Desperation Is Not a Good Look for a Startup
Founders raising funding are often under the gun with a dwindling cash account. Some founders mistakenly use this as part of their pitch. They emphasize the need the founder has rather than the return the investor will receive if they fund the startup. Investors look for fundable companies. Those in…
Key Drivers for Startup Investing Returns
Startup investing returns vary greatly from one investor to the next. Here's a list of key drivers that provide startup investors with a return. High-quality dealflow. Many startups seek to raise funding, but only the top 15 to 20% will provide a good return. Rigorous due diligence. It's easy to…
Investor Connect: Strategies for Investing in Turbulent Markets
In this episode of Investor Connect, we welcome back Angela Lee of 37 Angels and Columbia Business School to share an update on the angel investing landscape and strategies for investing in turbulent markets. Angela reviews today's venture market dynamics, including deal volume near peak levels, a "barbell" effect where…
How To Keep Up With the Ever-Changing Startup World
The startup world is constantly changing. It brings new technologies, applications, and business models. The startup investor must keep up with the ever-changing startup world. Here are some key tips on how to stay up: Realize that one's beliefs about how the world works will at some point become obsolete.…
Pitching Without a Deck
Founders pitching investors almost always use a pitch deck. It's a convenient way to organize the story. Graphics, charts, and glyphs help tell the story in a short, concise fashion. In some cases, the pitch deck is not available for the pitch. For example, the founder receives an impromptu introduction…
