives. I’m the host of Investor Connect, Hall T. Martin, where we connect startups and investors for funding.

In our final Investor Perspectives episode on Impact Investing in a Post-COVID World, you’ll hear about changes expected in the coming 12 months and our guests’ final thoughts.

As the COVID pandemic passes, we emerge into a new era. The impact space is now undergoing tremendous change as we shift to a post-COVID world. Impact investing in the areas of sustainability and the environment takes precedence in the financial industry. We have investors and startup founders describe the changes coming up.

Our guests are:

Brad Gurrie, CEO, Socialsuite [01:13]
Luni Libes, Founder and Managing Director, Fledge [02:31]
Vishal Arora, Managing Partner, VDOSH [06:45]
Chelsea Burns, Principal, Escaladora Ventures [10:43]
Richard Samuelson, Chief Investment Officer, SWAN Venture Group [12:40]

We hope you enjoy the show.
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For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at: http://investorconnect.org    

Check out our other podcasts here: https://investorconnect.org/  
For Investors check out: https://tencapital.group/investor-landing/   
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Category:general -- posted at: 6:00am CST

Redemption Facilitation Process

Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing.

In an early-exit term sheet, it’s important to have a redemption facilitation process.

This includes the steps for setting up the bank accounts, capturing the investor’s interest, providing payouts, and investor updates.

The process also tracks escrow of repayment funds and later revenue share payments to complete the redemption process.

For the redemption exercise, here is the timeline and steps:

180 days from Note maturity:

  • Capture the current version of the cap table and financials, including the current income statement and balance sheet
  • Send a notice to the investors to consider their decision to redeem

90 days from Note maturity

  • Confirm the investors’ decision to redeem
  • Prepare payment options for the company to consider 

60 days from Note maturity date

  • Send notice to the investors of impending maturity and confirm their decision on redemption

30 days from Note maturity date

  • Update investors with status on a regular basis
  • Send notice of redemption to the company and ask for payment due in one week

23 days from Note maturity date

  • If payment is not received, then a payment plan will be due in one week by the company

16 days from Note maturity date if no payment plan is provided

  • Set up a follow-up meeting with the company to discuss options

Upon maturity of the Note or in the event of a Corporate Transaction payment

  • Create a promissory note of the debt due
  • Elect a board of directors with investors having a majority control


Thank you for joining us for the Startup Funding Espresso where we help startups and investors connect for funding.


Let’s go startup something today.
___________________________________

For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at: http://investorconnect.org 

Check out our other podcasts here: https://investorconnect.org/ 
For Investors check out: https://tencapital.group/investor-landing/ 
For Startups check out: https://tencapital.group/company-landing/ 
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For Feedback please contact info@tencapital.group  

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Category:general -- posted at: 6:00am CST

On this episode of Investor Connect, Hall welcomes Mark H. Goldstein, Managing Partner at Advisors.Fund LLC.

Advisors.Fund LLC invests in hyper-focused entrepreneurs that are disrupting entrenched legacy incumbents and an accepted status quo. They love the entrepreneur that is “all in”, knows the business that he or she wants to break, and can surf and grow through a few pivots.

To date, they have made over 100 investments in the SaaS, enterprise software, AI/ML, and digital health sectors.

Mark has been involved in online services since he got his first job at Apple and was put in charge of home investing, banking, and online gaming. He enjoys the rush of being the underdog with a new project and changing people's perception of the status quo. Mark has led industry trade associations, been a member of numerous founding teams, and personally started a dozen companies, the bulk with solid outcomes. He’s been driven to solve interesting, marketing-related problems in big-known sectors (i.e. retail, investing, health care, gaming, accounting) and being a part of a smart heads-down team where everyone has dirty fingernails.

Over the last seven years, Mark is all in for digital health and transforming healthcare as a full-time investor and advisor, runs a lit' seed fund, and is a partner at a Series A venture fund.  Mark is also the Founder and Chairman of UCSF Health Hub, UCSF's innovation center that helps the country's next best healthcare inventors and companies scale and grow.

Mark shares how he helps startup and growth companies, discusses some of the challenges they face, companies who under and over-invest, and more.

You can visit Advisors.Fund LLC at www.advisors.fund, and via LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/company/advisors-growth-formula/.  

Mark can be contacted via email at mark@advisors.fund, and via LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/in/mgoldstein1
____________________________________________________

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Category:general -- posted at: 6:00am CST

What Is a Cap Table?

Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing.

In raising funding, investors will ask for a cap table.

Cap table stands for Capitalization Table and is a document that tracks the capital structure of the company. In essence, it shows who owns how much of the company’s equity.

So, a company that has had multiple rounds of funding will have different investors in those rounds of funding (seed, angel, Series A, B, C...etc.), which needs to be kept in one place.

For presentation purposes, the cap table typically gives a high-level summary of the current percent ownership by each investor.

As the company plans future fundraising, the cap table shows the impact of those raises on the investors’ ownership. Current investors will have lower percent ownership but should make up for it in an increased valuation.

Cap tables include convertible debt, options, and warrants as well as equity. If an investor asks for a “fully diluted” cap table, then all of these are added to the calculation.


Thank you for joining us for the Startup Funding Espresso where we help startups and investors connect for funding.

Let’s go startup something today.
___________________________________

For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at: http://investorconnect.org 

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Category:general -- posted at: 6:00am CST

On this episode of Investor Connect, Hall welcomes Seren Rumjancevs, CEO, and Rain Kivisik, Founder at Dealum.

Dealum provides a superior investor group collaboration platform to build a vibrant early-stage investing ecosystem. Their objective is to become the leading global deal-flow source for early-stage investors by creating meaningful connections between investors and startups.

Seren has been involved in the technology and startup scene from the very beginning of her professional life. In over a decade in Tartu Science Park, building a career from Project Manager to Board Member, she saw first-hand how technology-intensive companies are built, how they succeed, and also learned how they fail. This didn’t stop her from falling in love with the fast-paced high-tech startup scene and eventually starting her own fashion tech company, Heelosophy, developing mass-customisation technology for high-heeled shoes’ insoles.

Rain is an Estonian entrepreneur and investor focusing on the technology and software sector. He has been one of the founders of several successful companies such as Playtech (listed in LSE), Contriber, and Dealum. He has also mentored and invested in 30+ early-stage software companies. Rain is currently working on software service for angel groups, with the goal of streamlining and making investing into startups more easier and transparent.

Seren and Rain advise investors about automating their investment process, discuss the state of investing in early-stage companies, the main change they see happening in the market, and some of the challenges investors face. 

You can visit Dealum at www.dealum.com, via LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/company/dealum/, and via Twitter at www.twitter.com/dealum_.   

Seren can be contacted via email at seren@dealum.com, and via LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/in/serenrumjancevs.

Rain can be contacted via email at rain@dealum.com.  
________________________________________________________

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Category:general -- posted at: 6:00am CST

Challenges in Building the Startup Community

Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing.

There are challenges in building a startup community.

It doesn’t happen by accident and it takes a focused effort over a period of time.

Here are some challenges to watch for and overcome:

Choosing another community’s strategy instead of your own.

It’s common for startup communities to look to Silicon Valley and adopt their strategy.

Silicon Valley has a unique set of skills, resources, and conditions.

Instead of adopting the Silicon Valley strategy, it’s best to review your community’s unique skills and resources and then choose your own strategy.

While your startup ecosystem should be inclusive to all who want to join, startup builders should focus on the ones with the highest potential for scale-up success.

Focus on the needs of the high-performing startups with your resources.

Apathy or lack of leadership can slow the formation of a startup ecosystem.

Rally the stakeholders around the startup community cause.

Identify the limitations and recruit the area leadership to help remove those barriers.

Recruit founders who have achieved success to give back and help foster the effort.

Reach out to the local university to gain their support as well. 

Build collaborative relationships among the various parties involved.

It takes several years and a great deal of community building to create a startup ecosystem.


Thank you for joining us for the Startup Funding Espresso where we help startups and investors connect for funding.

Let’s go startup something today.
___________________________________

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Category:general -- posted at: 6:00am CST

TEN Capital Presents AMA: Supporting and Partnering with Diverse Founders

This is the TEN Capital AMA show. I'm Hall T Martin, the host of the show in which we interview investors and founders on current topics. 

Our guests are:

  • J.P. Keating of VU Venture Partners
  • Kim Folsom of Founders First Capital Partners
  • Diane Yoo of Parliament Ventures

I hope you enjoy this episode.
_______________________________

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How to Launch a Startup Ecosystem

Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing.

For those who want to launch a startup ecosystem, follow these steps:

  • Start with a group interested in startups and meet regularly.
  • Encourage startups to share their projects and invite others to support through coaching and making introductions.
  • Set up a blog and publish a newsletter each week on startup activities in the area.
  • Interview startups and investors.
  • Build a resource list for all startups to use.
  • Recruit lawyers, accountants, and other professionals to join the meetings and provide support to the early-stage companies.
  • Set up events such as pitch sessions and happy hours to expand the network and recruit more people into the community.
  • Put the group on website lists for startup communities to generate awareness.
  • Set up a coworking space to give startups a place to work.
  • Recruit startup programs to your area, such as the 3-Day Startup, to provide additional programming.

Start small and grow your startup community through regular meetings and consistent newsletter mailings.


Thank you for joining us for the Startup Funding Espresso where we help startups and investors connect for funding.

Let’s go startup something today.
___________________________________

For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at: http://investorconnect.org 

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Category:general -- posted at: 6:00am CST

On this episode of Investor Connect, Hall welcomes Shahab Samimi, Senior Associate at 7 Gate Ventures.

7 Gate Ventures is a venture capital firm based in Vancouver, Canada, and Silicon Valley, investing in early-stage startups from Seed to pre-Series A in the technology industry, with a sector focus on software, SaaS, cloud services, marketplaces, mobile apps, and solutions, big data/analytics, blockchain, fintech, and healthtech. Assembled by a group of serial entrepreneurs specializing in tech, operational expertise, and venture capital, 7 Gate Ventures brings key industry connections, decades of international venture-building experience, and foresight to effectively strategize, mentor, and scale new businesses.

Shahab has very unique and diverse experience from fund formation, full deal life cycle, and working with early-stage founders. Shahab is responsible for expanding the firm’s local presence in Canada, deal origination, reviewing, executing, monitoring, and reporting on direct investments and partnerships, primarily in the Canadian market. 

Shahab serves on the Young Professionals’ Committee of the Association of Corporate Growth and is a board member at the Vancouver Enterprise Forum (VEF). He has over ten years of experience in entrepreneurial ventures, business development, and capital markets, co-founding Pura Foods and Northstar Endurance.

Previously, Shahab was at Performance Capital Advisors, a boutique capital markets firm, and Gravitas Securities, an investment bank.

Shahab advises startups and investors and discusses some of the challenges they face. He also speaks about his investment thesis, and how he sees startup investing evolving.

You can visit 7 Gate Ventures at https://7gate.vc/, and via LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/company/7gate-ventures/about/.   

Shahab can be contacted via email at shahab@7gate.vc, and via LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/in/ssamimi/.  

_________________________________________________

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Category:general -- posted at: 6:00am CST

Signs of a Strong Tech Ecosystem

Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing.

In building out your startup ecosystem, look for these signs to know if you are on the right track:

  • Does the ecosystem have strong clusters of founders and developers that meet up regularly?
  • Does the local community foster the startup ecosystem?
  • Is failure acceptable or not an option?
  • Is there a local university that is providing education and other resources to budding founders?
  • Are there a number of startup programs available in the form of accelerators and incubators?
  • Are there events around the startup community including weekly, monthly and annual events?
  • Are founders and developers moving to the area to participate?
  • Is there media coverage of the startup ecosystem in various forms such as news sites, topical blogs, and listicles?
  • Are there venture capital and angel investors active in the area?
  • Are there service providers available for legal, accounting, and financial services?

Look for these signs that you have a growing entrepreneur ecosystem.


Thank you for joining us for the Startup Funding Espresso where we help startups and investors connect for funding.

Let’s go startup something today.

___________________________________

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This is Investor Perspectives. I’m the host of Investor Connect, Hall T. Martin, where we connect startups and investors for funding.

In our new Investor Perspectives series entitled “Impact Investing in a post-COVID World”, you’ll hear about participation in the impact investing space and what investors look for.

As the COVID pandemic passes, we emerge into a new era. The impact space is now undergoing tremendous change as we shift to a post-COVID world. Impact investing in the areas of sustainability and the environment takes precedence in the financial industry. We have investors and startup founders describe the changes coming up.

Our guests are:

Brad Gurrie, CEO, Socialsuite [01:13]
Luni Libes, Founder and Managing Director, Fledge [02:50]
Vishal Arora, Managing Partner, VDOSH [05:34]
Chelsea Burns, Principal, Escaladora Ventures [07:05]
Richard Samuelson, Chief Investment Officer, SWAN Venture Group [08:53]

We hope you enjoy the show.
_______________________________

For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at: http://investorconnect.org    

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Assessing Your Startup Ecosystem 

Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing.

In building your startup ecosystem, take time to assess its effectiveness.

Here are some key points to look for:

Do entrepreneurs connect and learn from each other?

If not, set up events to increase the interactions and foster interactions.

Do the entrepreneur groups share resources?

If not, foster collaboration among the groups and help set up resource sharing such as job boards, funding sources, and other tools.

Do experienced entrepreneurs provide coaching and mentorship?

If not, engage the serial entrepreneurs to capture their experience and share with others.

Does the community have leaders with entrepreneur experience?

If not, help recruit experienced entrepreneurs into the leadership roles.

Do the investment groups provide financial support to a range of companies or only a select few?

If only a select number receive funding, help set up pitch competitions to bring funding to a broader number of startups.

Do the coworking spaces support the startups beyond providing a place to work?

If not, then integrate support organizations with the coworking spaces by having their offices at the coworking space to provide more support. 


Thank you for joining us for the Startup Funding Espresso where we help startups and investors connect for funding.

Let’s go startup something today.
___________________________________

For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at: http://investorconnect.org 

Check out our other podcasts here: https://investorconnect.org/ 
For Investors check out: https://tencapital.group/investor-landing/ 
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Category:general -- posted at: 6:00am CST

On this episode of Investor Connect, Hall welcomes Redg Snodgrass, Founder, Chairman, and CEO of 5of5.vc.

5of5.vc is a partnership of multi-exit founders across a range of industries including Saas, e-commerce, mobile, wearables/IoT, logistics, fintech, and APIs. As senior-level subject matter experts and analysts, 5of5.vc provides market intelligence, actionable recommendations, and skilled support around the 5 core elements of a business: technology/product, marketing/PR, sales/business development, operations/finance, and culture and hiring. 

With over 15 years of experience in early-stage technology for startups and large corporations, Redg has leveraged an appetite for business development around large distribution technology. His early successes focused on building strong senior collaborative teams for large new technology ecosystems around mutually respectful business models - first with Squaretrade, then with Skout, Alcatel-Lucent/Bell Labs Global Telecom API business, Taploid, Wearable World IOT / ReadWrite, and Sheeva.AI. Redg is best known for working with founders on their business tech stack, helping them identify the right people/partners to make their business work, and helping them identify the right sources of capital to successfully grow their business. 

Redg discusses crowdfunding as an investment option and fundraising tool, how crowdfunding cooperates/competes with angel and venture capital funding, and much more.

You can visit 5of5.vc at https://5of5.vc/, and via LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/company/5of5/

Redg can be contacted via email at redg@5of5.vc, and via LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/in/redgiesnodgrass/#

_________________________________________________________________________

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Category:general -- posted at: 6:00am CST

How to Get the Most From Your Startup Ecosystem 

Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing.

For those who want to engage with the startup ecosystem, here are some key points to consider:

Know why you want to engage with the community and what you want to take away from your experience.

The best way to meet people is to join groups and engage with their activities.

Many groups have volunteer and other positions available.

Reach out to group leaders and offer support.

If asked for advice or mentorship, provide it as well.

These roles provide opportunities to learn the space and identify resources that can be helpful later.

It’s important to stay engaged in order to progress with the community.

After you have some experience with the startup ecosystem you may want to set up your own group.

Look at other startup ecosystems for ideas that would apply to your area. 

Look for gaps to fill rather than copying what others are already doing. 

Before launching it, check with the other groups for feedback.


Thank you for joining us for the Startup Funding Espresso where we help startups and investors connect for funding.

Let’s go startup something today.
___________________________________

For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at: http://investorconnect.org 

Check out our other podcasts here: https://investorconnect.org/ 
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Category:general -- posted at: 6:00am CST

On this episode of Investor Connect, Hall welcomes Gary Nacht, Co-founder at Sterling Advisory Services, dba CAFÉ Central.

Sterling Advisory Services, dba CAFÉ Central, advises troubled and underperforming companies, helping them return to cash-flow positive. They also acquire "corporate orphans," distressed and underperforming companies no longer wanted by their owners and looking for a fast, under-the-radar solution to a quick exit with no strings attached. In addition, they help pre-revenue and early-stage SMBs use a CAFÉ ("Continuous Agreement for Future Equity") to raise capital, either stand-alone or in conjunction with other fundraising activities.

Gary has been acquiring and advising companies for over 30 years, specializing in helping companies improve profitability, cash flow, and liquidity. His acquisitions included Kmart Canada ($1.2 billion Canadian big-box retailer), Gemini Industries ($160 million Philips-branded consumer electronics distributor), GPX Inc. ($180 million private label CE company), AmerTac ($60 million distributor of lighting accessories), and Northern Reflections ($100 million, 150-store Canadian womenswear retail chain). In most cases, the companies acquired were either 1) “pre-bankruptcy” corporate orphans no longer wanted by their owners (private equity, corporate parents, etc.) looking for a fast-track, off-the-radar exit with high certainty of closing, or 2) companies in private equity portfolios at the end of the fund’s life that were never sold.

Gary discusses his new investment structure - Continuous Agreement for Future Equity (CAFE) - what inspired him to create it, who the primary user is, and who else can benefit from it.

You can visit Sterling Advisory Services, dba CAFÉ Central, at www.cafecentral.us, and via LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/company/sterling-advisory-services

Gary can be contacted via email at gary@cafecentral.us and via LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/in/garynacht/. _________________________________________________________________________

For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at: http://investorconnect.org  

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Direct download: Gary_Nacht_of__Sterling_Advisory_Services_dba_CAF_Central.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:00am CST

Building Your Startup Ecosystem Resource List

Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing.

In building out your startup ecosystem, start by identifying the resources in your area.

Search for the groups that foster and support startups.

This includes the following:

  • Incubators and accelerators.
  • Coworking spaces catering to early-stage companies.
  • Local media organizations that feature startups.
  • Blog sites that post on startups such as fundraises, hirings, and exits.
  • Networking groups that foster technologies or businesses. 
  • Education programs including the local university as well as coding schools. 
  • Funding sources including venture capitalists and angel groups.
  • Entrepreneurship programs run by foundations, the city or the state.
  • Grant programs available to those in your area.
  • Job sites for posting and finding workers for startups.

Capture this information in one place and promote it to the community.

Encourage contributions from the community to grow the resource site. 


Thank you for joining us for the Startup Funding Espresso where we help startups and investors connect for funding.

Let’s go startup something today.
___________________________________

For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at: http://investorconnect.org 

Check out our other podcasts here: https://investorconnect.org/ 
For Investors check out: https://tencapital.group/investor-landing/ 
For Startups check out: https://tencapital.group/company-landing/ 
For eGuides check out: https://tencapital.group/education/ 
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Direct download: Building_your_startup_ecosystem_resource_list.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:00am CST

On this episode of Investor Connect, Hall welcomes Gerardo Legorreta, CEO at Altum Capital. 

Founded in 2014, Altum Capital is a senior secured private debt fund manager (managing three funds, one private fund in Mexican pesos, another private fund in USD, and an ALTUMCK-19 public fund in Mexican pesos) focused on structuring and managing credit investments while giving investors access to the direct lending sector in Mexico. The company designs and tailors each loan and investment to meet the particular needs of the borrower or counterparty in question.

Gerardo has a law degree with honors from Instituto Tecnologico Autonomo de Mexico (ITAM). Finishing his degree in 1989, Gerardo started his career as an associate in Creel, Garcia-Cuellar y Muggenburg S.C. in corporate finance and banking. Later, he worked in the capital markets area in Skardden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom in New York, advising Latin American companies to access the global capital markets. As a lawyer, Gerardo gained relevant experience in credit transactions, capital markets, due diligence process, structured financing, among others.

Gerardo has a master’s in finance from London Business School, terminating his master’s degree in 1995. From that moment he has worked for more than 25 years in the financial sector, working in Oppenheimer & Co. in New York from 1995 to 1997 as an associate in the investment banking area. In 1997, Gerardo joined UBS in the investment banking area. Between 1997 and 2001, he worked in a numerous set of transactions, including the privatization of the main airports in Mexico as well as M&A advisory for Latin American companies. In 2002, Gerardo was designated to lead the Corporate Debt team in UBS, where he advised some of the most important companies in Mexico and Latin America in their debt issuances. Finally, from 2008 to 2013, he was Managing Director in UBS for Latin America, supervising more than USD 18 billion in AuM and a team of 180 employees.

Gerardo discusses his investment thesis and some of the challenges investors and entrepreneurs face. 

You can visit Altum Capital at www.altumcapital.mx, and via LinkedIn at  www.linkedin.com/company/altumcapital/.

Gerardo can be contacted via email at glegorreta@altumcapital.mx, and via LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/in/gerardo-legorreta

_______________________________________________

For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at: http://investorconnect.org  

Check out our other podcasts here: https://investorconnect.org/ 
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Direct download: Gerardo_Legorreta_of_Altum_Capital.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:00am CST

Organizations of a Startup Ecosystem

Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing.

Take inventory of your startup ecosystem for what currently exists and what does not.

Here’s a list of organizations to look for:

  • Universities that provide the founder talent.
  • Angel groups and other investor networks for funding the startups.
  • Venture capital funds providing funding.
  • Incubators and accelerators for coaching the startups.
  • Service organizations to provide legal, accounting, and financial services.
  • Coworking spaces to provide spaces for startups.
  • Government groups providing funding such as grants and loans.
  • Startup and business plan competitions providing funding for startups.
  • Event programs that bring the community together.
  • News and media companies covering the startup community.

In building your startup ecosystem, seek to recruit or build these organizations.


Thank you for joining us for the Startup Funding Espresso where we help startups and investors connect for funding.

Let’s go startup something today.
___________________________________

For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at: http://investorconnect.org 

Check out our other podcasts here: https://investorconnect.org/ 
For Investors check out: https://tencapital.group/investor-landing/ 
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Direct download: Organizations_of_a_startup_ecosystem.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:00am CST

On this episode of Investor Connect, Hall welcomes Bill Reichert, General Partner at Pegasus Tech Ventures.

Pegasus Tech Ventures is a global venture capital firm based in Silicon Valley with over $1.5 billion in assets under management. Pegasus offers intellectual and financial capital to emerging technology companies around the world. In addition to offering institutional investors a top-tier venture capital investment approach, Pegasus also offers a unique Venture Capital-as-a-Service (VCaaS) model for large, global corporations that wish to partner with cutting-edge technology startups. Some of the 35+ corporate partners that have partnered with Pegasus include ASUS, Aisin, SEGA, Sojitz, and Omron. These corporations are able to have access to over 200 Pegasus portfolio companies such as SpaceX, 23andMe, SoFi, Bird, Color, Carbon, Vicarious, and many more.

Bill has led Pegasus investments in AI, robotics, quantum computing, neuromorphics, space, life science, and other sectors. He is also the Chief Evangelist for Startup World Cup, a platform that connects and supports startup ecosystems all over the world.

Bill started his investment career as the co-founder and Managing Director of Garage Technology Ventures and has served on the boards of many startups. He also has several years of experience as a serial entrepreneur and operating executive. Prior to Garage, Bill was a co-founder or senior executive in several venture-backed technology companies, including Trademark Software, The Learning Company, and Academic Systems. Earlier in his career, Bill worked at McKinsey & Company, Brown Brothers Harriman & Co., and the World Bank.

He has authored many articles and delivered many speeches on entrepreneurship, venture capital, innovation, and other topics. Most recently, he co-authored a book for entrepreneurs called, “Getting to Wow! Silicon Valley Pitch Secrets for Entrepreneurs.” The book premiered as “#1 New Release in Venture Capital” in 2020.

Bill holds a B.A. degree from Harvard College and an M.B.A. from Stanford University. He has been a member of the faculty at the University of California, Berkeley, where he taught Venture Finance. He is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations in New York and is a former Chairman of the Churchill Club in Silicon Valley. He is a Beachheads Advisor for New Zealand Trade & Enterprise and is also an Advisor to the Women’s Startup Lab, Nordic Innovation House, and the Korea Innovation Center.

Bill advises investors and startups and discusses the state of startup investing. 

You can visit Pegasus Tech Ventures at www.pegasustechventures.com, via LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/company/pegasus-tech-ventures/, and via Twitter at www.twitter.com/PegasusTech_V

Bill can be contacted via email at bill@pegasusventures.com, via LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/in/billreichert/, and via Twitter at www.twitter.com/billreichert

________________________________________________________________

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Direct download: Bill_Reichert_of_Pegasus_Tech_Ventures.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:00am CST

How to Attract Startups to Your Startup Ecosystem 

Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing.

In building your startup ecosystem, recruit startups to move to your area.

Here are some best practices to attract them:

It takes technical and business talent to build and grow startups.

Highlight the talent available in the area, both experienced and those fresh out of university.

Set up programs to foster virtual access to developers and others as work increasingly goes online.

It takes someone building the business as well as someone selling it to create a complete founder team. 

Foster founder and co-founder connections through special events. 

Attract venture capital to the area and foster a local angel network to fund the startups.

Set up coworking spaces to give the startups a place to work and connect with others.

Set up events to celebrate startup successes such as companies raising funding or going public.

Connect your startup ecosystem to the larger startup ecosystems around the country to foster an exchange of ideas.

Create a branding and promote it to the rest of the world about the value of your startup ecosystem.


Thank you for joining us for the Startup Funding Espresso where we help startups and investors connect for funding.

Let’s go startup something today.
___________________________________

For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at: http://investorconnect.org 

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Direct download: How_to_attract_startups_to_your_startup_ecosystem.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:00am CST

This is Investor Perspectives. I’m the host of Investor Connect, Hall T. Martin, where we connect startups and investors for funding.

In our new Investor Perspectives series entitled “Impact Investing in a post-COVID World”, you’ll hear about the primary trends and what makes for a successful company.

As the COVID pandemic passes, we emerge into a new era. The impact space is now undergoing tremendous change as we shift to a post-COVID world. Impact investing in the areas of sustainability and the environment takes precedence in the financial industry. We have investors and startup founders describe the changes coming up.

Our guests are:

Brad Gurrie, CEO, Socialsuite [01:13]
Luni Libes, Founder and Managing Director, Fledge [02:58]
Vishal Arora, Managing Partner, VDOSH [08:35]
Chelsea Burns, Principal, Escaladora Ventures [11:39]
Richard Samuelson, Chief Investment Officer, SWAN Venture Group [13:49]

We hope you enjoy the show.
_________________________________________________________________

For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at: http://investorconnect.org   

Check out our other podcasts here: https://investorconnect.org/ 
For Investors check out: https://tencapital.group/investor-landing/  
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Direct download: IP_Impact_-_Show_2.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:00am CST

Where to Focus Your Startup Ecosystem

Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing.

In building your startup ecosystem, focus on the strengths of the community.

Interview the local economic development group to find out what startups already exist.

Talk with investors to find out their interest in startups to fund.

Review the local businesses in the community to see what skills their employees have.

Based on those interviews, determine the strengths of the community, the types of businesses, skill availability, and past successes.

Focus your startup ecosystem on these strengths.

Successful serial entrepreneurs should be at the foundation of your activities.

Invite those entrepreneurs to share their experiences with others.

Interview them to find out what additional opportunities in their industry are open for innovation.

Foster that strategy with the investors and other companies for growing the ecosystem.

There are many hot topic areas in the startup world.

Those topics change yearly.

Don’t chase the latest hot topic but instead focus on the founders, investors, and successful startups in your area to build your ecosystem.


Thank you for joining us for the Startup Funding Espresso where we help startups and investors connect for funding.

Let’s go startup something today.
___________________________________

For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at: http://investorconnect.org 

Check out our other podcasts here: https://investorconnect.org/ 
For Investors check out: https://tencapital.group/investor-landing/ 
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Direct download: Where_to_focus_your_startup_ecosystem.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:00am CST

On this episode of Investor Connect, Hall welcomes SC Moatti, Managing Partner at Mighty Capital.

Headquartered in San Francisco, California, Mighty Capital is an early-growth Silicon Valley venture capital firm. They deliver exceptional returns by investing in great products that are also great businesses, like Airbnb, MissionBio, and Amplitude.

SC is the Founding Managing Partner of Mighty Capital, the Founding CEO of Products That Count, the most influential product acceleration platform, and a lecturer at Stanford and Columbia Universities. Prior, SC built products that billions of people use at Facebook and Nokia. Andrew Chen, General Partner at Andreessen Horowitz, called SC “a genius at making products people love.” SC serves on the boards of public and private companies, earned a master’s in electrical engineering, a Stanford MBA, and is a Kauffman Fellow.

SC shares with Hall what excites her now and discusses the disruption of the Silicon Valley startup ecosystem. She advises investors and startups and explains some of the challenges they face.

You can visit Mighty Capital at www.mighty.capital, and via LinkedIn at  www.linkedin.com/company/mighty-capital.   

SC can be contacted via email at sc@mighty.capital, via LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/in/scmoatti, and via Twitter at www.twitter.com/scmoatti
_____________________________________________________________

For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at: http://investorconnect.org  

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Direct download: SC_Moatti_of_Mighty_Capital.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:00am CST

How to Build Out a Startup Ecosystem

Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing.

In building out your startup ecosystem, consider these points:

Start with five successful serial entrepreneurs.

Identify their sector and type of business.

Interview them on how to multiply those businesses.

Target their sector for growing new businesses.

Figure out what additional resources are needed.

Set up leadership resources to carry the program over a sustained period of time, such as two five-year programs.

Recruit other startups to join through meetups, events, and communications.

Bring in programs and speakers from outside the area to foster the community.

Cater to the non-technical skills as well as the technical ones.

Identify sponsorship support from the local service providers and engage them in the programming.

Showcase the core serial entrepreneurs throughout the program but take care of the administrative and tactical support.

Grow your startup community on those strengths and resources.

Put the entrepreneurs at the foundation of your program.


Thank you for joining us for the Startup Funding Espresso where we help startups and investors connect for funding.


Let’s go startup something today.
___________________________________

For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at: http://investorconnect.org 

Check out our other podcasts here: https://investorconnect.org/ 
For Investors check out: https://tencapital.group/investor-landing/ 
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Direct download: How_to_build_out_a_startup_ecosystem.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:00am CST

On this episode of Investor Connect, Hall welcomes Zacary Sherman, Director of Strategy and Business Development at cielo24.

Headquartered in Santa Barbara, California, cielo24 has blended the best of human intelligence with AI technology to create caption, transcription, and intelligence data at scale to make video and audio accessible, searchable, and more engaging. They are one of the leading providers of scalable compliance and professional-grade video accessibility solutions (captions, subtitles, transcription, translation, audio description, data tagging, video exploration, and more) for mostly mid-to-large organizations within the education, enterprise, and entertainment verticals.

Zac has been an investment and business strategist for his entire professional career. Prior to cielo24, Zac spent four years on the investments team at Pereg Ventures, a Manhattan and Israel-based venture capital firm investing in early-stage tech startups focused on AI/ML and big data solutions disrupting consumer-driven industries. At Pereg, he led sourcing, research, and due diligence efforts for potential new investments, as well as participated heavily in the active management of the existing portfolio as a board observer on five companies. Zac began his career by spending three years at a special situations hedge fund doing equity and credit research. He graduated from Rutgers University with bachelor’s degrees in Finance and Economics, and is a CFA charterholder. 

Zac advises startups and investors and shares some of the challenges they face. He also discusses the state of startup investing and its evolution.

You can visit cielo24 at www.cielo24.com, via LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/company/cielo24/,  and via Twitter at www.twitter.com/cielo24.  

Zac can be contacted via email at zacary.sherman@cielo24.com, and via LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/in/zacary-sherman-cfa-

___________________________________________________________________

For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at: http://investorconnect.org  

Check out our other podcasts here: https://investorconnect.org/ 
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Direct download: Zacary_Sherman_of_Cielo24_inc.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:00am CST

Steps to Building a Startup Ecosystem 

Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing.

In building the startup ecosystem, the entrepreneurs drive it.

The role of the ecosystem builders is to create connections and networks.

Here are some tools for building connections in your startup ecosystem:

Robust set of meetings, happy hours and coffees, and activities that bring the founders, investors, and providers together.

Meetings foster education and awareness about the topics relevant to startups.

Happy hours and coffees foster networking and making new connections.

Activities such as hackathons attract creatives and developers who want to build new things.

Capture the history behind the startup community.

Tell the stories about entrepreneurs including their successes and failures.

Provide support through the local university and government programs.

This includes coworking spaces, coding schools, Chamber of Commerce programs, and more to support startups.

Finally, keep startups in the community dialog through blog posts, PR announcements, and economic updates.


Thank you for joining us for the Startup Funding Espresso where we help startups and investors connect for funding.

Let’s go startup something today.
___________________________________

For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at: http://investorconnect.org 

Check out our other podcasts here: https://investorconnect.org/ 
For Investors check out: https://tencapital.group/investor-landing/ 
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usic courtesy of Bensound.

Direct download: steps_to_building_a_startup_ecosystem.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:00am CST

On this episode of Investor Connect, Hall welcomes Ashmeet Sidana, Founder and Chief Engineer at Engineering Capital.

Founded in 2015, Engineering Capital partners with great entrepreneurs driven by technical insights and boldly invest before traditional venture firms are willing. They lead and anchor the seed round in companies with the ambition to shape the future of information technology and define new categories.

Ashmeet’s experience includes running venture capital funds and leadership positions helping build industry-leading products VMware ESX Server and Silicon Graphics WebFORCE. Ashmeet came to venture capital from VMware, where he ran product management for their flagship product - ESX Server. His successful investments include Azure and SignalFx, recently acquired by Splunk for $1 billion, Tubi.tv (acq: FOX). He currently serves on the Board of Directors of Concentric, Evinced, and ShiftRight. His active investments include Asimily, Baffle, Kentik, Menlo Security, Nexla, Prismo Systems, Robust Intelligence, vFunction, and YotaScale – in all of which he was the seed investor.

Ashmeet received an MBA from Wharton with Honors, MS in Computer Science from Stanford University, and a BS in Computer Science summa cum laude from USC. In his spare time, he can be found planning his second trip to Mt. Everest.

Ashmeet shares with Hall what excites him now as an investor and explains his investment thesis. He discusses the state of startup investing and what he thinks will be the biggest change we will see in the next 12-24 months. 

You can visit Engineering Capital at www.engineeringcapital.com, via LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/company/engineering-capital, and via Twitter at www.twitter.com/engineeringcap

Ashmeet can be contacted via email at sidana@engineeringcapital.com, via LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/in/sidana, and via Twitter at www.twitter.com/ashmeetsidana

____________________________________________________

For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at: http://investorconnect.org  

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Direct download: Ashmeet_Sidana_of_Engineering_Capital.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:00am CST

Components of a Startup Ecosystem

Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing.

A startup ecosystem is a network of startups, investors, and others who come together to foster startup formation and growth.

It is fueled by talent, funding, and customers.

In building your startup community, tap successful serial entrepreneurs to lead.

Use their star power to capture attention and draw investors and startups to your area.

Focus your efforts on the strengths of the local community and build startups in those domains.

Develop clusters of startup activity to create density as it’s the interactions between the startups, investors and providers that count.

Foster collaboration with other startup ecosystems to share resources.

Generate publicity for your ecosystem through events and articles.

Metric your results by capturing the number of startups formed, funded, and exited.

Building a robust startup ecosystem takes a decade, but the results will last many more years.   


Thank you for joining us for the Startup Funding Espresso where we help startups and investors connect for funding.

Let’s go startup something today.
___________________________________

For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at: http://investorconnect.org 

Check out our other podcasts here: https://investorconnect.org/ 
For Investors check out: https://tencapital.group/investor-landing/ 
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Direct download: components_of_a_startup_ecosystem.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:00am CST

On this episode of Investor Connect, Hall welcomes Joe Tonnos, Co-Founder and Managing Partner at Ketch Ventures.

Headquartered in West Palm Beach, Florida, Ketch Ventures partners with early-stage entrepreneurs and management teams to add value and grow businesses to the next level. Ketch focuses on emerging consumer-facing businesses that have established a foundation, are differentiated, and/or solve a problem and engage with customers and followers. 

While they will consider all kinds of investments, Ketch Ventures primarily invests in post-revenue seed and pre-series capital raises, with a quality over quantity approach. They focus on ambitious and authentic companies that are already proving out a thesis.

Joe has over ten years of experience investing in and advising companies across a number of different sectors. He previously worked at Mistral Equity Partners, a consumer and retail-focused investment platform including growth equity and middle-market buyouts. While at Mistral, Joe was also a Senior Vice President of three consumer-focused SPACs under the Haymaker Acquisition Corp. banner. He also worked in consumer and retail investment banking at Lazard and Bank of America Merrill Lynch and started his career as a foreign exchange trader at CIBC Capital Markets. In addition to Ketch Ventures, Joe also serves as a Principal and Associate Portfolio Manager at Meteora Capital and a Venture Partner at Natureza Growth Partners.

Joe details his background before investing in early-stage companies, and shares what excites him now in the consumer industry. He explains some of the challenges startups and investors face and discusses his investment thesis.

You can visit Ketch Ventures at www.ketchventures.com, and via LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/company/ketch-ventures

Joe can be contacted via email at jt@ketchventures.com, and via LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/in/joetonnos/.

___________________________________________________________________

For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at: http://investorconnect.org  

Check out our other podcasts here: https://investorconnect.org/ 
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Direct download: Joe_Tonnos_of_Ketch_Ventures.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:00am CST

What Is a Startup Ecosystem?

Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing.

A startup ecosystem is a network of startups, investors, and others who come together to foster startup formation and growth.

The network fosters innovation through shared resources such as capital, talent, and mentorship.

At the core of the network are startups led by founders who launch high-growth businesses.

Accelerators and incubators provide education around the initial launch of the business.  

Investors, including angels, venture capitalists, online crowdfunding sites, and grant providers, provide capital.

Universities provide the talent for launching and supporting startups.

Freelancers provide additional talent in the form of labor. 

Providers offer support for legal, financial, marketing, and other services.

Mentors provide coaching and guidance on how to grow the business.

Events, newsletters, and blogs foster the community through communication.

Local corporations may also participate through sponsorship and other support.

Look for these elements in building your startup ecosystem.


Thank you for joining us for the Startup Funding Espresso where we help startups and investors connect for funding.

Let’s go startup something today.
___________________________________

For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at: http://investorconnect.org 

Check out our other podcasts here: https://investorconnect.org/ 
For Investors check out: https://tencapital.group/investor-landing/ 
For Startups check out: https://tencapital.group/company-landing/ 
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Direct download: what_is_a_startup_ecosystem.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:00am CST

This is Investor Perspectives. I’m the host of Investor Connect, Hall T Martin, where we connect startups and investors for funding.

In our new Investor Perspectives series entitled “Impact Investing in a post-COVID World”, you’ll hear about growth in the impact investing industry.

As the COVID pandemic passes, we emerge into a new era. The impact space is now undergoing tremendous change as we shift to a post-COVID world. Impact investing in the areas of sustainability and the environment takes precedence in the financial industry. We have investors and startup founders describe the changes coming up.

Our guests are:

Brad Gurrie, CEO, Socialsuite [01:12]
Luni Libes, Founder and Managing Director, Fledge [03:29]
Vishal Arora, Managing Partner, VDOSH [05:24]
Chelsea Burns, Principal, Escaladora Ventures [07:32]
Richard Samuelson, Chief Investment Officer, SWAN Venture Group [09:46]

We hope you enjoy the show.
_______________________________

For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at: http://investorconnect.org  

Check out our other podcasts here: https://investorconnect.org/ 
For Investors check out: https://tencapital.group/investor-landing/ 
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Direct download: IP_Impact_-_Show_1.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:00am CST

University Angel Network vs. Traditional Angel Network

Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing.

The university angel network has similarities and differences to a traditional angel network.

They both consist of a group of investors interested in funding startups.

They both want to make a return on their investment.

They both want to socialize with others.

They differ in several ways:

The university angel network puts the give back to the university as their first priority.

Providing a student experience and job placement for the student is primary.

The university angel network has a built-in target audience of anyone associated with the university.

Traditional angel networks come together because they live in the same city.

The university angel network can tap into the university entrepreneurship and finance programs and startups accelerators for support.

Traditional angel networks must look for local programs to partner with.

The university angel network must work within the rules and regulations of the university.

The traditional angel network has no restraints beyond SEC regulations.

It’s important to understand the differences before joining either a university angel group or a traditional one.


Thank you for joining us for the Startup Funding Espresso where we help startups and investors connect for funding.

Let’s go startup something today.
___________________________________

For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at: http://investorconnect.org 

Check out our other podcasts here: https://investorconnect.org/ 
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Direct download: University_angel_network_vs_traditional_angel_network.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:00am CST

On this episode of Investor Connect, Hall welcomes Denise Dunlap, Founder and Managing Partner at Sage Growth Capital.

Founded in 2019 and headquartered in Boise, Idaho, Sage Growth Capital makes revenue-based investments in companies that need growth capital. It is their mission to provide a more flexible funding option to growing companies that do not fit traditional equity or lending models.

Denise has a record of successfully building and operating companies as well as coaching startups and entrepreneurs. Two of her former roles include CEO of an IT services company and Director of Boise State University’s business incubator. She has been an active angel investor and leader in the angel investment community since 2008 and travels the country teaching angel investing courses as an Instructor for the Angel Capital Association’s Education program. (Post-COVID update: she now teaches courses via Zoom….)

Denise co-founded Loon Creek Capital Group in 2010 and has grown the company to provide consulting and administrative services to hundreds of angel investors across the country.

Denise discusses her investment thesis and some of her investments that fit that thesis. She also advises startups and investors and shares some of the challenges they face.

You can visit Sage Growth Capital at www.sagegrowthcapital.com, via LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/company/sage-growth-capital/, and via Twitter at www.twitter.com/sagegrowthcap.  

Denise can be contacted via email at denise@sagegrowthcapital.com, via LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/in/denisedunlap55, and via Twitter at www.twitter.com/sassydd55  

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For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at: http://investorconnect.org  

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Category:general -- posted at: 6:00am CST

Finding the Champion

Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing.

In launching an angel network at a university, it takes a champion to see it to fruition.

In addition to a business school sponsor and five check-writing angels, you’ll need someone who will be the champion for the group.

The champion needs to be well connected with the university, the alumni, and the investor community.

The university angel network lives at the intersection of those three groups.

The champion must have a solid reputation in the community and be recognized for their contributions to the university.

The champion needs to be good at crafting the message and effective at delivering it to faculty, university administrators, alumni, investors, and students.

The champion must show how the university angel network benefits all of the groups and not just one or two.

It takes time to build momentum in launching the group, so anyone signing up for the champion role needs to commit at least three years to getting the group launched.

The alumni have a strong affinity for their alma mater and want to support it.

The university angel network provides an ideal platform for connecting the alumni back to the university.

Before taking on a university angel network, make sure you’ve identified the champion.


Thank you for joining us for the Startup Funding Espresso where we help startups and investors connect for funding.

Let’s go startup something today.
___________________________________

For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at: http://investorconnect.org 

Check out our other podcasts here: https://investorconnect.org/ 
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Category:general -- posted at: 6:00am CST

On this episode of Investor Connect, Hall welcomes Barbara Clarke, Angel Investor, and Founder and President at The Impact Seat.

Headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, The Impact Seat invests in ideas that solve the world’s biggest problems – focusing on the most innovative, diverse, early-stage startups. Their approach combines advocacy, philanthropy, and investment to build a new and more equitable economy.

Investor, economist and entrepreneur, Barbara enjoys interacting with professionals who believe in creating diverse teams to drive innovation and business success. Called ‘The Force’, Barbara fuels change in the entrepreneurial ecosystem, stimulates growth in early-stage tech startups, and boosts organizational excellence with her investment expertise and global insights.

Barbara has been investing in emerging technologies, including medical devices, for almost a decade. To date, she has invested in more than 60 companies and 12 funds in North America and Europe. Barbara has been creating opportunities for under-represented entrepreneurs by investing in companies that are either led by women of color, or have women on their funding teams – even before it became fashionable to do so. As a key member of the investment community, she also advises entrepreneurs and innovators on launching companies, accessing capital, and leveraging the international network of investors.

Barbara serves on several boards, including Portfolia, Founders First Capital Partners, and Boost.

Prior to launching The Impact Seat, Barbara spent more than a decade in management consulting firms, including KPMG and PwC, and launched a nationwide nonprofit to support grieving children. She holds a bachelor’s degree in quantitative economics from Tufts University, and a master’s in international economics and finance from Brandeis University. A polyglot, she speaks several languages, including German, French and Italian.

When she is not scoping out promising startups to invest in, Barbara enjoys exploring new cities, supporting local artists, and listening to alternative/indie rock.

Barbara speaks about the state of angel investing and its evolution, her biggest challenge as an angel group leader, and some of the companies she has invested in.  

You can visit The Impact Seat at www.impactseat.com, via LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/company/the-impact-seat, and via Twitter at www.twitter.com/impactseat?lang=en.  

Barbara can be contacted via email at barbara@impactseat.com, via LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/in/barbaraeclarke/, and via Twitter at www.twitter.com/beclarke?lang=en.  

____________________________________________________________________

For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at: http://investorconnect.org  

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Category:general -- posted at: 6:00am CST

Retaining Members

Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing.

In running a university angel network, the attrition rate is often lower than for non-university angel networks.

The university group has a great answer for “Why invest in startups?”.

Many members join to support the university.

The group’s primary purpose is to provide the student an educational experience and help prepare them for their first job after graduation.

An effective tool for retaining members is to have the graduating students send a “Thank You” note to the investors they worked with.

Another tool is bringing the students who have graduated from the program back to the university angel meetings to update the investors on their job placement and career progress.  

Showing the investors the results of their work in this way inspires the angels’ continued service to the investor group and the students.


Thank you for joining us for the Startup Funding Espresso where we help startups and investors connect for funding.

Let’s go startup something today.
___________________________________

For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at: http://investorconnect.org 

Check out our other podcasts here: https://investorconnect.org/ 
For Investors check out: https://tencapital.group/investor-landing/ 
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Category:general -- posted at: 6:00am CST

On this episode of Investor Connect, Hall welcomes Erwin Jager, Chairman, and CEO at Barrows Hotel Enterprises.

Headquartered in Dubai, Barrows is a family-owned private company, established in 2008, with a successful track record in property investment, development, and strategic land promotion in the Middle East, Africa, and the USA. 

The hotel company focuses on the development and sale of internationally oriented hotel real estate with locations in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Seychelles, and the USA. In addition to the development and sale of hotel real estate, the company also focuses on management consultancy for hotel operators. 

Barrows' retail business focuses on the development and sale of supermarket real estate in strategically located locations. Related to supermarket real estate came the demand for logistics-oriented real estate. An area that the company has been focusing on since 2020 following the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic and the massive increase in online purchases by consumers and businesses.

With the residential department, Barrows mainly focuses on new vacant locations on which communities are developed. Together with the other business elements, many elements come together here, which increases sustainability. In the Middle East and Seychelles in particular, there is an enormous increase in demand-oriented real estate within residential real estate.

Erwin is married to Dyane with whom he has two children. In his spare time, Erwin likes to travel to foreign countries such as Africa, India, Indonesia, New Sealand, Australia, and French Polynesia. He loves to read books, sail at sea, and swim in the ocean with turtles and dolphins. To stay, fit Erwin runs 12 kilometers every day combined with fitness and kickboxing. In the presence of family and friends, Erwin loves to cook and drink a good glass of quality wine. Fashion and design are as well a great interest of his. He loves Italian suits and Italian and French fashion and likes to do business with a tie.

Erwin discusses how he sees the hotel industry evolving and some of the changes he thinks we will see in the next 1-2 years. He also shares some of the challenges investors and entrepreneurs face.

You can visit Barrows Hotel Enterprises at www.barrowshotels.com/, via LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/company/barrowshotelinvestments/, and via Twitter at www.twitter.com/barrows_hotels

Erwin can be contacted via email at management@barrowshotels.com, and via LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/in/barrowshotels/#.

_________________________________________________________

For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at: http://investorconnect.org  

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Category:general -- posted at: 6:00am CST

Offline vs. Online Meetings

Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing.

In running a university angel network, consider both offline and online meetings for the members. 

Online meetings allow you to run education sessions, screening meetings, and pitch sessions along with diligence follow-up.

Since the members need not travel to campus, these can be short half-hour calls or longer ones. 

These meetings can be set up during the workweek and recorded as well for those who can’t attend the live session.

Offline meetings provide face-to-face interaction with the students.

One of the main benefits of an angel network is the education experience the student receives.

Face-to-face meetings provide better opportunities for this experience.

You can run social events around athletic events, business plan competitions, entrepreneurship days, and more.

Consider two major offline events per year, one in the fall and one in the spring.

Align with other activities on campus to drive a larger turnout.

Thank you for joining us for the Startup Funding Espresso where we help startups and investors connect for funding.

Let’s go startup something today.
___________________________________

For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at: http://investorconnect.org 

Check out our other podcasts here: https://investorconnect.org/ 
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Category:general -- posted at: 6:00am CST

Thank you for joining us today for our TEN Capital Fundraise Launch Program.

In this program, we help startups prepare for a fundraise. 

We provide templates, tools, eGuides, and advice to founders who are working towards raising funding.

We’ll kick off the session with a short overview on a fundraising topic, then we’ll answer questions from the founders.

I hope you enjoy this episode.
________________________________
Thank you for joining us for the TEN Capital Fundraise Launch Program where we help startups prepare for a fundraise. 

For more episodes, please visit the site at: http://investorconnect.org 

Check out our other podcasts here: https://investorconnect.org/ 
For Investors check out: https://tencapital.group/investor-landing/ 
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Category:general -- posted at: 6:00am CST

Fund Documents

Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing.

In setting up a university angel network, you’ll need fund documents for the prospective members to review.

You’ll need to establish a legal entity for the fund, typically an LLC.

After that, you’ll need to write the company agreement documents. 

This includes the formation of the fund, its term, purpose, and more.

You’ll need a subscription agreement for members to sign indicating their investment commitment to the fund.

Venture capital funds use a General Partner and Limited Partner structure.

Angel group funds often use the Investment Club model.

Everyone is a member of the group with specific persons assigned roles such as manager, screening committee, etc.

This simplifies the reporting to the members and the tax authorities.

Members must be accredited investors as the investments are made under Section 501, Regulation D.

For setting up your fund, start with a core group of angel members to understand the size of the fund, purpose, and type of deals you intend to pursue.

With their support, continue to build out the documents.

After you set up a legal entity, launch the fund to the wider university community.


Thank you for joining us for the Startup Funding Espresso where we help startups and investors connect for funding.

Let’s go startup something today.
___________________________________

For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at: http://investorconnect.org 

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Category:general -- posted at: 6:00am CST

On this episode of Investor Connect, Hall welcomes James Pringle, Managing Partner at Goldsmith Ventures.

Goldsmith Ventures invests in and provides support to early-stage UK companies developing innovative technology across fintech and insurtech. The Goldsmith Ventures Fund I is targeted exclusively at investors who understand the risks of investing in early-stage businesses and can make their own investment decisions. 

James' story is fascinating and one of determination and resilience.

Starting out at VC-backed MatchChat, he eventually worked his way up to become Commercial Director. Whilst there, James recognised the inefficiency of the manual selection of videos by editors and as a result, decided to launch Suggestv, a Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) video recommendation and machine learning company, for which James was able to secure over £1.2m in total funding from angel and VC investors. In 2019, Suggestv’s technology and assets were acquired by a US video advertising company. Following this experience, James decided to launch Pringle Capital, which has quickly grown into one of the largest and most active angel networks in the UK with over 435 members combining to invest over £1m already in 2021. The Pringle Capital network has led angel rounds in fintech, proptech, insurtech, and augmented reality, connected fitness, and eCommerce startups.

As a venture capitalist, James was a co-founder and partner at Love Ventures before leaving to launch his own fund Goldsmith Ventures in 2021. Goldsmith Ventures is a new specialist fund investing in fintech, proptech, and insurtech companies in the UK. The fund is backed by top limited partner investors from around the world.

His latest project, launched in September of 2020, is Riding Unicorns, a podcast he co-hosts with Hector Mason from Episode 1 Ventures. The podcast is looking to educate fellow founders on what it takes to make a startup a success and has already debuted in the top 100 UK Business podcasts and is set for further growth this year.

James details his investment thesis, advises startups and investors, and shares some good opportunities for investors to pursue.

You can visit Goldsmith Ventures at www.goldsmithventures.com, via LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/company/goldsmith-ventures, and via Twitter at www.twitter.com/goldsmithvc.  

James can be contacted via email at james@pringlecapital.com, via LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/in/thejamespringle/, and via Twitter at www.twitter.com/TheJWPringle

___________________________________________________________________

For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at: http://investorconnect.org  

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Category:general -- posted at: 6:00am CST

Why Set Up a Fund?

Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing.

Consider setting up a fund early on for your university angel group.

For every one alumni who joins the angel group, there will be three who will join the fund. 

Angel investing takes time and many will not be able to participate in pitch meetings and diligence.

The fund gives them the opportunity to join the group without having to review specific deals.

The fund also provides diversification to the members and gives exposure to a variety of sectors.

The fund concentrates the deals together for reporting and follow-up.

The group can recruit experienced angels to join the screening committee and so members get the benefit of the knowledge of those investors.

Finally, the fund can pool their investment dollars, gaining them access to the bigger deals.

The fund provides a consistent re-engagement of the members.

In setting up an angel group at a university, consider launching a fund at the same time and setting up a screening process to manage the deal flow.


Thank you for joining us for the Startup Funding Espresso where we help startups and investors connect for funding.

Let’s go startup something today.
___________________________________

For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at: http://investorconnect.org 

Check out our other podcasts here: https://investorconnect.org/
For Investors check out: https://tencapital.group/investor-landing/ 
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Category:general -- posted at: 6:00am CST

On this episode of Investor Connect, Hall welcomes Wesley King, Co-Founder of Coherent Capital.

Headquartered in Los Angeles, California, Coherent Capital is focused on supporting successful late Seed and Series A fundraises ($4m to $20m raises) with a health and wellness technology focus. The company exists to support early-stage entrepreneurs in raising capital and forming commercial partnerships. Over the years of helping great companies grow, these two items have proven to be clear factors in successful growth. The right partnerships create the right ecosystem. The right ecosystem supports the entrepreneur through its first niche markets. The right investors provide strategic capital. The right capital helps pay for the right talent and helps create the success spiral needed to escape the rear-drag, momentum-eating sprint from Seed to Series B.

Wesley is a licensed investment banker; he co-founded Coherent Capital to assist promising technology companies with strategic investor relations. In addition, Wesley is an award-winning innovation ecosystem designer, having developed five novel internal technologies as an Innovation Architect at Cisco Systems.

Wesley is a Partner at IGC Fund and has advised a series of successful early-stage startups, utilizing his expertise in innovation, technical operations, commercial partnerships, and fundraising to accelerate business growth. He has sourced promising startups for deep tech and health technology-focused venture funds. In addition, Wesley was hired to build co-investor and private equity investor databases for several boutique investment banks, giving him a unique and proprietary perspective on the international early-stage investment market.

Wesley discusses his investment thesis and shares some of the challenges investors and entrepreneurs face in the health and wellness industry.  

You can visit Coherent Capital at www.coherentcap.com, and via LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/company/coherent-capital/.   

Wesley can be contacted via email at wesley@coherentcap.com, and via LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/in/wesleygking
_______________________________________________________________

For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at: http://investorconnect.org  

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Category:general -- posted at: 6:00am CST

Student Participation Is Important

Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing.

In setting up a university angel group, the student experience is the primary objective.

To ensure the success of the group, set up a program for the students to provide investor and startup engagement.

Finance students can leverage their education by analyzing the startups applying to the group and performing diligence work.

Entrepreneurship students can bring their education to bear by diligencing the operations of the startup.

Both provide invaluable experience to the students as they work with real deals and discuss the results with investors who will make investment decisions.

Finance students can take the results of their work and use it in their search for a job after graduation.

Entrepreneurship students can take the lessons learned and use it in their efforts to start their own business.

Set up a program to track the students through the process and invite them to return to future angel group meetings to reconnect with their peers and the investors. 

Also, track the job placement and startups those students achieve to share with others. 


Thank you for joining us for the Startup Funding Espresso where we help startups and investors connect for funding.

Let’s go startup something today.
___________________________________

For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at: http://investorconnect.org 

Check out our other podcasts here: https://investorconnect.org/ 
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Category:general -- posted at: 6:00am CST

On this episode of Investor Connect, Hall welcomes Adrian Mendoza, Founder and General Partner at Mendoza Ventures.

Based in Boston, Massachusetts, and founded in 2016, Mendoza Ventures is women-owned and the first LatinX-owned venture fund on the East Coast. They are an early-stage and growth fintech, AI, and cybersecurity venture fund that provides an actively managed approach to venture capital. They focus on diversity as playing an important role in their investment decisions, as roughly 75% of their portfolio consists of start-ups led by immigrants, people of color, and women.

After having two VC-funded startups in Boston, Adrian started Mendoza Ventures to address the funding gap in the pre-seed investment stage for underrepresented founders. Born in Los Angeles to parents who immigrated from Mexico, Adrian moved to Boston for graduate school at Harvard. He has spent the last 20 years leading technology teams and building products for financial services and fintechs. He is the author of "Mobile User Experience", a book on mobile user experience published by Elsevier in 2013, adapted industry-wide as the standard for mobile user experience education, and of the video series “CSS for designers” published by O’Reilly in 2015. 

Adrian earned his Bachelors from the University of Southern California and his Masters from Harvard University.

Adrian advises investors and startups in the fintech space, discusses the evolution of the industry, his criteria for investing, and more.

You can visit Mendoza Ventures at www.mendoza-ventures.com/, via LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/company/mendoza-ventures, and via Twitter at www.twitter.com/mendozaventures.    

Adrian can be contacted via email at adrian@mendoza-ventures.com, via LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/in/adrianmendozavc/, and via Twitter at www.twitter.com/AdrianMendozaVC.
______________________________________________________________

For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at: http://investorconnect.org  

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Category:general -- posted at: 6:00am CST

Where Does Making a Return Fit In?

Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing.

Many angel investors want to support their university group, local entrepreneur ecosystem, and more.

The primary goal is building up their local community or network.

In addition to supporting the community, the investor needs to make a return on the investment. 

Investors will want to see a return so they can continue funding startups.

If there are no returns, then the community-building effort comes to a close.

Returns provide the means by which the investors can continue supporting the university group.

Leaders of the group should make sure the deal flow can provide returns to the investors.

It is helpful to structure deals so that there is a return in a timely manner of, say, five years.

The university angel network is not the place for donations as those are typically one and done.


Thank you for joining us for the Startup Funding Espresso where we help startups and investors connect for funding.

Let’s go startup something today.
___________________________________

For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at: http://investorconnect.org 

Check out our other podcasts here: https://investorconnect.org/ 
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Category:general -- posted at: 6:00am CST

On this episode of Investor Connect, Hall welcomes AJ Shepard, Co-owner of Uptown Properties.

Uptown Properties offers a full range of property management services tailored to you as an investor, homeowner, or landlord. They have an extensive portfolio of single-family homes, townhouses, and condos in the Portland Metro area.

They offer to fill vacancies, advertise your rental, handle tenant inquiries, perform background and credit investigations, and more. There are also optional services such as the Certified Pet Program, eviction insurance, and the preventative maintenance program.

AJ is a licensed contractor in Oregon. His experience in real estate started more than 12 years ago in the contracting business. AJ graduated from the University of Washington with a Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering and has a Master's of Engineering Systems Management at Texas A&M University.

Finding his passion in real estate and construction management has created an avenue for this company to help provide all services necessary to its clients. Knowing the trade and the ability to manage many allows for streamlined maintenance for the investor’s property at a reduced cost. AJ volunteers at ULI and FRESH to give back to the Real Estate Community. He is an active member of NARPM, the recipient of the Darryl Kazen Scholarship, the current Regional Vice President of the Pacific Division, and the recipient of RMP and MPM designation.

AJ is also the co-host of the Westside Investors Network podcast (WIN). WIN strives to bring knowledge and education to the real estate professional that is seeking to gain more freedom in their life. 

AJ discusses how to maximize investment property profits, and advises investors and startups in the real estate space.

You can visit Uptown Properties at www.uptownpm.com/, and via LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/company/3741570/admin/.  

You can listen to the Westside Investors Network podcast (WIN) at www.westsideinvestorsnetwork.com/podcast and via Twitter at www.twitter.com/WIN_pdx

AJ can be contacted via email at aj@uptownpm.com, and via LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/in/aj-shepard-uptownproperties

____________________________________________________________________

For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at: http://investorconnect.org  

Check out our other podcasts here: https://investorconnect.org/ 
For Investors check out: https://tencapital.group/investor-landing/ 
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Direct download: AJ_Shepard_of_Uptown_Properties.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:00am CST

What Is the Mission of the Group?

Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing.

In starting an angel group at a university, the key mission of the group is not to make money.

Supporting the university by providing students with a quality academic experience and job placement is the primary goal.

Alumni who join the angel group will see that mission as primary while making money as secondary.

Angel groups with a strong “Why?” will last longer and see less turnover in members.

Those groups who only want to make money will have higher turnover.

They will run the usual course of find a few deals, deploy the available funds, and then wait for the result.

In startup funding, the waiting for the result takes several years. 

Most members of those groups will drop out. 

It’s important to build the “Why?” into your angel group and make clear through your time and priorities what is important.

Choose a “Why?” that is compelling to your members.

For university angel networks, it’s the student experience that counts.


Thank you for joining us for the Startup Funding Espresso where we help startups and investors connect for funding.

Let’s go startup something today.
___________________________________

For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at: http://investorconnect.org 

Check out our other podcasts here: https://investorconnect.org/ 
For Investors check out: https://tencapital.group/investor-landing/ 
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Category:general -- posted at: 6:00am CST

On this episode of Investor Connect, Hall welcomes Nick Spiller, Podcast Host and Fundraising Coach at Beta Business.

Beta Business is “The essential podcast for first-time entrepreneurs”. Through multiple episodes per week as well as in-person events, Beta Business helps entrepreneurs gain practical tactics and meaningful connections for starting their company. 

Nick moved to Texas in 2009 to attend UT Austin. As an undergraduate, Nick founded the Longhorn Entrepreneurship Agency (LEA) in Student Government. As an alumni today, Nick stays involved in UT’s Director of Deal Flow for Genesis which is an on-campus fund for entrepreneurs. 

After graduation, Nick worked as a Market Launcher for Favor Delivery. He also created the Investor Relations program at Capital Factory where he worked up until the end of 2020. 

Nick discusses the state of investing in startups, and the biggest change he expects to see in the next 1-2 years. He speaks about his investment thesis and mentions some good opportunities for investors to pursue.

You can listen to Nick’s podcast at https://www.betayourbusiness.com/.  

Nick can be contacted via email at nick@fundingcamps.com, via LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/in/nickspiller/ and www.linkedin.com/company/betabusiness/, and via Twitter at https://twitter.com/Nick_Spiller

_________________________________________________________________

For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at: http://investorconnect.org  

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Category:general -- posted at: 6:00am CST

Providing Mentorship to Startups

Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing.

Angel groups are often asked to provide mentorship to startups.

Here are some best practices for engaging your angel investors into mentorships with startups.

Start by matching the investor with the startup based on the business model, sector, and stage of business.

Identify a specific challenge the company is facing and look for members who have experience in that area.

Introduce the investor and the startup and check to see if it’s a good match.

Is the startup ready for a mentor and interested in solving the problem?

Is the mentor able to help the startup?

Help define the mentor/mentee engagement, so it’s well defined and has an endpoint.

Identify a schedule and format. Is it a weekly call on Tuesday or a monthly lunch on the first Friday?

Track progress to make sure it’s working.

Relationship building is a key step to achieving progress.


Thank you for joining us for the Startup Funding Espresso where we help startups and investors connect for funding.

Let’s go startup something today.
___________________________________

For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at: http://investorconnect.org 

Check out our other podcasts here: https://investorconnect.org/ 
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Category:general -- posted at: 6:00am CST

On this episode of Investor Connect, Hall welcomes Elizabeth Edwards, Managing Partner at H Venture Partners.

Headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio, and founded in 2017, H Venture Partners is a seed, venture, and early growth equity fund that invests in consumer products and devices. H Venture Partners invests across the US and Canada, focusing primarily in New York and San Francisco.

Elizabeth has been a VC for over 17 years. Before launching H Venture Partners, she invested in over 30 companies including Peloton (unicorn IPO), Freshly ($1.5Bn acquisition), Bill.com (unicorn IPO), CardioInsight (acquired: Medtronic), Roots (IPO), and Paydiant (acquired: PayPal), creating top quartile and top decile venture returns.

Elizabeth shares with Hall what excites her now, advises startups and investors and speaks about her investment thesis. She discusses the state of investing in consumer product goods and how she sees the industry evolving.

You can visit H Venture Partners at www.h.ventures, and via LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/company/h-venture-partners.

Elizabeth can be contacted via email at e.edwards@h.ventures, via LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/in/elizabethannedwards/, and via Twitter at www.twitter.com/eedwards

_____________________________________________________________________

For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at: http://investorconnect.org  

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Category:general -- posted at: 6:00am CST

Who Else Should You Involve?

Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing.

In launching a university angel network there are legal considerations specific to the university to keep in mind. 

A university is a non-profit and therefore cannot participate in startup investing.

The first step in launching a group is to contact the university legal counsel about how to separate the mentorship for students from the investing by the angels.

In most cases, you’ll need to set up a separate legal entity for the angel members’ investments.

The legal counsel of the university can help set the boundaries of what is done inside the university and what is done outside.

Angels participating at university events need to make clear what role they play in the event -- providing mentorship or making investment decisions.

If the group decides to set up a fund, this will be placed in the outside legal entity.

Also, deep-dive diligence and investment decisions should be placed in the outside entity.

Students who participate as paid interns can work for the outside legal entity and engage in the investment process.

Before launching, check with the legal counsel of the university regarding the functions of the angel group.


Thank you for joining us for the Startup Funding Espresso where we help startups and investors connect for funding.

Let’s go startup something today.
___________________________________

For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at: http://investorconnect.org 

Check out our other podcasts here: https://investorconnect.org/ 
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Category:general -- posted at: 6:00am CST

On this episode of Investor Connect, Hall welcomes David A. Rosen, President and CEO at Acrelic Group.

Acrelic Group is a strategic advisory firm headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, with additional locations in Philly, Chicago, Cleveland, and Tel Aviv. Their principals are experienced business owners, operators, executives, and board directors who are focused on “Helping People and Business Achieve Remarkable Results.” 

As player/coaches, Acrelic’s team delivers significant value by removing people and business process blockers found in solving short-term problems or causes, achieving incremental and stepwise lift and growth, and evolving client’s business and people maturity in governance, strategy, leadership, market dominance, and value creation. Acrelic’s clients range from startups to the global 500 in technology, manufacturing, electronics, transportation, and automation industries, along with the spectrum of B2B middle-market companies.

David is a successful board director, CEO, serial entrepreneur, executive business leader, and strategic advisor. In 2020, he founded and became President of the Boston/New England Chapter of the Private Directors Association which now has more than 150 chapter members. He also mentors, judges, and guest lectures at Boston University, Questrom School of Business, and Northwestern University at both the Business (Kellogg) and Engineering (McCormick) Schools.

David sits on several boards and has held board director roles in 9 prior companies, both public and private. David founded seven startups and angel invested in more than 12 companies.

David’s accomplishments include leading roles in 40+ successful M&A transactions in companies ranging from $500K to $2.75 Billion, CEO/Managing Director of three businesses achieving high double-digit growth (Revenue of $.5M to $150M+), Founder/CEO of an enterprise SaaS software company, Acrelic Interactive (WarpSales), launched new business efforts on four continents outside North America, commercialized defense technologies in semiconductors, microwave systems, amplifiers, and software algorithms and solutions including a company that achieved 80% market share in the TV broadcast industry.

David currently lives in Boston, Massachusetts, with his wife, family, and Golden Doodle (Stan Lee) and relocated from Chicago (his wife is a proud Chicagoan). Prior to that, David and his family lived in the New York Metro area for 20+ years.

David details some of the challenges startups face, and how to prepare for them. He also discusses must-dos for the growth company. 

You can visit Acrelic Group at https://acrelicgroup.com, via LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/company/acrelicgroup, via Twitter at www.twitter.com/acrelicgroup, and via telephone at (617) 865-4770.

David can be contacted via email at drosen@acrelicgroup.com, via LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/in/davidarosen, and via Twitter at www.twitter.com/DavidARose.

_____________________________________________________________________

For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at: http://investorconnect.org  

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Category:general -- posted at: 6:00am CST

The Two Keys to Success

Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing.

A university angel network is a group of investors formed around the affinity to a university.

The primary goal of it is to provide student experience and job placement.

Making money from the investments is secondary.

There are two keys to successfully launching an angel network at a university.

The first is a dedicated faculty member focused on running the student education program.

The faculty member sets the curriculum, runs the course, and works with the angel group on the students' participation in analyzing the deals.

This makes for a strong educational experience as the students work with real investors, real investment opportunities, and real dollars invested.

The second key to success is five check-writing angel investors.

Investors who participate regularly to view the deals, diligence them, and invest.

The investors provide key mentorship roles to the students.

Before launching an angel network at your university, line these two up first.


Thank you for joining us for the Startup Funding Espresso where we help startups and investors connect for funding.

Let’s go startup something today.
___________________________________

For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at: http://investorconnect.org 

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Category:general -- posted at: 6:00am CST

On this episode of Investor Connect, Hall welcomes Brett Brohl, Managing Partner at Bread & Butter Ventures.

Bread & Butter Ventures is an early-stage VC firm based in Minnesota - the “Bread and Butter State” - investing globally while leveraging the State and region’s unparalleled access to strong corporate connections, commercial opportunities, and industry expertise for the benefit of their founders.

They lead rounds in some cases, and in all cases, they look to help syndicate and bring strong co-investors who can add additional value.

Bread & Butter Ventures works hard alongside their teams after investment and support through their platform efforts to connect you with the people, resources, and partners you need to scale globally.

Brett is the Managing Partner at Bread & Butter Ventures and also the Managing Director of the Techstars Farm to Fork Accelerator, partnered with Cargill and Ecolab. An experienced entrepreneur, investor, and mentor, Brett is driven by making a difference in the world through helping entrepreneurs succeed.‍

Prior to the Techstars Farm to Fork Accelerator, Brett served as Director of the inaugural Techstars Startup Next Food & Ag in Partnership with Land O’Lakes and as the Entrepreneur in Residence at Techstars Retail Accelerator in Partnership with Target. Brett honed his start-up skills as the CEO of multiple companies including ScrubSquared and BoomBoom Prints. He led 3 of his teams to exit but also went through a company failure, experiences he draws on when working with founders.

Passionately committed to growing the Minnesota startup ecosystem, Brett is a founding member of the Forge North coalition and sits on their leadership council as well as an initial member of the Launch MN advisory board. He earned his BA from Wake Forest, and his MBA from the University of Virginia, Darden School of Business. When he’s not engaging the world’s startup scene, Brett can be found hanging with his wife and kids, driving a lobster boat, or pretending to be a tennis pro. Brett’s bread and butter is building teams, identifying talent, and diving for lobster.

Brett advises startups and investors in the food tech space. He discusses the state of investing, the evolution of, and the biggest change he thinks we will see in the next 12-24 months in the sector. 

You can visit Bread & Butter Ventures at www.breadandbutterventures.com, via LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/company/bread-and-butter-ventures/, and via Twitter at www.twitter.com/bread_buttervc?lang=en

Check out their podcast at fullstackfood.io.  

Brett can be contacted via email at brett@breadandbutterventures.com, via LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/in/brett-brohl, and via Twitter at www.https://twitter.com/brettbrohl?lang=en.

________________________________________________

For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at: http://investorconnect.org  

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Direct download: Brett_Brohl_of_Bread__Butter_Ventures.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:00am CST

Why Start a University Angel Network?

Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing.

A university angel network is a group of investors formed around the affinity to a university.

It typically consists of alumni and supporters of the university.

So why start an angel network at a university?

It’s a great way for alumni to connect back to their alma mater.

The members are like-minded business people who connect with each other.

The primary purpose of the group is to provide a better education experience for the students as well as job placement.

The angel group can focus on startups related to the university or look for startups more broadly.

The students participate by helping with the process of funding startups such as providing analysis of the deal flow.

The university can extend the  student education program through the group by offering course credit and internships.

Students who participate find invaluable experience and often receive job opportunities that further their career.

Finance students can learn diligence and apply their venture finance education to the startups the angel investors review.

Entrepreneurship students learn how startups work by applying their entrepreneurship knowledge to the screening process.

The angel group can also draw on resources from the university for analyzing the deals.

The university is a non-profit so there’s no investing inside the university. 

An LLC must be set up for any investments the angel group makes. 


Thank you for joining us for the Startup Funding Espresso where we help startups and investors connect for funding.

Let’s go startup something today.
___________________________________

For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at: http://investorconnect.org 

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Category:general -- posted at: 6:00am CST

This is Investor Perspectives. I’m the host of Investor Connect, Hall T Martin, where we connect startups and investors for funding.

In our new Investor Perspectives series entitled “How to Solve the Real Estate Problem”, you’ll hear about changes expected in the coming 12 months and our guests’ final thoughts.

As the COVID pandemic passes, we emerge into a new world. The real estate space is now undergoing tremendous change as we shift to a new normal way of life. Work from home and the shift to work from anywhere is changing the real estate market. We have investors and startup founders describe the changes coming up.

Our guests are:

Chi Hathiramani, Chief Investment Officer, Casoro Group 01:19
Brent Bowers, CEO, The Land Sharks 06:48
Lauren Hardy, Founder, TMF Real Estate 07:53
Wade Micoley, Founder and CEO, RealtyHive 10:52

We hope you enjoy the show.

For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at: http://investorconnect.org

Check out our other podcasts here: https://investorconnect.org/ 
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Category:general -- posted at: 6:00am CST

Why You Should Move Your Angel Group Online

Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing.

As the world moves online, so you should move your angel network online as well.

This includes your screening process, presentation meetings, diligence process, and education sessions. 

The screening process can be made more efficient by capturing 1-3 minute pitch videos from those applying to pitch to your group.

These videos can be viewed individually or as a group, such as your screening committee.

Investor members can join an online meeting to discuss and vote, or they could vote individually.

You can source deals from a wider network as you’re no longer limited to those in your geographic area.

Move your presentation online so more members can access them live or by recording.

Investors can use online tools for formulating their questions.

The online format can also facilitate investors sharing their thoughts, concerns, and questions about the deals with other investors in the group.

For diligence, you can use tools such as a Slack channel for your group to share information and follow the diligence process.  

Through Slack, you can capture questions and feedback. You can create a separate channel for communications with the startup raising funding. 

Online tools can help run a standardized process for diligence.

Use recorded calls to capture the results and make them available to others.

Online tools can facilitate education courses about angel investing you can provide your members.   

You can create a library of content for your members, both present and future.  An online education format lets you source content from other groups.  

Online meetings can augment your group rather than replace the physical meetings entirely.  Social and networking events can continue for members to meet each other.


Thank you for joining us for the Startup Funding Espresso where we help startups and investors connect for funding.

Let’s go startup something today.
___________________________________

For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at: http://investorconnect.org 

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Category:general -- posted at: 6:00am CST

On this episode of Investor Connect, Hall welcomes Matteo Scarabelli, Director of Insight at L Marks.

Headquartered in London, England, and founded in 2014, L Marks is an investment and innovation advisory firm, specialising in applied corporate innovation. Working with some of the worlds’ best-known brands, including, BMW Group, Lloyd's of London, Arsenal FC, and EDF Energy, L Marks identifies challenges and opportunities and creates bridges to access technological innovations from start-ups and scale-ups from around the world. Having created 70 innovation labs across a variety of sectors, L Marks is the UK's largest operator of corporate accelerators and has exported its methodology into Europe, Japan, and the U.S.

Matteo has 10 years of experience working with and investing in early-stage B2B and B2B2C digital businesses. He has broad experience as an operator in small scaling organisations, in portfolio companies’ management at board level, helping with strategy skillset, and a broad network in the European investment ecosystem.

As Director of Insight, Matteo currently leads the investment and intelligence work at L Marks. He manages both the Scouting team, as well as the Insights team, interacting and gaining insights from external mentors, investors, and startup support partners. Previously as Head of Investment at L Marks, Matteo ensured the smartest investments across all the programmes and also supported the startup portfolio in their growth, where he leveraged his broad experience of the startup world, drawing on past operational roles at VC-backed startups, and support for numerous startups from due diligence to further investment.

Matteo discusses how he helps startup and growth companies, some of the challenges they face, and what their focus should be. He speaks about under and over investing, and more.

You can visit L Marks at www.lmarks.com, via LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/company/l-marks/, and via Twitter at www.twitter.com/lmarks.  

Matteo can be contacted via email at matteo@lmarks.com, and via LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/in/matteoscarabelli.
___________________________________________________________________

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Category:general -- posted at: 6:00am CST

Meeting Considerations

Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing.

In setting up your angel network you’ll need to set up the meetings.

Here are some key points to consider:

  1. How many deal flow cycles are you planning?
  2. Are you online, in person, or both and at the same time?
  3. How will you set up the screening meeting, the presentation meeting, and the diligence follow-up?
  4. How far apart should these meetings be?
  5. Do you include a meal, appetizers, or wine bar?
  6. Where will you meet?
  7. How much time will the meeting take?
  8. How many companies will pitch?
  9. How much time for networking?
  10. What are the duties to be done before, during, and after the meetings?
  11. How often will the board meet and when?
  12. Where do sponsors fit into the meeting agenda?
  13. Will there be education sessions?
  14. What are the needs of the members and how best to facilitate the education?
  15. Who is the best to provide the training?

Consider these points in setting up the meetings as it’s a key decision set for the group.


Thank you for joining us for the Startup Funding Espresso where we help startups and investors connect for funding.

Let’s go startup something today.
___________________________________

For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at: http://investorconnect.org 

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Category:general -- posted at: 6:00am CST

On this episode of Investor Connect, Hall welcomes Matt McGraw, Co-Founder and Managing Partner at Anthropocene Ventures.

Headquartered in San Francisco, California, Anthropocene Ventures is a global, early-stage VC firm investing in founders that leverage exponential technologies and hard science to make humanity more resilient. 

Matt is a successful leader, CEO, entrepreneur, and investor. He finds great talent, helps uncover and activate a fun, positive culture and mission, and designs high-performance, high-growth operations. Matt has taken multiple companies from $0 to $10M+ with no outside funding, led mergers in the $100M range, advised startups to successful exits, and grew teams in the hundreds. He’s best at setting the right course, getting the nucleus perfect, and scaling quickly. 

Matt invested early and often in the most successful technology companies in the 2000-2015 bull run.

Matt shares some of the challenges investors and entrepreneurs face in the climate sector, how he sees the industry evolving, the biggest change we might see in the next 12 months, and his investment thesis.

You can visit Anthropocene Ventures at www.anthro.ventures, and via LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/company/anthropocene-ventures/.   

Matt can be contacted via email at matt@anthro.ventures, via LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/in/mjm11/, and via Twitter at www.twitter.com/mjm11?lang=en.
_________________________________________________________________________

For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at: http://investorconnect.org  

Check out our other podcasts here: https://investorconnect.org/ 
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Direct download: Matt_McGraw_of_Anthropocene_Ventures.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:00am CST

Working With Other Angel Groups

Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing.

In setting up an angel network, it’s important to build relationships with other angel groups.

Here are some key points to consider:

  • Other angel groups can provide additional deal flow to your group.
  • They can provide follow-on investment for your funded deals.
  • They can provide expertise and help solve problems you may encounter.
  • They can join with your group in raising the investor profile in your entrepreneur ecosystem.
  • They can help you recruit new members.
  • They can help you form a syndicate of investors for funding larger deals.
  • They can help you advocate for the angel investment class itself.
  • They can provide best practices and experiences.

Your angel network received help from other groups during the formation stage, so you should pay it forward by helping other groups.

Reach out to the angel groups in your sector or area and form a relationship with them.


Thank you for joining us for the Startup Funding Espresso where we help startups and investors connect for funding.

Let’s go startup something today.
___________________________________

For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at: http://investorconnect.org 

Check out our other podcasts here: https://investorconnect.org/ 
For Investors check out: https://tencapital.group/investor-landing/ 
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Direct download: working_with_other_angel_groups.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:00am CST

On this episode of Investor Connect, Hall welcomes Carlos Gutierrez, Managing Partner at Simma Capital.

Headquartered in Bogota, Columbia, and founded in 2019, Simma Capital invests in early and growth-stage companies that are cofounded by outstanding teams, are scalable, have solid unit economics, and are connected with Colombia and the rest of Latin America.

Simma Capital has invested in 16 startups and several other small companies. Together they have built experience, methodologies, connections, and a deeper passion for investing in high-growth companies. 

Carlos has 11+ years of experience investing and working in startups, from being the CFO in several startups, to working at the Telefonica corporate venture capital fund in Colombia and investing with his first fund INVX. Carlos has a 360º view based on his experience as an entrepreneur and investor. His education includes a business degree from Universidad de los Andes and a Master’s in Digital Business Management from Universitat de Barcelona.

Carlos is excited about the fintech and edtech sectors. He advises investors and entrepreneurs, shares some of the challenges they face, and discusses the state of investing in the LATAM region.

You can visit Simma Capital at www.simmacapital.com, and via LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/company/simma-capital/.

Carlos can be contacted via email at carlos@simmacapital.com, and via LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/in/carlos-felipe-gutierrez-camacho.

____________________________________________________________________

For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at: http://investorconnect.org  

Check out our other podcasts here: https://investorconnect.org/ 
For Investors check out: https://tencapital.group/investor-landing/ 
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Direct download: Carlos_Gutierrez_of_Simma_Capital.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:00am CST

Sponsorship Issues

Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing.

Sponsors bring needed financial support to the angel network.

Here are some key points for managing sponsors:

  1. Keep the number of sponsors low so it’s easier to manage.
  2. Allow a limited number of sponsor representatives to join the meetings so they don’t overwhelm the members.
  3. Set the rules of engagement on how sponsors should interact with the members regarding service offerings.
  4. Add the sponsor to the website to give brand recognition.
  5. Allow the sponsor to place marketing materials at the meetings for takeaways.
  6. Tap sponsors to provide training to the members.
  7. Canvas sponsors for any potential members to pursue.
  8. Invite sponsors to coach the startups where there’s a good fit. 
  9. Leverage the sponsors’ network for potential speakers for events.

Sponsors add not only financial support, but also domain expertise to the angel funding process.


Thank you for joining us for the Startup Funding Espresso where we help startups and investors connect for funding.

Let’s go startup something today.
___________________________________

For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at: http://investorconnect.org 

Check out our other podcasts here: https://investorconnect.org/ 
For Investors check out: https://tencapital.group/investor-landing/ 
For Startups check out: https://tencapital.group/company-landing/ 
For eGuides check out: https://tencapital.group/education/ 
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Direct download: sponsorship_issues.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:00am CST

On this episode of Investor Connect, Hall welcomes Fred Walti, CEO of the Network for Global Innovation (NGIN).

The Network for Global Innovation is an international network of entrepreneurial support agents. Its mission is to accelerate the expansion of new sustainable technologies while simultaneously generating significant economic growth in both developed and emerging markets. NGIN currently has 26 members in 20 countries with partners or program experience in Armenia, Brazil, Canada, China, Finland, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, Morocco, Pakistan, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Thailand, Turkey, and the U.S.

Fred is an expert in creating innovation ecosystems that drive economic development. Prior to joining NGIN, Fred was the Co-Founder and, for a period of six years, served as the Founding CEO of the Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator (LACI), combining experience as an entrepreneur with his passion for clean technology. Fred built LACI from a start-up in a bus repair garage into a statewide commercialization ecosystem with an international footprint. LACI is now recognized as one of the premier cleantech commercialization programs in the world.

Under Fred’s leadership, LACI has helped 120+ companies raise $228 million in funding, thus creating 1,700 jobs and delivering more than $400 million in long-term economic value for the City of Los Angeles. Fred has been involved — either as a founder, consultant, principal, or investor — in the startup of several-dozen technology companies. He was named in Techweek100 as one of the most impactful technology leaders in 2014.

In October 2018, Fred was invited to join the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Advisory Committee by the US Secretary of Commerce, Wilbur Ross.

Fred often speaks on subjects that include creating high-performance innovation ecosystems that drive economic development; the new mega-city revitalization concept “The StartUp City”; leveraging a region’s strengths to build a large green economy, entrepreneurship, the role of innovation in creating jobs, and public/private partnerships.

Fred discusses the state of investing in the sustainability space and how he sees the industry evolving. He advises startups and investors and shares some of the challenges they face.

You can visit the Network for Global Innovation at www.ngin.org, via LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/company/the-network-for-global-innovation, and via Twitter at www.twitter.com/NGINnews.   

You can contact Fred via email at fred@ngin.org, via LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/in/fredwalti/, and via Twitter at www.twitter.com/fwalti  

____________________________________________________________________

For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at: http://investorconnect.org  

Check out our other podcasts here: https://investorconnect.org/ 
For Investors check out: https://tencapital.group/investor-landing/ 
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Direct download: Fred_Walti_of_Network_for_Global_Innovation.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:00am CST

Consider Service Providers

Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing.

In setting up an angel network, it’s important to have support from services providers such as lawyers, accountants, and financial advisors.

Startups will need legal, accounting, and financial support.

Review your community for current service providers who are already helping the startups.

Assess the skills of the providers to see if they are a fit for early-stage companies.

Some providers only work with more mature companies, but the angel network will be dealing with very early ones.

Discuss with local entrepreneur groups and professional organizations about their experience with the providers.

Identify the ones who provide the best experience for their clients.

Reach out and develop a relationship with them as potential speakers, sponsors, or even members.

For those services missing from the community, reach out online to other organizations that can provide the support virtually.

If the demand is big enough, providers will move to the area to support the community.

This often occurs in entrepreneur hubs that are growing fast.


Thank you for joining us for the Startup Funding Espresso where we help startups and investors connect for funding.

Let’s go startup something today.
____________________________________

For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at: http://investorconnect.org 

Check out our other podcasts here: https://investorconnect.org/ 
For Investors check out: https://tencapital.group/investor-landing/ 
For Startups check out: https://tencapital.group/company-landing/ 
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Category:general -- posted at: 6:00am CST

This is Investor Perspectives. I’m the host of Investor Connect, Hall T Martin, where we connect startups and investors for funding.

In our new Investor Perspectives series entitled “How to Solve the Real Estate Problem”, you’ll hear about participation in the real estate segment and what investors look for.

As the COVID pandemic passes, we emerge into a new world. The real estate space is now undergoing tremendous change as we shift to a new normal way of life. Work from home and the shift to work from anywhere is changing the real estate market. We have investors and startup founders describe the changes coming up.

Our guests are:

Chi Hathiramani, Chief Investment Officer, Casoro Group 01:19
Brent Bowers, CEO, The Land Sharks 03:49
Lauren Hardy, Founder, TMF Real Estate 05:44
Wade Micoley, Founder and CEO, RealtyHive 09:54

We hope you enjoy the show.
_______________________________
For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at: http://investorconnect.org 

Check out our other podcasts here: https://investorconnect.org/ 
For Investors check out: https://tencapital.group/investor-landing/ 
For Startups check out: https://tencapital.group/company-landing/ 
For eGuides check out: https://tencapital.group/education/ 
For upcoming Events, check out https://tencapital.group/events/ 

For Feedback please contact info@tencapital.group  

Please follow, share, and leave a review.

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Direct download: IP_Real_Estate_-_Show_3.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:00am CST

Educating the Members

Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing.

In running an angel group, it’s important to educate the new members on how to invest in startups.

Most new members will not have experience with startup funding.

It’s important to set up an education program for the members.

The members will receive education through the process of screening the deals, negotiating the terms, and diligencing the startups.

In addition, there should be formal training on key issues such as how to assess potential investment opportunities.

The training should cover the basics of angel investing as well as the following topics:

  1. Term sheets including key terms, deal structures, and concepts.
  2. Valuations, including how to figure valuation and negotiate with startups.
  3. Due diligence topics such as financial analysis, market review, and team assessment.
  4. Capitalization tables and how to read them.
  5. Portfolio strategy and how to build a portfolio of startup investments.
  6. Investment returns in startups and how to calculate them.
  7. Board work and how to support the startup as a board member.

While there is a great deal of information on the web, there should be an organized approach to covering these topics and allowing members to ask questions.


Thank you for joining us for the Startup Funding Espresso where we help startups and investors connect for funding.

Let’s go startup something today.
___________________________________

For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at: http://investorconnect.org 

Check out our other podcasts here: https://investorconnect.org/ 
For Investors check out: https://tencapital.group/investor-landing/ 
For Startups check out: https://tencapital.group/company-landing/ 
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Category:general -- posted at: 6:00am CST

On this episode of Investor Connect, Hall welcomes Giuseppe Liberati, Executive Director at Bridging Value, Board Member of the Houston Angel Network, and Author of “Next: How to Innovate From Within”.

Headquartered in Houston, Texas, and founded in 2012, Bridging Value has successfully helped global startups, business units, and small-to-large global organizations facilitate product, organizational and ecosystem activation and transformation.

Fluent in five languages, Giuseppe is a global visionary change agent, offering more than 20 years of expertise in driving business into new markets internationally and swelling market share. He is a board member of the Argentina Texas Chamber of Commerce and the Colorado School of Mines Materials Department.

Giuseppe opened new market channels in the USA, Europe, and Latin America from Hydrogen FCEV, to advanced water treatment, to industrial retail solutions, to O&G engineering and management, expanding clients business by three times the average.

He established relevant strategic partnerships between Fortune 500 companies, created four international brands, earned nine patents, and co-authored six international papers.

Giuseppe shares with Hall what excites him now, advises startups and investors, discusses the state of startup investing, and what he thinks will be the biggest change we will see in the next year or two.

You can visit Bridging Value at www.bridgingvalue.com, via LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/company/bridging-value/, and via Twitter at www.twitter.com/bridging_value.    

Giuseppe can be contacted via email at giuseppe@bridgingvalue.com, and via LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/in/liberati/

You can purchase his book from www.amazon.com, www.barnesandnoble.com, and other digital platforms.

__________________________________________________________

For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at: http://investorconnect.org  

Check out our other podcasts here: https://investorconnect.org/ 
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Direct download: Giuseppe_Liberati_of_Bridging_ValueHAN.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:00am CST

Communicating With Members

Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing.

In running an angel group, it’s important to communicate your membership criteria and organizational structure to prospective members.

The website and associated documents should make clear not only the membership criteria, but also the process to become a member, and how the group is structured.

It also should make clear the process for membership application, acceptance, onboarding, and annual renewal.

The website and documents should include the following:

  1. Key people who lead committees such as deal flow screening, diligence process, new member recruiting, and other important functions. 
  2. Membership application and process to apply, including time frames for approval.
  3. Membership fees and other criteria for membership, such as minimum number of investments or number of led deals per year.
  4. Rules of conduct and membership agreements that members must sign.
  5. Schedule of events for the coming twelve months.

In addition to the website, members should have the opportunity to attend a meeting to learn more about the group.

Thank you for joining us for the Startup Funding Espresso where we help startups and investors connect for funding.

Let’s go startup something today.
___________________________________

For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at: http://investorconnect.org 

Check out our other podcasts here: https://investorconnect.org/ 
For Investors check out: https://tencapital.group/investor-landing/ 
For Startups check out: https://tencapital.group/company-landing/ 
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Direct download: communicating_with_members.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:00am CST

On this episode of Investor Connect, Hall welcomes Philip Webb, Managing Director at Investors In Community Limited (IIC).

Headquartered in Chesterfield, Derbyshire, England, and founded in 2015, Investors In Community Limited is a for-profit company operating a B2B SaaS platform, providing businesses with the measurement and verification tool for all community support and giving. As social value becomes monetised by way of tender and supply chain requirements, investor expectations, staff attraction and retention, and customer choices based on perceived responsibility of the business supplier, it has become necessary to create an independent system to measure, manage, track, verify and report. Spreadsheets are no longer acceptable as a means to report authentic activity. IIC was written as a bespoke platform, using an IBM software house to create a hyper-ledger blockchain platform hosted with IBM. This provides robust, trusted, and scalable systems for ultimate overseas expansion.

Phil started his career working for IBM UK as a hardware specialist. He established a hardware/services business in 1990, growing to over £6.7M and selling on in 1996. Since set up, he has merged and sold 5 SME businesses in the areas of software development, training, and business consultancy.

In 1996, Phil was elected Chamber President, and in the same year, represented SME businesses in the CBI Regional Council.

Phil has published three business books, leading to university lecturing about rapid change management, and is the legal custodian of the research from the Stanford University of the SWOT Analysis.

Phil discusses how he sees the industry evolving and its growth rate, some of the challenges in starting a business in this space, and he explains community credits.

You can visit Investors In Community Limited at www.investorsincommunity.org, via LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/company/investors-in-community/, and via Twitter at https://twitter.com/IICTweets 

Phil can be contacted via email at philip.webb@investorsincommunity.org, and via LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/in/philipwebbtam/.   
________________________________________

For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at: http://investorconnect.org  

Check out our other podcasts here: https://investorconnect.org/ 
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Direct download: Philip_Webb_of_Investors_In_Community_Limited.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:00am CST

Setting Membership Criteria

Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing.

In setting up an angel network, you need to determine the membership criteria.

Here are some points to consider: 

The Securities and Exchange Commission or SEC sets the investor criteria to allow for investments into startups.

Members must meet the SEC criteria for accredited investors.

Make clear the goals of the group, whether supporting the local entrepreneur ecosystem, fostering a new technology, or educating the community.

The “why” of the group is as important as the “what to invest in” question.

In the university angel group setting, the “why” is typically focused on student experience and job placement.

Making a return on investment is also important but typically not the number one goal. 

Also, connecting investors to one another is a goal many angel groups have.

Consider the “why” of your group and communicate that to prospective members.


Thank you for joining us for the Startup Funding Espresso where we help startups and investors connect for funding.

Let’s go startup something today.
___________________________________

For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at: http://investorconnect.org 

Check out our other podcasts here: https://investorconnect.org/ 
For Investors check out: https://tencapital.group/investor-landing/ 
For Startups check out: https://tencapital.group/company-landing/ 
For eGuides check out: https://tencapital.group/education/ 
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Direct download: setting_the_membership_criteria.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:00am CST

Funding the Angel Network Program

Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing.

In setting up an angel network, you need to fund the program. 

Here are some funding sources to consider: 

Most angel networks charge a membership fee to cover the expenses for running the program. 

For those groups using the fund structure, a management fee or carry can be taken from the fund to cover the cost.

Special purpose vehicles can also be used for each deal to pool investors’ funds and then take a carry or fee from it.

Other sources of funding include sponsorships from providers related to the startup space, such as legal and financial work.

Some angel groups qualify for grants in their area and can use the grant to cover expenses.

Finally, some groups charge an administration fee to the funded companies.

Members can only volunteer so many hours to the group, so make sure you are funding the program properly with these sources.


Thank you for joining us for the Startup Funding Espresso where we help startups and investors connect for funding.

Let’s go startup something today.
___________________________________

For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at: http://investorconnect.org 

Check out our other podcasts here: https://investorconnect.org/ 
For Investors check out: https://tencapital.group/investor-landing/ 
For Startups check out: https://tencapital.group/company-landing/ 
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Direct download: funding_the_angel_network_program.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:00am CST

On this episode of Investor Connect, Hall welcomes back Brian Parks, Founder & CEO of Bigfoot Capital.

Headquartered in Denver, Colorado, and founded in 2017, Bigfoot has provided over $30M in non-dilutive capital commitments to growth-stage software companies across the U.S. Their relationships with their portfolio companies tend to last 2 to 3 years and they are instrumental in supporting companies to get to subsequent capital raises or M&A transactions.

Brian founded Bigfoot after having been an operator in early-stage software companies since 2010. During that time, Brian was Co-Founder & CEO of Brandfolder (acquired by Smartsheet), an executive team member at a marketplace lending business, and employee #1 at an online travel distribution company.

Prior to that, he was an M&A investment banker and a commercial banker.

Over the course of his career, Brian has been involved in multiple financings and acquisitions totaling north of $500M.

Brian gives an update on what he has been doing since the last interview, discusses what he is passionate about and shares some of the challenges startups and investors face.

You can visit Bigfoot Capital at www.bigfootcap.com, via LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/company/bigfoot-capital, and via Twitter at www.twitter.com/bigfootcapital

Brian can be contacted via email at bparks@bigfootcap.com, via LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/in/parksbrian, and via Twitter at www.twitter.com/parkstweet

____________________________________________________________________

For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at: http://investorconnect.org  

Check out our other podcasts here: https://investorconnect.org/ 
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Direct download: Brian_Parks_of_Bigfoot_Capital_follow_up_1.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:00am CST

Choosing the Investment Structure

Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing.

In setting up an angel network, you need to choose an investment structure.

Here are some structures to consider: 

Individual investments -- the members can each decide if they want to invest and how much to invest in each deal.

This allows for maximum flexibility for the members to invest in the deals they want.

The drawback is the administration is high, as you must work with each investor in determining their amount of investment and signing of the documents.

Group investments -- the members invest as a group.

In this structure, the investors can create a pledge fund so the group decides which deals to pursue.

The members have some decision-making control over the investment decisions.

This reduces the administrative overhead.

The group can also choose to create a fund in which a screening committee or manager determines which investments are made.

This requires the least amount of administration as the manager or committee makes the decisions on their own. 

The group can also choose to create a sidecar fund that invests from a fund into deals the members have funded individually.

The sidecar fund provides members diversification on top of their individual investments.

This is also a low-cost administrative structure as the sidecar investment is typically a calculation based on the members’ investment and does not require a manager to run it.

Thank you for joining us for the Startup Funding Espresso where we help startups and investors connect for funding.

Let’s go startup something today.
___________________________________

For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at: http://investorconnect.org 

Check out our other podcasts here: https://investorconnect.org/ 
For Investors check out: https://tencapital.group/investor-landing/ 
For Startups check out: https://tencapital.group/company-landing/ 
For eGuides check out: https://tencapital.group/education/ 
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Direct download: choosing_the_investment_structure_2.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:00am CST

This is Investor Perspectives. I’m the host of Investor Connect, Hall T Martin, where we connect startups and investors for funding.

In our new Investor Perspectives series entitled “How to Solve the Real Estate Problem”, you’ll hear about the primary trends and what makes for a successful company in this space.

As the COVID pandemic passes, we emerge into a new world. The real estate space is now undergoing tremendous change as we shift to a new normal way of life. Work from home and the shift to work from anywhere is changing the real estate market. We have investors and startup founders describe the changes coming up.

Our guests are:

Chi Hathiramani, Chief Investment Officer, Casoro Group 01:25
Brent Bowers, CEO, The Land Sharks 02:52
Lauren Hardy, Founder, TMF Real Estate 05:09
Wade Micoley, Founder and CEO, RealtyHive 08:33

We hope you enjoy the show.
_______________________________
For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at: http://investorconnect.org 

Check out our other podcasts here: https://investorconnect.org/ 
For Investors check out: https://tencapital.group/investor-landing/ 
For Startups check out: https://tencapital.group/company-landing/ 
For eGuides check out: https://tencapital.group/education/ 
For upcoming Events, check out https://tencapital.group/events/ 

For Feedback please contact info@tencapital.group  

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Direct download: IP_Real_Estate_-_Show_2_rev.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:00am CST

Thank you for joining us today for our TEN Capital Fundraise Launch Program.

In this program, we help startups prepare for a fundraise. 

We provide templates, tools, eGuides, and advice to founders who are working towards raising funding.

We’ll kick off the session with a short overview on a fundraising topic, then we’ll answer questions from the founders.

I hope you enjoy this episode.


Thank you for joining us for the TEN Capital Fundraise Launch Program where we help startups prepare for a fundraise. 

For more episodes, please visit the site at: http://investorconnect.org 

Check out our other podcasts here: https://investorconnect.org/ 
For Investors check out: https://tencapital.group/investor-landing/ 
For Startups check out: https://tencapital.group/company-landing/ 
For eGuides check out: https://tencapital.group/education/ 
For upcoming Events, check out https://tencapital.group/events/ 

For Feedback please contact info@tencapital.group  

Please follow, share, and leave a review.

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Direct download: IP_Real_Estate_-_Show_2.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 8:25am CST

Choosing the Regulatory Environment

Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing.

As angel networks expand across the globe, those groups outside the U.S. should also consider their local regulatory environment before launching an angel network.

Here are some points to consider:

  1. Is there a legal environment that allows for investment structures for venture funding?
  2. Are there any restrictions on the number of investors, ownership, or exiting the business?
  3. Do the local laws protect the investor as well as the startup?
  4. What are the bankruptcy laws and how do they treat debtors and lenders?
  5. What are the tax laws and how do they impact angel investors?
  6. Are there protections for intellectual property and its holders?
  7. What are the laws around hiring and firing employees? 
  8. Can employees own shares and options legally, and if so, what is their tax treatment?
  9. Can the business bring in workers from outside the country?

While these issues are clear in the U.S. and for the most part foster angel investing, other countries have not yet built out their regulatory environment to foster it.


Thank you for joining us for the Startup Funding Espresso where we help startups and investors connect for funding.

Let’s go startup something today.
___________________________________

For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at: http://investorconnect.org 

Check out our other podcasts here: https://investorconnect.org/ 
For Investors check out: https://tencapital.group/investor-landing/ 
For Startups check out: https://tencapital.group/company-landing/ 
For eGuides check out: https://tencapital.group/education/ 
For upcoming Events, check out https://tencapital.group/events/ 

For Feedback please contact info@tencapital.group  

Please follow, share, and leave a review.

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Direct download: choosing_the_regulatory_environment.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:00am CST

On this episode of Investor Connect, Hall welcomes Eric Stegemann, Managing Partner at TRIBUS Capital.

Headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri, TRIBUS Capital provides advisory services and investment in early-stage proptech companies. The fund looks to leverage the network effect of the TRIBUS portfolio which has relationships with nearly 100,000 realtors across the United States and Canada. Current TRIBUS capital portfolio companies include mortgage and real estate lead gen, chatbots, client data systems, MLS software vendors, and brokerage software companies. 

Eric brings over 20 years of brokerage and proptech experience and expertise to his role as Managing Partner of TRIBUS Capital. Having become a realtor before reaching the age of 20, Eric grew passionate about an industry where responsibility and hard work were rewarded. After selling for a large brand brokerage, he started his own brokerage which quickly grew to the largest independent in St. Louis within 20 months. Within six years, he received an offer to purchase the brokerage while retaining all of the technology developed. Using this technology, he started TRIBUS. Eric is regarded as one of the brightest minds in the real estate technology realm and has spoken at a variety of real estate events, such as Inman Connect in New York and San Francisco, the NAR Annual Conference, and numerous state and local board meetings.

Eric advises entrepreneurs and investors, discusses some of the challenges they face, and mentions some of the companies he has invested in. 

You can visit TRIBUS Capital at https://tribus.com/, and via LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/company/tribus/.

Eric can be contacted via email at eric.stegemann@tribusgroup.com, via LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/in/ericstegemann/, and via Twitter at https://twitter.com/ericstegemann?lang=en

____________________________________________________________

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Category:general -- posted at: 6:00am CST

Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing.

There are several legal structures to use when setting up your angel network.

Most angel networks form a Limited Liability Company or LLC.

This gives the angel network a legal entity with which it can conduct business.

The members often pay an annual fee to fund the operational activities of the company.

Some angel networks form in association with a university.

Since the university is a non-profit organization, the angel group can work inside the university for its mentoring, networking, and other non-financial activities.

For running a fund or making investments, the angel network inside the university must set up an entity outside the university, since non-profit organizations cannot engage in investment activities.

Some angel networks form a not-for-profit LLC and then apply for non-profit status 501(c)3 with the IRS.  

Again, the mentoring, education, and other non-financial aspects can be done within the organization, but the financial aspects such as investing must be done outside.

Finally, some angel networks form a not-for-profit LLC  and then apply for trade organization status or 501(c)6.  

This structure allows the organization to engage in political activities.

Those angel networks choosing a non-profit or trade organization structure must set up a separate legal entity for any funds they want to raise and deploy.


Thank you for joining us for the Startup Funding Espresso where we help startups and investors connect for funding.

Let’s go startup something today.
___________________________________

For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at: http://investorconnect.org 

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Direct download: choosing_the_legal_structure.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:00am CST

On this episode of Investor Connect, Hall welcomes David Goldberg, General Partner at Alpaca VC.

Headquartered in New York, New York, Alpaca VC is a seed-stage venture capital firm that believes that layering technology over daily life transforms how the real world works so they invest in the people, products, and processes that power commerce in the physical world.

Led by a diverse team of company builders, operators, and analytical thinkers, Alpaca develops a repeatable playbook to help its entrepreneurs most efficiently progress from Seed to Series A.

Prior investments include Compass, Transfix, Latch, Wheels Up, Imperfect Foods, and Firstbase.

After coming off his own entrepreneurial journey as Founder/CEO of FreshNeck, David joined Alpaca in 2014. He relies on empathy and personal experience to form deep bonds with founders and add value where it matters most. David enjoys partnering with startups on high-level strategy and building scalable ‘operating systems’ consisting of structured priorities and OKRs. Some of David's past investments on behalf of Alpaca include Latch, Transfix, Imperfect Foods, Minibar, FirstBase, and Monument.

Before getting the startup bug, David spent his early career in finance and law at the University of Miami and Fordham University. He spent three years as an Assistant District Attorney, representing the people of New York, and following that, spent three years across Merrill Lynch and Jefferies & Co.

David discusses his investment thesis and some of the challenges entrepreneurs and investors face. 

You can visit Alpaca VC at www.alpaca.vc, via LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/company/alpacavc/, and via Twitter at www.twitter.com/alpacavc/

David can be contacted via email at david@alpaca.vc, via LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/in/david-goldberg-056a973/, and via Twitter at www.twitter.com/davidrgoldberg

_____________________________________________________________________

For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at: http://investorconnect.org  

Check out our other podcasts here: https://investorconnect.org/ 
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Direct download: David_Goldberg_of_Alpaca_VC.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:00am CST

Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing.

There are two ways to organize your angel network: member-led or manager-led.

Member-led groups let the members source deals, lead the investments, and recruit the members.

They hire staff members to handle the administrative tasks.

Manager-led groups hire experienced professionals to perform key functions such as determining which startups to fund. 

Managers also work on screening the deals so only the fundable ones go through to the members.

They also prepare the founders so their documents and presentations are ready.

They maintain communication with the startup throughout the process.

They lead the diligence process and produce the diligence report. 

Some angel groups partner with incubators, accelerators, universities, and other groups.  

The partner provides meeting space and shares the operational cost of the group.

Some partners provide administrative support.

The choice of member-led versus manager-led often comes down to the availability of someone to take the role of the manager. 


Thank you for joining us for the Startup Funding Espresso where we help startups and investors connect for funding.

Let’s go startup something today.
___________________________________

For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at: http://investorconnect.org 

Check out our other podcasts here: https://investorconnect.org/ 
For Investors check out: https://tencapital.group/investor-landing/ 
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Category:general -- posted at: 6:00am CST

On this episode of Investor Connect, Hall welcomes Allison Piper Kimball, Managing Partner at Wave 27 Ventures.

Allison, MSPH, MBA is also the founder of the Blue Catalyst Group. Angel investing is Allison's third career, after first working as an environmental and occupational health consultant and then spending almost two decades as an executive in the retail electricity industry. Allison served in a variety of roles including as Chief Operating Officer of Texas electricity retailer StarTex Power before and through its sale and transition to Constellation Energy; and then as Chief Operating Officer at Spark Energy, a nationwide retail electricity and natural gas company which she helped take public in 2014. Throughout her career, Allison worked closely with multiple entrepreneurs at all stages of company growth and development, from start up to taking companies in their early years from start up to sale or IPO. Allison leverages this experience to mentor and invest in entrepreneurs and early-stage companies. 

Allison is a member of the Houston Angel Network and serves on its board of directors, is an LP in Golden Section Ventures and The Artemis Fund, and serves on the board of Montucky Cold Snacks. Allison is active in regional startup, business model and pitch competitions, and mentoring entrepreneurs.

Allison holds an MBA in Finance and Information Systems from Tulane University, a Master of Science in Public Health from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and a Bachelor of Science from Clarkson University in New York.

Allison shares what excites her now, advises startups and investors, discusses how she sees the angel industry evolving, and mentions some of the startups she has invested in.

You can contact Allison via email at allison@bluecatalystgroup.com, and via LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/in/allisonpiper/

__________________________________________________________________________

For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at: http://investorconnect.org  

Check out our other podcasts here: https://investorconnect.org/ 
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Direct download: Allison_Piper_Kimball_of_Wave_27_Ventures.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:00am CST

Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing.

Angel investing can be fun and financially rewarding to the investor as well as helpful to the startup.

It can also be challenging.

Here are some challenges to consider:

Angel investing requires hands-on work with the startups not only in funding but also in supporting them after the investment.

Angels often fill in the gaps left by the local incubators and accelerator programs in coaching them into a place where they can raise funding.

First-time angels can find it time-consuming and expensive to learn the process.

New market segments require the angel investor to continually learn new industries and business models. 

There’s no collateral for the investment and it can all go to zero as it’s a risky investment class.

One out of ten investments will be a home run.  

Two or three will provide a small return on investment.

And the rest will fail. 

Angel investing can be a rewarding endeavor but it’s not without its challenges.


Thank you for joining us for the Startup Funding Espresso where we help startups and investors connect for funding.

Let’s go startup something today.
___________________________________

For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at: http://investorconnect.org 

Check out our other podcasts here: https://investorconnect.org/ For Investors check out: https://tencapital.group/investor-landing/ 
For Startups check out: https://tencapital.group/company-landing/ 
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Direct download: Challenges_in_angel_investing.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:00am CST

On this episode of Investor Connect, Hall welcomes Michael Nogen, Managing Partner at Overton Venture Capital.

Overton Venture Capital is a woman-led fund that invests in seed and early-stage, revenue-generating companies whose entrepreneurs break the world’s confines and reimagine it with transformational solutions for next-generation businesses. They partner with ambitious entrepreneurs who are meeting the challenges and opportunities of today’s rapidly evolving consumer landscape.

Prior to launching Overton Venture Capital, Michael has held several leadership roles in retail and management consulting including VP, Brand and Finance (1800Flowers.com), Director of Global Strategy (Gap), Consultant (Kurt Salmon /Accenture).

Before his career in retail, and before earning an MBA at NYU, Michael launched a premium contemporary maternity apparel design and manufacturing business, growing distribution to 200+ global specialty and department store retailers and launching the maternity category for Zappos.com.

Michael holds a BA from Wabash College in history, a MA in Public Policy from Middlebury’s Institute of International Studies at Monterey, and received his MBA from the NYU Stern School of Business.

Michael discusses the state of startup investing and some of the challenges startups and investors face.

You can visit Overton Venture Capital at www.overtonvc.com, via LinkedIn at  www.linkedin.com/company/overton-venture-capital/, and via Twitter at https://twitter.com/OvertonVc.  

You can contact Michael via email at michael@overtonvc.com, via LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/in/michaelnogen, and via Twitter at https://twitter.com/Michael_Nogen

____________________________________________________________________

For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at: http://investorconnect.org  

Check out our other podcasts here: https://investorconnect.org/ 
For Investors check out: https://tencapital.group/investor-landing/ 
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Direct download: Michael_Nogen_of_Overton_Venture_Capital.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:00am CST

Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing.

An angel investor will find many benefits in joining an angel network.

The angel network can build resources to share with the angel such as due diligence.

This is time-intensive work, so it helps to share the load.

Angel networks provide more and better deal flow than individual investors can find.

The bigger the angel network, the more likely there will be knowledgeable investors about the market segments and startup business models.

This lets the angel investor pursue deals outside their core expertise.

Angel groups can write bigger checks than individual angels and thus command better terms with the startup.

Experienced angel investors can share their knowledge with new angels. 

This is particularly helpful in setting valuations, defining term sheets, and supporting the company.

Angel investors can find diversification through the angel network and its deal flow.

An angel network will have more influence over its startup scene than an individual investor. 

Consider joining an angel network. 


Thank you for joining us for the Startup Funding Espresso where we help startups and investors connect for funding.

Let’s go startup something today.
___________________________________

For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at: http://investorconnect.org 

Check out our other podcasts here: https://investorconnect.org/ 
For Investors check out: https://tencapital.group/investor-landing/ 
For Startups check out: https://tencapital.group/company-landing/ 
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Direct download: benefits_of_an_angel_network.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:00am CST

This is Investor Perspectives. I’m the host of Investor Connect, Hall T Martin, where we connect startups and investors for funding.

In our new Investor Perspectives series entitled “How to Solve the Real Estate Problem”, you’ll hear about growth in the real estate space.

As the COVID pandemic passes, we emerge into a new world. The real estate space is now undergoing tremendous change as we shift to a new normal way of life. Work from home and the shift to working from anywhere is changing the real estate market. We have investors and startup founders describe the changes coming up.

Our guests are:

Chi Hathiramani, Chief Investment Officer, Casoro Group, 01:17
Brent Bowers, CEO, The Land Sharks,  05:34
Lauren Hardy, Founder, TMF Real Estate, 07:31
Wade Micoley, Founder and CEO, RealtyHive,  10:16

We hope you enjoy the show.
_______________________________
For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at: http://investorconnect.org 

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Direct download: IP_Real_Estate_-_Show_1.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:00am CST