Investor Connect: TEN Connect May 2026 – Part 1
In this episode of Investor Connect, Hall T. Martin opens the new Ten Capital Connect event focused on applying AI to investing, bringing investors together to share tools, get feedback, and hear pitches while highlighting Ten Capital's work since 2009 connecting startups and investors, supporting fundraising strategy, and running multiple…
Overcoming Sales Call Anxiety
Startups raising funding need to show a growth story. Investors look for traction and momentum in businesses to fund. The ability to sell the product is a key skill for early-stage founders. Some founders are not good at selling and have sales call anxiety. Here are some key steps to…
Building a Moat Into a Startup
Startups in the early days have little to protect the business beyond intellectual property. As the company grows, the startup can build a stronger moat. Here are some key steps for building a moat into a startup: Network effects -- grow the network within your customer base to strengthen the…
How To Build a Capital-Efficient Startup
Investors look for capital-efficient businesses to invest in. Founders looking to raise funding should first consider building a capital-efficient startup. Here are some key steps to building a startup that is capital-efficient: Look for a business opportunity that generates good revenue from the customer. The customer will pay a high…
Key Sales Metrics To Look For
In reviewing startups, here are the key metrics investors should look for: Annual contract value -- the value the customer spends on the product in one year. This needs to be a meaningful amount of money in order to grow a startup. Customer lifetime value -- the total amount of…
