Engineering‑constrained Startups: Sales Outpace Product Build Speed
Wise words i heard recently at a portco board meeting: being engineering constrained is always where you want to be as a startup, which means the sales team is selling, and new product can't be built fast enough to satisfy demand.
20% Seed Dilution Now Standard, Up From
Most founders will sell 20-25% in a seed round right now, up from 15-20% a few years ago. Selling 20% is reasonable 99% of the time.
Transparent LP Communication Builds Trust for Sustainable Funds
Transparency and communication with LPs are crucial for building trust and long-term relationships. Keep them informed and engaged, sharing both successes and challenges. Trust is the cornerstone of sustainable fund management. ✨
Turn Loyal Customers Into Powerful Word‑of‑Mouth Advocates
Loyal customers are your best advocates. Encourage word-of-mouth referrals by consistently delivering exceptional value and experiences - a reward program can't hurt either.
VC Funding to Halve, Concentrate in Top Funds
My prediction: institutional LP $ going to VCs will decline by half in the next 5 yrs. They will reallocate to safer asset classes. The largest VC funds will get 99% of what’s left, and these large funds will do...
Self‑belief Unlocks Tomorrow, Doubt Holds It Back
"The only limit to our realization of tomorrow is our doubts of today." – Franklin D. Roosevelt Believe in your potential. Founders always hold the key to success - and it is grounded in their foundational belief in themselves and the business.
Authentic Brand Values Drive Loyalty and Emotional Connection
Building a strong brand can enhance customer loyalty. Strengthen your brand identity by authentically communicating your values and mission, creating an emotional connection that resonates with your audience.
No Numbers in Founder Updates Signal Trouble
From one of my advisors who is a long-time angel: "I’ve been writing down my portfolio each month with 'spidey sense' assessments of founders whose updates have been getting fluffy. No numbers in the update = not a good sign."
Create Valuable, Engaging Content to Retain Customers
Engaging content can attract and retain customers. Create and share content that either: - resonates with your audience - provides value - entertain - educate to keep them coming back for more.
Small Funds Gain Edge Through Tech-Driven Agility
Small funds often embrace technology to streamline fund operations and improve decision-making processes. Leveraging data and tools can provide a competitive edge, making a fund more agile and responsive to market changes. 📊📈
Rehearse with Friendly Investors to Sharpen Your Pitch
Do you practice your pitch with friendlies first? Practice your pitch rigorously, rehearsing it multiple times in early meetings with friendly investors. This not only boosts your confidence but also allows you to fine-tune your delivery for maximum impact.
Track Joy and Frustration Daily to Boost Founder Insight
Founders: For 1 week, keep a notebook by your desk with two columns: -things I love -things I don't like When you feel really happy/excited about something, jot it in the first column. When you feel dread or frustration, second column. Regardless of...
Founders Must Sync Product Building and Sales to Accelerate PMF
The best founders excel at the productsales dance ✨build product to fix customer pain ✨sell to customer ✨learn more about what customer needs during the sales process ✨iterate product ✨repeat Founders lose precious time if they don't learn + iterate fast in the hunt for PMF
Turn Unhappy Customers Into Your Greatest Learning Tool
"Your most unhappy customers are your greatest source of learning." – Bill Gates Negative feedback is invaluable. 💡 Use it to improve your products and services and turn dissatisfied customers into loyal advocates.
Anticipate, Rehearse, and Follow up on Pitch Questions
Prepare for the inevitable questions that will follow your pitch. Anticipate potential queries and objections, and rehearse your responses to demonstrate your expertise and preparedness. But if you don't know an answer, it's okay - say that and then follow up via...
Leverage Your Strengths, Not Weaknesses, for Success
Focusing on weakness is counterproductive. While it's good to be aware of weaknesses, leaning into strengths (what you're good at AND love to do) leads to greater success.
Master Your Metrics: Investor Trust Starts With Data Confidence
Founders, know your numbers inside and out. Be ready to answer detailed questions about your financials. Confidence in your data builds investor trust and shows you have a firm grasp on your business’s metrics.
Bootstrapping Can Beat VC: Retain Control, Succeed
Evaluate all your funding options carefully. 👀 Venture capital isn't the only path to success. Many successful businesses have thrived by bootstrapping and maintaining control over their vision and operations. And this is coming from a VC!
Redefine Success: Prioritize Impact, Fulfillment, and Happiness
Success metrics often ignore important aspects like impact, fulfillment, and happiness. Redefine what success means to you and ensure it aligns with your personal values and goals, not just conventional standards. 💡
Success Often Depends on Luck and Timing
Success isn't always about hard work. Sometimes, it's about being in the right place at the right time. Recognize the role of luck and timing in your journey, and don't be too hard on yourself during tough times. ❤️
Every Rejection Is a Step Closer to Funding
Don’t be discouraged by rejections. Every 'no' brings you closer to a 'yes'. Learn from feedback and refine your pitch, using each interaction as a stepping stone towards securing the right investment.
Prioritize Growth and Brand Over Early Profit
Profitability shouldn't always be the primary goal in the early stages. Sometimes, investing in growth, user experience, and brand reputation is more important than immediate profits. Play the long game. ✨
Ask Rejected Investors for Immediate Feedback to Refine Pitch
Seek feedback from investors who pass on your pitch. In fact, ask for feedback right there on the call (much easier than trying to get it via email later). Use it to improve your approach and strengthen your next presentation. Constructive...
Filter Feedback: Follow Vision, Ignore the Noise
Customer feedback can sometimes lead you astray. ⚠️ Not all feedback is created equal. Focus on the insights that align with your vision and strategy, and be wary of trying to please everyone.
Invest in People: Showcase Your Team’s Proven Expertise
Showcase your team’s expertise and ability to execute. People invest in people. ✨ Highlight the strengths and achievements of your core team, demonstrating that you have the right people to bring your vision to life.
Work Smarter, Prioritize Well‑Being Over Hustle Culture
Hustle culture can lead to burnout and reduced productivity. Working smarter, not harder, and prioritizing mental health and well-being often lead to better results in the long run. 💡
Transparency with Investors Fuels Trust and Ongoing Support
Keep your existing investors updated with your progress. Transparency builds trust and can lead to further support and referrals. Regular updates show your commitment and keep investors engaged in your journey. 🤝
Value Over Novelty: Prioritize Meaningful Innovation
Not all innovation is good. Just because something is new doesn't mean it's better. Focus on meaningful innovation that truly adds value rather than chasing every new trend.
Show Both Impact and Profit in Your Pitch Deck
Your pitch deck should convey the difference you aim to make in the world. And the money you aim to make in the world. ;) Remember, impact businesses are great. The money has to be there too.
Founders Should Solve Problems They’ve Lived Through
"Build something people want." Focus on solving real problems for your customers. It's best when founders have actually lived the problem.