Investor Connect

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Investor Connect: Legal Challenges for Startups with Abe Kwon of Lowenstein Sandler

In this episode of Investor Connect, Hall Martin welcomes Abe Kwon, a partner at Lowenstein Sandler, LLP, a renowned national law firm with a strong focus on emerging companies, venture capital funds, and investors. Abe Kwon shares his extensive experience as a startup venture capital lawyer and provides key insights…

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How To Hone Your Deal Selection Process

How To Hone Your Deal Selection Process Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso — your daily shot of startup funding and investing. Investors funding startups go through a great number of deals to find the ones to fund. The…

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The KISS Note

The KISS Note Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso — your daily shot of startup funding and investing. KISS in the startup world stands for Keep It Simple Security. It’s similar to a convertible note. Here are the…

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Under Promise, Over Deliver

Under Promise, Over Deliver Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso — your daily shot of startup funding and investing. In fundraising, the startup founder should underpromise and overdeliver to the investor. Here are some key…

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How To Use Framing in Your Pitch

How To Use Framing in Your Pitch Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso — your daily shot of startup funding and investing. In pitching investors, framing can be used to position the startup as a successful business. Framing…

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The Myths of Biotech Investing

The Myths of Biotech Investing Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso — your daily shot of startup funding and investing. Biotech investing differs from tech investing. There’s often no revenue traction to assess. The…

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Investor Connect: Investing in Transformative Health Tech with Rachna Dayal

In this episode of Investor Connect, Hall Martin speaks with Rachna Dayal, a global health biotech and venture investment expert, founder of Sugati Ventures.  Rachna shares her transition from corporate roles at Johnson & Johnson and Philips to founding and running a venture fund focused on transformative health tech startups….

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How To Close a Strategic Investor

How To Close a Strategic Investor Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso — your daily shot of startup funding and investing. Strategic investors are large companies that use startup investments to further their business…

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Tips on How To Follow Up

Tips on How To Follow Up Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso — your daily shot of startup funding and investing. In raising funding, investor follow-up is the critical work of the campaign. Timeliness is a key factor. Each…

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Best Practices in Raising a microVC Fund

Best Practices in Raising a microVC Fund Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso — your daily shot of startup funding and investing. In raising a microVC fund, consider the following: It takes 12 to 18 months to raise an…

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Investors Want To Know How the Business Will Be Successful

Investors Want To Know How the Business Will Be Successful Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso — your daily shot of startup funding and investing. Most first-time startups pitch their product to the investor rather than…

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What LPs Look for in First-Time Fundraisers

What LPs Look for in First-Time Fundraisers Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso — your daily shot of startup funding and investing. Limited Partners investing in venture capital funds are similar to startups raising funds…

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Investor Connect: Navigating the Funding Winter with Tien Wong of Opus8

In this episode of Investor Connect, Hall Martin sits down with Tien Wong, CEO and Chairman of Opus8, a private investment advisory firm focused on life sciences, health tech, and marketing tech. Tian shares his extensive experience in leading and funding high-growth technology ventures and discusses the evolution of the…

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How To Perform Investor Diligence

How To Perform Investor Diligence Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso — your daily shot of startup funding and investing. Startup founders raising funding should ask as many questions of the investor as the investor asks…

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The Cost of a Fundraise

The Cost of a Fundraise Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso — your daily shot of startup funding and investing. Fundraising will take time and money to complete. For the early stage, it’s primarily the time spent. …

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Trigger Words To Show a Value Proposition

Trigger Words To Show a Value Proposition Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso — your daily shot of startup funding and investing. Investors look for the startup’s value proposition to make an investment decision. In…

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Taking VC Funding Means Taking the VC’s Business Model

Taking VC Funding Means Taking the VC’s Business Model Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso — your daily shot of startup funding and investing. In taking venture funding, the startup is also taking the VC’s business…

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Show How Your Startup Is Scalable

Show How Your Startup Is Scalable Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso — your daily shot of startup funding and investing. Many startup fundraising pitches focus on the product.  It’s important for the investor to…

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Investor Connect: From Scientist to Venture Capitalist with Alicia Castillo

In this episode of Investor Connect, Hall Martin speaks with Alicia Castillo Holley, the founder and general partner of Wealthing VC Club. Alicia shares her intriguing journey from being a scientist concerned about the limited impact of her lab research to becoming an entrepreneur and eventually a venture capitalist.  She…

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Key Elements of a Seed Pitch Deck

Key Elements of a Seed Pitch Deck Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso — your daily shot of startup funding and investing. The goal of the pitch is to bring the investor up to speed on the deal in a short amount of time….

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How To Make a Persuasive Pitch

How To Make a Persuasive Pitch Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso — your daily shot of startup funding and investing. The goal of the pitch is to persuade investors to support your startup. Here are some key techniques to…

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Personalizing Investor Email Outreach

Personalizing Investor Email Outreach Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso — your daily shot of startup funding and investing. Email outreach is a key component of fundraising. It’s an efficient way to reach out to…

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Sharing Your Pitchdeck

Sharing Your Pitchdeck Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso — your daily shot of startup funding and investing. The pitch deck is the initial document investors want to see. It’s important to have your pitch deck ready to…

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Signs an Investor Is Not Interested in Your Pitch

Signs an Investor Is Not Interested in Your Pitch Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso — your daily shot of startup funding and investing. In pitching for funding, look for signs of interest from the investor. Here’s a…

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Investor Connect: Investing in Deep Tech and Human Capital with Vishal Arora

In this episode of Investor Connect, Hall T. Martin chats with Vishal Arora, a tech executive and managing partner at VDO capital. Vishal explains how VDO invests in early-stage deep tech startups with a unique approach that leverages a network of over 70 channel partners including incubators, accelerators, and universities…

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Common Mistakes in Fundraising

Common Mistakes in Fundraising Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso — your daily shot of startup funding and investing. Successful fundraising comes from preparation, focus, and experience. Here are some common mistakes…

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Key Elements of a Successful Fundraise

Key Elements of a Successful Fundraise Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso — your daily shot of startup funding and investing. Fundraising takes time, effort, and attention. The startup founder faces many demands from the…

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Key Duties of the CFO

Key Duties of the CFO Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso — your daily shot of startup funding and investing. The CFO plays a key role in the early stages of the startup. Here are the key duties of the CFO: The CFO…

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Feedback From VCs

Feedback From VCs Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso — your daily shot of startup funding and investing. Investors hear many pitches and often give feedback to the startup. Some investors avoid giving feedback for the…

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Negotiating Valuation With an Investor

Negotiating Valuation With an Investor Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso — your daily shot of startup funding and investing. The valuation is a negotiation, not a formula. Startup founders negotiating valuation should…

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Investor Connect: Navigating Volatility with Stephen Diggle of Vulpes Investment Management

In this episode of Investor Connect, Hall Martin sits down with Stephen Diggle, founder of Vulpes Investment Management. From his country house in Umbria, Italy, Stephen recounts his journey from running one of Asia’s largest hedge funds during the 2008 financial crisis to managing a family office-backed investment firm. He…

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Investor Connect 839: Navigating Volatility – A Conversation with Stephen Diggle of Vulpes Investment Management

In this episode of Investor Connect, Paul Martin sits down with Stephen Diggle, founder of Vulpes Investment Management. From his country house in Umbria, Italy, Stephen recounts his journey from running one of Asia’s largest hedge funds during the…

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Founder Experience and Traction

Founder Experience and Traction Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso — your daily shot of startup funding and investing. In raising funding, there are two key drivers to how much a startup can ask for funding. The first is…

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Customize the Pitch for the Investor Type

Customize the Pitch for the Investor Type Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso — your daily shot of startup funding and investing. There are many types of investors. Founders should customize the pitch for the investor…

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Build a Relationship With the Investor

Build a Relationship With the Investor Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso — your daily shot of startup funding and investing. In raising funding, it’s important to build a relationship with the investor. Upfront, the…

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Make Sure the Convertible Note Has a Conversion Point

Make Sure the Convertible Note Has a Conversion Point Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso — your daily shot of startup funding and investing. Convertible notes are useful tools for fundraising. They are easy to set up and…

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Talk to Investors As if They Were Already Partners

Talk to Investors As if They Were Already Partners Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso — your daily shot of startup funding and investing. First-time founders often spend their pitch time selling their product. This fails…

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Investor Connect: Empowering Africa’s Entrepreneurs

In this episode of Investor Connect, Hall Martin speaks with Abdul Golden, an investor, operator, and mentor with a rich background in deep tech and entrepreneurship. Abdul shares the founding story of Shujaa Capital, his venture capital firm focused on democratizing tech investing for diverse and underrepresented founders, especially in…

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Key Steps to FDA Approval for a Therapeutic Drug

Key Steps to FDA Approval for a Therapeutic Drug Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso — your daily shot of startup funding and investing. FDA approval is a lengthy and involved process with therapeutic drugs that startups…

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Preparing for a Crowdfunding Raise

Preparing for a Crowdfunding Raise Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso — your daily shot of startup funding and investing. Crowdfunding is a viable method for raising funding for a startup. Here are some key considerations…

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Key Metrics by Stage

Key Metrics by Stage Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso — your daily shot of startup funding and investing. Investors use metrics to understand the performance of the startup. Here’s a list of key metrics by stage:…

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How To Make Your Pitch Deck Look Professional

How To Make Your Pitch Deck Look Professional Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso — your daily shot of startup funding and investing. There’s a big difference between an average pitch deck and a great one. The great…

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The Key Component to Investor Updates

The Key Component to Investor Updates Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso — your daily shot of startup funding and investing. Updates to investors throughout the fundraise campaign are a must. Investors want to know you…

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Investor Connect: Anshuman Sinha of Startup Steroid and TiE SoCal Angels

In this episode of Investor Connect, Hall T. Martin welcomes Anshuman Sinha, a veteran entrepreneur, angel investor, and fundraising strategist who’s making waves in the Southern California startup scene. As co-founder of Startup Steroid and a leader at TiE SoCal Angels, Anshuman shares how these organizations are reshaping early-stage investing through…

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How To Get Your Investor To Help With Sales

How To Get Your Investor To Help With Sales Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso — your daily shot of startup funding and investing. Investors can help their funded startup in many ways. In addition to making introductions…

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How To Position Your Bridge Raise

How To Position Your Bridge Raise Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso — your daily shot of startup funding and investing. In raising funding, bridge rounds fill the gap between the stage raises. Startups use bridge raises…

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How To Start Angel Investing

How To Start Angel Investing Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso — your daily shot of startup funding and investing. First-time investors often wonder where to begin in angel investing. Some join angel groups or syndicate…

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Win, Expand, Extend in Vertical SaaS

Win, Expand, Extend in Vertical SaaS Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso — your daily shot of startup funding and investing. In a vertical SaaS business model, there’s a strategy for growth called Win, Expand, and…

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More Control Points in Vertical SaaS

More Control Points in Vertical SaaS Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso — your daily shot of startup funding and investing. Vertical SaaS is a great business model for startups to use. It focuses the product on one…

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Investor Connect: Family Office Roundtable – May 2025 Part 01

On this episode of Investor Connect, we welcome Dr. Guy Cooper, MD, an orthopedic surgeon by training, who discusses his company’s breakthrough treatment for bladder cancer, the world’s most expensive cancer. Dr. Cooper explains that his company, Combat Medical, is seeking $2.3 million to close a $5 million investment round…

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Control Points in Vertical SaaS

Control Points in Vertical SaaS Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso — your daily shot of startup funding and investing. Vertical SaaS is a great business model for startups to use. It focuses the product on one specific…

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Why Invest in Vertical SaaS

Why Invest in Vertical SaaS Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso — your daily shot of startup funding and investing. Vertical SaaS is a venture sector in the tech space. It narrows the scope of the startup to a single…

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Raising an Inside Round

Raising an Inside Round Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso — your daily shot of startup funding and investing. Most startup fundraisers seek capital from outside investors who are new to the round. This brings new…

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Using Rule 701 To Issue Equity to Employees

Using Rule 701 To Issue Equity to Employees Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso — your daily shot of startup funding and investing. In a startup, it’s helpful to compensate employees with company stock. Most companies…

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Create a Sense of Urgency

Create a Sense of Urgency Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso — your daily shot of startup funding and investing. In running a fundraiser, it’s important to build a sense of urgency into the campaign. Here are some key…

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Investor Connect: Family Office Roundtable – April 2025 Part 03

On this episode of Investor Connect, we are joined by Ron from South Highland Ventures for an enlightening presentation on search funds, touted as the best-performing asset class in the world. Ron dives deep into the 40-year-old model initially developed by Stanford and Harvard, highlighting its relevance and success today…

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The Role of AI and Data in Fundraising

The Role of AI and Data in Fundraising Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso — your daily shot of startup funding and investing. Startup fundraising begins with family and friends and then expands to the founders’ network….

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Bring Three Stats for Your Startup Fundraising

Bring Three Stats for Your Startup Fundraising Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso — your daily shot of startup funding and investing. In raising funding, it’s important to showcase the key numbers behind your business….

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Bring Three Stats for Your LP Fundraise

Bring Three Stats for Your LP Fundraise Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso — your daily shot of startup funding and investing. Raising funds from Limited Partners requires a track record, an investment thesis, and a…

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Raising Funding in Downtimes

Raising Funding in Downtimes Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso — your daily shot of startup funding and investing. Fundraising goes through the same cycles as the stock market, When the stock market is going up it’s…

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Show How Your Valuation Is Already Achieved

Show How Your Valuation Is Already Achieved Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso — your daily shot of startup funding and investing. Valuation is a key factor in a startup’s fundraising. Most startups show an aspirational…

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Investor Connect: Democratizing Institutional Strategies with Ram Kolluri of Expo-Wealth

In this episode of Investor Connect, we sit down with Ram Kolluri, Founder and Chief Investment Strategist at Expo-Wealth based in Austin, Texas. Ram shares his insights on navigating today’s wealth management landscape and how he’s helping high-net-worth individuals access institutional-grade strategies. We talk about balancing traditional portfolio construction with…

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The Four Phases of a Pitch

The Four Phases of a Pitch Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso — your daily shot of startup funding and investing. The successful startup pitch goes through four phases. Start by capturing their imagination. This could be…

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Researching Investors for Your Fundraise

Researching Investors for Your Fundraise Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso — your daily shot of startup funding and investing. Before launching your fundraiser campaign, make sure to research your investor prospects….

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Fundraising Tips

Fundraising Tips Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso — your daily shot of startup funding and investing. Most founders are raising funding for the first time. They often miss the nuances that come from experience. For the…

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Conversion of a Convertible Note

Conversion of a Convertible Note Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso — your daily shot of startup funding and investing. There are three ways a Convertible Note converts to equity. The note matures and converts to equity…

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How a VC Fund May Shut Down Early

How a VC Fund May Shut Down Early Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso — your daily shot of startup funding and investing. Venture Capital funds typically run on ten-year cycles. There are some conditions in which the VC…

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Investor Connect: Family Office Roundtable – April 2025 Part 02

On this episode of Investor Connect, we welcomed Mike Green and Nicholas, the co-founders behind Grid Matrix, a cutting-edge infrastructure intelligence company turning city sensors into powerful tools for real-time decision-making. Mike walked us through how Grid Matrix is using AI and computer vision to help large-scale operators—like airports, ports,…

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Lifecycle of the VC Fund

Lifecycle of the VC Fund Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso — your daily shot of startup funding and investing. Venture Capital funds typically run on ten-year cycles. At a high level, the VC fund takes in capital from…

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How To Answer “What’s Your Timeline?”

How To Answer “What’s Your Timeline?” Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso — your daily shot of startup funding and investing. Investors often ask startups raising funding, “What’s your timeline?” They want to…

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How To Optimize for Efficiency

How To Optimize for Efficiency Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso — your daily shot of startup funding and investing. In startup fundraising, capital efficiency is a key criteria for investors. They look to see how…

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Choosing an AI Model for Your Startup

Choosing an AI Model for Your Startup Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso — your daily shot of startup funding and investing. Artificial intelligence, or AI, is becoming a standard part of every startup’s business. It can…

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Investor Connect: Family Office Roundtable – April 2025 Part 01

On this episode of Investor Connect, Hall welcomes Lance Thrailkill, Co-Founder of Printed Technologies. Located in Dallas, Texas, PRINT3D Technologies is leading the charge to revolutionize the home construction industry through the integration of automation, AI, and large-scale 3D printing. With the U.S. facing a shortage of over 7 million…

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The Burn Multiple

The Burn Multiple Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso — your daily shot of startup funding and investing. The burn rate is a key metric for high-growth startups. This is the amount of cash being spent over and above the…

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The Benefit of Investing in Tranches

The Benefit of Investing in Tranches Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso — your daily shot of startup funding and investing. Tranching the investment means breaking it down into tranches or rounds.  Tranche comes from…

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Aviate, Navigate, Communicate

Aviate, Navigate, Communicate Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso — your daily shot of startup funding and investing. In flying an aircraft, there’s a saying regarding priorities: “Aviate, Navigate, Communicate.”…

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Sell Your Business Instead of Shutting It Down

Sell Your Business Instead of Shutting It Down Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso — your daily shot of startup funding and investing. Many startups fail to achieve product-market fit or breakout growth. Founders who…

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State the Purpose Behind the Startup

State the Purpose Behind the Startup Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso — your daily shot of startup funding and investing. In pitching, start with the Why of the business. Why does this business exist? It’s important…

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The Downside of SAFE Notes

The Downside of SAFE Notes Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso — your daily shot of startup funding and investing. SAFE Notes were designed to simplify the investment process. By removing many of the terms found in equity…

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Investor Connect: Family Office Roundtable – March 2025 Part 04

In this episode of Investor Connect, we engage with Nathan Monty, co-founder and CEO of Enamel Pure, a company pioneering advancements in dental hygiene through novel laser technology. Nathan walks us through the development of their innovative product, ‘Loon,’ which uses a laser for non-contact teeth cleaning, hardening, and whitening,…

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How To Raise a First-Time VC Fund

How To Raise a First-Time VC Fund Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso — your daily shot of startup funding and investing. Raising a first-time venture capital fund is hard work. Here are some key steps in raising a VC fund…

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Fundraising Hones the Founder’s Skills

Fundraising Hones the Founder’s Skills Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso — your daily shot of startup funding and investing. Fundraising brings not only capital to the startup, but it also hones the founder’s skills….

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Negotiating the Valuation

Negotiating the Valuation Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso — your daily shot of startup funding and investing. Negotiating the valuation is a key step in the fundraising process.  Here are some helpful strategies…

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Put the Why Before the How

Put the Why Before the How Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso — your daily shot of startup funding and investing. In pitching, it’s important to start with the why before diving into the how. The founder often dives…

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How To Build a Relationship With a VC

How To Build a Relationship With a VC Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso — your daily shot of startup funding and investing. In raising funding, it’s important to make contact and build a relationship with a venture…

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Investor Connect: Family Office Roundtable Part III

In this episode of Investor Connect, we welcome Ken from Synaptically, who introduces a groundbreaking personalized therapy for Alzheimer’s disease. He discusses their innovative use of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) paired with Electroencephalograms (EEG) to achieve unprecedented results in slowing down disease progression. With two successful phase two clinical trials…

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Use Angels for the Initial Fundraise

Use Angels for the Initial Fundraise Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso — your daily shot of startup funding and investing. In the earliest stages of the fundraise, angels are often a better fit than venture capitalists….

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Key Series A Metrics

Key Series A Metrics Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso — your daily shot of startup funding and investing. Series A fundraises focus on growth. The goal of the fundraising pitch is not to show that you can sell the…

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Uncapped SAFE Notes

Uncapped SAFE Notes Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso — your daily shot of startup funding and investing. SAFE notes are commonly used in startup fundraises. They most often come with a valuation cap. This means the…

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Fundraising Requires a Process

Fundraising Requires a Process Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso — your daily shot of startup funding and investing. Fundraising is a complex problem that requires ongoing focus and effort over a period of time. It is…

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Investor Introductions – the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

Investor Introductions – the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso — your daily shot of startup funding and investing. Investor introductions can be helpful in connecting with new investors….

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Showing Traction at the Seed Level

Showing Traction at the Seed Level Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso — your daily shot of startup funding and investing. At the seed stage, the product is just going into the market. The customer engagement is beginning….

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Investor Connect: Family Office Roundtable – March 2025 Part 02

In this episode of Investor Connect, Hall T. Martin welcomes Brian to discuss emerging opportunities in deep tech spaces. Brian emphasizes life sciences and healthcare technologies, highlighting investments needed to innovate and control costs. He…

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The MicroVC Pitchdeck

The MicroVC Pitchdeck Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso — your daily shot of startup funding and investing. MicroVCs need to raise funding to invest in startups, just as startups need to raise funding for their own…

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Investor Access to Customers

Investor Access to Customers Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso — your daily shot of startup funding and investing. In the diligence process, investors may want to talk with the startups’ customers. Their goal is to…

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The CEO Leads the Fundraise

The CEO Leads the Fundraise Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso — your daily shot of startup funding and investing. In a fundraiser, the CEO should lead it by setting the strategy and engaging investors. This doesn’t…

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Non-Dilutive Funding Options

Non-Dilutive Funding Options Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso — your daily shot of startup funding and investing. Startup funding comes in two forms: dilutive and non-dilutive. Equity funding is dilutive in that the…

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Investor Connect: Family Office Roundtable – March 2025 Part 01

In this episode of Investor Connect, Hall T. Martin, CEO of 10 Capital, introduces co-host Kat DeLillo and special guest Brian Wood of Wave Ventures. Brian delves into the innovative approach of Wave Ventures in partnering with universities to commercialize intellectual property. He shares the backstory of Wave Ventures’ collaboration…

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When To Consider Venture Debt

When To Consider Venture Debt Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso — your daily shot of startup funding and investing. In startup funding, there is venture capital and venture debt. Venture capital takes an equity stake in…

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How To Stand Out From the Crowd

How To Stand Out From the Crowd Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso — your daily shot of startup funding and investing. In raising funding, it helps to stand out from the crowd of other startups pitching. Most founders…

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