Investor Connect Podcast

In this episode, Hall welcomes Raleigh Melancon, Founder & CEO of StylizeNOW.

Located in Austin, Texas, Raleigh’s company owns and operates a platform (available on iOS Apple Store, Google Play Store, and a website www.stylizenow.com.) StylizeNOW, their platform provides on-demand mobile hair and nail salon services that cater to customers’ residences. For now, the platform is focused on the central Texas markets but hopes to expand soon. StylizeNow contracts with licensed professionals that agree to provide these services to customers that use the StylizeNow mobile application. 

Similar to other on-demand service providers, the company does not employ these professionals but contracts with individual professionals that provide these services and send them to customers that use the platform. Customers simply go on the platform and select what service, or services, they desire, and the platform will immediately begin to set them up with a stylist and send them to the client’s location.

Raleigh graduated from UT Austin, with a BS in computer science, in 2019 and worked in government for one year. COVID-19 affected him in so many ways. While he was fortunate to avoid the worst fate of the pandemic, the entrepreneur in him kept trying to find ways to help people through lockdowns, shutdowns, and stay-at-home orders. He noticed that many women kept complaining about their hair, nails, and other beauty maintenance issues while realizing that at the same time many of these workers had been without any work or working in a limited capacity. Realizing the potential of bringing these two communities together in a way that both satisfied the pandemic restrictions (avoiding indoor public spaces with dozens or hundreds of people) and allowing for the greatest possible convenience to clients of these and other services, were the initial inspiration for StylizeNOW. 

Since organizing his idea, he has been leading the work on a platform that is providing on-demand salon services to clients' homes. Raleigh leads all aspects of founding and launching the platform to include incorporating, registering, searching, shopping insurance plans, developing the marketing strategy and product rollout. 

Raleigh discusses what led him to start working in this space and some of the challenges he has faced. He also advises investors and entrepreneurs.

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

Raleigh can be contacted at raleighmelancon@nowtechnologiesinc.com, and via LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/in/raleigh-melancon-18289b200/.        

Music courtesy of Bensound.

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

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

Most startup exits come through acquisition by another company. 

In planning for an exit, you need to develop a strategic plan that prepares your business for the target acquirer.

Here are some key steps:

Identify the target acquirer and make contact with the CEO and VPs of the company to discuss a potential acquisition in the future.

Discuss the acquirer’s needs from your company.

This could be revenue, cash flow, talent, or other.

Typically, the acquirer will look for targets on one or more of these categories. 

With this in mind, draw up a strategic plan for the company to hit these targets and use it to set the goals of the company. 

This process often takes up to 3 years to complete. 

At the same time, you can start moving the startup’s organizational structure to match the acquiring company’s structure. 


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: Exit_Strategy_Planning.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:00am CST

In this episode, Hall welcomes Eyal Amir, Founder and CEO of Parknav.

Headquartered in San Francisco, California, and founded in 2015, Parknav revolutionizes real-time on-street parking with a highly accurate and scalable solution. Using big data and AI, Parknav brings the most advanced precise parking availability information for mobility, smart city, transportation, and automotive. They provide on-street parking, free, metered, permit, curbside restrictions, traffic control data as well as data acquisition from city sensors. Parknav is available for over 1000+ cities across North America & Europe and has over 5.5 billion recorded parking events!

Eyal is an AI leader with 20 years of artificial intelligence excellence, winning the best-Ph.D. award at Stanford University computer science and the Top-10 Young AI award from IEEE. He has helped successful startups 6Sense, Reflektion, and Fraud Science, and was tenured Associate Professor of Computer Science (now Adjunct Professor) at UIUC.

Among others, he was a gold medalist (Israel) in Olympic Rifle Shooting at age 20 and is a black-belt in karate (Shotokan JKA).

Eyal shares with Hall what led him to start working in this space. He discusses some of the challenges he has faced and advises investors and entrepreneurs.

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

Eyal can be contacted at eyal@aiincube.com and eyal@parknav.com, and via LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/in/eyalamir1.

Music courtesy of Bensound.

Direct download: Eyal_Amir_of_Parknav.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 8:39am CST

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

Investors should gain alignment with the startup about the exit before making the investment.

This includes the size and timing of the exit.

There needs to be some clear thinking and research about who will buy the company and how much they will pay.  

The investors and the startup need to work together to achieve the exit.

One of the biggest impacts on the exit for early-stage investors is follow-on funding.

It’s important to gain alignment on the subsequent financing rounds required and the impact it will have on the early investors.

It’s often the case the startup is overly optimistic and comes back later asking for additional funding. 

Also, discuss the path to achieve the exit - will the company grow organically or will it push aggressively for growth?

It’s important to maintain communication about the exit strategy and discuss how the company is on track for it or not. 

Follow-on funding brings terms and valuations that can diminish the early investor’s position and ultimate exit.


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

Music courtesy of Bensound.

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

In this episode, Hall welcomes Willie James Mandrell III, Owner & Broker at The Mandrell Company.

Headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, The Mandrell Company is a residential & commercial real estate brokerage firm that prides itself on its knowledgeable agents, friendly personal service, and up-to-the-minute knowledge of the latest market data. They specialize in multi-family homes ranging from 2-100 plus units as well as single-unit investment real estate. 

The Mandrell family has been investing and managing real estate in the Boston area since the 1950s and has a proven track record of success. 

Willie J. Mandrell, III, is a self-made multi-millionaire real estate investor, broker, coach, lecturer & author. As a buyer, seller, and broker he's been involved with well over 200 million in real estate transactions. He has been featured in numerous trade magazines and he is a frequent guest on real estate and wealth-related podcasts, television, & radio shows across the U.S. Willie is the author of "Cash Flow Secrets", a book on real estate investing & finance tips most people are never taught but need to know. Willie is also a member of the Forbes Real Estate Council.

Willie discusses his investment thesis, how he sees the real estate sector evolving, and some of the challenges investors face.

You can visit The Mandrell Company at www.mandrellco.com/, and via LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/company/the-mandrell-company/about/.

Willie can be contacted at wmandrell@gmail.com, via LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/in/wjmandrell/, and via his YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/wmandrell.

Music courtesy of Bensound.

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

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

There are several options for selling your business. Here are some of them:

Strategic - This is a buyer that buys your business as it provides strategic value for their company.

Financial  - This buyer looks solely at the financials, in particular, the cash flow, and buys the company without consideration to the strategic implications of their business.

Management team/Employee - This buyer works in the company and wants to own the business or continue to run it.

Competitor - This buyer is a competitor and wants to take your business off the market by merging it into their own.

Private equity - This is a buyer who plans to take over the business with a new management team and business plan. 

Generational transfer - This is typically a family member who wants to take over the 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 

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  

Music courtesy of Bensound.

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

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

Even in the early days of the startup, the CEO must keep in mind the exit. 

The investors funded with the anticipation of a return.

While the vision of an exit may seem like a distant future, the decisions taken at the beginning often impact the exit at the end.

Selection of business model and monetization will be key factors for the exit valuation.

Recurring revenue and platform-based businesses will bring a much higher return.

Targeting a larger market will also bring a greater return.

Consulting services are difficult to scale and are often set up with partner firms.

As you start making choices, consider the exit as well as the initial starting point. Realize the importance of those decisions.


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  

Music courtesy of Bensound.

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

In this episode, Hall welcomes Professor Ariel Evans, CEO and Founder of Cyber Innovative Technologies.

Cyber Innovative Technologies is a technology innovator that provides an integrated cyber risk management platform that allows organizations, governments, regulators and their third-parties to become more cyber resilient.

85% of a business is a digital asset. The VRisk platform quantifies digital asset cyber exposures and scores the risk of the digital assets on-premise and in cloud environments. The core technology is a digital asset risk engine that is surrounded by an ecosystem of role-based modules that allow communication, reporting, analysis, and workflows between all the stakeholders in cybersecurity, cyber risk, compliance, and privacy. 

Ariel is a serial entrepreneur with two successful exits in technology. She is a cybersecurity expert, an educator, and author of ‘Managing Cyber Risk’ and ‘Enterprise Cybersecurity in Digital Business’. Cyber Innovative’s technology is based on the digital asset approach which Ariel pioneered. Ariel lives in Israel and the U.S.  She has her M.B.A. from NYU Stern.

Ariel discusses the recent cybersecurity breach at SolarWinds, the primary trend in cybersecurity risk, what changes we should expect to see in the coming 12 months, and more.

You can visit Cyber Innovative Technologies at www.cyberinnovativetech.com, via LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/company/cyberinnovativetechnologies, and via Twitter at www.twitter.com/cyberinnovative?lang=en.    

Ariel can be contacted at ariel@cyberinnovativetech.com, and via LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/in/marielevans/.  

Music courtesy of Bensound.

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

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

Startup investors look for an exit in the 5-7 year range.

As a startup, you need to consider the exit from the beginning as the exit strategy can inform your decisions around funding, hiring, and more.

Here are several exit options to consider:

  • Mergers and acquisitions - most companies exit by being bought by a bigger company
  • Going public - some companies still use an IPO for an exit. It can be expensive due to compliance, so fewer companies take it
  • Private equity firm - more companies are staying private longer and often use PE firms to give the early investors an exit
  • Revenue sharing - some investors exit by taking a revenue share for their return
  • Liquidation - some companies can be sold for the assets to provide a return to the investors
  • Share buyout - some investors will accept a buyout of their shares from the company to provide an exit in the event there is no other option
  • If your investors are family members or others who do not expect to be paid back, then you can skip the exit and just maintain the business

As you launch and grow your business, keep a list of potential exit options and consider what you would need to do to achieve it.


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

Let’s go startup something today.
___________________________________

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

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

For Feedback please contact info@tencapital.group  

Music courtesy of Bensound.

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

In this episode, Hall welcomes back Steven Hoffman, Chairman and CEO of Founders Space, and author of several award-winning books to include “Surviving a Startup”.

Located in the San Francisco Bay Area, Founders Space has created an international network of incubators, entrepreneurs, and investors, with over 50 partners in 22 countries. They offer corporate innovation programs, an online startup incubator, tours, and seminars.

Steve is an angel investor, a limited partner at August Capital, and a serial entrepreneur. He was the Founder and Chairman of the Producers Guild Silicon Valley Chapter, Board of Governors of the New Media Council, and founding member of the Academy of Television's Interactive Media Group.

While in Hollywood, Steve worked as a TV development executive and went on to pioneer interactive television with his venture-funded startup Spiderdance, which produced interactive TV shows with NBC, MTV, Turner, Warner Brothers, History Channel, Game Show Network, and others.

In Silicon Valley, Steve founded two more venture-backed startups, in the areas of games and entertainment, and worked as Mobile Studio Head for Infospace.

Steve has a BS from the University of California in Computer Engineering and an MFA from the University of Southern California in Cinema Television. He currently resides in San Francisco but spends most of his time in the air, visiting startups, investors, and innovators all over the world. 

You can purchase Steven’s books at www.foundersspace.com/books/

You can visit Founders Space at www.foundersspace.com/, and via Twitter at www.twitter.com/foundersspace.  

Steven can be contacted via email at steven.s.hoffman@gmail.com or foundersspace@gmail.com, and via LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/in/captainhoff/

Music courtesy of Bensound.

Direct download: Steven_S_Hoffman_of_Founders_Space_book_review.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:47pm CST

In this episode, Hall welcomes best-selling author Arie Brish, Founder & CEO of cxo360, and author of “Lay an Egg and Make Chicken Soup”.

cxo360™ is a leadership advisory firm with an unparalleled network and numerous measurable success stories.

The main purpose of “Lay an Egg and Make Chicken Soup” is to introduce the multifaceted new products or services process to those executives who need a broader look at business innovation and how all the moving parts are supposed to work together. The people that will benefit the most from this book are founders of start-ups, CEOs, general managers, CFOs, venture capitalists, corporate directors, product managers, and new business owners.

Arie is a cross-functional expert in growth strategies, commercializing innovation, change leadership, and turn-around. Arie teaches and speaks frequently about commercializing innovation.

Arie brings to the table lessons learned and best practices from a wide variety of projects in different industries and across diverse business disciplines. His business acumen includes board of directors and advisory boards, CEO & GM roles, M&A, business development, turnarounds and change leadership, working with Fortune 500 corporations, startups, venture capitalists, and private equity, consulting engagements, as well as non-profits.

Arie tells us what inspired him to write the book, what surprised him the most, the most important takeaway he got out of it, and more.

You can visit cxo360 at www.cxo360.net.  

Arie can be contacted at cxo360@hotmail.com, and via LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/in/ariebrish/

Music courtesy of Bensound.

Direct download: Arie_Brish_of_cxo360_and_book_review.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:00am CST

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

Here are some key steps to take in planning the exit for your company:

- Understand why you are exiting the business.  
- Is this exit going to be seller motivated or buyer motivated?
- Explore the options. Consider who would be the best acquirer or which company would be best to merge with.
- Consider the market and industry. Is your industry consolidating? Is the market growing?
- Know what your company is worth. Research comparable valuations of similar companies. Revenue is typically a key factor as well as profit.
- Start talking with potential acquirers and update them regularly on your progress.
- Ask other founders and CEOs for their exit experience. Find out what they discovered in going through an exit.
- Ask your current investors about their experience with exits to see what they know.
- Once you have a target acquirer, make a list of what they want to see in your company in order to buy it.

This list becomes your strategic plan.

Work on achieving it and keep the acquirer up-to-date on your progress.

Just as investors watch your progress, so acquirers will do the same.


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

Music courtesy of Bensound.

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

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

In our new Investor Perspectives series entitled “How to Solve the Fintech Problem”, you’ll hear about participation in the segment and what investors look for when investing.

As the COVID pandemic passes, we emerge into a new world. The fintech space is now undergoing tremendous change across the U.S. Every business is now a fintech business. We have investors and startup founders describe the shift from a centralized to a decentralized fintech market.

Our guests are:

Marc Michel, Partner & Founder, Runway Venture Partners, 00:58
Joshua B. Siegel, General Partner, Acronym Venture Capital, 04:38
Victor Orlovskiy, General Partner, Fort Ross Ventures, 06:55 
Matt Murphy, General Partner, Montage Ventures, 12:26

I hope you enjoy this episode.
_______________________________

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

Music courtesy of Bensound.


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

There are many reasons to exit the business.

Here are some key ones to consider:

  • The company is ready to go IPO. By taking the company public, new ownership comes into place
  • The market has changed dramatically putting the future of the business into question
  • The business failed and can no longer remain solvent
  • The owners lose interest and decide to follow other passions
  • The owners lose the physical ability to run the business and must find someone else to run it

For these reasons owners can exit the business in the following ways:

  • Run an Initial Public Offering
  • Sell the business to another company or merge with another company
  • Sell the business to employees or friends
  • Pass the management duties to others and remain in the business in a non-management role
  • Liquidate the business and sell the assets

Consider your options before making a final decision.


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  

Music courtesy of Bensound.

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

In this episode, Hall welcomes Anupama Pansare, founder of Volyx Consulting.

Located in Sugar Land, Texas, Volyx is a consulting firm focused on digital transformation using cutting-edge technologies from their portfolio of service providers and startups. Their solutions focus on leveraging operations data to optimizing business processes. They help build data models and analytics to enable data correlation, and build predictive capabilities and provide cost-efficient solutions in a time-boxed manner. Volyx consulting works with Digital & Energy transition, Circular Economy and ESG-focused companies to expand markets.

Anu is an accomplished business leader with digital, consulting and energy expertise. She has over 25 years of multi-industry experience, with diverse companies ranging from Chevron, Schlumberger, Ernst & Young to startups. She is an innovator and passionate about startups as game-changers for corporate innovation. Her venture focus is disruptors in energy transition, DeFi & digital. Anu is a venture investor and serves on the Advisory Board of the Indiana University Angel Network. She is working on an upcoming talk series podcast/webinar on Venture – Anu Venture. Anu also serves as a judge at the Rice Business Plan Competition, is the past Chair of the Houston Angel Network Screening Committees, and is a speaker at conferences including the Angel Capital Association (ACA).

Anu shares her investment thesis and what excites her now in the industry. She discusses how the industry is evolving and advises entrepreneurs and investors.

You can visit Volyx Consulting at www.volyx.com, and via LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/company/volyx.

Anu can be contacted at anu@volyx.com, via LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/in/anupansare/, and via Twitter at www.twitter.com/anupansare/.   

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Direct download: Anupama_Pansare_of_Volyx.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:43am CST

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

For every business, there comes a time to sell it.

Ask these questions to find if now is the right time to sell your business.

Do you still want to run the business?

You may want to move on to new projects and opportunities and the current business may no longer be fulfilling.

Do you still believe in the business and what it can do for you?

Sometimes the market changes and the business opportunity is no longer there. 

What can you get from the business today versus two years from now?

Now may be the right time to sell, or waiting a few years may give you a better exit. You may be able to sell it for more if you stay with it a little longer. 

Do you need more funding and can you raise it?

If your business needs funding to continue and you can raise it, then do so. If you cannot, then consider exiting.

What do the other team members want to do?

Aside from your own interests, what do the other stakeholders want?

It takes a team to run a business. If they want an exit, that should be part of the consideration.


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: When_to_Sell_Your_Business.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:00am CST

In this episode, Hall welcomes Lane Kawaoka, real estate investor and creator of SimplePassiveCashflow.com.  

Lane’s passion project SimplePassiveCashflow.com, is a Top-50 Investing podcast and free resource for passive real estate investing. Working as a high-paid professional in corporate America and frustrated by the traditional wealth-building dogma, Lane was compelled to inspire and mentor other working professionals on how to do real estate investing and build their own portfolios. Lane urges other working professionals to just get started by utilizing their highest and best use (their day job) to save down payment money to acquire single-family home rentals. The Simple Passive Cashflow method is to only buy investments with a healthy cash flow buffer that can withstand a market downturn. He currently owns 4,200+ units across the U.S. He lives in Hawaii and recently quit his day job as a Professional Engineer with a MS in Civil Engineering & Construction Management and a BS in Industrial Engineering.

Lane partners with investors who want to build their portfolio, but are too busy to mess with “tenants, toilets, and termites” by curating opportunities in his “Hui Deal Pipeline Club” where his investors have personal access to him and know that Lane is personally putting his money on the line too. The Hui Deal Pipeline Club has acquired over $350 Million dollars of real estate acquired by syndicating over $40 Million Dollars of private equity since 2016.

Lane’s mission is to help hard-working professionals out of the rat race, one free strategy call at a time.

Lane discusses how he began investing in appreciation markets, counter-intuitive wealth rules that the rich follow, passive investing for working professionals, passive cash flow investing, and more. 

You can visit SimplePassiveCashflow.com at www.simplepassivecashflow.com, via LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/company/simplepassivecashflow-com/, and via Twitter at www.twitter.com/SimplepassiveCF/.  

Lane can be contacted at lane@simplepassivecashflow.com, and via LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/in/lanekawaoka/.        

Music courtesy of Bensound.

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

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

Startups have a high failure rate. What percentage fails?

Out of 100 startups/investments:

-75 will fail or turn into a lifestyle business within 2 years 

-25 will remain on the venture track after 2 years

Of those 25:

-half will die or turn into a lifestyle business between years 2-4

-15 will remain on the venture track for the long haul

Of those 15:

-10 will fade out

-5 will be a win with varying degrees of success

It will be difficult to choose the top 5, so you must take a portfolio approach to startup investing and diversify across several deals.


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: Startup_Funding_Espresso_--_What_percent_of_startups_fail.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:00am CST

In this episode, Hall welcomes Art Smith, CEO of Digerati Technologies, Inc.

Headquartered in San Antonio, Texas, Digerati Technologies, Inc. (OTCQB: DTGI) is a provider of cloud services specializing in Unified Communications as a Service (UCaaS) solutions for the business market. Through its subsidiaries T3 Communications (www.T3com.com) and Nexogy, Inc. (www.nexogy.com), the Company is meeting the global needs of businesses seeking simple, flexible, reliable, and cost-effective communication and network solutions, including cloud PBX, cloud mobile, Internet broadband, SD-WAN, SIP trunking, and customized VoIP services, all delivered on its carrier-grade network and Only in the Cloud™.

Art has over 25 years of public company experience with a comprehensive background in technology and global telecommunications. Over the years, he has developed expertise in broad-based management including corporate finance, financial operations, business development, mergers and acquisitions, strategic and tactical planning, sales and operational management, and international business. As founder of Digerati Technologies, Inc., Art has held various positions within the Company, including Chairman, CEO, and President of the Company’s international subsidiary. Art is also co-founder and former Chairman of GlobalSCAPE, Inc. (NYSE: GSB), a leading provider of Internet-based information exchange solutions and former wholly-owned subsidiary of Digerati. GlobalSCAPE was spun-off to the Company’s shareholders as a separate publicly-traded entity.

Art discusses the growth rate and evolution of the sector, and some of the challenges companies face.

You can visit Digerati Technologies, Inc. at https://digerati-inc.com/, via LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/company/digerati-technologies-inc-/, and via Twitter at www.twitter.com/DIGERATI_IR   

Art can be contacted at ir@digerati-inc.com, and via LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/in/art-smith-86838624/.           

Music courtesy of Bensound.

Direct download: Art_Smith_of_Digerati_Technologies_Inc_v2.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 9:28am CST

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

Running a fundraise with investors is similar to running a sales funnel with prospects.

You must take the investor through the stages of awareness, interest, desire, and commitment.

Here are the steps you need to take:

Stage 1: Awareness – identify and contact an initial list of investors.

Start with an ideal investor profile. Categorize them by type, revenue, and sector.

Create a list of investors and set up your task list to add ten investors per week to the list when contacted. Continually add to this list and consistently reach out to potential investors daily.

Stage 2: Interest – build interest in the investor by providing updates showing a growth story.

You must do more than forecast a growth story, you must demonstrate it happening now.

Set up a mailer template and distribution list and schedule a date on the calendar to send out two mailers per month. 

Stage 3: Desire – demonstrate momentum in your fundraise and create some desire on the part of the investor.

Continue adding investors to the funnel and sending mailers 2 times per month. Show how other investors are in the deal. If you have a lead, then highlight the lead investor and how they set it up. Make clear why that investor invested in your deal.

Include in your bi-monthly updates to investors, the interest committed and invested amounts showing steady progress to the fundraise goal.  

Stage 4: Commitment – open the dialog about investing interest and get specific. Ask what is interesting, what diligence is required, what commitment, etc.

Once they commit, ask them to sign the term sheet as funding is contingent on passing due diligence. Use DocuSign so it’s easy to fill out the forms, sign, and return. After signing the term sheet, ask for the investors’ diligence process, and provide the appropriate documentation.

Fundraising goes in steps and stages just like sales.


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 

Music courtesy of Bensound.

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

In this our 500th episode, Hall welcomes back Christian Kameir, Managing Partner at Sustany Capital.

Sustany Capital is a venture capital firm investing in blockchain and decentralized finance solutions. 

In this in-depth interview, Christian speaks about Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs) and answers many questions to include the stated objectives, different concepts that are being discussed around its development, business sectors most likely to be influenced, who stands to benefit the most, CBDCs vs. physical cash and much more.

Christian studied classical literature, is certified in neuro-linguistic programming, and is a graduate of Muenster's School of Law. He writes and speaks on topics ranging from high-tech investing to decentralized finance, and blockchain for Harvard, Forbes, Hackernoon, and other schools and publications.

You can visit Sustany Capital at www.sustany.co, and via LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/company/sustany-capital/.

Christian can be contacted via email at chris@sustany.co, via LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/in/kameir/, and via Twitter at www.twitter.com/kameir

Music courtesy of Bensound


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

After you’ve had an introduction and talked with the investor either in person or on the phone, it’s important to follow up with the investor to answer questions, update about progress, and walk through diligence.

Investors are not interested in spending time to hear about your forecast, they are looking for updates about your progress with sales, team, product, and fundraise. In short, the things you are in control of and not the things over which you have no control such as market growth and competitor actions.

You need to have a growth story and your calls need to update the investor on those points. 

Investors only know what you tell them. If you don’t mention key progress, then it doesn’t exist in the minds of the investors.

If the investor is not responsive to your emails, then try texting and calling them. When you call and they say they are not available, then ask for a better time to talk.

Not all investors hang out on email. Some only check it once or twice a day.

Investors have many other things on their plate and your email may not get top priority every time.

When asking for a call make sure you’re bringing new information about the business, especially information the investor asked about such as revenue, team, board, product, etc.

Before you end a call with an investor, set up the next call (say one week later). Put it on the calendar with an invite. This avoids the chase around in contacting them.


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

Let’s go startup something today.
___________________________________

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

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

For Feedback please contact info@tencapital.group  

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

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

In startups, cash is king. It’s the key financial metric to watch.

Growth may be going straight up. Customer traction may be better than ever, but if cash runs out then it all comes crashing down.

Cash management is a daily exercise.  

The first step is to understand every inflow and outflow of cash.  

Set up tools to alert for cash disbursements over a certain amount.

Watch incoming cash from customers and follow-up when it goes off-track.

Set up a daily cash management plan. 

Identify the biggest cash hits during the month. This is usually payroll.

Investigate how to move around other expenses to match your incoming revenue.

A recurring revenue model helps as it brings in cash on a regular basis throughout the year in most companies and helps with the cash flow.

With some revenue, you can go to the bank and set up a line of credit. This lets you draw down some bank debt and pay it off in the following weeks.


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: Cash_is_King.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:00am CST

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

In our new Investor Perspectives series entitled “How to Solve the Fintech Problem”, today you’ll hear about the primary trends and what makes for a successful company in this segment.

As the COVID pandemic passes, we emerge into a new world. The fintech space is now undergoing tremendous change across the U.S. Every business is now a fintech business. We have investors and startup founders describe the shift from a centralized to a decentralized fintech market.

Our guests are:

Marc Michel, Partner & Founder, Runway Venture Partners, 00:59
Matt Oguz, Chief Investment Officer, Iris Family Office and Founding Partner at Venture Science, 02:27
Joshua B. Siegel, General Partner, Acronym Venture Capital, 10:30
Victor Orlovskiy, General Partner, Fort Ross Ventures, 12:43 
Matt Murphy, General Partner, Montage Ventures, 16:46

I hope you enjoy this episode.
________________________________

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 

Music courtesy of Bensound.


In this episode, Hall welcomes JR Guerrieri, CEO & Co-Founder at NYNJA.

Headquartered in Lavallette, New Jersey, NYNJA is a unified communications platform for remote work (Enterprises and SMBs)  that solves the problem of fragmented communications, combining the best features of Zoom (voice and video conferencing), Slack (team collaboration), and YouSendIt/Hightail (large file transfers). NYNJA is the fastest way to make an automatic conference call with a large number of participants. Just click and join! It's that simple with no software download required. NYNJA's mission is integrity in data and Absolute Business Continuity.  

The NYNJA platform features secure encryption of cloud data storage for saving messages, images, and files. It features a beautifully designed and intuitive interface highlighted by the app's patent and patent-pending concentric wheel navigation system. The concentric wheel enables quick and easy navigation of the app using only one thumb and eliminates the need for back buttons.

Salvatore (‘JR’) has over 30 years of experience building and growing startup companies with more than US$50M in successful exits. He has served as a director on a diverse range of boards, including a former board position for the New Jersey Institute of Technology. He founded Acolyte Industries Inc. in 1996 and grew the company into an award-winning global manufacturer of LED lighting solutions. He is also an avid angel investor, seed investor, and advisor for tech, finance, and e-commerce startups around the world. JR was also awarded Entrepreneur of the year in 1988 for the state of New Jersey. 

JR discusses his background and how NYNJA fits in the landscape. He also advises investors and shares how he sees the industry evolving.

You can visit NYNJA at www.nynja.work, via LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/company/nynjawork, and via Twitter at www.twitter.com/NynjaW.     

JR can be contacted via email at jr@nynja.biz, and via LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/in/jr-guerrieri-814354159/

Music courtesy of Bensound

Direct download: JR_Guerrieri_of_Nynja_Inc.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 11:07am CST

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

Platform products facilitate two-sided marketplaces that match buyers to sellers.  

The most common metrics used in platform products are buyer/seller metrics, inventory metrics, and transaction metrics.

Buyer/seller metrics include the number of buyers and sellers on the platform. Also, the growth of buyers/sellers and the number of repeat buyers/sellers should be measured.

For inventory, metrics should track the total number of products listed and the average number of listings per seller. 

Finally, transaction metrics track the percentage of sellers who make a sale and the percentage of listings that turn into a sale. 


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

Music courtesy of Bensound.

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

In this episode, Hall welcomes Christopher Ladd, Partner at NewRoad Capital Partners. 

NewRoad Capital Partners, LLC, headquartered in Northwest Arkansas, is an SEC-registered investment firm investing in growth equity and growth buyout opportunities in select U.S. supply chain & logistics and retail & consumer packaged goods sectors in the lower middle market.

As experienced entrepreneurs and operators themselves, the NewRoad team prides itself on the high level of collaboration they bring to each of their investments. They have learned the journey is most fruitful when partnered with like-minded people that share an obsession to improve their business. NewRoad Capital Partners love to bring together people fueled by an entrepreneurial spirit, innovative thinking, and a drive for success.

Chris is a partner at NewRoad Capital Partners, LLC, where he is responsible for all aspects of the investment process and post-investment operations of portfolio companies for the firm’s venture capital fund (New Road Ventures) and its growth equity fund in partnership with Los-Angeles-based Kayne Anderson (Kayne NewRoad Ventures Fund II). Prior to joining NewRoad Capital Partners, he was part of Walmart’s Corporate Development and Strategy teams, focusing on e-commerce acquisitions and strategic initiatives and the CFO/CIO of a Walmart-led investment fund. Before Walmart, he was an Associate at TPG Capital focusing on post-acquisition operations of its portfolio companies and an Associate at KSL Capital on the buyside.

Chris holds a B.A. in Economics from Cornell University and an M.B.A. from the University of Texas at Austin’s McCombs School of Business.

Chris shares what excites him now in the industry. He also advises entrepreneurs and investors and discusses his investment thesis.

You can visit NewRoad Capital Partners at www.newroadcp.com, and via LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/company/newroad-ventures/.    

Chris can be contacted via email at cladd@newroadcp.com, and via LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/in/christopher-ladd-6950a414/

Music courtesy of Bensound

Direct download: Christopher_Ladd_of_NewRoad_Capital_Partners.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 7:30am CST

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

Many startups use SAFE notes and Convertible Notes for their early-stage investments.

So what’s the difference?

A convertible note is a debt instrument that converts into equity later upon an event such as raising an equity round or reaching a maturity date.

A SAFE is a Simple Agreement for Future Equity which is a warrant to purchase stock in a future priced round.

The SAFE can convert when you raise any amount of equity investment and does not give the entrepreneur control of when to convert.

Convertible notes are considered to be legal debt, while SAFEs are warrants.

Neither a SAFE nor a Convertible Note set the valuation, but rather takes the valuation from the equity round.

Convertible Notes include an interest rate while SAFE’s do not. 

Most convertible notes have a maturity date while SAFEs do not. 

Convertible notes contain a discount rate which provides additional shares to the investor for investing early. SAFEs have no discount rate.

SAFEs are often considered the simpler option compared to a convertible note, but as you can see the convertible note provides more options.


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  

Music courtesy of Bensound.

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

In this episode, Hall welcomes Julien Coulon, Directeur Général at Crédit Mutuel Innovation.

Headquartered in Paris, Ile-de-France, Crédit Mutuel Innovation is the evergreen venture capital entity of Crédit Mutuel Equity (€3.5 billion in capital). They invest €1-20M in life science, digital and deeptech companies from seed to growth stages. Today, the 350 companies in which they have invested generate a cumulative annual turnover of €50bn and create more than 250,000 jobs.

In 1996, Julien created a strategic analysis for 2 years at France Telecom in New York. He was in charge of the Internet and Minitel site for the football World Cup France ‘98, then he developed the hosting business. In 2000, he participated in the création of Virtual Languages, a web conferencing start-up bought by Genesys Conferencing. He joined Akamai in 2002 to launch the e-Commerce, media, telecom, social networking business and managed to position the company as the key leader in content delivery and application acceleration on the market.

In mid-2009, Julien founded Cedexis, "The Waze of the Internet", a community monitoring solution that can be combined with a patented fully configurable real-time flow routing service. After raising more than $33 million and deploying services worldwide, setting up 9 offices in Europe, the USA, and Asia, Cedexis was sold to Citrix in early 2018.

In 2019, Julien took over the general management of Crédit Mutuel Equity and has 250 million to invest in digital start-ups, disruptive technology, life science, electronics. Julien is also a member of the boards of Recommerce, Stimio, ABTasty, Antidot, Training Orchestra, Little Big Job, and is a regular speaker in telecom schools & HEC. He is self-taught and recently graduated from Exec MBA at HEC.

Julien shares how he sees the industry evolving, and advises startups and investors.

You can visit Crédit Mutuel Innovation at www.creditmutuel-equity.eu/fr/, and via LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/company/creditmutuelinnovation/.   

Julien can be contacted via email at couloncoulon@gmail.com, via LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/in/juliencoulon/?originalSubdomain=fr, and viaTwitter at https://twitter.com/juliencoulon?lang=en.  

Music courtesy of Bensound

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

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

Storytelling is a key skill for any startup raising funding.

In the early days of a startup, the product and team aren’t fully developed and customers are typically not fully engaged.  

The investors look to the founders to understand the potential of the business.  

The founder who can articulate a clear vision of the company and fill in the gaps can win over the investor. 

Such a skill demonstrates to investors the ability to win over potential employees, future customers, and critical partners to make the business successful. 

If you can’t convince an investor of your story, how will you convince a customer to buy from you?

When talking to investors, the story comes into play when you are defining the problem you are solving.  After that, the pitch goes to the specifics of the company - product, team, market - where the story form is less relevant.

Overuse of the storytelling technique throughout the pitch can drag out the process. When an investor asks how many people are on the team, it’s best to give a straight-up number rather than a story that explains the history of hiring each team member.

If the investor is interested to learn more, then they will ask.


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 

Music courtesy of Bensound.


In this episode, Hall welcomes Carolyn Jenkins, CSO & Head of the Product Division at EPSoft Technologies.

EPSoft Technologies is a global software company founded in 2015 and headquartered in Dallas, Texas. They are the creators behind the EPSoft Intelligent Automation Platform, an end-to-end solution for business process management and intelligent automation. The platform supports both front office and back-office operations with powerful natively developed tools that help businesses make better decisions all with a single-pane view for seamless management.

Carolyn has more than 20 years of strategic leadership experience, serving in various executive roles throughout her career, including COO, CEO, strategic advisor and board contributor for several companies within the tech sector. As the co-founder of four technology startups—with three successful exits and one still in operation—Carolyn’s experience runs deep and wide. 

Carolyn advises entrepreneurs and investors, shares how she sees the industry evolving, and discusses some of the challenges startups face.

You can visit EPSoft Technologies at www.epsoftinc.com/ and via LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/company/epsofttechnologies/.  

Carolyn can be contacted via email at carolyn.jenkins@EPSoftinc.com, via LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/in/carolyntrevinojenkins/, and viaTwitter at www.twitter.com/carolynajenkins?lang=en

Music courtesy of Bensound

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

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

In seeking a buyer for the company, there are two basic choices: a strategic buyer or a financial buyer.  

The strategic buyer is typically a company in your industry that is seeking to acquire technology, teams, a customer base, or brands.

They will look at those aspects of your business for a potential fit with their growth plans.

If your company has built value in any of these areas, you can open discussions with potential acquirers.

Financial buyers look at cash flow, cash reserves, return on capital, and other financial indicators for a potential fit.  

These buyers are agnostic to your industry or market positioning but look at it purely as a financial play.

There’s also the possibility of splitting up the company so the strategic buyer finds the value relevant to them while the financial buyer finds the part that works for them as well.


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

Music courtesy of Bensound.

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

In this episode, Hall welcomes Brian Burkinshaw, Founder/Owner of Clearpat Services, LLC.

Headquartered in Austin, Texas, Clearpat Services is a technology commercialization firm specializing in concept research evaluation, patent novelty, clearance, and accelerated searches, drafting and prosecution of patent applications involving mechanical, medical, and biotech devices, technologies, and processes.

Among their specialties is the ability to help you protect your valuable ideas (Intellectual Property) and help guide you to market commercialization. Their niche is in helping small to mid-size businesses and individual inventors in the Austin and Central Texas area obtain patent protection for your ideas while keeping your costs to a minimum. They can perform the research necessary for patent planning to determine how best to protect your ideas; whether it’s through trade secrets or the generation of patent applications that stand the best chance for patent allowance and issue. Implementing the right strategies can place your company in the best possible position to be favorably considered for growth, venture funding, or acquisition.

Brian Burkinshaw is an inventor and registered US Patent Agent with over 10 years of experience practicing patent law. To his credit, Brian spent nearly six years practicing patent law with Wilson, Sonsini, Goodrich, and Rosati PC, a National Tier 1 firm in Patent law, with global reach in the US, Europe, and Asia. WSGR is consistently recognized as the top biotech IP firm in the country with over 180 experienced patent attorneys, patent agents, and scientific advisors, most of whom possess Ph.D. or other advanced degrees in such areas as biology, chemistry, immunology, biomedical sciences, engineering, or other scientific fields. As a member of the Patents and Innovations team with WSGR, Brian routinely performed patentability searches and landscape analyses, but more importantly, developed a keen focus on drafting and prosecution of patent applications, primarily involving mechanical, medical, and biotech devices, technologies, and processes, personally drafting nearly 300 applications and helping his clients acquire over 150 high-quality patents. Some of the patented technologies acquired for his clients include next-generation automotive variator transmissions, Lidar (light detection and ranging) sensor technologies, high-tech sports gear and training equipment, advanced, high volume, indoor and hydroponic farming technologies, downhole drilling and fluid recovery technologies, fermentation technologies, programmable technologies, and a virtual plethora of medical implants, instruments and medical device technologies.

For a complete bio, click here.

Brian discusses when, what and how to file a patent.

You can visit Clearpat Services, LLC. at www.clearpat.com.

Brian can be contacted via email at clearpat@outlook.com, via LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/in/brianburkinshaw/, and via phone at (512) 657-6843. 

Music courtesy of Bensound

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

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

After you complete your fundraise and thanked those who helped you, take time to prepare for the next fundraise.

Take the investor prospects, the ones who did not invest, and add them to a list to update every 3 to 6 months about your progress.  

Investors are often curious about how the business turned out, even if they did not invest.  

Updating them keeps them on the journey with you for the next fundraise round.

If you maintain the relationship, then you will have a ready group of investors for the next raise.

You can also lean on some of them for startup advice or even introductions.

This goes a long way toward building the relationship with the investor which is important to do before the campaign begins if possible. 


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

Music courtesy of Bensound.

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

In this episode, Hall welcomes Caroline Goodner, Founder & CEO at OrganiCare.

Headquartered in Austin, Texas, OrganiCare’s mission is to create all-natural and organic over-the-counter (OTC) healthcare products that are safe, effective, and simply better than the petrochemical-based, drug-laden products used by most consumers today.

OrganiCare offers a range of all-natural and organic first aid, oral care, and feminine care products under two brands, CUROXEN® and FemiClear®. All OrganiCare products are made from a unique process that combines the antibacterial, healing effects of pure olive oil with life-giving oxygen. This formula has been found to be extremely effective at healing anything from minor cuts to mouth sores to vaginal yeast infections.

Prior to OrganiCare, Caroline was the CEO of UpSpring Baby, a consumer products company focused on new mothers. Prior to that, Caroline founded Identigene, a DNA identification laboratory focused on paternity and forensic DNA testing. Caroline serves on several boards: the Entrepreneur’s Organization (EO), Beyond Batten Disease Foundation and Philanthropitch. She has been a Mentor with SKU for several cycles, and is on the Steering Committee for the Austin Chapter of the Rice Alliance. Caroline earned her BA from Duke and her MBA from Rice. 

Caroline advises entrepreneurs and investors, explains how she thinks the industry is evolving and lists some of the challenges startups face.

You can visit OrganiCare at www.organicare.com, and via LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/company/organicare-llc/.  

Caroline can be contacted via email at caroline@organicare.com, and via LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/in/caroline-goodner-98b32/

Music courtesy of Bensound.

Direct download: Caroline_Goodner_of_Organicare.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 8:24am CST

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

After the fundraise is complete, wrap up the current raise by doing the following:

  1. Thank those investors who helped you, as many of your contacts made introductions, offered advice, and more.
  2. Also, thank team members, friends, colleagues, and providers who assisted you. 
  3. Close up the due diligence box and store it where you can find it next time. That way you only need to update it, rather than build it again from scratch. The same goes for your investor documents such as the pitch deck.
  4. If this is your first fundraise, you may want to set up a service for your Cap Table and use it to keep track of the ownership shares going forward.
  5. Finally, set up a process for how you’re going to keep the investors up to date on your progress. If you have already agreed upon a format such as email or conference call and frequency, then you can set up a template for the scheduled updates.
  6. Also, calendar the investor calls/meetings for the next 12 months with a save-the-date notice 3 months in advance.


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


Let’s go startup something today.
___________________________________

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

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

In our new Investor Perspectives series entitled “How to Solve the Fintech Problem”, today you’ll hear about the growth in the segment.

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

As the COVID pandemic passes we emerge into a new world. The fintech space is now undergoing tremendous change across the U.S. Every business is now a fintech business. We have investors and startup founders describe the shift from a centralized to a decentralized fintech market.

Our guests are:

I hope you enjoy this episode.

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: Show_1_Growth_in_the_Fintech_Segment_V2.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 8:39am CST

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

I’m often asked what return angels and venture capital investors seek in their startup investments.

Angels generally seek around a 30% IRR (Internal Rate of Return). That would be 3X their investment in four years.

For longer timeframes, angel investors will be looking for a 5X-10X return for a startup investment.

The longer it takes the higher the multiple.

VC funds operate on a 10-year cycle and look for an exit in that timeframe. Most seek a 10X return in the 5-7 year window.

If your company growth is low, then that signals a longer-term exit and thus a higher required return.

If you find investors are not interested in your deal, it may be because your deal doesn’t fit into this expectation.


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: Startup_Funding_Espresso_--_What_return_to_Angels_and_VCs_look_for.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:00am CST

In this episode, Hall welcomes Stephen Collins, Founder of Luca Partners LLC.

Luca Partners provides strategy, finance, operating, and transactional advisory services to C-level leadership teams at venture and private equity-funded technology businesses.

Luca Partners are a team of highly-experienced technology industry professionals who are career operators that understand the challenges facing leadership teams. Their core competencies include strategic planning, investor and board management and communications, corporate finance/M&A including diligence and acquisition integration, go-to-market, and general business operations.

Stephen is a decisive and energetic high-growth-oriented business leader with extensive management expertise and experience particularly in developing disruptive and rapidly-growing markets. His experience ranges from Big 4 audit, to consumer products in emerging markets in Eastern Europe, and to the early days of online advertising. For the last twenty years, Stephen has been a C-level leader and board member in the software industry. During this period, Stephen’s pursuits included experience with on-premise enterprise software, SaaS, social media, e-commerce, programmatic advertising, and healthcare technology. During his career, Stephen has held the titles of Chief Executive Officer, President, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Information Officer, and Chief Innovation Officer reflecting his diverse skills as a leader and operator. Also, Stephen has extensive international experience having lived abroad and worked in more than 20 different countries. As a career operator, Stephen’s core functional competencies include strategic and operational leadership, management, finance and accounting, strategic finance, investor relations, mergers and acquisitions, talent acquisition, personnel development, and board responsibilities.

Stephen shares what excites him now in the sector. He advises entrepreneurs and investors and shares his investment thesis.

You can visit Luca Partners LLC at https://lucapartners.com/, and via LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/company/d4d2/about/

Stephen can be contacted via email at collins@lucapartners.com, and via LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/in/srcollins/

Music courtesy of Bensound

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

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

Investors calculate their returns using metrics ROI and IRR.

So what’s the difference?

ROI is the return on investment without respect to time.

IRR is the internal rate of return which is the return on investment with respect to time.

If I invest $100K and 5 years later I receive a return of $300,000, then my ROI is 3x. If I receive my return 10 years later, my ROI is still 3x.

The same scenario with IRR gives a different result for each case as it takes into account the time of return. In this case, the 5-year return yields a 25% IRR, while a 10-year return yields a 12% IRR.

So how do you calculate IRR?

We can use an Excel spreadsheet for that.

  1. Open up a column
  2. Set each row as one year
  3. Put the amount invested in year 1 (use a minus sign for this input)
  4. Put the amount returned in the appropriate year (use a positive sign for this input)
  5. Put a zero in each unfilled row
  6. Apply the IRR formula from Excel to make the calculation

To understand your investment results better, you’ll find IRR is a better metric as it takes into account the time factor.


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

Music courtesy of Bensound.

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

In this episode, Hall welcomes Kevin R. Jacques, General Partner at Cota Capital.

Cota Capital is a San Francisco-based, SEC-registered, multi-stage investment firm focused on private and public enterprise technology companies. Cota has invested in more than 100 private and public technology companies since inception. Cota’s overall mission is to deliver impactful outcomes through principle-guided investment in modern enterprise technologies. 

Kevin joined Cota in 2021 as a General Partner. Prior to Cota, Kevin was Head of Corporate Ventures at Visa, where he executed over 30 investments into leading fintech companies including Plaid, Railsbank, Paidy, and Paystack. Before Visa, Kevin spent 6 years at Intuit directing Corporate Development. At Intuit, Kevin and his team completed over 30 acquisitions, five investments, and 11 FinTech venture fund investments. Earlier, Kevin spent nearly 12 years as an investing partner with Sevin Rosen Funds and Palomar Ventures. Kevin was also the CEO of Globeranger, an RFID middleware provider, and a consultant at The Boston Consulting Group. Kevin received a B.S. in Industrial Engineering from Stanford University and an M.B.A. from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.

Kevin speaks about the growth rate, primary trends, evolution of the fintech sector, and much more.

You can visit Cota Capital at www.cotacapital.com, and via LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/company/cota-capital/.

Kevin can be contacted via email at kevin@cotacapital.com.

Music courtesy of Bensound.

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

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

I’ve seen CEOs pitch and when asked about their numbers they defer to a CFO or someone else for the answers. This is not a good look for the CEO. Investors want to know you are on top of it, and knowing your numbers is one indication of it.

As a startup, you should know your numbers inside and out. Investors will always ask for some numbers usually related to revenue, growth rates, and costs.  

Before engaging an investor, review your numbers and be able to cite them if asked.

Numbers that seem out of range from the standard will elicit questions, so for those numbers, you’ll need to be able to explain them as well as what you are planning to do to improve them.

If you have compelling numbers such as high-growth rates, be sure to bring this up in the pitch or follow-on discussion.

Remember, it’s up to you to articulate the values in the 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 

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  

Music courtesy of Bensound.

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

In this episode, Hall welcomes Will Ciolino, Founder and CEO of Anthology Corp.

Headquartered in Union City, New Jersey, Anthology is a brand new portfolio management system that provides powerful organization for all of your photos. Anthology provides a fully customizable profile UI, which allows artists to extend their creativity beyond just their photos and maximizes given real estate on small devices to bring the viewer’s focus on the photos. Keyword tagging allows users to easily find new profiles, photos, and portfolios.

Additionally, Anthology introduces beginners and hobbyists to consumers looking to purchase physical prints. It also allows artists to set their own royalty rates, terms and conditions for licensing. Businesses pay less for stock photos while artists keep more of the revenue. This gives Professionals and Amateurs the ability to sell and market their skills to consumers seeking private or event photoshoots.

Will is the CEO of Anthology Corp. and ImagiNations LLC. Will graduated with honors in his engineering program at the New Jersey Institute of Technology, and worked his way into multiple industries. His creative passions began a decade ago as an artist and hobbyist photographer. These passions carried into his career as he spent time in a small-scale pharmaceutical venture and in project management at a manufacturing plant before finding his way to a 3D printing career at a Fortune 500 company. While there, he served as project manager, designer, and engineer for over 1000 unique projects. Will started ImagiNations LLC as a startup venture for his entrepreneurial goals, with the vision of fostering ideas into business solutions – from which Anthology came about. 

Will discusses the growth rate and evolution of the sector and how Anthology fits into the landscape. 

You can visit Anthology Corp. at https://anthology-us.com, via their platform at Anthology iOS Platform, via their blog at Anthology Blog, via LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/company/anthology-corp, and via Twitter at www.twitter.com/anthologyus

Will can be contacted via email at william.ciolino@anthology-us.com, via LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/in/will-ciolino/, and via Twitter at www.twitter.com/willciolino

Music courtesy of Bensound.

Direct download: Will_Ciolino_of_Anthology_Corp.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 11:38am CST

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

In raising funding, you’ll need to propose a value for the equity in your startup. This is called valuation.  One way to determine it is to use the liquidation method.

Here’s how it works.

The exit value is set to the value of the business at liquidation, which means the value of all assets minus liabilities.

Assets include equipment, computers, servers, branding, and data such as customer lists.

Liabilities include debts, cost to let go employees, contracts and leases terminated, and taxes to be paid.

This values the business primarily for physical assets and branding.

It’s possible your computer code or prospect list would be of value as well.

When you sell the business for assets only, it’s often about 10% of what you could have sold it for if it were an ongoing 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 

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  

Music courtesy of Bensound.

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

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

In raising funding you’ll need to propose a value for the equity in your startup called valuation. One way to set a valuation is to use the 5X your raise method.

Here’s how it works.

Most investors want to see the valuation for their money coming in at 20%-25% of the post-money valuation.

This gives a 4X-5X valuation based on the investment.

For example, using 4X raising $500K, a $500K investment plus $1.5M pre-money, yields a $2M post-money valuation.

In another example using 5X raising $500K, a $500K investment plus $2M pre-money, yields a $2.5M post-money valuation.

Using this method, your pre-money ranges from $1.5M-$2M.

This gives you a ballpark estimate for setting the valuation of your raise.


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

Music courtesy of Bensound.

Direct download: 5X_Your_Raise_Method_for_Valuation.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:00am CST

In this episode, Hall welcomes Grace Lee, CEO of Health Enovation.

Headquartered in New York, New York, Health Enovation provides Incubator and investor funding for health tech, wellness, and patient data analytics. They help startup entrepreneurs design the business and build engaging technology to aggregate and facilitate health data management. Health Enovation aims to help startups realize the missing components of their business that will determine if they succeed or fail. They also facilitate angel investors from Pharma, Insurance, and Healthcare in finding, evaluating, and conducting due diligence to invest in health & wellness tech startups. Health Enovation aims to minimize your regulatory, clinical, legal, and financial risk.

Grace is a serial entrepreneur and subject matter expert with 20+ years of experience in product development and launch, business design, healthcare, technology innovations, and customer & business data analytics in pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and healthcare. 

She is also an executive consultant for VPs and C-levels in designing and integrating businesses and technology innovations. She is a designer of patient and customer data integration platforms focusing on improved user engagement and customer experience. 

Grace is a published author of over 40 research publications in cancer, Alzheimer’s, and epilepsy and was recognized by the US government as an Extraordinary Scientist/Outstanding Researcher. 

Grace advises entrepreneurs and investors in the healthcare industry. She also discusses how she sees the industry evolving post-COVID-19.

You can visit Health Enovation at www.healthenovation.com

Grace can be contacted via email at grace.lee@healthenovation.com and via LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/in/gracelee528/

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

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