Latest Episodes

In startup investing, many investors swing for the fences.   The goal is to make each investment a homerun. In most cases, home runs will take a substantial amount of time to complete. There are benefits to short-term investments in which the returns are smaller. Here are some benefits to consider:...

During the diligence phase, startups may ask investors to sign an NDA. If the information is truly confidential and proprietary, then it may make sense to ask for it. Some investors may choose not to sign an NDA. In this event, do the following: Remove any information from the diligence...

In fundraising, the ultimate responsibility lies with the CEO. The CEO must know their numbers, how their operations work, and exactly how the product performs.  From time to time, there will be problems in the business. While it’s not the fault of the CEO, it is their responsibility. Investors want...

In raising funding, it’s important to show progress with customers. In each interaction with an investor, bring up new information about a customer. Investors care less about how the product works and more about how the customer is engaging with the product. In each update, show new information about the...

Due diligence works best when it’s a shared endeavor. It can take a substantial amount of time to diligence a startup. The ideal size of a due diligence team is six people. Here are the key roles and responsibilities of the team: The lead. Takes responsibility for the overall diligence...

The pitch deck is the primary tool in fundraising. It’s important to develop a pitch deck that’s clear and engaging. Here are some key techniques to improve the design of your pitch deck: Use graphs and charts to show numbers and data. Increase the impact of the data through charts...

Vertical SaaS is a recurring revenue business that focuses on a specific application or a narrow vertical sector. By narrowing the scope of the target application, the startup can focus its efforts more effectively on solving the problem. Here are some key points to consider in investing in a vertical...

Advisor Shares Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso — your daily shot of startup funding and investing. Startup founders can find additional support through advisors. Advisors are typically experienced operators who previously ran a startup and now provide coaching and consulting services. The...

Venture capital plays a key role in entrepreneur ecosystems. The VC sits at the nexus of startups, innovation, and entrepreneurship. While not all startups receive VC funding, most startups seek investment from the VC. Here is how the VC impacts the entrepreneurial ecosystem: Providing funding for startups with venture-level potential....

Founders should keep their investors up to date on the business.  Investor updates on a regular basis are important. Here are some key elements to include in your investor update: Remind the investor what you do in one sentence. Investors often have dozens of startups ongoing, so it’s helpful to...