Latest Episodes

Founders often mistake their pitch deck for their product launch strategy. But the two serve different goals. The pitch is meant to raise capital — the launch is meant to earn trust. A strong product launch strategy doesn’t just announce features. It builds a narrative: who it’s for, what it...

Founders looking for investors face the same challenge as those looking for a date. Just as in the dating world, both the investor and the startup exaggerate their strengths. Some don’t know exactly what they want from the other. Just as there are marriage contracts, the startup world has term...

Founders raising funding should consider what investors want to know about their startup. Here are some key points to make before the meeting: Show how your startup fits the investment thesis of the investor. This should include how it fits with the sector, stage, and trajectory of the startup. Investors...

Founders raising funding need introductions to investors. Here are some common mistakes introducers make with investor introductions. Lack of information Most founders ask for an introduction but fail to provide enough information for the introducer to make a meaningful introduction. It’s best to include some context in the request. Lack...

After fundraising comes building the team. The core team may already be in place, but growth will demand new hires. Here are some key points in hiring the team for your startup: Have your high-performing team members interview new candidates. The high performers tend to hold others to their standard....

Venture capital is a job that many aspire to hold. It’s challenging, but it provides great experiences. For those who want to become a venture capitalist, there are several paths. Start by working in a startup in a sales role. Some of the most effective VCs are those who have...

Investors look for large target markets that are growing well. Founders looking to launch a startup often look for huge problems to solve. Since startups are limited in their resources, they must find a way to solve a large problem with few people and products. One solution to this problem...

Investors looking for startup investments need to screen deals efficiently. Here’s a set of criteria to apply to startups before pursuing diligence. Check the team. Do they know what they are doing? Do they have the skills to achieve the goal? Do they have passion and grit? Check the business....

In the early days of a startup, the founder seeks to build and sell a product. In the later days, the founder seeks to scale the business. Here are several ways to scale a startup: Raise funding to fuel the scaling strategy. This could be a substantial amount of funding...

Press releases can help the startup gain exposure in the marketplace. This helps recruit employees, find customers, and attract investors. Founders can do this upon closing a round of funding. Here are the steps to write a press release for your startup: Start with a compelling headline that motivates the...