Investor Connect Podcast

What Angels Look For Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. Angel investors are not professional investors in the same way as venture capitalists. Angel investors are typically successful business people who want to invest in startups. The old angel saying is, they want to make a little money, do a little good, and have a little fun. They often have a broad or general investment thesis.   They don't focus on one sector or niche in most cases. They look for startups that are solving a big problem with a differentiated solution, and led by a strong team with experience. They look for product validation and market validation. The product works, and people will pay for it. Most importantly, they look for startups demonstrating the growth story. The revenue is growing, and the startup is making good progress on building the business. There needs to be a large potential reward but it doesn't have to be 100X as in the case with many VCs. They avoid companies that need to raise a large amount of additional capital, as this will dilute them. They get excited about an opportunity that has recently reached an inflection point.   This could be closing a lighthouse customer, launching the final version of their product, or hiring a team to accelerate sales. In raising funding, position your deal for angel investors with these care abouts.   Thank you for joining us for the Startup Funding Espresso where we help startups and investors connect for funding. Let's go startup something today. _______________________________________________________ For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at:   Check out our other podcasts here:   For Investors check out:   For Startups check out:   For eGuides check out:   For upcoming Events, check out    For Feedback please contact info@tencapital.group    Please , share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of .

First Meeting With an Investor Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. After a number of calls with a prospective investor, there comes the first meeting in person. Here are some key steps in running that meeting: Introduce yourself and your team. Show the market you are pursuing. Present your solution. Show your sales process and how it works. Explain your go-to-market strategy. List the milestones you plan to achieve with the funds raised. Define the fundraising status, including the amount, terms, and how much has been raised so far. Make the presentation a collaborative effort, taking questions along the way to ensure everyone is tracking with you. Answer questions directly and to the point.  If the question begins with How many or How much then the answer should be a number. If the question begins with When, then the answer is a time or date. Stay on topic and avoid long, meandering stories. Finally, come prepared knowing your numbers. Consider these points when preparing for your investor meeting.   Thank you for joining us for the Startup Funding Espresso where we help startups and investors connect for funding. Let's go startup something today. _______________________________________________________ For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at:   Check out our other podcasts here:   For Investors check out:   For Startups check out:   For eGuides check out:   For upcoming Events, check out    For Feedback please contact info@tencapital.group    Please , share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of .

In this episode of Investor Connect, we welcome Alan Foreman, the CEO of Be Secure, who discusses the transformative journey of his company in the realm of heart health. Alan shares that he founded Be Secure nine years ago after a lengthy career in Accenture's Life Sciences division. Currently, the company is on a $12 million growth raise to commercialize its breakthrough heart health technology, which received FDA clearance recently. Be Secure focuses on making preventive rather than reactive heart health solutions, leveraging their powerful, device-agnostic software that offers high accuracy ECG readings in consumer and medical devices alike, such as the latest versions of the Whoop and Fitbit devices. Alan elaborates on how the recent challenges faced by Philips, a significant player in heart monitoring technology, present both a testament to the need for better solutions and an opportunity for Be Secure to make a substantial impact on the market. Alan details the company's innovative use of cybersecurity experts and detailed signal processing to develop technology that bridges consumer wellness and medical-grade ECG technology. He highlights how Be Secure's cloud-based and on-device solutions offer transformative accuracy and efficiency in heart monitoring, even earning the interest of major insurers like Blue Cross Blue Shield. The conversation turns to the scalability and swift deployment of Be Secure's solutions in medical environments, emphasizing how their data quality can accelerate and improve diagnosis in cardiologists' workflows. Alan stresses the importance of their upcoming scale-up and commercial focus, particularly in filling the funding gap to expedite the deployment of their remarkable technology in the healthcare space. We also learn about Be Secure's financials and investment strategy, which involves contributions from venture capital and venture debt providers. Alan emphasizes ongoing discussions with top medical companies and the anticipated rapid revenue growth fueled by the latest FDA clearance. The episode wraps with Alan addressing some practical questions about scaling, design timelines, and the lifecycle of deals with their partners, giving a comprehensive view of Be Secure's promising future. For more updates and opportunities to engage with Alan and Be Secure, stay tuned to Investor Connect.    Thank you for joining us for the Startup Funding Espresso where we help startups and investors connect for funding. Let's go startup something today. _______________________________________________________ For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at:   Check out our other podcasts here:   For Investors check out:   For Startups check out:   For eGuides check out:   For upcoming Events, check out    For Feedback please contact info@tencapital.group    Please , share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of .

Early Stage Traction Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. In the very early stage of the life of a company, traction can be more than just revenue growth Here are some key traction points to look for. The founder has an idea. The founder has an idea and a pitch deck. The founder has an idea, a pitch deck, and an MVP or minimum viable product The founder has an idea, a pitch deck, an MVP, and a customer. The founder has an idea, a pitch deck, an MVP, and a customer with revenue. The founder has an idea, a pitch deck, an MVP, and a customer with revenue that is growing. The founder has an idea, a pitch deck, an MVP, a customer with revenue that is growing, and a repeatable process for signing up customers. By breaking the early stage into phases, one can better understand if the startup is making progress. Startup investors look for signs of traction and momentum in the deal before investing. Consider this more nuanced version of traction in assessing very early-stage startups.   Thank you for joining us for the Startup Funding Espresso where we help startups and investors connect for funding. Let's go startup something today. _______________________________________________________ For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at:   Check out our other podcasts here:   For Investors check out:   For Startups check out:   For eGuides check out:   For upcoming Events, check out    For Feedback please contact info@tencapital.group    Please , share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of .

Why Now? Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. In raising funding, it's important to instill a sense of urgency in the fundraiser. One of the key elements is describing why now is the right time for this fundraiser. Follow these steps to show how everything is aligned for success: The team is experienced and in place. The product is ready and has been validated. The market is ripe for disruption. The window of opportunity has been opened by a recent event. An inflection point now gives the startup an advantage over the competition. Show how all the elements have lined up to make this a successful endeavor. It's important to show the why now, as investors may assume that the startup can raise funding at any time. Make it clear, now is the time to pursue this opportunity. The chance of success is at its greatest.   Thank you for joining us for the Startup Funding Espresso where we help startups and investors connect for funding. Let's go startup something today. _______________________________________________________ For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at:   Check out our other podcasts here:   For Investors check out:   For Startups check out:   For eGuides check out:   For upcoming Events, check out    For Feedback please contact info@tencapital.group    Please , share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of .

Build Your Presence With a VC Fund Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. In raising funding from a VC fund, it's important to understand the partner team. Each VC fund has a number of senior partners, junior partners, and others such as analysts and scouts. One of the partners will bring the founder to a weekly group meeting of the team to hear pitches from the founders. The partner bringing in the founder is the advocate. The founder pitches to the team. The team discusses and decides to pursue or pass. This process can play out over several weeks. The advocate's job is to convince the team that they should pursue the startup. The founder's job is to arm the advocate with updates and information to help close the team members. Each team member has their own list of founders they want the fund to support. The advocate must bring compelling information and overcome objections from others. In raising from a VC fund, provide your advocate with enough ammunition to build your presence within the VC fund. It's helpful to know more about the team and their careabouts. It's a must to always go through your advocate. Consider these points when raising funds from a VC fund.   Thank you for joining us for the Startup Funding Espresso where we help startups and investors connect for funding. Let's go startup something today. _______________________________________________________ For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at:   Check out our other podcasts here:   For Investors check out:   For Startups check out:   For eGuides check out:   For upcoming Events, check out    For Feedback please contact info@tencapital.group    Please , share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of .

How To Say No to a Startup Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. Investors receive pitches from startups almost every day. Many of these startups simply don't match the investment thesis of the investor. Here's how to say no to a startup. Respond with the same level of effort that the founder put into the outreach. For an automated email, simply don't respond. For a personalized email outreach, respond with a message “thank you for your outreach, this doesn't fit our investment thesis.  We look for” and explain your target area. For a warm introduction, respond with what you like about the deal, but admit this doesn't appear to be a fit. It's often the case that the founder will come back with more information. In this case, respond with feedback on how to make the deal more interesting. If the deal is missing key information, then advise the founder to include those key points.   This provides value to the interaction between the investor and the founder.    Thank you for joining us for the Startup Funding Espresso where we help startups and investors connect for funding. Let's go startup something today. _______________________________________________________ For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at:   Check out our other podcasts here:   For Investors check out:   For Startups check out:   For eGuides check out:   For upcoming Events, check out    For Feedback please contact info@tencapital.group    Please , share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of .

Don't Play the Scenario Game in the Pitch Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. Founders are confronted with many options for their fundraising. If they raise more, they can achieve more milestones. If they raise less, they can achieve fewer milestones. Some founders play out these scenarios in the pitch to investors. This is a mistake. Multiple scenarios of varying amounts of funding with differing outcomes only confuse the investor. Investors often try to figure out what the startup is doing. Adding complexity with several fundraising options only makes the process harder. It's best to choose a fundraising amount and decide what can be done with it. Present this to the investor. If multiple investors indicate this is not the best path forward, then consider changing it. It's okay to have multiple versions of the pitch, each geared to a different investor type. Choose the appropriate version of the deck for the one you are pitching. Avoid the multiple-scenario game in the pitch.   Thank you for joining us for the Startup Funding Espresso where we help startups and investors connect for funding. Let's go startup something today. _______________________________________________________ For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at:   Check out our other podcasts here:   For Investors check out:   For Startups check out:   For eGuides check out:   For upcoming Events, check out    For Feedback please contact info@tencapital.group    Please , share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of .

In this episode of Investor Connect, Hall T. Martin talks with Mike Sloan, CEO and founder of Simple Labs, about their groundbreaking product, Cogni. Mike shares insights from his background in both bourbon and wine country, emphasizing the industry's challenges such as significant losses from evaporation and spoilage. Cogni offers a comprehensive barrel monitoring solution, leveraging real-time data to optimize quality, efficiency, and profitability. The discussion spans their impressive ROI, their expansion plans across various spirit and wine markets, and their substantial growth potential, backed by existing patents and no direct competition. Mike also highlights their successful beta testing with major brands and raises the company's anticipated Series A funding to accelerate growth. Following Mike's presentation, Hall introduces Andrew Dahl from Biomes, who presents their end-to-end technology for diagnostics that captures raw patient samples and delivers lab-quality results with ease. Andrew emphasizes the uniqueness of their platform, which converts existing FDA-approved lab tests to point-of-need or at-home use, making sophisticated diagnostic tests accessible anywhere. The discussion includes their first-to-market canine Alzheimer's urine test in partnership with Hill's Science Diet, the team's extensive expertise, and their strategic business model targeting global brands for further growth. Together, Mike and Andrew showcase how innovative technology can revolutionize traditional industries, providing efficient, real-time solutions to long-standing challenges. They both illustrate the importance of having a strong, knowledgeable team and the strategic partnerships necessary for scaling and achieving success in the competitive market landscape.   Thank you for joining us for the Startup Funding Espresso where we help startups and investors connect for funding. Let's go startup something today. _______________________________________________________ For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at:   Check out our other podcasts here:   For Investors check out:   For Startups check out:   For eGuides check out:   For upcoming Events, check out    For Feedback please contact info@tencapital.group    Please , share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of .

Raising a Series B Round Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. In raising a seed or Series A round, the story carries the fundraising pitch. Investors in those rounds are looking at a seven to ten-year trek to the exit. In Series B, the time to exit is much shorter. The fundraising pitch here focuses on the numbers. The Series B deck shows the repeatable, predictable process that generates money. Investors expect all the systems to be up and running and the bugs to be worked out. This means putting a process on every program and a funnel on every output. The Series B fundraise goes faster than the seed. The investor's focus shifts from the pitch deck to the data room. Make sure your data room contains all the relevant information about the deal. View your data to predict what questions the investor will ask.  Key questions from the investor focus on growth capacity. Without any more funding, how far can you go with revenue growth? What will be the limiting factor? How far will each fundraising dollar take you? The pitch deck for seed and Series A shows how you will sell the product. The Series B deck shows how you will scale it by highlighting the drivers behind cost and revenue. Consider these points for your Series B fundraise.   Thank you for joining us for the Startup Funding Espresso where we help startups and investors connect for funding. Let's go startup something today. _______________________________________________________ For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at:   Check out our other podcasts here:   For Investors check out:   For Startups check out:   For eGuides check out:   For upcoming Events, check out    For Feedback please contact info@tencapital.group    Please , share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of .

European Waterfall Model Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. Venture capital funds use different payback structures. Each varies the structure for how the Limited Partners receive their returns. The European waterfall model does not pay back the carried interest to the general partners until the limited partners have received all their capital and return. The American waterfall model pays the general partners on a deal-by-deal basis. This spreads the risk over several deals and throughout the life of the fund. The American model works at the deal level. The European model works at the fund level. The American model gives equal precedence to the managers and the investors. The European model gives precedence to the investors. Other factors to consider include the carry rate and the management fee. In raising funds, consider the payback structure for the investors.    Thank you for joining us for the Startup Funding Espresso where we help startups and investors connect for funding. Let's go startup something today. _______________________________________________________ For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at:   Check out our other podcasts here:   For Investors check out:   For Startups check out:   For eGuides check out:   For upcoming Events, check out    For Feedback please contact info@tencapital.group    Please , share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of .

How Performance-Based Valuations Work Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. In startup funding, the valuation is often fixed and does not change. Performance-based valuation changes the valuation if certain conditions are not met. Here's how performance-based valuations work: Let's take an example. The startup proposes a valuation of $10M and forecasts revenue to reach $1M by the end of the year.  The investor agrees to a $10M valuation. If the startup does not achieve the revenue forecast, then the investor claws back some of the equity.  In the example, if the revenue falls short, then the valuation goes from $10M to $8M. The startup must achieve certain performance requirements to maintain the valuation. This provides an incentive to the founder to achieve the milestone promised to the investor. This compensates the investor in the event the milestone is not achieved. Consider a performance-based valuation for your fundraise.   Thank you for joining us for the Startup Funding Espresso where we help startups and investors connect for funding. Let's go startup something today. _______________________________________________________ For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at:   Check out our other podcasts here:   For Investors check out:   For Startups check out:   For eGuides check out:   For upcoming Events, check out    For Feedback please contact info@tencapital.group    Please , share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of .

Roadmap for Medical Device Startups Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. The path for a medical device startup is clearly defined. In building a medical device startup or diligencing one, consider this roadmap. Market requirements -- establish the current state of the market, including size, needs, and current solutions. Product requirements -- define the requirements a medical device product must have to be successful with customers. Clinical unit -- a prototype that is used to run initial clinical tests. Preclinical validation -- initial test results with the clinical unit. First in human test -- clinical trials with human subjects. Clinical validation -- in human clinical test results. CE Mark -- regulatory approval to sell a product in Europe. First European orders -- initial sales of the product in Europe 510 K clearance -- regulatory approval to sell the clinical device in the US. First US orders -- initial sales of the product in the US. Break even -- sales equal operating costs. Growth then scale -- sales continue to grow. In reviewing a medical device startup, it's important to know the steps ahead and plan your fundraising for it.   Thank you for joining us for the Startup Funding Espresso where we help startups and investors connect for funding. Let's go startup something today. _______________________________________________________ For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at:   Check out our other podcasts here:   For Investors check out:   For Startups check out:   For eGuides check out:   For upcoming Events, check out    For Feedback please contact info@tencapital.group    Please , share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of .

Building the Competition Slide Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. The startup pitch deck should contain a competition slide. Some founders start the pitch with, ‘we have no competition'. Avoid this, as investors will interpret this as if there is no market. The purpose of the competition slide is to show your competitive advantage. What do you have that others don't have? It's important to know your market and the players within it. It's also key to know what customers value -- price, performance, other? Here are the steps in building the competition slide: List out the direct competitors -- those who compete with you head-on. List out the indirect competitors -- other options the customer has, such as doing nothing. Show your market positioning -- where do you stand relative to others. Call out your differentiation -- how you are unique. Show potential competition that may arise. Show the product from the customer's point of view. If possible, define your competitive advantage with numbers. For example, our product reduces cost by 3X. Use these steps to build your competition slide.   Thank you for joining us for the Startup Funding Espresso where we help startups and investors connect for funding. Let's go startup something today. _______________________________________________________ For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at:   Check out our other podcasts here:   For Investors check out:   For Startups check out:   For eGuides check out:   For upcoming Events, check out    For Feedback please contact info@tencapital.group    Please , share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of .

In this episode of Investor Connect, Hall Martin chats with Christopher Ezold, a partner at the Pennsylvania-based law firm Wisler Pearlstine, which specializes in business, employment, and corporate law. Christopher dives deep into the fiduciary duties of board members, emphasizing the duty of care, loyalty, obedience, and confidentiality. He explains that these duties are crucial at every stage of a company's lifecycle and discusses the complexities that arise when board members have conflicting interests, particularly in startups seeking venture capital investments. Christopher highlights the importance of having a diverse board, the significance of transparent documentation, and the hazards of self-interested decisions by board members.  Additionally, he touches on the repercussions of failing to meet these duties, ranging from shareholder lawsuits to regulatory sanctions and loss of trust among stakeholders. Hall also brings up a personal anecdote about dealing with a CEO who manipulated the board for self-benefit, with Christopher offering actionable advice on handling such situations. For more information or to contact Christopher, visit www.wislerpearlstine.com or email him at .    Thank you for joining us for the Startup Funding Espresso where we help startups and investors connect for funding. Let's go startup something today. _______________________________________________________ For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at:   Check out our other podcasts here:   For Investors check out:   For Startups check out:   For eGuides check out:   For upcoming Events, check out    For Feedback please contact info@tencapital.group    Please , share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of .

Party Rounds – Going Without a Lead Investor Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. In raising funding, many founders believe they can't raise funding without a lead investor. At the seed level, this is not necessarily the case. Founders should launch their fundraising campaign with a convertible note so it's easy for the investor to join the round. Since valuation is not set, there's no need for a lead investor to start it. There is a valuation cap, but this means the valuation will be set later. At the seed level, it can be hard to agree upon valuation, so it's best to set it when there's more information available. Founders can fund their early rounds without a lead investor. At the seed level, founders can find enough funding to close the round. This is called a party round. Many but not all investors will provide support to the startup. In launching a Series A raise, one should start with a convertible note to pick up funding from investors while in pursuit of a lead investor. Consider a party round for your seed fundraising.    Thank you for joining us for the Startup Funding Espresso where we help startups and investors connect for funding. Let's go startup something today. _______________________________________________________ For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at:   Check out our other podcasts here:   For Investors check out:   For Startups check out:   For eGuides check out:   For upcoming Events, check out    For Feedback please contact info@tencapital.group    Please , share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of .

SaaS Growth Metrics Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. There are several key SaaS metrics to know in evaluating a startup. Here's a summary of the key metrics: SaaS Quick Ratio  -- New MRR divided by the churned MRR. This measures how efficient your growth is.   Low efficiency will make scaling difficult. LTV: CAC -- Lifetime value to Cost of Customer Acquisition This measures how long customers continue to use the product and compares it to the cost of acquiring that customer. An early-stage company should see a 3:1 ratio. Over time, it should improve to 5:1 and later to 7:1 Churn Rate This measures how many customers drop off during a time period, such as a month. Segment the customers into groups to examine churn to see where the business is not succeeding. 40% Rule Growth and profitability should add up to 40% or more. There's a tradeoff between growth and profitability. The more invested in growth, the less profitability. This shows the viability of the business regardless of whether or not they focus on growth or profitability. Use these metrics to understand a potential startup investment.   Thank you for joining us for the Startup Funding Espresso where we help startups and investors connect for funding. Let's go startup something today. _______________________________________________________ For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at:   Check out our other podcasts here:   For Investors check out:   For Startups check out:   For eGuides check out:   For upcoming Events, check out    For Feedback please contact info@tencapital.group    Please , share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of .

How To Build Momentum in Your Fundraise Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. Fundraising has its ups and downs, including long patches of slow-paced activity. Here are some key steps in building momentum for your fundraiser.  Always break the total fundraising into smaller rounds. This makes the raise manageable from the start. Do the easy ones first. Investors who know you and believe in the deal will sign up the quickest. With those signups, you now have money in the deal. Use this to spur the momentum to other investors who are not yet ready to invest. Show why the other investors joined the round. Strive to reach the halfway point. From there, the optics on the deal will look better to the prospective investor. The risk of the deal not getting funded goes way down. Build a list of interested and committed investors. Assign an amount to each one and map them out on the remaining portion to be raised. Show all of them how this will close the round. For the remaining investors on the list, give them a deadline and push them to pass. This takes them off your list and lets you focus on closing the interested and committed investors.   Thank you for joining us for the Startup Funding Espresso where we help startups and investors connect for funding. Let's go startup something today. _______________________________________________________ For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at:   Check out our other podcasts here:   For Investors check out:   For Startups check out:   For eGuides check out:   For upcoming Events, check out    For Feedback please contact info@tencapital.group    Please , share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of .

How To Show Your Market Size Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. The market slide in the startup fundraise pitch shows the total available market opportunity. Here are some key steps in showing your market size. Show the components of your market, including the number of buyers and average selling price. Include the source of the market research so others can retrace your reference. Define the market segments clearly so there's agreement about what part you are pursuing. Include serviceable and obtainable sizings as well. Avoid phrases such as “only 1% of the market gives us $10B in revenue”. This means nothing to the investor. In fact, the investor is left wondering how you will enter the market. Instead, focus on the first twenty customers you'll pursue. Call this out as the beachhead market and show how you have already contacted the first twenty customers and have some traction with them. It's important to show the overall market as well as the initial segment you will pursue.   Thank you for joining us for the Startup Funding Espresso where we help startups and investors connect for funding. Let's go startup something today. _______________________________________________________ For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at:   Check out our other podcasts here:   For Investors check out:   For Startups check out:   For eGuides check out:   For upcoming Events, check out    For Feedback please contact info@tencapital.group    Please , share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of .

Best Practices in Telling Your Story Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. Storytelling is a key skill in fundraising. Use these best practices in telling your story in the pitch to investors: Declare the problem as the villain in your story. This sets up a conflict. Raise the tension by creating a sense of urgency. Raise your product as the solution to the problem. Spark interest by noting the possibilities of what the solution can do. “What if we could cure cancer with this?” Show the benefits of your solution at a high level. Don't just predict your growth story, show it happening now. Build confidence in the team by showing what they have done so far. Talk about the solution and what it can do at scale. Describe the big picture about where this is going. Invite the investor to join you on the journey. Investors want to make a return, but they also want to be a part of something great. Use these best practices in telling your story to raise funding.   Thank you for joining us for the Startup Funding Espresso where we help startups and investors connect for funding. Let's go startup something today. _______________________________________________________ For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at:   Check out our other podcasts here:   For Investors check out:   For Startups check out:   For eGuides check out:   For upcoming Events, check out    For Feedback please contact info@tencapital.group    Please , share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of .

In this episode of Investor Connect, Hall T. Martin welcomes Herbert to discuss the pivotal role family offices play within the entrepreneurial ecosystem. Herbert highlights the importance of understanding local accelerators, venture capitalists (VCs), and other funding sources in the community during the investment due diligence process. He emphasizes that co-investment requests from family offices to VCs are typically more successful than those from individual entrepreneurs, as they signify a commitment and vested interest from the family offices, thus encouraging VCs to engage more readily. Herbert also notes the unique contributions of family offices in supporting emerging managers within the venture capital space, often stepping in to fund those who have yet to build the extensive track records required by larger institutional investors like pension funds or foundations.  In the latter part of the episode, Hall introduces Mark Depa of BIO Oxo, a biotech company pioneering innovative treatments for conditions like stroke. Mark pitches their leading compound, BIO 01, which is in phase two clinical trials for treating intracerebral hemorrhage, a type of hemorrhagic stroke. He explains the compound's unique origins and mechanisms, derived from the saliva of ticks, and discusses its potential to address a significant unmet medical need. Mark also outlines the company's milestones, market potential, and funding strategy, emphasizing the strong backing and promising preliminary data that positions BIO Oxo for substantial growth and impact in the medical field.   Thank you for joining us for the Startup Funding Espresso where we help startups and investors connect for funding. Let's go startup something today. _______________________________________________________ For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at:   Check out our other podcasts here:   For Investors check out:   For Startups check out:   For eGuides check out:   For upcoming Events, check out    For Feedback please contact info@tencapital.group    Please , share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of .

How Much Funding To Raise Based on Valuation Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. In planning the fundraiser, the amount of funding is a key factor to determine. The funding amount should take the company to the next major milestone. It should give the company 18 months of runway at a minimum. Investors expect the valuation to be around 3X to 4X that of the funds raised. Most investors want 20% to 25% of equity for each major round of funding. Therefore, the founder needs to see the valuation be at 3X to 4X the raise amount to account for the dilution. Each deal will vary based on the following factors: Growth rate of the sector -- some sectors are growing faster than others and can command a higher valuation. Location -- some regions offer higher valuations than others. Team -- strong teams with a great track record will command higher valuations than first-time teams. Traction -- those with stronger traction can command higher valuations. Use the 3 to 4x rule to set your valuation and fundraising goals.   Thank you for joining us for the Startup Funding Espresso where we help startups and investors connect for funding. Let's go startup something today. _______________________________________________________ For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at:   Check out our other podcasts here:   For Investors check out:   For Startups check out:   For eGuides check out:   For upcoming Events, check out    For Feedback please contact info@tencapital.group    Please , share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of .

How To Wrap Up a Pitch Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. In a pitch to an investor, there's no need for an agenda slide or a summary slide.  The investor knows the format of the pitch and what topics will be covered. There's little time for summarization of what was covered. To wrap up a pitch, consider the following: Show your contact information, including phone number and email address. Have a call to action so the investor knows what you expect from them. Potential calls to action include let's set up a call to discuss your questions or join our diligence meeting next week. Most startups end their pitch with a slide labeled “Questions” and little else. Use the space on the last slide to highlight a key value proposition. This could be a call out, such as “We're the A team working on the B project.” It could be “Come join us in saving the planet from plastic.” It could be a closed sale of a key account, such as “IBM is just the beginning of many companies we will win.” Consider your most important value proposition and place a quote that highlights it. Give the investor something to remember your pitch.   Thank you for joining us for the Startup Funding Espresso where we help startups and investors connect for funding. Let's go startup something today. _______________________________________________________ For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at:   Check out our other podcasts here:   For Investors check out:   For Startups check out:   For eGuides check out:   For upcoming Events, check out    For Feedback please contact info@tencapital.group    Please , share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of .

Basic Mistakes in Fundraising Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. In the startup world, there are mistakes founders make in their fundraisers. Avoid these basic mistakes in fundraising Raising less than $250K. In the venture world, $250K is the lowest amount of funding to raise. Below that level, it's not possible to do something meaningful with the startup. Raising funds from first-time investors. Those who have never invested in startups will require a great deal of education. The investor will need help on terms sheets, standard operating procedures, and more, taking the founder's time away from other investors. Not setting a minimum investment amount. In the angel world, $25K is a common floor for an investment. Too many investors with $5K and $10K checks can fill up the cap table. Not raising sufficient funding. The fundraising target should provide enough runway to take the company to the next level. Not performing diligence on your prospective investors. The investors will perform diligence on the startup, so the startup should do so with investors. Signing up the wrong investor can create headaches for the founder later. Avoid these mistakes in your fundraising.   Thank you for joining us for the Startup Funding Espresso where we help startups and investors connect for funding. Let's go startup something today. _______________________________________________________ For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at:   Check out our other podcasts here:   For Investors check out:   For Startups check out:   For eGuides check out:   For upcoming Events, check out    For Feedback please contact info@tencapital.group    Please , share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of .

Basic Due Diligence Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. Investors pursuing an investment in a startup should perform due diligence on the business. The purpose is to evaluate the opportunity and ensure everything relevant is known about it. Here are the basic steps to perform diligence: Market -- this includes the target market and its size and segmentation. It's important to understand the current state of the market and the competition. Is the market size large and growing, and is the competition fragmented or concentrated? People -- this includes the founder, CEO, and other C-level people. It's important to know the experience and background of the team. Do they have the skills necessary for the startup to succeed? Financials -- this includes the cash runway, current revenue traction, and fundraising. It's important to know the startup has sufficient cash and time to achieve its objectives. Does the fundraising match the stage of business, and will it be enough to go to the next level? Product -- this includes the technology base, the core product, and secondary products. It's important to know the current state of the product, including features, position in the market, and competitive advantage. Will the product win enough customers to achieve the financial forecast? Legal -- this includes the legal entity and intellectual property. It's important to know what protection the business has and what legal entity it currently holds. Will this give the business enough protection to achieve a place in the market? Consider these basic steps in your due diligence process.   Thank you for joining us for the Startup Funding Espresso where we help startups and investors connect for funding. Let's go startup something today. _______________________________________________________ For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at:   Check out our other podcasts here:   For Investors check out:   For Startups check out:   For eGuides check out:   For upcoming Events, check out    For Feedback please contact info@tencapital.group    Please , share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of .

Key Slides in Your Pitch Deck Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. In the pitch, there are specific slides that are key to the investor. Here's a list of key slides to include in your deck. Problem -- provides the overall context for the startup. It must be a big problem outlined with a few numbers. Solution -- shows the product that solves the problem. It's important to make clear what the solution is and how you make money. How it works -- shows the product in action with the customer's situation. Shows how the solution fits into the customer's workflow. Traction -- shows the current status of revenue with customers.  It's important to state the current status as the investor needs to know where the startup is today. Team -- shows who will take the business forward. The team must have experience and be all-in on the startup. Target market -- shows the market the startup will pursue. The market must be large and growing.  It's also important to show where the startup will enter that market. Fundraise -- shows the amount of funding sought and at what terms. The fundraising ask must fit the stage of the company. Be sure to include these slides in your pitch deck.   Thank you for joining us for the Startup Funding Espresso where we help startups and investors connect for funding. Let's go startup something today. _______________________________________________________ For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at:   Check out our other podcasts here:   For Investors check out:   For Startups check out:   For eGuides check out:   For upcoming Events, check out    For Feedback please contact info@tencapital.group    Please , share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of .

In this episode of Investor Connect, Hall T. Martin talks with Herbert Drayton, a partner at Highmark Capital, about the importance of building capacity before expecting change in the startup ecosystem. They delve into the legwork involved in preparing companies for investor engagement, including managing pitch events, and running marketing campaigns. Herbert shares his insights on the key components that make a startup successful, emphasizing the significance of infrastructure, mentorship, and community support. He discusses how Highmark Capital focuses on investing in AI startups led by underrepresented founders in the southeastern US, mainly in South Carolina. Additionally, the episode introduces Ava, the new AI-powered assistant at 10 Capital that helps entrepreneurs find funding tips and investors locate their next big investment. Ava extracts knowledge from over 500 blogs, podcasts, and tools like the 'How Fundable is Your Startup' calculator to answer user questions efficiently. For more information about the events and resources at 10 Capital, visit their website and poke around the 'Events' tab. Herbert addresses the crucial yet often neglected aspects of creating sustainable investments, such as ensuring the founders are ready to scale and providing them with robust ecosystems for long-term success. He illustrates how successful investment isn't just about providing capital but also about offering the necessary support systems, including mentorship, strategic partnerships, and continuous guidance. This comprehensive approach ensures that both the investments and the entrepreneurs have the foundation needed for impactful growth.    Thank you for joining us for the Startup Funding Espresso where we help startups and investors connect for funding. Let's go startup something today. _______________________________________________________ For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at:   Check out our other podcasts here:   For Investors check out:   For Startups check out:   For eGuides check out:   For upcoming Events, check out    For Feedback please contact info@tencapital.group    Please , share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of .

Burn Multiple Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. Burn rate is the amount of cash spent over and above the revenue received. It's typically calculated on a monthly basis. Burn multiple is a metric that calculates the capital efficiency of a startup. To calculate burn multiple divide the monthly burn rate by the net new ARR. It shows how much revenue your startup is generating vs dollars spent. The burn multiple shows the efficiency of the business unlike the CAC: LTV ratio which measures just sales and marketing. In most startups raising venture capital the burn multiple ranges from 1X to 3X. Anything below 1x is fantastic.  From 1x to 2x is good 2x to 3x is a problem Over 3x is a major problem. Very early-stage companies may have a 3X burn rate because the revenue hasn't come up yet. At Series A many companies have a 2X multiple. At Series B the burn multiple should drop down to 1X or less. At break even, the burn rate multiple will drop to 0. Check the burn multiple of startups in your portfolio to see if they are tracking for their stage.   Thank you for joining us for the Startup Funding Espresso where we help startups and investors connect for funding. Let's go startup something today. _______________________________________________________ For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at:   Check out our other podcasts here:   For Investors check out:   For Startups check out:   For eGuides check out:   For upcoming Events, check out    For Feedback please contact info@tencapital.group    Please , share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of .

Pre Seed Seed Seed+ Seed++ Series A Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. In startup funding, the raises come in rounds.   The startup can raise a pre-seed round followed by a seed, then a Series A, Series B, and so forth. Many founders view this approach as one step after the other. The reality is there's a large gap between the Seed and the Series A. Some call this the Valley of Death. This occurs because the startup often moves from family and friends and angel funding to institutional investors. The gap is wide between the two investor types. The funding reality is closer to Seed Seed+  Seed++ another $250K bridge round and then Series A. One strategy is to find bigger and more lucrative customers as you move through the series so you can generate more revenue. This reduces the amount of funding required to reach the next level. Another strategy is to factor this many rounds into your fundraising strategy from the start. Consider the valley of death and how you will cross it with your fundraising planning.   Thank you for joining us for the Startup Funding Espresso where we help startups and investors connect for funding. Let's go startup something today. _______________________________________________________ For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at:   Check out our other podcasts here:   For Investors check out:   For Startups check out:   For eGuides check out:   For upcoming Events, check out    For Feedback please contact info@tencapital.group    Please , share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of .

The First Raise Is a Minimum Round Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. In startup fundraising, many founders try to raise too much funding in the first round. This causes dilution for the founder as the valuation will be low.  In startup fundraising, the first raise is a minimum round. Instead of raising everything you need to accomplish the goals, you should raise a minimal amount to get the initial product up and some revenue coming in. The startup's valuation will be at the lowest point in the life of the business so it's best to raise the smallest amount possible. As the startup builds more products, teams, and revenue the valuation will rise. The majority of the funding comes later when the valuation is higher. This strategy reduces the founder's dilution. In structuring your fundraiser consider what can be done to generate the biggest bang for the buck with the least amount of funding. Then add more capabilities to the product and more team members. By tranching out the product features one can reduce the funding requirements.   Thank you for joining us for the Startup Funding Espresso where we help startups and investors connect for funding. Let's go startup something today. _______________________________________________________ For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at:   Check out our other podcasts here:   For Investors check out:   For Startups check out:   For eGuides check out:   For upcoming Events, check out    For Feedback please contact info@tencapital.group    Please , share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of .

Valuation Is the Primary Factor Impacting Returns Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. There are many terms in a startup fundraising terms sheet. Valuation is the primary factor impacting investor returns. Here's an example showing the impact of valuation on the returns. The pre-money valuation plus the investment yields the post-money valuation. The investor's ownership is the investment divided by the post-money valuation. For example, if a startup is raising $1M with a $4M pre-money valuation that yields $5M post-money.   This gives the investor a 20% ownership stake as the post valuation is $1M divided by $5M. In another example, a startup is raising $1M with a $19M pre-money valuation that yields $20M post-money.   This gives the investor a 5% ownership stake as the post valuation is $1M divided by $20M. There are terms that can help mitigate an outsized valuation such as a liquidation preference in which the investor receives their original investment first. Of all the terms in the deal, the valuation is the primary factor to consider.   Thank you for joining us for the Startup Funding Espresso where we help startups and investors connect for funding. Let's go startup something today. _______________________________________________________ For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at:   Check out our other podcasts here:   For Investors check out:   For Startups check out:   For eGuides check out:   For upcoming Events, check out    For Feedback please contact info@tencapital.group    Please , share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of .

Consider Dilution in Setting Your Fundraise Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. In startup fundraising dilution is a key issue for founders. At each stage of funding investors will demand a certain amount of equity. Here's how much each round will cost a startup in equity: Pre-seed Typically funded by family and friends the cost of funding is 5 to 10%. Seed Angels take 5 to 10% while venture capitalists take 10 to 25%. Seed+ Most founders will need additional funding to carry the business forward.   Seed+ rounds cost the same amount as seed rounds. Series A Venture capital investors will seek 15 to 25% of equity at this stage. Series B Later-stage VCs look for 10% to 20% of the equity at this point. Series C and following. Growth equity investors look for 10% to 15% at this level. Consider the impact of dilution on your startup from fundraising.    Thank you for joining us for the Startup Funding Espresso where we help startups and investors connect for funding. Let's go startup something today. _______________________________________________________ For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at:   Check out our other podcasts here:   For Investors check out:   For Startups check out:   For eGuides check out:   For upcoming Events, check out    For Feedback please contact info@tencapital.group    Please , share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of .

In this episode of Investor Connect, Hall T. Martin chats with Christopher Ezold, partner at Wisler Pearlstine, a Pennsylvania-based law firm specializing in business, employment, and corporate law. Christopher shares insights on emerging legal risks and trends that businesses should prepare for, especially amid economic uncertainties in 2025. Key topics include the importance of securing debt, the complexities of cybersecurity and privacy laws, the rise of labor and employment issues, and the challenges around mergers and acquisitions. Hall and Christopher also delve into common legal missteps that lead businesses into lawsuits and emphasize the significance of proper documentation and early involvement of legal counsel. Christopher explains the nature of fraud, distinguishing between intentional deception and negligence that creates opportunities for fraudulent actions. He recounts complex fraud cases, including one involving a private equity fund's deceptive practices, and shares lessons learned from these experiences. The conversation also touches on the fluid legal landscape of non-compete and non-disclosure agreements, offering advice on how to ensure these agreements are both necessary and enforceable. Christopher highlights various ways fraud can occur within a company, from overvaluing assets to manipulating earnings, and stresses the importance of internal vigilance and thorough investigation. Hall and Christopher discuss strategies for addressing potential fraud or legal violations, from preserving data and starting immediate investigations to understanding the impact and having flexible plans in place. Christopher underscores the importance of having a trustworthy attorney who understands the business and can provide early advice to avoid litigation. The episode concludes with practical tips on engaging the right authorities for different types of fraud cases and the critical role of transparency and trust in the attorney-client relationship.  For more information or to contact Christopher, visit www.wislerpearlstine.com or email him at .    Thank you for joining us for the Startup Funding Espresso where we help startups and investors connect for funding. Let's go startup something today. _______________________________________________________ For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at:   Check out our other podcasts here:   For Investors check out:   For Startups check out:   For eGuides check out:   For upcoming Events, check out    For Feedback please contact info@tencapital.group    Please , share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of .

Diligencing AI Startups Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. Artificial intelligence or AI brings new capabilities and applications. Many startups launch their business around AI technology. Investors considering an investment in an AI startup should check the following: Source of data. Does the startup have access to data sets? Unique data. Does the startup have a data set that others do not have access to? Clean data. Is the data clean and ready for use or must it go through a costly cleaning process? Quantity of data. Does the startup have access to a substantial amount of data? Cost of processing. How much does it cost to process the data? Machine learning. Also called  ML. Do they have their own ML model or are they using an open-source one? Core competency. What is their core competency -- core data, machine learning, user interface, and others? ML skills. Does the team have a core skill set around developing ML? Data collection regulatory Does the team gather and use the data sets within compliance? Consider these factors when you are conducting your diligence on an AI startup.   Thank you for joining us for the Startup Funding Espresso where we help startups and investors connect for funding. Let's go startup something today. _______________________________________________________ For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at:   Check out our other podcasts here:   For Investors check out:   For Startups check out:   For eGuides check out:   For upcoming Events, check out    For Feedback please contact info@tencapital.group    Please , share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of .

Medical Device Milestones Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. The medical device startup has a well-defined list of milestones to achieve to bring a product to market. Here's a list of key milestones for the medical device startup: Market requirements -- defines the current status of solutions and unmet needs of the market. Product requirements -- defines the features and specifications of the proposed product. Prototypes -- intermediate implementations of the product for testing, customer feedback, and fundraising with investors. Clinical unit -- a version of the product to be used in clinical testing. Pre-clinical validation -- clinical tests to determine safety and efficacy. Clinical trials -- animal and human tests with the clinical unit. CE Mark -- certification to sell the product in Europe. FDA 510K approval -- for non-invasive products in a sector with previously certified devices this is the shortest path to FDA approval. First orders from customers -- the initial purchase of the approved product. Break-even -- the product achieves break-even on revenue with cost to build and sell. A typical medical device will take three to five years to gain FDA clearance and reach the market. Consider these steps for your medical device development.   Thank you for joining us for the Startup Funding Espresso where we help startups and investors connect for funding. Let's go startup something today. _______________________________________________________ For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at:   Check out our other podcasts here:   For Investors check out:   For Startups check out:   For eGuides check out:   For upcoming Events, check out    For Feedback please contact info@tencapital.group    Please , share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of .

Overcoming the Investors' Hesitancy Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. In fundraising, there comes a time when the investor must decide to join or pass on the round. Many investors hesitate to join as they try to decide. Here are some steps founders should take to overcome the hesitancy: Start the outreach to investors well ahead of launching the campaign. Begin six months before contacting potential investors and indicating you are preparing a fundraise. Use the six-month window from first contact to campaign launch to educate the investor and provide a few updates. Craft a strong story and use case for your company. Take the investor on the journey with you by keeping them up to date on the ups and downs of the business. Show how short the time from launch to break even will be and how well-defined it is. In the very early stages avoid forcing the investor to climb the valuation wall.   The valuation wall is the challenge the investor undergoes to determine the correct valuation. Instead, use a convertible note with a valuation cap which effectively kicks the valuation question down the road.  Consider these steps to avoid the investor hesitancy phase.   Thank you for joining us for the Startup Funding Espresso where we help startups and investors connect for funding. Let's go startup something today. _______________________________________________________ For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at:   Check out our other podcasts here:   For Investors check out:   For Startups check out:   For eGuides check out:   For upcoming Events, check out    For Feedback please contact info@tencapital.group    Please , share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of .

How Private Equity Differs From Venture Capital Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. Private equity and venture capital are different types of investment. Here are the key differences: Risk level Private equity takes less risk and thus a lower potential return than venture capital. Private equity investments invest in firms with a positive profit line while venture capital investments run negative on the bottom line putting everything into top-line growth. Control level Private equity often takes a controlling position in the company. Venture capital takes only an oversight position in most investments. Stage of business Private equity invests in mature companies with a history of revenue and profits. Venture capital invests in early-stage companies with great promise. Funding source Private equity raises funding from institutional investors. Venture capital raises funding from limited partners who are typically high-networth individuals. Size of investment Private equity often invests substantial amounts of money into the business to increase profitability. Venture capital typically invests smaller amounts of capital to increase the growth rate. Consider these differences in considering private equity or venture capital funding for your fundraise. Thank you for joining us for the Startup Funding Espresso where we help startups and investors connect for funding. Let's go startup something today. _______________________________________________________ For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at:   Check out our other podcasts here:   For Investors check out:   For Startups check out:   For eGuides check out:   For upcoming Events, check out    For Feedback please contact info@tencapital.group    Please , share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of .

The Gap Between Seed and Series A Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. In startup funding, we talk about preseed, seed, Series A, Series B, and so forth. It sounds like each stage is just one step after the other. When you finish your pre-seed round you raise your seed. In reality, there's a gap between seed and Series A. It often takes several rounds of funding to close it. Most startups raise a preseed, seed, seed+, seed++, and another bridge round for $250K, and then go to Series A. This is often a surprise to first-time founders. The reasons are as follows: In most cases, the Series A is the first institutional round of investment. The requirements regarding revenue, growth, margins, churn, and other factors are fixed and rigorous. Prior rounds of funding were often made regardless of the results of the business but rather on the promise of future results. Series A investors have specific requirements around valuation and ownership stakes.  This often requires better metrics and more revenue to make it work. It's often the case that the founders have a vision for a specific valuation. Specific valuation targets often require better metrics from the startup. Make sure you plan for the gap between the seed and Series A in your fundraise.   Thank you for joining us for the Startup Funding Espresso where we help startups and investors connect for funding. Let's go startup something today. _______________________________________________________ For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at:   Check out our other podcasts here:   For Investors check out:   For Startups check out:   For eGuides check out:   For upcoming Events, check out    For Feedback please contact info@tencapital.group    Please , share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of .

In this episode of Investor Connect, we dive into the world of live entertainment as a service with Jason Seitz of Ticket Rewards. Jason provides an insightful overview of how Ticket Rewards is transforming live entertainment by partnering with brands and venues to offer a seamless, engaging experience for consumers. With a significant inventory of tickets worth half a billion dollars, Ticket Rewards works with major brands like HBO Max, Celebrity Cruises, and United Mileage Plus to drive engagement and retention through exclusive ticket deals and loyalty programs. This innovative approach helps these brands maintain customer loyalty and reduce churn by providing unique, emotionally resonant experiences that tie back to the brand itself. Jason also discusses some compelling case studies, such as the impact of their partnership with Celebrity Cruises, which saw a 40% higher open rate and 20% higher click-through rate for live entertainment emails. Similarly, their collaboration with HBO Max resulted in higher engagement rates and retention. The podcast further explores their revenue streams, scalability, and how they are striving to grow their client base amid increasing interest from new potential partners like Lyft, Travelzoo, and others. Their innovative business model and successful partnerships have helped them make commendable strides in the industry, including finishing the year on a profitable note. Towards the end, Hall T. Martin and his guests delve into the intricacies of term sheets, offering a comprehensive breakdown of key financial parameters and how convertible notes like the 3x in 3 provide a flexible investment option. Hall emphasizes the importance of understanding term sheet dynamics, especially how these agreements can significantly favor either the founder or the investor. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the intersection of live entertainment and innovative business models, as well as those keen on investment strategies in dynamic startup environments.   Thank you for joining us for the Startup Funding Espresso where we help startups and investors connect for funding. Let's go startup something today. ________________________________________________________________________   For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at:   Check out our other podcasts here:   For Investors check out:   For Startups check out:   For eGuides check out:   For upcoming Events, check out    For Feedback please contact info@tencapital.group    Please , share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of .

The Startups Advantage Over Big Companies Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. While big companies have size, resources, and reach, the startup holds advantages of their own. Here's a list of the startups' advantages: Focus - the startup can focus all its energy and resources on one thing. Big companies have an existing product line, team, and commitments they must maintain  They cannot focus solely on one thing. Speed -- the startup can move fast in building and iterating on a product. Big companies must coordinate teams across department lines. They cannot move fast given their structure, culture, and workload. No legacy products -- the startup has no existing products to defend. Big companies have legacy products they must support and sell. In most cases, they must work around their current product lines. No brand risk -- the startup has no historical brand to maintain. Big companies have a brand and must protect it. They cannot take on risky startup products as it puts their reputation at risk. While big companies have a brand, scale, and resources, the startup is particularly well-positioned to pursue new products with disruptive technologies.   Thank you for joining us for the Startup Funding Espresso where we help startups and investors connect for funding. Let's go startup something today. _______________________________________________________ For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at:   Check out our other podcasts here:   For Investors check out:   For Startups check out:   For eGuides check out:   For upcoming Events, check out    For Feedback please contact info@tencapital.group    Please , share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of .

Startup Stages Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. The startup goes through several stages before it achieves product market fit and then scaling. Here are the key steps that come before: The founder establishes the team.   This is often driven by a passion or a business opportunity. The founding team develops a vision for the business they will build. This is often improving the customer experience around a current problem. The team envisions a product that provides value to the customer that solves the problem. The team tests the market by talking with customers. This often involves building minimum viable products and prototypes. The team builds an initial version of the product and tests the business model. The goal is to see if the customers use the product and if demand will spread. The team takes the product out to a broader range of customers to check interest. The initial customers are often family and friends and may be biased in their assessment of the product. The team works on the product to achieve product/market fit. The goal here is to make sure the product works well for the customer and meets their needs. Consider these steps in establishing a startup for your idea.    Thank you for joining us for the Startup Funding Espresso where we help startups and investors connect for funding. Let's go startup something today. _______________________________________________________ For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at:   Check out our other podcasts here:   For Investors check out:   For Startups check out:   For eGuides check out:   For upcoming Events, check out    For Feedback please contact info@tencapital.group    Please , share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of .

No NDAs Before the Investor Pitch Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. In startup fundraising, the NDA comes near the end of the process, not at the beginning. An NDA stands for Non-Disclosure Agreement and requires the signatory to keep confidential any, and all information disclosed. A founder asking an investor to sign an NDA before the pitch signals to the investor that there's nothing protectable about the business. In most cases, the investor will not sign the NDA and will take a pass on the deal. A founder should give the investor basic information without an NDA. The founder should focus on the benefits of their technology and business model instead of describing exactly how it works. An example includes, our software reduces cost by 3x. There is a place for NDAs later in the process. When investors go into diligence, it's appropriate for the founder to ask the investor to sign an NDA. Other cases to use an NDA in the startup space include the following: A potential acquirer wants to license a product or technology. A potential acquirer wants to buy the company. The diligence box has employee, customer, or partner information that is sensitive. Keep the dialog on a non-confidential basis with investors so they can learn more about the business.   Thank you for joining us for the Startup Funding Espresso where we help startups and investors connect for funding. Let's go startup something today. _______________________________________________________ For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at:   Check out our other podcasts here:   For Investors check out:   For Startups check out:   For eGuides check out:   For upcoming Events, check out    For Feedback please contact info@tencapital.group    Please , share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of .

Fundraising – Important but Not Urgent Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. Fundraising can be hard for startups because it falls into the important but not urgent category. The Eisenhower matrix shows four sectors. Important and urgent-- spurs immediate action Not important but urgent -- delegate it Not important and not urgent -- discard it Important but not urgent -- plan for it In fundraises where there is no pressing need for funding, it can be difficult to complete. Other urgent tasks can take precedence over fundraising. This includes hiring employees, closing sales, and keeping clients happy. Fundraising most often is not urgent and doesn't press the founder so it gets deprioritized. Fundraising requires intention, discipline, and focus. Develop a fundraising schedule and map it out on your calendar. Set aside time for it each week. Set activity goals for the number of contacts you will make.  Engage your team to hold you accountable. In the startup world, what you focus on and pay for gets done.   Thank you for joining us for the Startup Funding Espresso where we help startups and investors connect for funding. Let's go startup something today. _______________________________________________________ For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at:   Check out our other podcasts here:   For Investors check out:   For Startups check out:   For eGuides check out:   For upcoming Events, check out    For Feedback please contact info@tencapital.group    Please , share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of .

What Angels Can Do for Your Startup Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. Angels can bring more value than just funding to your startup. Here's a list of what angels can do: They bring a network for hiring key people on the team. Their network can also help find customers, partners, and others. They bring experience and can help make key decisions along the way. They help with fundraising, product development and launch, and financial decisions. For those with a high profile in the community, they bring notoriety to your startup. This helps in finding more investors and partners. They bring domain expertise if they come from the industry the startup targets. They provide coaching to help formulate strategy. They provide mentorship to startup founders. They provide additional support in the form of CFO and COO work. They bring a rich history of success and failure stories about other startups. They provide access to new networks and communities. Consider these points when recruiting angel investors for your fundraise.   Thank you for joining us for the Startup Funding Espresso where we help startups and investors connect for funding. Let's go startup something today. _______________________________________________________ For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at:   Check out our other podcasts here:   For Investors check out:   For Startups check out:   For eGuides check out:   For upcoming Events, check out    For Feedback please contact info@tencapital.group    Please , share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of .

In this episode of Investor Connect, host Hall T. Martin speaks with Barry Fella of Cranial Devices about their innovative approach to treating hydrocephalus. Barry sheds light on the significant challenges associated with the current treatment method, such as high failure rates, infections, and the need for multiple revisions throughout a patient's lifetime. Cranial Devices is developing a physiologic shunt that offers a safer, more reliable alternative by draining excess cerebrospinal fluid directly into the venous system, significantly reducing the likelihood of failures and complications. The new shunting method presents a promising advancement in medical technology, with numerous benefits for patients, surgeons, and healthcare payers alike. Barry elaborates on the device's FDA classification, ongoing animal pilot studies, and plans for human trials in South America or Australia. He also discusses the future market opportunities, particularly for older patients with normal pressure hydrocephalus, and how Cranial Devices aims to capture a considerable share of the revision market. Tune in to discover how this groundbreaking technology could transform the landscape of hydrocephalus treatment.   Thank you for joining us for the Startup Funding Espresso where we help startups and investors connect for funding. Let's go startup something today. _______________________________________________________ For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at:   Check out our other podcasts here:   For Investors check out:   For Startups check out:   For eGuides check out:   For upcoming Events, check out    For Feedback please contact info@tencapital.group    Please , share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of .

Comparing Funding Sources Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. In startup fundraising, there are four distinct groups to consider for funding. The list includes venture capital, angel investors, angel groups, and family offices. Here's the comparison of each source: Venture capital VCs have their diligence process and will take some time to complete it. They write $150K to $500K checks on the first round. They are very sensitive to valuation. They often require board seats. They provide the most support of any investor type. Angel investors They can make decisions quickly They write $25K to $50K checks. They tend not to be swayed by valuation as much as other investors. They rarely require board seats. They provide the least support. Angel groups They have a process that will take some time to complete.  They write $100K to $500K checks for a typical deal  They can be sensitive to valuation. They sometimes require board seats. They provide some support.  Family offices They can act like angels and move quickly or they may have a more detailed process. They write $100K to $250K checks on the first round. They can be sensitive to valuation. They sometimes require board seats. They provide some support. Consider these factors for your fundraise in selecting your target investor.   Thank you for joining us for the Startup Funding Espresso where we help startups and investors connect for funding. Let's go startup something today. _______________________________________________________ For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at:   Check out our other podcasts here:   For Investors check out:   For Startups check out:   For eGuides check out:   For upcoming Events, check out    For Feedback please contact info@tencapital.group    Please , share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of .

How To Fundraise in Down Markets Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. The venture world cycles up and down based on technology breakthroughs, stock market gyrations, and other factors. In up markets funding can be more plentiful. In down markets, it can be more challenging to obtain. Consider these steps in fundraising in a down market: Spend more time bootstrapping the business to gain traction. For funding look for individual angels. Angels are less impacted by the financial cycles and can usually afford to invest a small amount at just about any time. Look for a corporate client or partner that can provide a great deal of business through one channel. Make sure you are using any available non-equity financing such as revenue-based funding, factoring, and equipment leasing.  Consider joining professional groups where your customers live to make connections and learn more about the industry. Look for custom projects that utilize your core product.  This helps pay the bills and keeps your team engaged with solving customers' problems with the core product.   Thank you for joining us for the Startup Funding Espresso where we help startups and investors connect for funding. Let's go startup something today. _______________________________________________________ For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at:   Check out our other podcasts here:   For Investors check out:   For Startups check out:   For eGuides check out:   For upcoming Events, check out    For Feedback please contact info@tencapital.group    Please , share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of .

Core Slides in the Pitchdeck Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. The pitch deck tells the startup's story and provides key information about the investment opportunity to the investor. There are five key slides that an investor needs to see to understand the state of the business. Problem. The investor needs to understand what problem the startup solves to determine the market size. Solution The investor needs to see what the startup proposes to solve the problem to understand what product the startup must build and sell.  Team. The investor needs to know who is on the core team leading the effort to build and sell the proposed product to see if they have the requisite skills.  Traction. The investor needs to know where the startup currently stands on the path to engaging the market. Fundraise. The investor needs to know how much funding the startup needs to accomplish the go-to-market plan.   These five slides provide the basic context with which an investor can understand the business. Without all of these, the investor lacks enough information to move forward with the deal.  Make sure you cover these points in your presentation.   Thank you for joining us for the Startup Funding Espresso where we help startups and investors connect for funding. Let's go startup something today. _______________________________________________________ For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at:   Check out our other podcasts here:   For Investors check out:   For Startups check out:   For eGuides check out:   For upcoming Events, check out    For Feedback please contact info@tencapital.group    Please , share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of .

Startup Business Models Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. Businesses sell to consumers, which is called B2C, or to businesses called B2B. Startups aggregate users, create marketplaces or sell services. Here's a list of key startup business models to know: Freemium -- the startup gives something for free to build the customer list and then sells premium services to them. Subscription -- the startup finds a needed service and sells it to the customer on a recurring revenue basis. Marketplace -- the startup brings buyers and sellers together in one place and makes money off the transactions. Fees for service -- the startup provides a service, content, or access in exchange for a fee. Advertising -- the startup attracts an audience and sells advertising to those who want to promote their product or service to that audience. Data monetization -- the startup collects data from a group of people or processes and sells that data to others who use it to improve their business. Razor - razor blade model -- the startup sells a product that requires disposable components to use.   This creates a recurring revenue stream from repeat purchases of the disposable product. Consider these business models for your startup.   Thank you for joining us for the Startup Funding Espresso where we help startups and investors connect for funding. Let's go startup something today. _______________________________________________________ For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at:   Check out our other podcasts here:   For Investors check out:   For Startups check out:   For eGuides check out:   For upcoming Events, check out    For Feedback please contact info@tencapital.group    Please , share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of .

The Pre-Seed Pitch Deck Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. The pre-seed company raising funding faces a challenge. There are no revenue, traction, or performance metrics to show the investor. The startup basically has an idea, a team, and little else. For the pre-seed pitch deck, cover these topics: Start with the team and show each one's past experiences. Talk about how the team knows a particular market and use case. Highlight the problem in that market. Show the key insight the team has about the market and the problem. Discuss how to solve a problem with that insight. Show why now is the best time to pursue this opportunity. Point out a recent change in the industry or an inflection point in the market that provides an opening. Show what the team has done so far to reach these conclusions and who they have talked to. Show the market size and the entry point into that market. State the investment ask and use of the funds. The key to a successful pre seed pitch is to show you have a strong team with a unique insight that can be exploited in a short time frame.   Thank you for joining us for the Startup Funding Espresso where we help startups and investors connect for funding. Let's go startup something today. _______________________________________________________ For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at:   Check out our other podcasts here:   For Investors check out:   For Startups check out:   For eGuides check out:   For upcoming Events, check out    For Feedback please contact info@tencapital.group    Please , share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of .

In this episode of Investor Connect, Hall T. Martin chats with Mike Sloan, Founder, and CEO of Simple Labs. Mike introduces Cogni, an innovative device designed to tackle significant challenges in the wine and spirits industry, such as product loss due to evaporation and spoilage. Starting from his background in bourbon country and transitioning to wine country, Mike shares insights on the industry's pressing needs and how Cogni could potentially save billions in losses annually while optimizing premium product selection through continuous barrel monitoring and data analytics powered by AI and ML technology.  Mike outlines the substantial market opportunities with both immediate and future potential, illustrating how Cogni's platform extends beyond a simple device to a scalable solution with a global reach. He emphasizes Cogni's current traction in the market, with agreements in place with leading distilleries and collaborations with academic centers. Investors will be keen to note the $10 million Series A round intended to accelerate growth, scale production, and refine the innovative real-time monitoring technology further. The discussion also delves into the technical specifics of Cogni, including hardware and software integration, cost, and reusability, demonstrating how the platform offers a comprehensive and cost-effective solution for winemakers and distillers alike. Tune in to learn more about how Simple Labs is poised to disrupt the wine and spirits industry and capitalize on a $1.6 trillion global market opportunity.    Thank you for joining us for the Startup Funding Espresso where we help startups and investors connect for funding. Let's go startup something today. _______________________________________________________ For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at:   Check out our other podcasts here:   For Investors check out:   For Startups check out:   For eGuides check out:   For upcoming Events, check out    For Feedback please contact info@tencapital.group    Please , share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of .