Investor Connect Podcast

What it takes to turn a travel startup from zero income to a staggering $100,000 in just one year?

In this episode of How to Raise Funding, Hall T. Martin, the host of Investor Connect, engages in a detailed discussion with a travel startup founder.

They discuss the origin of the travel venture, the struggles against pandemic-induced challenges, the revenues so far in 2021 and 2022, and the plans to raise funds for the startup.

The travel startup has recovered from zero income in 2021 to 100,000 USD in 2022 and above 100,000 in 2023, while still in the pilot stage. They also discuss issues with traditional funding methods and aim to raise 250,000 USD in funding, primarily for product development. 

Hall advises the company to get a convertible note or safe note, primarily from friends, family, or angel investors and accentuates the importance of always having a new piece of info available from a customer that can be shared with investors. Their strategy aims at providing solutions to customers while continually developing new features of their product.

 

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: How_to_Raise_Funding_10.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 9:12am CDT

Best Practices for Equity

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

Equity is a key component of startup compensation for founders and employees.

While cash may be king in the short term, equity will be worth more in the long run.

Here are some best practices for founders to follow:

Treat equity as the scarce commodity it is and deploy it strategically and carefully.

Avoid using equity for short-term goals such as upgrading websites or purchasing inventory.

Consider alternative forms of funding for anything related to cash flow and inventory.

Set aside equity to compensate the team and take on potential investors.

While it dilutes the founder, it gives the company the capability to grow larger.

A smaller percentage of a big number is better than 100% of a very small number.

Align your compensation with the employee's needs. 

Know who on the team values equity and will work for it and who prefers cash.

If equity is not worth it to them, then reduce their equity share and give it to others who find it motivating.

Map out your equity ownership through subsequent rounds of funding.

It’s important to know how much equity you are giving away on each round. 

By running a fully diluted cap table on each terms sheet you plan to use, you’ll know how much that raise will cost you.

Consider these points in managing equity for your startup.

 

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: Best_Practices_for_Equity.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 8:08am CDT

Equity Vesting

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

Vesting is conveying the ownership of equity to the holder.

Vesting schedules show the rate at which equity is vested over time.

It is used to ensure founders and employees stay with the company till the proposed milestones are achieved.

Investors will look for standard vesting schedules on all equity given to founders, co-founders, and employees.  

The standard vesting schedule for early-stage companies is a four-year vesting schedule with a one-year cliff for founders and employees.

The one-year cliff means the vesting starts after one year but conveys equity each month thereafter.

At the end of the first year, the holder receives one-quarter of the equity.

Fully vested means that all ownership has been conveyed to the holder. 

For founders and cofounders, the vesting schedules should be the same even if the equity percentages are different.

The standard vesting for advisors and directors is 2 years with a 3-month cliff.

In some cases, the founders can get double trigger acceleration.

This accelerates the vesting if two events happen at the same time such as the founder leaves and the company undergoes an acquisition.

Vesting is a key concept in equity that founders should understand.

 

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: Equity_Vesting.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 7:47am CDT

Equity Dilution

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

In the early days of the startup, the founders should raise only the amount of funding necessary to achieve the next milestone.

The valuation of the company is low but will rise when adding products, revenue, and team members.

Raising too much early on will cause the founders to suffer dilution.

Pursue the bigger funding in later rounds when the valuation of the company is higher.

It’s important to define very specifically what you are trying to achieve and know what this will cost.

Here are some other ways to reduce equity dilution:

Keep the discount rates on convertible notes and safe notes to a minimum.

Set up an option pool for employees but keep it in bounds.

Look out for pro rata terms that give some investors an outsized position.

Test your proposed terms sheets by inputting them into your cap table and displaying it as a fully diluted version.

In the early stages think minimum -- minimum fundraise, minimum viable product, minimum team.

This will reduce the amount of equity you are giving away.

 

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: Equity_Dilution.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 7:08am CDT

Equity Distribution Over Funding Rounds

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

As the startup raises funding the founder's and employees' ownership stake will fall and the investor's stake will rise. 

This is due to the fact that more investors are added to the cap table over each round of funding.

Both founders and employees undergo dilution throughout this process.

After a seed round the founders typically own 65% of the company, employees own 15%, and investors own 20%.

After a Series A round the founders typically own 45%, employees own 12%, and investors own 43%.

After a Series B round the founders typically own 35%, employees own 10% and investors own 55%.

After a Series C round the founders typically own 30%, employees own 5% and investors own 65%.

After a Series D round the founders typically own 20%, employees own 3% and investors own 77%.

In startups with more rounds of funding, it’s not uncommon for founders and employees to own single-digit percentages of the company.

Consider the impact of additional rounds of funding on both founder and employee ownership.

 

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: Equity_distribution_over_funding_rounds.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:00am CDT

In this episode, we dive into the world of fundraising, exploring different strategies for securing funds. We also talk about Ten Capital, a specialized firm in investor relations, and introductions, with a notable track record in life science and tech investments.

We unravel the nuances of 10 Capital's flat fee structure and extensive investor network, particularly in healthcare and women's and children's health.

Now, here's a question for you: How can blending convertible notes and preferred equity shape the future of fundraising strategies for innovative ventures?

Share your thoughts with us on social media, and don't forget to subscribe for more engaging episodes. Your journey in the world of funding continues – stay tuned!

 

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: HTRF_EP09.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 1:34pm CDT

Why Give Equity to Employees

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

Employees are a key factor in the success of startups.

Here’s a list of reasons why you should give equity to employees:

Recruiting -- the market is competitive, especially for quality candidates.

A startup offering equity to employees will find it a competitive advantage over other companies.

Retention -- equity vested over time is a useful tool for retaining employees.

The employee must work a certain number of years before their shares vest.

This is a key factor in building a stable workforce.

Motivation -- employees who have an ownership interest in the company are more motivated than those who do not.

Tax benefits for the employee -- equity compensation is taxed at long-term gains rather than ordinary income rates that apply to payroll.

Tax benefits for the employer -- there’s no income tax cost to the company.

Consider these benefits in setting up an equity compensation plan for your startup.

 

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: Why_Give_Equity_to_Employees.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 7:15am CDT

How To Give Equity to Employees

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

Equity is an important compensation tool for employees.

Startups that don’t provide equity must provide all compensation from the cash flow in the form of salaries and bonuses.

This can be difficult on the finances of the business.

Equity compensation doesn’t require any cash outlay.

Consider these methods of compensating employees with equity:

New employees -- give equity as part of the compensation package and pay market rates.

Promoted employees -- give equity as part of the higher compensation package.

Performance compensation -- give equity as part of the compensation for outstanding performance.

Ongoing compensation -- provide annual distribution of equity to employees to create a ladder of vested shares. 

Avoid big gaps in the equity compensation so there’s a steady flow of vested shares coming up each year.

The market is competitive and equity compensation is a key factor for many employees.

 

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_give_equity_to_employees.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 7:06am CDT

Evaluating Employee Equity

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

Employees joining a startup will often receive equity as part of the compensation package.

Investors know that only one out of ten startups will generate an outsized return.

The rest turn in a modest return or fail outright.

Employees should consider these factors in evaluating equity compensation:

What is the exit strategy for the firm and is it a reasonable plan?

Many businesses never reach an exit but turn into lifestyle businesses instead.

How much ownership do you have?

Divide your shares by the total number of shares outstanding to find out.

Are you receiving incentive shares or restricted shares?

The strike price shows the value you must pay to receive the shares and compare it to the current valuation.

Understand the tax implications of each.

How long is the vesting period?

The most common vesting is four years with a one-year cliff.

Can you sell your shares on the secondary market and does the company facilitate the sale?

Can you take the vested shares if you leave the company or do you have to sell the shares back?

Make sure the promised equity is formally documented.

 

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: Evaluating_Employee_Equity.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:30am CDT

Employee Equity

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

Equity compensation for employees varies greatly based on the location, type of startup, and job to be done.

An overall allocation for employees is around 15% of the total equity.

The first five hires receive 1% to 2% each.

Later employees receive 0.25% to o.5% each.

You can also apply a multiplier against the employee’s salary.

This makes it easy to apply to employees across the board.

Director level and above receive 1% while those below receive 0.5%.

Employees seeking a higher salary receive a lower equity percentage.

Those accepting a lower salary receive a higher equity percentage.

Contractors typically don’t receive equity.

Other factors impacting the equity decision include the current market conditions.

You can use equity to compensate seed-stage employees with salaries well below market rate.

Vest the equity over four years with a one-year cliff.

This ensures the employee stays with the company for a meaningful period.

Capture all equity agreements into the cap table.

Remember, follow-on fundraises will dilute all the employee shareholders similar to the founder and co-founder. 



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: Employee_Equity.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:36am CDT

Advisors Equity

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

Startup advisors can help a startup establish the business and find the right track to grow.

Some informal advisors help the business without any compensation.

Some formal advisors help the business but require compensation.

Advisors seeking compensation look for a small piece of equity.

Most advisors are not paid cash in the very early stages as there’s no revenue to draw from. 

Advisors typically receive 0.2% to 1.0% of a share of equity.

The range covers advisors on the low end who give advice.

Those who provide strategic value such as finding investors or C-level hires are in the mid-range.

Experts who provide domain knowledge are on the high end.

The startup undergoes many changes in the early days so an advisor is useful for two years in most cases. 

The equity is vested over two years with a three-month cliff in case the advisor doesn’t work out.

There are standard advisor agreements to paper the engagement.

Any agreement involving equity should be documented and incorporated into the cap table.

Spend time with the advisor before committing to a long-term relationship to make sure there’s a good fit.



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: Advisors_Equity.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:21am CDT

Curious about the startup hustle? 

Embark on a journey through the intricacies of startup funding and business strategy in the latest episode featuring Hall T. Martin. In this insightful dialogue with a seasoned guest, we unravel the challenges and triumphs of the startup ecosystem, ranging from crowdfunding endeavors to the profound impact of AI on global education.

We delve into the essentials of safe notes, convertible notes, and the art of securing substantial investments. This segment offers a comprehensive understanding of setting valuation markers, creating urgency, and optimizing timing for fundraising campaigns.

 

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: HOW_TO_RAise_funding_08.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:00am CDT

Co-Founders Equity

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

Running a startup it requires a complete team.

Someone is building it and someone is selling it. 

In the early stages of a startup, the founder is doing one of these and the cofounder is doing the other.

Founders should look for cofounders whose skill complements their own.

Since there’s no revenue, equity is used to compensate the founder and cofounder for their early work.

Founders must split the equity with the cofounder. 

Here are some key points to consider in determining the equity split:

Keep the big picture in mind when determining the cofounder's value.

Startups take many years to build and then sell so decisions should be made on long-term value and not just short-term job duties.

The equity split must be compelling enough for both founder and co-founder to motivate a strong contribution. 

Investors will look at the equity split to see if the key players are adequately motivated.

Focus on skills and execution rather than ideas and hours worked.

Make sure you vest the cofounder’s shares over a four-year period.

I see many startups with only half the equity still engaged with the company as a cofounder left early and took their entire equity allocation with them.

Plan for the long term and split equity so everyone is motivated to see it through.

 

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: Co-founders_Equity.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:00am CDT

Types of Equity

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

There are several types of equity in a business.

Here’s a list to consider when engaging a startup:

Authorized shares -- the maximum amount of shares the company can distribute.

Outstanding shares -- the number of shares actually distributed.

This determines the current valuation of the company.

Subscribed shares -- the number of shares exchanged for an investment into the company.

Rights shares -- the shares that investors have the right to purchase.

This is often in the form of warrants that give the investor additional shares at a specified price.

Sweat equity shares -- the shares given to those who provide value to the company through labor.

Treasury shares -- the shares repurchased from investors and employees and held by the company.

Options -- shares promised to employees in exchange for their work.

This is used as an incentive to retain employees.

Dividends -- shares of stock converted to cash and given to shareholders.

This is used to provide additional compensation to the shareholders. 

Equity can be used in multiple ways to compensate and incentivize shareholders and employees. 

 

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: Types_of_Equity.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:26am CDT

Founders Equity

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

Founders of the startup receive equity to generate loyalty to the firm.

Cofounders also receive equity.

In splitting equity between the founder and cofounder, avoid the 50/50 split as this puts no one in a position to make final decisions.

There are many tough choices to make in a startup and one founder needs to take that role.

Equity should be set based on the contributions each one makes and vested over time.

Consider the following in splitting the equity:

Experience of the founder

Time commitment made

Responsibilities

Funding raised 

These are the key factors in an early-stage company.

Consider setting aside shares for employees and incentive stock options.

Initial employees receive equity after the first round of funding. 

This round of equity replaces salary which comes into play when revenue starts.

Also, consider that investors typically take 20-25% of the equity in each round of funding.  

This dilutes the founders and early employees.

Capture the decisions in writing and consider setting up a cap table as a proof of record.

 

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: Founders_Equity.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:55am CDT

Key Equity Terms

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

Equity represents the ownership stake in a startup.

Here are some key terms to know about equity.

Vesting -- the transfer of equity ownership from the company to the employee.  

A typical vesting schedule is four years.

Each month a portion of the promised equity is vested which gives the employee ownership over that portion.

One-year cliff -- this term is used with vesting and indicates vesting starts after one year.

Companies do this to encourage employees to stay at least a year. 

Options -- a contract giving the holder the right to buy shares at a specified price later.

Strike price -- this is the price the holder will pay for the options. The difference between the strike price and the market price is the gain the holder receives.

Stock options -- for non-qualified stock options you’ll need to pay tax on the difference between the strike price and the market price. 

For incentive stock options, you’ll pay capital gains tax on the gains when you sell the shares.

Liquidity event -- this is an event such as selling the company or going public on the stock exchange.   It creates liquidity for the shareholders.

Preference stack -- this is the order of payout to the shareholders based on term sheet clauses.  This puts some shareholders first by way of a liquidity preference.  The remaining shareholders get paid from the remaining proceeds.

Consider these terms when dealing with equity negotiations at a startup.

 

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: Key_Equity_Terms.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:23am CDT

Startup Equity Basics

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

Equity is an ownership stake in a company represented by shares.

The three stakeholders are the founders, the employees, and the investors.

Founders start with all the equity and then create and give shares to investors and employees in return for funding and labor.

This additional equity reduces the value of the founder's shares which is called dilution.

The value of a share of stock is the total value of the company divided by the total number of shares outstanding.  

The number of shares authorized doesn’t matter.

Stock options give the holder the right to convert to shares at a later date.

An incentive stock option gives the holder the right to buy shares at a discounted price.

A non-qualified stock option gives the holder the right to buy shares at the grant price.

In a startup you can calculate the value of your stock by taking the most recent valuation and dividing by the number of shares outstanding.

Stock options and founder’s shares are often placed on a vesting schedule.

This is the number of years it takes for the holder to gain ownership over the granted shares.

Vesting is a mechanism to retain employees and founders till the work is completed.

Additional funding dilutes the value of the holders’ shares as it generates more shares outstanding.

The capitalization table (also called the cap table) lists the owners of the company and their percent and shareholder value.

It’s important to know these terms in dealing with equity in a startup.

 

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: 3:17am CDT

On this episode of Investor Connect, Hall welcomes Joy Schoffler, Founder and Principal at Distinctive Edge Partners. Located in Austin, Texas, United States.

Distinctive Edge Partners is a full-service communications, marketing, and events management firm serving clients across the aerospace and defense industry.

They specialize in pairing deep aerospace and defense expertise with creative and digital strategies to help clients build and maximize value, improve operations, and turn risks and threats into opportunities.

Joy Schoffler is an award-winning global communications and investor relations strategist with decades of experience. Joy has a deep history of helping clients achieve business goals, from raising capital to scaling cutting-edge technologies. 

 Joy's experience includes founding and selling a strategic marketing and communications firm, serving on the investment committee at Ascendant Industries, and leading investor relations for Casoro Capital. She has also been involved in real estate acquisitions, growth strategies, and innovation promotion.

Joy shares the opportunities for technology firms to work with the federal government, the modernization efforts in the government, and the opportunities for companies to be part of these efforts. Joy also talks about the resources available for startups to learn more about government needs.

Applications for the Space and Defense Ignite Awards are due by January, 10th, 2024 companies can apply here: https://usg.valideval.com/teams/sdi-ignite-2024/signup 

To learn more about getting involved in the upcoming Space and Defense Showcase and VIP Reception please visit our website: https://www.sdireception.com/ 

To learn more about Distinctive Edge Partners visit: https://distinctiveedge.partners/ 

 

_______________________________________________________

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Direct download: Joy_Schoffler.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 9:46am CDT

Brand Equity

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

Brand equity is the value that comes from customer recognition of the brand.

Startups with brand equity command a higher price for the product and differentiate from the competition.

Here are the key elements of brand equity:

Brand recognition

Customers recognize the visual identity of the brand and value it.

This differentiates your startup from the competition and reduces the cost of acquiring new business.

Brand perception

Customers understand what your startup does based on the brand.

Customers are aware of your promise, values, and mission.

Brand image

The brand generates an emotion when customers see the image.

It is the emotional component of the brand that connects with the customer.

Brand value

The brand stands for quality and helps the customer justify the cost of the product.

It is the logical component of the brand.

Brand equity impacts a startup's financial performance including revenue, cost of sales, and profitability.

Other benefits include lowering the cost of launching a new product, upselling and cross-selling, and lowering churn.

 

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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Direct download: Brand_equity.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:00am CDT

Common Branding Mistakes

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

In developing the brand for your startup avoid these common mistakes:

Spending too much on an agency.

Most of the work comes from you, your team, and a graphics design professional.

Take ownership of your brand building and outsource key elements of the project such as logo design.

Designing a logo that looks cool but is hard to read.

Choose a logo design that remains legible in small formats such as email footers and browser tabs.

Creating a brand identity based on this year’s strategic goals.

Goals change every year so focusing on one year’s goals can leave your brand out of date.

Build a brand based on your overall business strategy which will last for several years.

Failing to maintain the promise of the brand.

You must deliver on that promise consistently.

Failing to communicate your message.

Avoid obtuse wording and strained analogies and make sure the majority of your audience understands it.

Missing the why.

Make sure you include in your message why your business exists.

Avoid these mistakes in your branding efforts.

 

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: 5:00am CDT

Best Practices for Rebranding

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

Most startups will at some point need to rebrand their business.

In rebranding your startup consider these best practices:

Just as you start with a minimum viable product so you can start with a minimum viable brand.

This allows you to test out your brand to see what resonates with your audience.

Emphasize the values in your company that arise naturally as these will be conveyed more readily.

Inventory your brand assets so you have a complete picture of your current status.

Involve the team in the rebranding process by having each one capture images that reflect the brand and then review everyone’s contributions.

Check the readability of the brand in all forms of communication.  

Make sure your brand is legible as it oftentimes renders in a very small format making it difficult to read.

Connect your brand to your business strategy.

Create a wordmark using custom and unique typography.

Trademark your wordmark so others cannot copy it.

Focus on one brand for your company and not for every platform or product.

Finally, engage professional graphic designers to help.

 

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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Direct download: Best_practices_for_rebranding.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:00am CDT

When To Rebrand Your Startup

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

There are times when you need to rebrand your startup.

Here’s a list of reasons:

You’re attracting a larger customer base.

You're changing the target market to reach a new audience.

You’re updating the brand to represent the current product offering.

Your startup is merging with another company.

Customers confuse your logo with other company logos.

The brand you chose does not stand out in the market and no one can remember it.

Your competition has changed and you need to differentiate better.

Your startup has gone through a crisis and needs a fresh start.

The startup has evolved into a new business and the brand no longer reflects the company.

The logo design is out of date and needs to be updated.

Consider these situations as a catalyst for rebranding your startup.

 

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: 5:00am CDT

How To Rebrand Your Startup

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

There are several reasons for rebranding your startup.

A new name may be required due to trademark issues.

You may need to differentiate the company from the competition.

Before rebranding your startup, build a team to review the brand and create a new one. 

In rebranding your startup there are several strategies to consider:

Review the current brand positioning in the market. 

Identify what is working and not working with your current brand.

Determine what needs to change and what should stay the same.

If you are reaching out to a new market segment, research customers in the new sector.

Inventory the use of the brand in all formats and media.

This could be quite extensive for companies with a long history.

Revisit the tone, voice, and positioning of the brand.

Reformulate your brand messaging based on your promise to the customer. 

Update your brand positioning statement to include the proposed changes.

Redesign the logo with the new brand elements.

Write out the brand guidelines for the use of the brand.

Relaunch the brand with the company’s story and the reason behind the rebrand.

 

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: 5:00am CDT

How to turn a startup idea into a multi-million dollar investment?

Welcome to another episode of Investor Connect - How to Raise Funding Series, with Hall T. Martin. In this episode, we venture into the world of genuine connections, funding strategies, and the transformative power of AI in healthcare. If you're a startup enthusiast or an investor seeking valuable insights, you're in for a treat.

We talk about the importance of building relationships, and how to break down funding targets into manageable rounds. This is the key to turning startup momentum into multi-million dollar investments.

 


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Category:general -- posted at: 9:18am CDT

Why Rebrand Your Startup

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

There are times when a startup should rebrand itself.

Here’s a list of good reasons:

Your current brand no longer reflects the values and mission of your startup.

Your startup changed position in the marketplace and the brand no longer matches the promise you made.

Your startup has grown and is now in a new market sector.

Your startup merged with another company and the new company’s mission statement is different.

The brand positioning statement is out of date with the market which may have shifted.

The company’s image needs a new voice that resonates with the market.

Your target customer has shifted and you need to follow the customer.

A crisis has transformed the company and is no longer the same.

Here’s a list of not-so-good reasons:

The logo looks tired and stale.

The company is looking for a short-term boost in sales. 

The leadership has changed and is taking the company in a new direction.

Consider these reasons for rebranding your company.

 

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.

_______________________________________________________

Thank you for joining your host Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing.

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

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Direct download: Why_rebrand_your_startup.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:00am CDT

Managing Your Brand

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

Once you have established your brand it’s important to manage it ongoing.

Here are some key steps to consider in managing your brand:

Assign a team member to manage the process.

Budget resources for managing the brand.

Review how well the brand is doing in recognition, awareness, and positioning.

Discuss the brand with the team on a regular basis for their assessment.

Remind the team as well as the market what your brand stands for.

Talk with customers to see how well you are delivering on the brand promise.

Find out from unhappy customers what you can do better.

The upside to unhappy customers is that they point the way to a better product or service.

Review the competition to see how you are positioned in the market as new entrants may have changed the landscape.

Review the current market to see what new needs and opportunities exist for fulfilling the brand promise.

Your review of the market may point to new areas for growing the business.

Take these steps to continually monitor your brand and its success.

 

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.

_______________________________________________________

Thank you for joining your host Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing.

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

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Direct download: Managing_your_Brand.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:00am CDT

Key Elements of a Brand

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

A strong brand that resonates with the audience has several key elements.

Here’s a list of elements to build into your brand:

Authenticity:

Customers look for brands that are trustworthy in that they deliver on the promise.

Decide what promise you make and stick to it.

Distinctiveness:

Your brand cannot be a me-too version of others in your sector.

Choose a characteristic of your company to build into the brand that sets it apart from the competition.

Relevance:

Your brand must be relevant to the customer.

This means your product connects with the customer’s needs.

Consistency:

It’s consistency over time that builds your brand.

You must consistently deliver on the promises you make to your customers.

Boldness:

Your brand must mean something which means taking a stand.

Take a position and advocate for it.

Follow these steps to create a brand identity for your company.

 

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.

_______________________________________________________

Thank you for joining your host Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing.

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

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Direct download: Key_elements_of_a_brand.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:00am CDT

Steps to Building Your Brand

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

In building a brand from scratch follow these steps:

Start with purpose.

Identify the reason behind the company and why it exists.

Research the competition.

Find out what other companies are doing to avoid duplicate messaging.

Identify the target customer.

Get specific about who you want to reach.

Choose a brand message.

Tie your company’s mission to solving the needs of the target audience.

Flesh out the values of the brand.

Define the supporting values the company stands for.

Find the voice.

Show how the brand relates to the audience.

Develop the story.

Tell the story of the company that supports the brand.

Design the logo.

Create the visual identity of the brand.

Promote the brand.

Embed the brand in every communication including email, social media, signage, and letterhead.

Follow these steps to create a brand identity for your company.

 

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: Steps_to_building_your_brand.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:27am CDT

Best Practices for Creating a Brand

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

In crafting your brand consider these best practices:

Research your competition to see what type of branding they use.

This gives you an idea of what customers are seeing now and what may be an opportunity to do something different.

Identify the buyer persona you serve.

This tells you the customer values and cares about.

Research the target market.

This tells you the trends in the market and what is coming up.

Understand your company culture.

This gives you traits to build into a brand that sets you apart from the others.

Use the brand consistently.

Embed it into all of your marketing.

Write out your brand message.

This helps clarify what style, graphics, and colors to use in building it.

Continually promote your brand.

From time to time remind your target audience what your brand stands for.

Showcase the benefits of your brand.

Tie success stories and testimonials to your brand.

Use these best practices in building and promoting your brand.

 

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: Best_Practices_for_Creating_a_Brand.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:53am CDT

Welcome to another episode of Investor Connect: How to raise funding series, with Hall T. Martin.

In this in-depth conversation, a tech startup founder details their journey from idea to a flourishing business. They share their experience of raising capital, tackling market research, overcoming challenges, and reaching a revenue of close to $200K.

Along with a backstory of their personal journey, we also discuss advice on funding rounds, investor relations, and strategic fundraising.

But how do you turn the momentum of a startup into a multi-million dollar investment?

We talk about the importance of building relationships, breaking a funding target into smaller rounds, and the value of presenting investors with a clear structure.

 

_______________________________________________________

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Direct download: How_to_raise_06.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:08am CDT

Types of Branding

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

There are several types of branding strategies.

Here’s a list to consider for your startup:

Company name -- this strategy builds the brand around the name of the company.

High-end products and luxury brands often use this strategy.

Individual products -- this strategy builds a brand around key products in addition to the company name.

Those companies with products that appeal to different customer types often use this to tune the brand to each customer group.

Attitude branding -- this strategy captures the attitude of the company.

This type of branding creates an emotional connection with the customer.

Brand extensions -- this strategy extends the brand to related products.

This type of branding is often used in the fashion world to extend the brand to different product types.

Private label branding -- this strategy extends the brand of the store to other company’s products.

This extends the product line of the company by using its name rather than creating the product themselves.

Consider the type of branding your company need.

 

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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Direct download: Types_of_Branding.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:00am CDT

Brand Metrics

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

After launching your brand, track the performance with metrics.

Here are some key metrics to consider:

Awareness -- use surveys to gauge how many people are aware of the brand.

Associations -- see what key attributes people associate with it.

Linkage -- see how many people associate your brand with a characteristic unaided.

Quality -- check how many people associate quality with the brand.  

Loyalty -- use the Net Promoter Score to gauge loyalty to the brand.

Preference -- use a survey to test customer’s preference for your brand over others.

Repeat customers -- see how many buyers turn into repeat users.

Visibility -- how prevalent is your brand in social media and other online channels?

Persuasiveness -- how many customers buy the product after reviewing the brand.

Retransmission -- how many customers pass the brand along to others.

Interaction rate -- check the number of people who interact with the brand in a campaign.

Favorability -- measure the number of people who hold a favorable view of the brand.

Sales -- track the increase in sales due to the brand.

Before launching the brand, consider which metrics are the most important for your startup.

 

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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Direct download: Branding_metrics.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:00am CDT

Branding Positioning Statement

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

A brand positioning statement describes your product, what it does, and how it’s different from your competitors.

In crafting your brand positioning statement consider the following:

Start with your ideal customer and address their needs.

Contrast your solution with products currently available.

Give your solution a product name.

Identify the key value proposition of your product.

In developing your brand positioning statement, keep it short and to the point.

Focus on your primary values.

Connect it with your mission statement.

Call out your main value proposition.

Show how your product is unique.

Make sure your brand positioning statement is clear, simple and easy to understand.

It needs to be realistic and achievable.

It needs to address the ideal customer’s problem.

Brand positioning shows how you're delivering on your mission statement.

 

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: Brand_positioning_statement.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:00am CDT

Branding Positioning

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

Brand positioning is the place your brand holds in the customer’s mind.

It should associate your brand with a positive experience.

Here are some key strategies to consider for building your brand positioning:

Quality -- this showcases the quality of your product.  

Use customer success stories, a long history in the business, and craftsmanship for this strategy.

Price -- use the price of the product to position the product in the customer’s mind.

This could be either a high-end price which implies luxury or a low-end price which implies good value.

Differentiation -- call out a unique feature of the product.

This could be how the product works, or a feature that competitors don’t have.

Convenience -- highlight the convenience factor in your product.

Show how your product saves time.

Competition -- demonstrate your product’s superiority over competitors.

It’s important to have a sustainable competitive advantage in this strategy.

Consider these brand positioning strategies for your startup.

 

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: Brand_Positioning.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:00am CDT

Branding Strategies

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

Branding sets your company apart from the competition.

In building your brand consider these strategies:

Start with your target market.

Identify the ideal customer that you want to attract.

Review the competition to see what they offer and how they relate to that ideal customer.

Choose a positioning that the competitors have not already taken.

Pick a company name that matches your company.

Create an image for your company around that unique positioning.

Craft a story that supports that image.

Define what you want the company to be.

Create a narrative that shows how your company is on the path to fulfilling the promise of the brand.

The brand must be simple and clear.

Build that backstory and narrative into your website and communications.

Remind the market what your company stands for.

Reinforce that promise through all customer interactions.

It takes time to build a brand.

Consistency and time will bring that brand to reality.

 

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: Branding_Strategies.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:00am CDT

What if starting a business was as easy as a few taps on your phone?

In this episode of Investor Connect, How to Raise Funding, Hall T. Martin engages in a dynamic conversation with Salem Njejimana, the visionary behind TranQuility Inc. – an app reshaping the way millennials and Gen Zers launch businesses. They dive into the app's origin story, tailored for those venturing into e-commerce and product-based ventures.

Discover Tranquility's game-changing features, from virtual coaching to a dedicated business coach and virtual assistant. Salim shares the exciting news of their funding journey, having already secured $5,000 in non-dilutive investment. Listeners are invited to become users, partners, or investors in the Tranquility movement.

Ready to transform your entrepreneurial aspirations? You can find Salim here: www.linkedin.com/in/sirsalemnjejimana/?originalSubdomain=ca  or TranQuility here: www.linkedin.com/company/tranquillityinc/ Don't just dream – make it happen with Tranquility! 🔥

_______________________________________________________

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

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Direct download: How_to_raise_funding_05.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:20am CDT

Building a Brand

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

A brand brings benefits to the startup.

Investors find value in a brand and will reflect it in the valuation.

A strong brand differentiates your startup from the competition.

It will make your startup memorable.

Here are some key steps in building a brand for your business.

Start with the founder's story.

Identify the motivation for starting the business.

Find your voice and write out keywords or phrases that represent it.

Review your mission statement for the purpose behind your company.

If you don’t have one, then write it out now.

Gather images that represent your keywords and mission statement.

Choose a color scheme and font that matches the style of your company.

Craft a five to seven-word phrase that encapsulates the reason for your business.

Tie it all together into a logo design with the image, color, and key phrase with the font.

Use your logo with all communications.

 

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: Building_a_brand.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:06am CDT

Purpose of a Brand

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

The purpose of a brand is to show why your company exists.

It’s your reason for being beyond making money.

Customers buy products based on both logic and emotion. 

The brand helps you tell your story in a way that connects with the audience’s emotions.

Good brands are easy to understand and remember.

Customers look for brands that match their view of the world.

They make buying decisions based on brands.

They want to join communities of like-minded people.

Brands make it easy for customers to identify what is relevant to them.

To use your brand most effectively, consider the following:

Be consistent with the use of the brand throughout the organization.

Include your brand in all your communications.

Maintain your branding over the long run as it helps anchor the company and maintain consistency through trends and fads.

Use it to show your company’s beliefs and convictions.

A strong brand gives the company legitimacy in the marketplace.

It creates a connection with your audience.

 

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: Purpose_of_a_brand.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:04am CDT

What Is Not a Brand

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

The strength of a company’s brand is how much customers believe in the promise of the company.

Here’s a list of what the brand is not:

Marketing positioning

Market positioning is where you are positioned in the market while the brand is where you are positioned in the customer's mind.

Name of company

The company name draws meaning from the brand.

Logo

The logo is the visual representation of the brand of the company.

Tagline

The tagline expresses the promise of the brand.

Website

The website promotes the brand.

The brand exists in the minds of the customer and is fostered by all of the above.

Consider how to use these tools to promulgate your brand but don’t mistake them for the brand itself.

 

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.

_______________________________________________________

Thank you for joining your host Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing.

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: What_is_not_a_brand.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:14am CDT

Why Your Startup Needs a Brand

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

Branding is more than just a logo.

Your logo is your visual identity.

Your brand is the promise your startup makes to the market.

Here is a list of reasons to craft a brand for your startup:

It gives the startup a singular message that underpins all marketing.

Over time, the brand can become an asset to the company and make it more valuable in an exit.

Branding differentiates your startup from the competition.

It can generate more sales as customers prefer companies with brands over ones that don’t have one.

Branding generates repeat business as customers become loyal to brands.

Branding fosters social proof which motivates new customers to try your product.

Your startup needs a brand.

Consider what promise you are making to the market with your startup that sets it apart from all others. 

Craft a branding strategy for your startup with that promise in mind.

 

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: Why_your_startup_needs_a_brand.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:00am CDT

What is a brand?

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

Your brand is your promise to the customer.

It’s based on the mission of the company.

It appeals to people who share the same vision as you.

It gives the company a unique positioning over the competition.

Your brand impacts everyone in the company including investors, team members, partners, as well as the customer.

Here are some steps to establish your brand:

Start with your founder's story.

What led the founder to start and build the company?

Review your company’s mission statement.

Choose the primary value that your company stands for.

Create a list of words that represent the story, mission, and values of the company.

Create a five-word tagline that encapsulates the promise your company makes.

Select a color and typeface that represents your company style.

Design a logo with a tagline that combines these elements.

Include the logo in all company communications including email and social media.

 

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.

_______________________________________________________

Thank you for joining your host Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing.

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: What_is_a_brand.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:00am CDT

Should you be an Advisor?

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

Investors are often tapped to advise startups.

Here are some key points to consider when asked to be an advisor:

Are you interested in the startup and what they are doing?

If you’re not interested then nothing else really matters.

What is the time commitment requested?

Make clear what time limitations you have upfront.

What exactly do they want?

Ask probing questions to find out what they want from you.

Do they want industry-specific advice or general startup advice?

Make sure you are the right person for what they need.

Do they want introductions to potential customers, partners, and others?

If so, make sure you have the contacts that will work.

Is there any compensation?

For the most part, there will be no cash compensation but equity is a potential option.  Ask about this upfront.

Do you think the team will succeed?

Choose startups that have a real shot at making it successful.

Turn the advisor role into a fairly specific project so there are no missed expectations on anyone’s part.

 

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: Should_you_be_an_advisor.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:00am CDT

On this episode of Investor Connect, Hall welcomes Arthur Petropoulos, founder of Hill View Partners, a mergers & acquisitions, business sales/exits, and capital advisory services firm specializing in middle-market and lower middle-market companies generating $1 million to $10 million in EBITDA. Based in Cranston, RI, USA, Hill View Partners has a track record of delivering exceptional results for their clients.

Arthur Petropoulos founded Hill View Partners in 2016 after a successful tenure on Wall Street as an Investment Banker, Private Equity Investor, and Head of Mergers and acquisitions and Corporate Development for a high-growth Operating Company. Of note, Arthur served as the Co-Head of the Internal Private Equity group at Cantor Fitzgerald / BGC Partners and was the Director of Corporate Development for a diversified Business Services Company.

Arthur is a Rhode Island native, having earned his undergraduate Business Degree from Providence College and his Juris Doctorate with a focus on Corporate Transactions and Finance from Roger Williams University School of Law.

For more information about Hill View Partners, visit their website at www.hillviewps.com. You can also connect with Arthur Petropoulos on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/in/arthur-petropoulos, or at arthur@hillviewps.com and follow Hill View Partners on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/company/hillviewpartners

 

_______________________________________________________

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

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Direct download: IC_Arthur.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:00am CDT

Startup Advice for Those in College

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

For those in college who want to start their own business use your college days to prepare.

Here are some things you can do:

Set up the legal entity and the website for the business.

Identify the key websites and information resources about your industry and market.

Start tracking the competitors and key players in the industry.

Use your electives to take courses that can help you with basic business needs such as accounting and finance.

Start building your network of partners, suppliers, and other key contacts who will be useful to your business.

Start testing your market for the right price, product, and position.

Start learning about who your ideal customers are and where to find them.

Run customer acquisition tests to find the right channel for customers.

Read up on the industry to learn more about the technologies, companies, and key figures.

Don’t worry about fundraising yet. 

College is a great time to learn. 

Use it to learn about your industry, market, and customers.

 

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: Startup_advice_for_those_in_college.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:00am CDT

Life After the Buyout

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

Life after a company buyout will be different for the founder.

Here are some key areas to prepare for:

In some cases, the founder will have an earnout that provides additional compensation for meeting revenue or earnings goals.

For those who gain stock in the new company, there may be revesting requirements.

This means the founder must stay for a time period as they revest their ownership in the new stock. 

This is similar to the vesting time for a startup in which the founders have to re-earn their shares in the company.

Most founders will be required to stay with the company for the integration phase.

For the integration, create a plan with a timeline and gain approval from the owners, employees, partners, and other stakeholders.

This includes setting up new communication channels, and organization charts, as well as removing redundant employees and suppliers.

Finally, the purchased company must meld into the acquiring company’s culture.

Most transitions take a minimum of one year to complete unless the acquired company is very small.

 

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: Life_after_the_buyout.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:00am CDT

Legal issues in an acquisition

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

There are several legal issues involved in selling your business. 

Here is a list of key areas to review:

Liability -- the buyer assumes the liabilities of the acquired.

This includes any outstanding litigation as well as compliance issues.

Intellectual property -- the buyer will look for what has been filed, when, and what is the current status.

Make sure your documents and filings are in order. 

Escrow for liabilities -- the buyer may want to hold some of the funds in escrow for potential liabilities that may come in the first year.

Review your outstanding liabilities and working capital requirements.

Contracts -- the legal team will want to review all contracts to understand what responsibilities the acquired has.

Make sure all contracts are organized for review.

Investor agreements -- the legal team will review all investment documents to understand what legal requirements must be met.

Non-compete and non-disclosure agreements -- the buyer will require the founding team to sign non-compete and nondisclosure agreements to protect the business from additional competition.

Have your legal team review these areas before an acquisition.

 

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: Legal_issues_in_an_acquisition.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:00am CDT

Strategic Acquisitions

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

There are strategic acquisitions and financial acquisitions.

Strategic acquisitions are made for factors other than financial considerations.

Here’s a list of strategic reasons buyers acquire companies:

The acquired company provides sales growth for the buyer.

Startups are often in emerging technology markets with the promise of future sales growth.

The buyer wants to roll up several companies to pursue a new market.

Collecting a group of startups into an acquisition can provide a competitive advantage.

The buyer wants to improve their competitive position.

By purchasing a startup they can build their competitive advantage.

The buyer may want to integrate vertically.

By buying their supplier, a company can build a stronger supply chain.

The buyer may want to gain access to a new market that requires a license.

By buying a company with a license, they overcome regulatory barriers.

The buyer may want to buy a company for the product it has already built.

This speeds up the buyer’s time to market.

The buyer may want to buy a startup for the team they have.

This helps the buyer obtain talent. 

Consider these reasons in selling your business to a company for strategic purposes.

 

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: Strategic_acqusitions.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:00am CDT

Key Elements of a Purchase Agreement

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

In selling your business, the purchase agreement outlines the key terms.

It’s important to review it carefully.  

Here are some points to consider when evaluating a purchase agreement:

Check the definitions section to understand what the key terms mean.

Review the price and how payment will be made. 

There may be price adjustments impacting the price such as working capital requirements.

Review the warranties and representations section carefully for what you are representing about your business.

Review the indemnification clause which states what happens if the warranties and representations are not met.

Consider the termination provisions which state what conditions cancel the deal.

Typically, there are fees associated with a breakup.

The closing conditions list the requirements for what must be met to consummate the transaction.

Finally, the covenants section outlines what each party must do during the transaction process.  

Review each of these sections carefully as they impact the completion of the buyout.

 

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: Key_elements_of_a_purchase_agreement.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:00am CDT

How to forge genuine connections with angel investors and family offices? How can AI integration revolutionize healthcare?

If you are interested in these questions this episode is for you! Welcome to another episode of Investor Connect - How to Raise Funding Series, with Hall T. Martin. In this episode we discuss effective strategies to build strong networks with angel investors and family offices. We also share how companies can generate a sense of urgency and excitement among potential investors.

How does Ten Capital work? In this episode, we explain how Ten Capital helps startups raise funds from a variety of channels, especially angel groups and family offices. Emphasizing the importance of recurring interactions with potential investors we provide a rich insider perspective on the startup funding landscape. 

What are the benefits of integrating AI into healthcare models? We discuss the unique challenges and possibilities it opens up. From automating image acquisition to providing live feedback, the power of AI is a game-changer for healthcare startups.

_______________________________________________________

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

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Direct download: How_to_raise_funding_04.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:00am CDT

Characteristics of an Interested Investor

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

In selling your business, check the buyer’s interest in the deal.

Here are some key points to look for:

The buyer accesses the data room to review key information.

Questions from the buyer indicate they are looking for alignment in the company and not just shopping for general information.

The buyer remains engaged in the transaction process and does not put it on the back burner.

The buyer demonstrates interest in the relevant parts of the business and doesn’t side-track on secondary details.

The buyer doesn’t make excuses for delays.

The buyer doesn’t waste your time asking for the same information already provided.

The buyer doesn’t use the diligence process solely to negotiate better terms.

Look for a buyer who is honest, efficient, and transparent in their diligence 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/ 
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Direct download: Characteristics_of_an_interested_buyer.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:00am CDT

Price and Terms of the Deal

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

In negotiating the M&A transaction both price and terms will be discussed.

While the top-line buyout number is the main focus, the underlying terms should also be considered carefully.

Here’s a list of terms to review:

Payment amount -- how much and when will the payout occur?

Who gets paid -- payment goes to those on the cap table but there may be other factors at play.

Payment structure -- how you structure the deal with regard to taxes and the legal entity of the company is a key factor to consider.

Employee impact -- what is the plan for integrating the companies and how will it impact the employees?

Customer impact -- in the event the buyout is to shut down a competitor then consider how it will impact those customers.

Earnouts -- In the event of an earnout, the payment could be higher if sales targets are met.

The top-level price is important, but the underlying terms often determine if it is a good deal or not.

 

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Let’s go startup something today.

_______________________________________________________

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Category:general -- posted at: 5:00am CDT

The Letter of Intent in M&A

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

In an M&A transaction, the letter of intent or LOI defines the general terms of the deal.

Here are the key components of an LOI:

Key players -- define the buyer and seller in the deal.

This makes clear who is buying whom. 

High-level overview -- defines the structure and key numbers for the transaction including earnouts and timelines. 

This also includes cash versus stock offers and general terms of the deal. 

Diligence -- this gives a general indication of diligence to be done.

These tend to be standard boilerplate descriptions of the diligence process. 

Exclusivity -- a timeframe for the buyer to perform diligence.

The seller cannot entertain other offers during the exclusivity period which typically lasts 90 days. 

The LOI indicates the buyer is serious and may soon initiate diligence. 

It’s a key milestone in the M&A process. 

 

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

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_______________________________________________________

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Category:general -- posted at: 5:00am CDT

Understanding the Buyer’s Strategic Roadmap

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

In selling your business, it’s important to understand the buyer's strategic roadmap.

Here are some reasons why you should know it well:

You can position your business for acquisition more effectively if you know how your business fits into the buyers’ roadmap.

You can communicate the value proposition of your business better.

You can adjust the risk-reward characteristics of the acquisition to fit the roadmap.

You can show your business has a competitive advantage over competitors.

You can better show how your business is synergistic with the buyer’s business.

You can provide multiple scenarios for how to merge your business into the buyer’s business.

You can provide a better integration path by knowing the buyer’s business.

Research the buyer’s strategic roadmap with these points in mind. 

 

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: 5:00am CDT

Ideal Buyer Characteristics

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

In selling a buyer on acquiring your business, you’ll want to create an ideal buyer profile.

Here’s a list of characteristics to consider when building it:

Financial vs strategic -- Are you looking for a buyer looking for a financial-only deal or one who wants a strategic fit?

Type of company -- Are you looking for a startup or a large company to buy your business?

Culture fit -- What type of company culture would best fit your business?

Capability -- Does the buyer have the capability to take over your business?

Affordability -- Does the buyer have the ability to pay for your business?

Motivation -- Does the buyer have a motivation to buy your business beyond the immediate financial gains?

Values -- Does the buyer share the same values as you?

Check these conditions for each potential buyer to see if they are a fit for your target buyers list.

 

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: 5:00am CDT

On this episode of Investor Connect, Hall welcomes Jean Anne Booth, CEO of UnaliWear, headquartered in Austin, TX, USA. 

Jean Anne Booth, a serial entrepreneur, brings over 30 years of high-tech experience and has raised over $100M in venture capital for her startups. UnaliWear's Kanega watch, the only 24/7 medical alert with fall detection, features a patented quick-swap battery system. Jean Anne Booth was the founder of Luminary Micro, creators of the Stellaris® microcontroller platform, which was acquired by Texas Instruments in 2009, and Intrinsity, sold to Apple in 2010.

UnaliWear’s Kanega watch is the ONLY 24/7 medical alert with fall detection, featuring a patented quick-swap battery system. The company’s patented RealFall(TM) technology is revolutionizing fall detection and response.

Jean Anne shares the importance of consistent investor communication and effective cap table management. She highlighted the untapped potential in the silver tech space, urging investors to recognize the significant purchasing power of the 60+ population and challenge cultural biases.

Visit UnaliWear at www.unaliwear.com, and connect on LinkedIn: Jean Anne Booth and UnaliWear. Follow them on Twitter: @JeanAnneBooth and @UnaliWear.

Reach out to Jean Anne Booth at jeananne.booth@unaliwear.com

_______________________________________________________

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Category:general -- posted at: 5:00am CDT

Why Build a Target List of Buyers

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

In preparing to sell your business you’ll need to build a target list of buyers.

Here’s a list of reasons for why it’s important:

Focus -- the list focuses your efforts on those who are the best fit for your business so you know who to work with.

Time -- the list saves you time by not wasting efforts on those who are not a fit. 

Price -- the list helps you maximize your selling price by focusing on the buyer’s key care.

Terms -- the list helps you negotiate the best terms for your deal.

Efficiency -- the list puts efficiency into the process by eliminating sub-optimal buyers.

Mission -- helps you achieve the company’s mission and goals by finding the right buyer.

Ideal -- helps you identify the ideal buyer providing the best outcome for the team.

Unlike fundraising in which you talk with any potential investor, selling your business requires a focus upfront on the ideal buyer list.

 

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: 5:00am CDT

Valuation Methods for an M&A Deal

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

There are several methods for calculating the valuation of a company for an M&A deal.

Here are some key methods to consider:

Multiples of revenue or earnings -- each industry segment has a commonly used multiple based on revenue or earnings for valuing the company. 

To calculate, take several recent exits of businesses in the same industry and calculate the multiple.

Comps -- this stands for comparables and uses exits from similar companies to calculate the valuation.

To calculate, identify five companies that have the same revenue, growth rate, and monetization model and calculate the exit valuation.

Cost to replace -- this calculates what it would cost to replace the business you are selling.

To calculate, and identify the cost of development, marketing, and sales to build a company to the size you have.

Discounted cash flows -- this uses the future cash flows from the business and discounting back to today.

To calculate, make a ten-year financial projection of revenues based on the current growth rate and apply a discount rate to set the valuation.

Calculate your valuation using all of these methods to determine which one puts your business in the best light.



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: 5:00am CDT

Factors Impacting Valuation

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

Valuation is a major issue in selling your business.

Here are some key factors impacting the price:

The size of the company buying your business -- the bigger the company, the higher the potential price.

Demand for your company -- the more buyers in the mix, the higher the valuation.

Form of payment -- taking stock will typically generate a higher selling price.

Earnouts -- the use of earnouts can increase the valuation.

Competitive advantages -- the more advantages your business has, the higher the price.

Current economy -- the stronger the current economy and market, the higher the price.

Target use of the company -- the higher the value of the combined company, the higher the buying price.

Past valuations -- the higher the valuation from previous funding rounds often results in a higher buying price.

Relationships -- the stronger the relationship with the buying team, the higher the price in some cases.

Consider these factors in preparing your business to sell. 

 

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: 5:00am CDT

Financial Projections for M&A

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

In selling your business, the prospective buyer will want to see financial projections showing how you expect the company to perform.

There are three financial statements to complete:  Income statement, Balance Sheet and cash flow statement.

It’s important to develop a realistic projection.

The projections should take into account the buyer and their plans for the company.

The goal is to show how acquiring your business will help them.

The buyer may want to reduce cost, or increase sales, or maintain the status quo.

The buyer will review the financials for any outstanding obligations such as debt or accounts payables.

They will want to understand the assumptions used to build the numbers.

They want to know how much you believe in the forecasted numbers and may ask you to take ownership of achieving the forecast.

It’s important to understand why the buyer wants to acquire your company before building your financial projections.

The goal is to show how your company can help solve the buying company’s problems.

 

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: 5:00am CDT

Financials and Key Metrics for M&A

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

In selling your business, the buyer will look for key financial metrics.

Here are some key metrics to include in your pitch:

Total revenue -- revenue before discounts, returns, and adjustments.

This shows top-line sales for the company.

Sales in units -- the number of units sold over a period of time.

This helps the buyer in estimating forecasts.

Cost of customer acquisition -- the cost to acquire new customers.

This shows how much is required to gain a new account.

Gross margin -- revenues minus cost of goods sold yields gross profit.  

Gross margin is the gross profit divided by revenues and shows how much revenue is left over for sales and marketing expenses.

Growth rate -- percent increase in sales month over month, or year over year.

This shows how fast your startup is growing 

Burn rate -- the amount of cash spent over and above the incoming revenue.

This shows how much cash is required to maintain the current business level.

Fixed costs -- the costs that are fixed regardless of the amount of units sold.

This shows the overhead required to run the business.

EBITDA -- the revenue minus the cost of goods sold and sales and marketing costs.

This shows the amount of revenue available to reinvest in the business.

Acquirers will want to see these numbers to consider buying your company.

 

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: 5:00am CDT

On this episode of Investor Connect, Hall welcomes Ivan Maltsev, General Partner at 3x Capital.

3x Capital is an investment and advisory firm focused on seed-stage web3 startups. Visit 3x Capital at www.3xcapital.fund.

Holding an MS in Business Law and being a PhD candidate in International Economy, Ivan transitioned into crypto investments in 2016, focusing primarily on BTC and ETH. Since 2017, he’s been actively managing his own crypto portfolio and investing in early-stage tokens.

Ivan shares the importance of education for both investors and founders in the blockchain space. Ivan highlights the challenges of talent acquisition and stresses the need for more experienced founders in the industry. That is why 3x Capital decided to launch 3x Education in order to help investors and founders to overcome challenges. Visit the website of the program: www.3xcapital.fund/education

Connect with them on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/company/3x-capital and with Ivan personally at www.linkedin.com/in/ivanxmaltsev.

_______________________________________________________

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Category:general -- posted at: 5:00am CDT

Painting the Vision of the Value Proposition

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

In preparing to sell your business it’s important to paint the vision of the value proposition.

The value proposition is the reason a company wants to buy you.

To gain the best price you must show how your company combined with the acquirer provides a better future for the buyer.

If the buyer only sees a price based on the multiple of your revenue or assets, then the negotiation will revolve around the price for that revenue or asset.

Move the negotiation away from the revenue and assets to the vision of the combined companies.

This focuses the discussion around potential gains the buyer can achieve. 

This includes resolving current problems the buyer has or taking the buyer’s company to a new level.

Show the proposed outcome of a combined company with new capabilities and prospects.

Align the vision around the buyer’s goals and aspirations and not yours.

Articulate the branding opportunities as well as the growth prospects.

Focus the negotiation on the opportunities the combined company will bring. 

 

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: 5:00am CDT

Positioning Your Business To Sell

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

In selling your business it’s important to articulate all the values in the business a buyer may desire.

Here’s a list of sources of value to consider:

The products or services generate revenue.

This includes current and future revenue potential.

The intellectual property that protects those products.

This includes trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets.

The customer list you have.

This includes prospects and previous customers as well.

The team you have.

This includes the partner relationships you have built.

The datasets you have.

This includes any data that can be mined to improve sales or processes.

The process and programs you have built.

This includes all business functions such as sales, marketing, finance, and administration.

Make a list of all of the values in the business before launching your campaign to sell.

 

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: 5:00am CDT

Advantages of a Self-Running Business

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

In preparing to sell your business, make sure you are setting up a business that can run by itself at some level.

Here are some key points to consider:

Make sure the company doesn’t have the founder's name on it.

Build a great team that can carry on without the founder. 

For every function in the business that requires the founder, the price will drop by some amount.

Run the business as a leader that can pass the reigns to someone else.

Setup processes and procedures so the business can continue without you.

Buyers put a price premium on self-running businesses.

Businesses that require hand holding by the founding team are priced lower.

Businesses that require the founding team to run it will require the founders to remain with the business even after the purchase.

 

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: 5:00am CDT

Reasons To Sell Your Business

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

There are many reasons to sell your business.

Here are some to consider:

You may want to scale up to reach more customers.

By selling you can move into a business with more reach and greater resources.

You may want to see greater operational efficiency.

By selling you can join your company with partner firms to provide a more efficient operation.

You may find hyper-growth has peaked.

By selling the business you can find a place for it with another company.

You may have a once-in-a-lifetime offer.

By selling the business you can lock in a phenomenal gain.

You may find that the market has changed and fundraising in your sector is no longer viable or easy.

By selling the business you find an exit for your investors.

You may want a career path for your team.

By selling the business you create an opportunity for your workers.

You may find yourself at the end of the road with the current business.

By selling it you can focus on other things.

 

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: 5:00am CDT

Value of an Investment Banker

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

In selling your business you may want to use an investment banker. 

Here are some reasons to consider:

Investment bankers know how to prepare the dataroom and what documents will be needed for the transaction.

Most founders are new to the sell-side process.

They know how to present your business so it matches the needs of the acquirer.

Each acquirer will have a unique set of care about.

They know how to set proposed valuations for the candidate acquirer.

The valuation will change from one buyer to the next.

They understand the transaction process and what it takes to complete it.

The process for selling a business is more involved than a standard fundraise.

They have a network of potential buyers to pursue.

You want as big a network as possible to sell your business. 

They have access to investors who can fund the deal to complete the transaction.

It’s often the case you will need to raise funding to put your business into the best possible position for a sale.

Consider using an investment banker to sell your business.

 

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: 5:00am CDT

When it comes to fundraising, do you think it's better to aim for a big round or break it down into smaller tranches? Have you experienced the power of in-person interactions in the business world? Stick around to find out which strategy might work best for your startup.

Welcome back to another episode of Investor Connect: How to raise funding series, with Hall T. Martin. In this episode, we distill crucial strategies for success, focusing on pitch deck essentials, fundraising tactics, and the power of face-to-face interactions.

It's advised to present the product, team, and fundraising goals succinctly, rather than overwhelming the audience with exhaustive details. We also talk about structuring a fundraising round with a three-tranche approach.

Take action, stay focused, and keep pushing forward. Until next time, keep innovating and chasing your dreams!

_______________________________________________________

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Category:general -- posted at: 5:00am CDT

Why Acquisitions Fail?

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

Not all acquisitions succeed.

Here’s a list of why some fail:

The buyer wants to eliminate a competitor by taking them off the market.

The acquisition was simply a means to an end and there was no intention of continuing the acquired business.

The investment thesis did not play out.

The proposed synergies of combining the two businesses never materialize.

The two companies don’t integrate well.

The proposed merger plan didn’t take into account culture differences, mission variances, and other factors that make combining the companies sub-optimal.

The company managers are not skilled at integration and make false assumptions about the prospects of a combined company.

The market conditions often change eliminating the initial thesis for merging the two companies.

Make sure you have a clear understanding of what the combined company will look like. 

 

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   

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Direct download: Why_acquisitions_fail.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:00am CDT

 Why Companies Acquire Other Companies?

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

Companies acquire other companies for many reasons.

Here’s a list of potential reasons to consider:

Companies seek to acquire a customer list.  

They want to grow their business by adding more customers.

Companies seek to acquire intellectual property.

They want the IP so they can expand their technology base.

Companies seek to acquire talent.

They want to build out their team.

Companies seek to acquire new products and services.

They want to build out their product line.

Companies seek to acquire a cash-generating asset.

They want to make a financial gain. 

Companies seek to achieve a dominant position in the market. 

They want to increase their market share. 

Companies seek to acquire competitors.

They want to eliminate competition.

 

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   

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Direct download: Why_companies_acquire_other_companies.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:00am CDT

Acquirer Expectations

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

In selling your business it’s important to understand the expectations of the acquirer.

Acquirers will look for your accounting to be clean and well-organized.

Make sure your contracts, loans, and intellectual property documents are in order.

Acquirers will invest substantial time and expect you to do the same.

This could be several hundreds of hours over the next six to twelve months.

Acquirers are taking on risk and expect you to share in that risk.

A one-sided deal where one side takes all the risk usually doesn’t get done.

Acquirers expect you to focus your attention on the transaction and keep the business up and running.

Make sure your day-to-day operations are covered while you work on the transaction.

Avoid putting the acquirers in a place that makes them look bad.

Make sure you are setting up the deal so the acquiring team looks good in their reports.

 

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/  

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Direct download: Acquirer_Expectations.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:00am CDT

The Founder's Exit

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

The cap table shows the ownership of the business.

It’s often the case in venture-funded startups that the founder ends up with less than double-digit ownership.

There’s the issue of liquidation preferences and other terms that pay investors before the founder.

In fundraising, make sure the founder’s position is covered and has a path to an exit.

In negotiating the sale, beware of earn-outs in which case the company must meet certain goals to achieve the stated buyout.

A typical earnout is ten to twenty percent of the buyout paid over the course of three years based on achieving sales targets.

The funds used to pay the earn-out are held in a holdback account under escrow.

The control conditions must also be negotiated as it determine who has control over the business and how much control during the earnout.

It’s important to understand earnouts as they impact the founder's exit. 

Without a founder’s exit, there’s no motivation to carry the business forward.

 

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: The_founders_exit.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:00am CDT

Are you curious about the future of high-end dining? You're in for a treat!

In this episode of Investor Connect, we're joined by Jim Bowen, the visionary Chief Development Officer at Debut Development Group.

Located in Toronto, Ontario, Debut Development Group is a developer, owner, operator, and consultant for high-end hotels, resorts, restaurants, and entertainment venues with worldwide experience and credentials.

They are also the Exclusive franchisee in Canada for Fogo de Chāo, the renowned Brazilian restaurant brand with plans to roll out 10 locations in Canada’s major cities, starting with Toronto and Vancouver in Q2 2024. This year, Debut is also working on the 5-star Grand Hyatt Resort in the Cayman Islands and a 5-star Lifestyle Resort in Tulum, Mexico.

Jim Bowen is a Business development professional with 30 years of experience launching and managing international businesses, primarily in the real estate development and commercial design industries. His involvement in commercial real estate developments internationally has given him a unique perspective on fresh concepts for mixed-use retail developments.

Jim discusses their exclusive franchise with Fogo de Chão in Canada and their plans to open 10 locations. He emphasizes the importance of creating a unique dining experience, especially in the competitive restaurant industry. Jim also highlights the profitability of Fogo de Chão restaurants and their focus on accommodating various dietary preferences. He addresses challenges in the restaurant industry, including fluctuating ingredient costs.

Visit Debut Development Group at www.debutrends.com/, or www.linkedin.com/company/debutrends/?originalSubdomain=ky.  

Reach out to Jim at jim@debutrends.com, https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimbowenasia, jbowen@fogodechaoca.    

_______________________________________________________

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: Jim_Bowen.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 1:49pm CDT

Make a List of Target Acquirers

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

It takes twelve months to sell a business.

The first six months will be spent finding the buyer.

The second six months will go to completing the transaction.

To find the buyer consider the following:

Start with a list of 250 companies and the names of their CEO and VP of Corporate Development as potential buyers.

If you have a list of companies that have enquired about buying the business before, then include them as well. 

Choose companies with a strategic interest and consider it broadly.

Reach out to the CEOs by email stating your interest in selling the business.

This should generate forty to fifty calls and meetings. 

Half of these contacts will want to learn more so prepare an Acquisition Memorandum which gives the status of the company with a marked date.

If after the acquisition, the company conditions change materially, then the acquirer has legal recourse based on this document.

Two to four of the contacts will send a letter of interest (LOI) with proposed terms and conditions for buying the company.

From there the process goes into due diligence by examining the prepared data room which contains financial, legal, and other information about the company.

Start with a wide range of companies in searching for an acquirer.

 

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/  

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Direct download: Make_a_list_of_target_acquirer.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:00am CDT

Mistakes in Emailing an Investor

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

In emailing an investor avoid these mistakes:

Skip the research and just treat the investor as you would anyone else.

Try and tell them everything in the hopes that something will stick.

Skip the attachments and make them ask for a deck.

Ask for funding in the first email.

Make the investor fit into your schedule rather than fitting into your schedule.

Skip the follow-up by making the email a one-and-done.

Email the investor even if your deal doesn’t fit their stated criteria.

Email the investor when you are still trying to figure out what you want the startup to be.

Skipping the ask and letting the investor guess what the next step is.

Including several projects in one email to see which one the investor may go for.

Asking a great deal from the investor without making clear why they should do so.

Avoid these mistakes in emailing an investor.

 

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   

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Direct download: Mistakes_in_emailing_an_investor.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:00am CDT

Adding Social Proof to Your Investor Email

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

Social proof makes your email more compelling to the investor.

Here’s how to add social proof to your investor email:

Highlight key advisors you have brought on board.

This demonstrates your startup has enough momentum to engage others.

Showcase the customers you have engaged with.

This demonstrates the product’s value proposition has merit.

Include media mentions.

This demonstrates your technology is newsworthy.

List key investors in the deal.

This demonstrates your business proposition can attract funding.

Highlight key team members you have recruited to join.

This demonstrates your business prospects can attract talent.

Use social proof in your investor email to showcase the strength of your 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/ 
For upcoming Events, check out https://tencapital.group/events/  

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Direct download: Adding_social_proof_to_your_investor_email.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:00am CDT

Best Practices for Emailing an Investor

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

Here are some best practices for emailing an investor:

Put the name of your company in the subject line.

Use social media for making contact but not for pitching.

Spellcheck the email to eliminate any typos.

Refine the email to exclude filler words and phrases to make it as tight as possible.

Don’t use a docsend as it can come across as invasive.

Keep the email to less than 150 words.

Include three key metrics to show traction and performance.

Attach a pitch deck or one-page teaser with additional information.

Include a call to action.

Create a sense of urgency by mentioning some upcoming target dates.

Use the email to update the investor and build a relationship.

Finally, keep it friendly.

 

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   

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Direct download: Best_practices_for_emailing_an_investor.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:00am CDT

Investor Email Essentials

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

In emailing an investor consider these essential todos.

Avoid sales-like verbiage as investors have their guard up against sales pitches.

Focus on what value you can provide the investor.

Keep the email short and concise.

Remember, long rambling stories will not get read.

Use numbers to make your case as it provides specificity and demonstrates your knowledge of the subject matter.

Don’t forget to tell the investor what you want them to do.

Without a call to action, the investor simply goes to the next email.

Finally, include these key points in your email:

The problem you solve.

The solution you offer.

Current traction.

Fundraise status

Call to action.

 

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   

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Direct download: Investor_email_essentials.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:00am CDT

When To Send an Investor Email

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

Timing is important in sending an email to an investor.

Consider these points in scheduling the send of your investor email:

Your email should come at a time when there’s little competition for the investor's attention.

Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays are the best days to send.

Mondays and Fridays can be crowded with preparing for the week or closing out for the weekend.

Avoid early morning and early afternoon as the investor receives many emails at that time.

Target 10 am to 11 am and 2 pm to 3 pm.

This drops the email into their inbox with the lowest number of other emails.

There are some investors who check email late Sunday afternoon to prepare for the week.

Friday afternoon and Saturday are almost completely dead as investors are elsewhere.

In setting up an email make sure you know how the schedule send function works.

In emailing the investor take into account the investor's schedule and attention.

 

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/  

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Direct download: When_to_send_an_investor_email.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:00am CDT

Welcome to another episode of Investor Connect with Hall T. Martin. This marks the second episode of our new segment, "How to Raise Funding," where we delve into real-life examples and insights from individuals seeking the most effective strategies and approaches for success in the world of finance.

In today's episode, we talk about Ten Capital Network. With over a decade of experience, we specialize in running investor relations and introduction campaigns. We range from angel investors to family offices and actively engage with early-stage startups.

We also talk about the importance of building relationships and trust with investors, which often requires more than just a pitch deck. We emphasize the value of in-person events, such as private dinners, to facilitate meaningful connections between entrepreneurs and potential backers.

Additionally, we discuss the concept of breaking down fundraising into multiple rounds and running deadline campaigns to keep investors engaged and committed.

Whether you're an entrepreneur seeking funding or an investor looking for opportunities, you won't want to miss this informative discussion.

_______________________________________________________

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: NEW_Segment_EP02.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:00am CDT

How To Capture the Investor's Attention in an Email

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

In emailing an investor it’s important to capture their attention.

The subject line and the first line in the email are the two best opportunities.

Here are some techniques to consider:

Key off a past investment made by the investor and call it out as a proxy for your deal.

This connects your deal to their portfolio.

Tie your deal into the investor’s industry focus whether it be medical device, software, healthcare, or other.

This connects your deal to their investment thesis.

Mention a referral source that is familiar to the investor.

This connects your deal to their network.

Find an article or blog post the investor wrote and highlight what you found interesting.  

This connects you to their work.

Once you have the investor’s attention follow up with key points about your startup to generate further interest.

You’re looking to connect your deal to the investor and their world.

 

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: How_to_capture_the_investors_attention_in_an_email.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:00am CDT

The Investor Update Email

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

After you have pitched an investor it’s important to update them on the progress of your startup.

Investors look for momentum and traction in the startup before investing.

Forecasting high revenue is not the same as actually demonstrating a growth story in progress.

The update should go out no less than once a month.

The email should be short and to the point.

In the subject line put the name of your company and the word update with the month and year. 

Remind the investor that they heard your pitch and list in short, bullet points updates about sales, team, product, and fundraising.

Investors look for the progress you are making and not market news or competition updates as they want to know what you are doing.

In most cases, they will not reply.

It’s not the depth of information that counts but rather the consistency of the updates that matters.

It takes seven touches to close a sale so it takes seven touches to close an investor.

Each email lets the investor peel back another layer of the onion and become more familiar with you and the startup.

It’s not the pitch that motivates the investor, but rather it’s the follow-up.

Focus on key points about the business such as sales pipeline, team activities, product development status, and planned fundraising amounts with valuations.

Ask for advice and feedback as well to engage the investor.

Finally, an investor email campaign will be far more effective if you’ve built a list of investors who know your 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/ 
For upcoming Events, check out https://tencapital.group/events/  

For Feedback please contact info@tencapital.group   

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Direct download: The_investor_update_email.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:00am CDT

Building Your Network for the Fundraise

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

Before launching your email campaign, build out your network of investors.

As you meet investors it’s important to collect their emails into a list to provide updates.

Sort the list by type of investor -- angel, venture capitalist, family office, etc.

Note their investment interest -- consumer, enterprise software, healthcare, or other.

Capture names of connectors -- those who know investors and can connect you to them.

Six months before launching your fundraising campaign go out to your network with the message 

‘We’re not raising funding now but in six months we’ll do so.  May I keep you informed of our progress.’

This requires no commitment from the investor so most will say yes as many want to see what you have.

Over the following months, send updates to the investors educating them about your deal.

Focus on key points about the business such as sales pipeline, team activities, product development status, and planned fundraising amounts with valuations.

Ask for advice and feedback as well to engage the investor.

An investor email campaign will be far more effective if you’ve built a list of investors who know your 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/ 
For upcoming Events, check out https://tencapital.group/events/  

For Feedback please contact info@tencapital.group   

Please follow, share, and leave a review.

Music courtesy of Bensound.

Direct download: Building_your_network_for_the_fundraise.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:00am CDT

Generating Investor Interest in Your Email

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

Most investor emails are filled with stories, details, and other extraneous information in an effort to inform the investor.

This typically creates long winding emails with big blocks of text.

Instead of informing, you should intrigue the investor.

In writing an investor email the key goal is generating interest by the investor to learn more.

To generate interest consider these points:

Research the investor so you know what they are looking for and use that information in your email.

Start your email with intriguing facts about your startup such as the current traction or problem you are solving.

State in five words or less what you do as this provides context.

Once you have their attention, you must keep it.

Provide key points showing validation of your business idea and traction.

Use numbers such as metrics, market sizing, and growth rates to make your case.

Use short, concise wording.

The goal is to provide compelling information that keeps the investor reading. 

When presented with a long, rambling email most investors skim the email to find out what it’s about before committing to read it.

Make it easy for the investor to figure out what it is about.

 

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.

Music courtesy of Bensound.

Direct download: Generating_investor_interest_in_your_email.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:00am CDT

An Example Investor Email Format

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

For writing the investor email here is an example email format to follow:

Start with why you are sending this email.

This could be seeking investment, asking for advice, or requesting a referral.

If raising funding, write about the current status of the business and the fundraise that is currently open.

Follow up with validation points including current traction, status of the product development, and the activities of the team.

Include some metrics around the business as numbers show specificity and make the business traction concrete.

Highlight the current customers and what they are saying about the product.

Give more detail about the team by mentioning their past experience including company and project names.

Provide more detail about the current fundraise including funds sought, raised, and the valuation.

Ask for the opportunity to provide more information in a call or meeting.

Keep each point to two or three sentences.

Avoid long winding stories and big blocks of text.

Investors want to know the core details about your business upfront before deciding to spend more time on it.

The core four areas of interest are sales, team, product, and fundraise.

 

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: An_example_investor_email_format.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:00am CDT

Embarking on the funding journey for your startup can be a formidable task, filled with uncertainties. Questions about the right amount to raise, where to find investors, and how to deliver a compelling pitch often loom large. 

In this engaging segment, we've gathered live insights from startup founders who've successfully navigated these very challenges. We share practical strategies and firsthand accounts to guide you on your own path to financial success. 

How much should you raise? Where do you find investors? And how do you pitch them? In this segment, how to raise funding for your startup, we'll answer those questions and more. Here are live outtakes with startup founders on how to raise funding. I hope you enjoy this episode.

_______________________________________________________

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Category:general -- posted at: 5:00am CDT

What the Investor Looks for in the Email

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

In writing an email to an investor keep in mind the investor’s viewpoint.

Here’s what investors ask themselves when opening an email:

In looking at the email sent name, the investor asks how do I know this person?

When reading the subject line,  the investor asks should I open it?

In opening the email,  the investor asks what do they do and is it relevant to me?

In reading the email, the investor asks do they have any momentum?

In reading about the team, the investor asks what can they do?

In reading about the business, the investor asks do they have any validation that the product works and someone will buy it?

In reading the ask, the investor asks what do they want me to do?

In writing your email, make sure you answer these questions in a concise manner.

 

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: 5:00am CDT

How To Write the Subject Line

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

In emailing an investor the most important line is the subject line.

This gets read by every recipient even if they don’t open the email.

To make the best subject line consider the following:

Draw from your research of the investor and include key points that are relevant.

Include the name of your company and what it does such as ‘Merexis launches first to market a medical device.’

If the investor funds recurring revenue startups, then include recurring revenue in the subject line.

Demonstrate a milestone in the subject line such as ‘Hit $10K MRR revenue.’

Focus on key wins that resonate with investors such as increasing revenue, hiring a team member, or closing a lead investor.

Investors scan subject lines for what may be familiar or relevant to them.

If you have a referral call out the name of that contact.

Keep it short and to the point.  Long subject lines may not get read.

Avoid the funny and cute as this is a business email and not ad clickbait.

Keep the subject line descriptive and avoid filler words.

Avoid generic phrases and make each word descriptive.

The goal is not to tell the investor everything but rather pique their interest so they open the email to find out more.

 

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: 5:00am CDT

Investor Email Best Practices

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

Fundraising requires contacting many potential investors through email.

Here are some best practices to consider:

Keep the email short and to the point with no more than 200 words. The shorter the email the more likely it will be read.

Start the email with the why.   Why are you reaching out to the investor?

Narrow the target list of investors. The more narrow, the more you can customize the email.

Research the investor and call out the key points that are important to that investor. Show how your email is relevant to them.

Include the pitch deck.  If the investor is interested they can learn more.

Call out one or two key metrics that put your business in the best light. Numbers show specificity.

Email only one person at the firm.   Emailing too many people reduces the value of the email to that contact.

Don’t ask for NDAs upfront.   Investors are not going to sign an NDA to find out what you have to offer.

Don’t use doc-sharing programs.   It comes across as stalking.

 

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: 5:00am CDT

How To Personalize the Investor Email

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

In emailing an investor consider using the following to personalize it for the investor:

Start with common connections and indicate any referrals made.

Mention the names of mutual contacts who you’ve recently spoken with and give an update about them.

Indicate a common range of interests and expertise such as a common position, skill, or experience.

This could be holding a similar position at a company or an interest in the same technology or business sector.

Demonstrate that you researched the contact and what you learned from it.

This shows you did your homework and found it informative.

Include information about the investor that you found interesting.

Show how your deal fits into the investment thesis of the investor by pointing out the salient features.

This demonstrates you understand what is potentially interesting to the investor and your deal is relevant.

Show how other investors in the same industry and stage are looking at the deal.

This shows the investor will be in good company if they engage.

The goal is to personalize the email so the investor feels comfortable with reaching out to learn more about 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 

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Category:general -- posted at: 5:00am CDT

Outline for the Investor Email

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

In emailing an investor consider using the following layout:

In the subject line include the name of your company, what you do in 5 words or less, and a recent milestone.

In the body of the email expand on what your startup does in just a sentence.

This could focus on achieving a recent milestone such as closing a big sale.

Follow it with a sentence on what is great about the company.

This could be about how great the team is, or how effective the technology is.

Tell the investor why you are writing and what you want.

This could be about seeking advice, an introduction, or funding. 

The entire email should be no more than five or six sentences.

The investor wants to know what the email is about before reading it all.  

The faster you get to the point of the email, the more likely the investor will engage.

Emails that are graciously short and to the point will get read.

Emails with long,  rambling stories will most likely be skimmed or not read at all. 

 

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.

_______________________________________________________

Thank you for joining your host Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing.

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: 5:00am CDT

On this episode of Investor Connect, Hall welcomes Jacob Kehoe, Associate Director of the Baylor Angel Network.

Located in Waco, TX, USA, Baylor Angel Network (BAN) is an investment network that provides early-stage capital to entrepreneurial companies. As an active investment network, BAN provides a collaborative platform for experiential learning by students of Baylor University, creating a mutually beneficial experience for investors, students, and entrepreneurs.

Jacob Kehoe is the Associate Director of the Baylor Angel Network (BAN). In this role, Jacob assists with the operations of the network, deal sourcing and assessment, investment and communications strategies, and operational oversight of BAN’s student analysts.

Before this role, Jacob gained experience in various industries, including technology, finance, and automotive, by working with multiple startups. During his collegiate years, he founded a machine-learning startup that utilized drones for roofing damage assessments. This venture ended with a successful acquisition shortly after his graduation from Baylor University in 2019. Additionally, Jacob possesses Series 63 and SIE licenses.

Jacob discusses various aspects of angel investing and startups. He talks about BAN's investment approach, focusing on strong teams with market validation. Jacob emphasizes the importance of authentic representation for startups seeking funding, cautioning against exaggerations. Jacob also expressed interest in white-labeled technology and discussed the need for meaningful AI applications. 

Visit Baylor Angel Network at www.baylorangelnetwork.com, and on linkedin.com/company/baylorangelnetwork.

Reach out to Jacob at jacob_kehoe@baylor.edu, and on www.linkedin.com/in/jacobkehoe

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Category:general -- posted at: 5:00am CDT

Challenge in Cold Emailing an Investor

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

In raising funding a founder will need to contact investors.

For those contacts the founder knows, this is a simple process.

For the rest of the potential investors the founder does not know, this presents a challenge.

Cold emailing an investor is difficult for the following reasons:

Investors receive many emails and proposals every day.

Their time is short and must be spent on high-quality outcomes so they budget little time for digging into a deal without some indication of promise.

Many founders overpromise or over-hyped their deal so the investor is skeptical from the get-go.

Investors don’t understand your market space to a great extent and cannot appreciate what value you bring until you can demonstrate it.

They are looking to bucket your deal into the pass, follow, or engage category at first.

Many investors use warm introductions to filter the deals using their network as a screening tool.

They know most deals are too early for them and have a mindset to avoid wasting time.

Keep these issues in mind when preparing a cold email outreach to investors. 

 

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.

_______________________________________________________

Thank you for joining your host Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing.

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: 5:00am CDT

How Not To Email an Investor

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

Founders raising funding can use cold email outreach to find investors.

In emailing an investor for your fundraise avoid the following mistakes:

Start the email by telling your entire story in one go.

Investors want to know what it’s about before committing to hearing your whole story.

Skip the research and send a deal to an investor that doesn’t fit. 

Research the investor to see if it meets their criteria.

Mention what your startup does at the end of the email.

This requires the investor to scan through the entire email to figure out what you do.  

Investors need to know this upfront as it provides context.

Fail to personalize the email by starting with Hi there.

This shows the investor it’s a mass email and not meant for them personally.

Use a generic subject line such as “New Deal”

This doesn’t tell the investor anything and indicates a lack of effort in crafting the email.

Leave out the call to action.

You need to tell the investor what you want them to do.

This could be to set up a call, log in to an upcoming investor briefing, or make a referral.

Make the overall email lengthy with big blocks of text.

This signals to the investor a substantial time commitment to figure out what it’s all about.

Investors want to know there’s a high probability that this will be a good fit for them so it’s best to indicate that up front.

Avoid these mistakes in your email outreach.

 

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.

_______________________________________________________

Thank you for joining your host Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing.

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: 5:00am CDT

How To Email an Investor

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

Founders raising funding can use cold email outreach to find investors.

In emailing an investor for your fundraise consider the following:

Research the investor and include key details in the email to show you have done so.

Make the subject line informative so that even if the investor doesn’t open and read the email, they at least read the subject line.

Start the email with the reason for the email in a short and to-the-point format.

In the body of the email show the problem you are solving and the solution you offer.

Articulate the value proposition of your solution.

Show the current status of the company with key traction points.

Call out the fundraiser you have underway and the current status including interest, committed, and invested funds.

Show the use of the funds at a high level -- building products, generating leads, closing sales, etc.

Attach your pitch deck to the email so the investor can learn more.

Focus on accomplishments and recent milestones and avoid spending too much time forecasting the future.

Include your contact information and offer to set up a call or meeting to provide more information.

The goal of the email is to set up a call -- not to get a check.

 

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.

_______________________________________________________

Thank you for joining your host Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing.

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_email_an_investor.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:00am CDT

Price Elasticity

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

Price elasticity measures how much a price increase will decrease overall revenue.

If an increase in price results in no reduction in revenue then the price is considered inelastic.

Test your product’s price elasticity by increasing the price by 10% then measure the overall revenue after a month.

If the overall revenue has gone down then the price is elastic which means the market is sensitive to price changes.

On the other hand, if the overall revenue goes up, the price is inelastic.

To calculate the price elasticity metric consider the following:

Price elasticity is calculated as the percentage of overall revenue increase divided by the price increase.

If in our example our overall revenue goes up by 15% from a 10% price increase then the price elasticity is 1.5.  

This means the price is inelastic.

If in our example our overall revenue goes up by 5% from a 10% price increase then the price elasticity is 0.5.

This means the price is elastic

This indicates how sensitive customers are to price increases and what latitude you have in moving the price to account for inflation and other factors.

It’s important to understand the price elasticity of your product as it shows how a price increase will impact overall revenue.

 

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: 5:00am CDT

Per Seat vs per Use Pricing

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

Many SaaS businesses use either per-seat or per-use pricing.

Per seat pricing offers a fixed price for the customer making it easy to budget.

It also provides a consistent revenue stream for the provider especially when applied with annual contracts.

Per-use pricing works best for the provider whose cost scales with the product usage.

Usage pricing is often used in a ‘land and expand’ strategy in which customers can start with a low price but limited use.

As the customer uses more of the product, the price increases. 

It also works well when customers don’t use the product consistently.

This type of customer will consider the product to be too expensive if paying per seat.

Combining the per-seat and per usage price could create a new pricing model.

In this case, the provider could charge a base price for the platform and then charge a variable amount based on the usage.

Consider combining pricing strategies into new revenue models for your business.

 

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: 5:00am CDT

On this episode of Investor Connect, Hall welcomes Michael Cardamone, CEO and General Partner at Forum Ventures.

Located in New York, NY, USA, Forum Ventures is the leading early-stage fund, program, and community for B2B SaaS startups. Founded in 2014 as Acceleprise, they are on a mission to make the B2B SaaS journey easier, more accessible, and successful for early-stage founders, through pre-seed and seed-stage funding, high-touch programming, corporate perks and introductions, and an active SaaS community. 

With over 250 portfolio companies, Forum founders have gone on to raise from NEA, Andreessen Horowitz, Uncork Capital, 8VC, Founders Fund, Menlo Ventures, Canaan, Bowery Capital, Susa Ventures, Salesforce Ventures, SV Angel, True Ventures and many more.

Michael Cardamone focuses on developing our investment strategy with the mission to make the B2B SaaS journey easier, more accessible, and more successful for early-stage founders. As one of the first 30 employees at Box, as well as leading partnerships at AcedemixDirect, Michael has had direct experience growing SaaS companies from small startups to large-scale enterprises. He is also an angel investor in a dozen companies including a seed investment in Flexport.

Michael shares insights about his background in tech, the evolution of Foreign Ventures, and their unique approach to investing in startups. He discusses the challenges of raising pre-seed capital in the current market and outlines the criteria they look for in founders and startups. Michael also explains the differences between Foreign Ventures and other venture funds, emphasizing their hands-on approach and extensive resources. 

Visit Forum Ventures at www.forumvc.com/, and on www.linkedin.com/company/forumvc/.

Reach out to Michael at mike@forumvc.com, and on www.linkedin.com/in/michaelcardamone.

_______________________________________________________

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

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Category:general -- posted at: 5:00am CDT

Premium Pricing

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

Premium pricing sets the price well above the competition for a product.

Use this pricing model to signal luxury.

It's the counter strategy to value pricing which offers the most product features for the least amount of money.

Premium pricing positions the product as the best on the market to be used by the elite.

To use this pricing you must create a brand that exudes luxury, exclusivity, and prestige.

The price must have a high quality factor although it doesn’t have to be the best.

This strategy works when products can be differentiated with features and is not a commodity product where all the products have the same features.

The higher price burnishes the brand and provides higher margins for the company.

The target audience is a segment of the overall market.  

Typically the premium brand attracts higher end customers who have the money to pay for the product and don’t need financing or other support to buy it.

The premium price reinforces the customer perception of the product and their position.

Premium pricing is similar to skimming pricing which sets the price high and then lowers it to skim customers at each pricing level.

Skimming captures the most revenue from the market. 

Premium is different in that it doesn’t lower the price to capture non-premium customers.

 

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: Premium_Pricing.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:00am CDT

Volume Pricing

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

Volume pricing offers a discount for products or services bought in volume.

Traditionally a discount was justified if a customer bought ten or more units of a product because the cost of sales was lower.

Sellers used it as an incentive to encourage larger order sizes.

Traditionally, a discount price would be set on unit sales from 10 to 50, and a higher one for 50-100, and so forth.

The discount would increase as the user bought more products.

The advantage of volume pricing is that it encourages higher purchases.

Often competitors offer volume discounts requiring you to do the same.

It can be used as part of the promotion of the product as well.

The disadvantage to volume pricing is that it cheapens the value of the brand as it treats the product as a commodity.

Also, it reduces the revenue.

To set your volume pricing first consider your core pricing model and maintain it.

Review the competition to see what is offered and how customers will compare you to.

Know your cost to build and deliver the product and don’t go below that price in discounting.

Identify typical purchase volumes and set up discounts for each tier.

Set your discounts to last a limited amount of time so if the market conditions change you can modify your discount pricing.

 

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: Volume_Pricing.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:00am CDT

Bundle Pricing

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

Bundle pricing sets the price on a package of services that is lower than if you bought each service individually.

This generates more demand for the product since the price is lower.

It can increase sales because the product bundle has more features and usability than an individual product.

It can also be used to create a higher perceived value at a lower cost.

Bundling works with products that are complementary such as a game console and a game.

To set a bundle pricing consider the following:

Select the main product that customers want and then add complementary products to the bundle. 

Choose complementary products that increase the usability of the main product. 

Set the price of the individual items at a price that encourages the customer to buy the bundle.

Know your cost of products and don’t set the price below cost.

The downside to bundles is that if the bundle doesn’t achieve higher sales, then it reduces the profit.

 

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: Bundle_Pricing.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:00am CDT