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It's Not Closed Till Money Is in the Bank Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. Founders seeking funding will hear yes from an investor. Many founders consider the funding to be done. Founders should move to close the funding and not rest until the funds have been transferred. Many funding commitments never materialize. Issues come up in diligence. The investor has cash flow issues or unexpected expenses. Bad news from the financial markets shakes the investor's confidence. To close the funding, set up a timeline with the investor. Baby step in the process to get the documents signed, the diligence done, and the funds transferred. Remove areas of friction, such as docu-signing the investment documents. Diligence is a key area to watch out for, as new information will come to light. This will have the most impact on an investor's decision. Finally, keep the fundraise going. It's not closed till money is in the bank. 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: http://investorconnect.org Check out our other podcasts here: https://investorconnect.org/ For Investors check out: https://tencapital.group/investor-landing/ For Startups check out: https://tencapital.group/company-landing/ For eGuides check out: https://tencapital.group/education/ For upcoming Events, check out https://tencapital.group/events/ For Feedback please contact info@tencapital.group Please follow, share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of Bensound.

How To Handle Pushback on Valuation Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. In fundraising, the founder encounters a variety of investors. Some are concerned about the return, some about the traction, and others about the valuation. For those focused on valuation, here are some key steps to consider: First, check their knowledge of current market valuations. Ask what valuations they've seen on recent fundraises and exits that match your company. Next, identify what they consider the most important factors that drive valuation. This could be revenue, growth rates, team, or other. Finally, ask what valuation they would ascribe to your deal. The goal is to delay the negotiation process and gather as much information as possible. Investors see many deals and have information that most founders do not. Consider how their information informs your valuation. Once you decide on a valuation, stick with it and approach investors who are not as concerned with it. Raise a meaningful amount of funding for the deal. Find comps that support your valuation. Only then do you engage the original investors, but now there's evidence that other investors are in the deal. 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: http://investorconnect.org Check out our other podcasts here: https://investorconnect.org/ For Investors check out: https://tencapital.group/investor-landing/ For Startups check out: https://tencapital.group/company-landing/ For eGuides check out: https://tencapital.group/education/ For upcoming Events, check out https://tencapital.group/events/ For Feedback please contact info@tencapital.group Please follow, share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of Bensound.

Think Minimum Raise, Not Maximum Raise Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. Most startup founders calculate how much funding they need to accomplish the goal. This is a good initial step in the fundraising process. The mistake is then asking for that amount of money in one go. It's important to break the raise down into steps and stages. The first round of fundraising should be the minimum needed to reach a milestone. Not a maximum to reach the end goal. The startup's valuation is low in the early stages, so the fundraise should be at a minimum, so the founders don't suffer too much dilution. For a minimum fundraise the founder should consider what is the minimum team focused on a minimum viable product to achieve initial traction. As the startup generates more products, revenue, and traction, it can raise its valuation and take larger amounts of funding. This will reduce dilution and make the job of building and selling the product easier. Consider what your minimum raise should be and what you can do with 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: http://investorconnect.org Check out our other podcasts here: https://investorconnect.org/ For Investors check out: https://tencapital.group/investor-landing/ For Startups check out: https://tencapital.group/company-landing/ For eGuides check out: https://tencapital.group/education/ For upcoming Events, check out https://tencapital.group/events/ For Feedback please contact info@tencapital.group Please follow, share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of Bensound.

Start by Looking for Your First Investor, Not Your Lead Investor Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. In raising funding, some founders focus solely on finding their lead investor. In most cases, it's better to find investors to join the round even if they are not leading. By using convertible notes and SAFE notes, investors can join the raise. Start with investors who are most likely to join and sign them up. This shows traction with the fundraiser. The investor who takes the lead will look for some evidence that other investors will join. It's rare that the first investor is also the lead investor. In most cases, the lead investor is the 5th, the 10th, or often the 25th investor the founder meets. By picking up investors in the round, this often helps polish the pitch, fill out the data room, and prep the founder for a prospective lead investor. It's easier to pick up investors on a convertible or SAFE note because the valuation is not set. There's a valuation cap that protects the investor from outsized valuation by the founder. Start your fundraise by looking for your first investor, not your lead 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: http://investorconnect.org Check out our other podcasts here: https://investorconnect.org/ For Investors check out: https://tencapital.group/investor-landing/ For Startups check out: https://tencapital.group/company-landing/ For eGuides check out: https://tencapital.group/education/ For upcoming Events, check out https://tencapital.group/events/ For Feedback please contact info@tencapital.group Please follow, share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of Bensound.

On this episode of Investor Connect, Hall welcomes Barry, who presents a medical device focused on improving treatment for hydrocephalus, a condition caused by excess fluid in the brain. Barry describes the current standard approach—ventricular-peritoneal shunts that drain fluid from the brain to the abdomen using a long rubber tube—and outlines key issues including infection, clogging, and siphoning that can over-drain the brain. He notes a 40% first-year reintervention rate, with roughly $1B in first-year reintervention costs and about $3B in annual overall health system costs, and explains that patients typically face a lifetime of revisions averaging about 10 surgeries. Barry explains their alternative approach, "physiologic shunting," which drains cerebrospinal fluid into part of the venous system and is placed entirely on the cranium, avoiding the long-tube failure points. The procedure is described as a 15–30 minute implant that can be done under local anesthesia, requires no navigation/robotics, uses standard neurosurgical tools, and is designed for constant, self-regulating flow. He positions the device as a Class II de novo/510(k) pathway and says the team has had two FDA pre-submission meetings, is currently in sheep animal studies, and plans a GLP study later in the year to support an IDE for human use. Barry shares market context: the U.S. hydrocephalus shunt market is about $170M annually with around 100,000 surgeries per year, including about 70,000 revisions; worldwide the market is about $500M. He argues a more reliable device could rapidly capture the revision market and notes the current market is dominated by Medtronic and Integra. He also discusses an additional opportunity in normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) in patients over 65, stating there are about 700,000 diagnosed in the U.S. and only 1% receive shunts despite symptom improvement. Barry states the company has raised $2.5M to date and is seeking an additional $2.5M via convertible note to reach a first-in-human pilot targeted around 2025, with initial offshore pilots potentially in South America or Australia. Barry is a medical device industry professional who presents a cranial implant designed to simplify hydrocephalus management and reduce revision surgeries. He emphasizes the device's ease of training for neurosurgeons, multiple cranial placement locations, and a "no bridges burned" approach where the implant can be removed and replaced through a small skin incision if needed. Barry describes a competitive landscape that includes one competitor pursuing an endovascular technique, while his team's approach is a surgical technique intended to be safer, simpler, and not dependent on specialized equipment. He also discusses manufacturing readiness, stating a supplier/contractor has been identified and that devices used in animal studies meet sterility and related standards. Barry discusses the shortcomings of current shunts, the company's physiologic shunting approach, the regulatory and study plan toward first-in-human use, the funding raise, and the market opportunity—especially capturing the large revision segment and potential expansion into normal pressure hydrocephalus. ________________________________________________________________________ For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at: http://investorconnect.org Check out our other podcasts here: https://investorconnect.org/ For Investors check out: https://tencapital.group/investor-landing/ For Startups check out: https://tencapital.group/company-landing/ For eGuides check out: https:/_/tencapital.group/education/ For upcoming Events, check out https://tencapital.group/events/ For Feedback please contact info@tencapital.group Please follow, share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of Bensound.

Track Interest, Committed, and Invested Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. In raising a round of funding, most founders focus on the invested funds so far. When asked about the progress, the founder quotes the invested amount and the amount left in the raise. This undersells the traction the founder has. In addition to the invested, also track the interest and committed funds. For each investor who has some interest, ask for their level of interest. Add up all the interested investor amounts. For those who are committed but not yet invested, add up those funds as well. In discussing with prospective investors, quote the interest, commitment, and investment. This shows additional interest from investors in the round. A typical update would be, in our $1M raise, we have $600K invested, $250K committed, and interest at $800K. It's often the case that the interest and committed funds are greater than the remaining amount in the raise. This creates scarcity and generates FOMO with the investors who now see that there's not enough room to cover all potential investors. Use this to help close the fundraising round. 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: http://investorconnect.org Check out our other podcasts here: https://investorconnect.org/ For Investors check out: https://tencapital.group/investor-landing/ For Startups check out: https://tencapital.group/company-landing/ For eGuides check out: https://tencapital.group/education/ For upcoming Events, check out https://tencapital.group/events/ For Feedback please contact info@tencapital.group Please follow, share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of Bensound.

Prioritize Investor Follow-Up Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. Startup founders raising funding will encounter a range of investors with varying levels of interest. Founders should prioritize their follow-up and focus on the investors with the greatest likelihood of making an investment with the least amount of work. A lead investor can be quite helpful but will require substantial time and effort on the part of the founder. Budget time for the lead investor. Close the easy ones first. These are often angel investors with small checks who typically run a light diligence process. They invest $25K to $50K on average. After that come angel groups that have a process for vetting deals. The application process can be heavy, but once it's done, the angel group process happens on a known timescale. A typical angel group will invest $150K to $300K, if not more. After that come microVCs, who typically write $150K checks on the first round. Their diligence will be more substantial. Finally, the standard venture capital fund will require a full diligence review with an initial investment of $500K. Start with the easy ones and work your way up. 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: http://investorconnect.org Check out our other podcasts here: https://investorconnect.org/ For Investors check out: https://tencapital.group/investor-landing/ For Startups check out: https://tencapital.group/company-landing/ For eGuides check out: https://tencapital.group/education/ For upcoming Events, check out https://tencapital.group/events/ For Feedback please contact info@tencapital.group Please follow, share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of Bensound.

Investors Want Optionality Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. Investors follow many startups before investing. They stall in making an investment to be certain it's a good one. They look for additional information about the startup, its product, and market before making a final decision. Investors want optionality. They want to have as many options available as possible. This gives them a better return on their investment. Many investors drop out of a deal without telling the founder. They want the option of coming back in if the deal turns out to gain traction or momentum later. This leads many founders to chase investors who have basically said no to the deal. Founders should ask for the investors' status on the deal. Are you interested? If so, how much are you considering investing? Assuming an investor is interested without confirmation is a dangerous situation. Once the investor decides on a deal to fund, they typically say no to other deals in the running. Gain clarity with prospective investors about investing in 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: http://investorconnect.org Check out our other podcasts here: https://investorconnect.org/ For Investors check out: https://tencapital.group/investor-landing/ For Startups check out: https://tencapital.group/company-landing/ For eGuides check out: https://tencapital.group/education/ For upcoming Events, check out https://tencapital.group/events/ For Feedback please contact info@tencapital.group Please follow, share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of Bensound.

One and Done Is Not Going To Work Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. In raising funding, the founder will need to follow up with the investor to close. After the pitch, some founders send one email to follow up. The one-and-done approach to follow up will not work. It takes multiple follow-ups and outreach to close an investor. The investor is searching for more evidence that the startup will be successful. This could be information around the growth of the market, the productivity of the technology, or the strength of the team, to name a few. Continue to give regular updates to the investor with a focus on traction and market adoption. It takes seven touches to close a sale, so it takes seven touches to close an investor. Budget time and resources for the follow-up effort. Set up systems such as a CRM to provide updates to the investors following the deal. Set up follow-up calls and meetings to showcase the results of the business. It takes time to follow up, but that's where the results come in. 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: http://investorconnect.org Check out our other podcasts here: https://investorconnect.org/ For Investors check out: https://tencapital.group/investor-landing/ For Startups check out: https://tencapital.group/company-landing/ For eGuides check out: https://tencapital.group/education/ For upcoming Events, check out https://tencapital.group/events/ For Feedback please contact info@tencapital.group Please follow, share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of Bensound.

Fundraising Takes Time and Focus Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. Fundraising is a full-time job. It takes time and focus to do it properly. For some founders, it's a job within a job. In running a fundraise campaign, the founder should consider it their full-time job. Their startup duties should be handled by someone else for the time it takes to raise the round. Some investors will come in more easily than others. For those investors who want to be in the deal and are ready to join, have them sign the investment documents. This is often done with a convertible note in which the valuation is not set. Most investors will require time and attention to close. The lead investor, in particular, will take time to negotiate the valuation and other deal terms. Be sure to budget time and attention for the lead investor negotiation. These often take up to two months to complete. In engaging investors, identify the type of investor you are talking to and understand how much time it will take to close the investment. Always continue the fundraising process till the money is in the bank. 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: http://investorconnect.org Check out our other podcasts here: https://investorconnect.org/ For Investors check out: https://tencapital.group/investor-landing/ For Startups check out: https://tencapital.group/company-landing/ For eGuides check out: https://tencapital.group/education/ For upcoming Events, check out https://tencapital.group/events/ For Feedback please contact info@tencapital.group Please follow, share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of Bensound.

In this episode of Investor Connect, Hall Martin speaks with Nader Fathi, CEO of Enlil Technology, about the innovative strides his company is making in the MedTech industry. Based in Campbell, California, Enlil Technology emerged from the Shifa Fame Innovation Hub. Their AI-powered platform brings compliance, product lifecycle, and regulatory traceability into one unified system for medical device and digital health companies. Designed to reduce complexity and enhance operational efficiency, Enlil's platform streamlines processes from concept to commercialization, empowering MedTech companies to navigate FDA and other regulatory pathways efficiently. Nader delves into the genesis of Enlil, explaining how it spun out from the internal needs of Shifa MedTech's portfolio companies. Initially developed to aid in internal compliance and process management, Enlil was commercialized in early 2022 and has rapidly gained traction, adding over 34 companies to its user base. The platform leverages a proprietary AI called Lilly, which aids in search functionalities, report generation, and even automates critical tasks such as FDA submissions, significantly accelerating product development timelines and reducing costs. The conversation also highlights Enlil's go-to-market strategy, including their expansion efforts on the global stage. Despite focusing primarily on the U.S. market in 2022, Enlil has garnered international interest from countries like India, Singapore, and Japan. Nader emphasizes the necessity for startups to implement robust systems early to avoid scalability issues and successfully navigate the complex regulatory environment. Reach out to at nader@enlil.com ________________________________________________________________________ For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at: http://investorconnect.org Check out our other podcasts here: https://investorconnect.org/ For Investors check out: https://tencapital.group/investor-landing/ For Startups check out: https://tencapital.group/company-landing/ For eGuides check out: https:/_/tencapital.group/education/ For upcoming Events, check out https://tencapital.group/events/ For Feedback please contact info@tencapital.group Please follow, share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of Bensound.

Why Use Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. Special Purpose Vehicles or SPVs are the use of a legal entity to gather investors into a startup investment, which takes one place on the cap table. This works well when there are many investors with small-dollar investments. SPVs bring many advantages to the founder, the VC fund, and the angel group leader. Here's a list of advantages: For the VC fund, the SPV allows for the investment into a deal outside of its fund. This works well for follow-on rounds, in which case the VC does not want to add more of their fund into it. For example, the fund can only invest in seed deals, but a portfolio company is now at a later stage and needs more funding. This also works for the angel group that wants to bring investors into the deal with check sizes below the minimum amount. Angels often use the SPV to create syndicates for specific deals that fall outside the investment thesis of the group. Founders find SPVs useful to keep their cap table clean of numerous small investors. Founders often use SPVs to bring in additional investors after other groups have finalized their investment. Consider using an SPV 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: http://investorconnect.org Check out our other podcasts here: https://investorconnect.org/ For Investors check out: https://tencapital.group/investor-landing/ For Startups check out: https://tencapital.group/company-landing/ For eGuides check out: https://tencapital.group/education/ For upcoming Events, check out https://tencapital.group/events/ For Feedback please contact info@tencapital.group Please follow, share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of Bensound.

Advantages of a Venture Studio Model Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. There are several models for running a VC fund. The venture studio model is one of them. It brings additional support to the startup. The venture studio creates a set of startups in a sector with various skills and capabilities. As the startups progress, some raise funding while others do not. Some startups are able to sell their product while others are not. As startups stall or shut down, the team members can move to other startups in the group that are succeeding. Here are the advantages of a venture studio model: The venture studio model brings an advantage to startups in finding talent. The venture studio is able to leverage the skills of the entire cohort into a few successful startups that succeed. The studio is able to share experience from one startup with the others. The venture fund is able to take on earlier-stage deals as it has the ability to test, filter, and build successful ones. Consider the venture studio model 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: http://investorconnect.org Check out our other podcasts here: https://investorconnect.org/ For Investors check out: https://tencapital.group/investor-landing/ For Startups check out: https://tencapital.group/company-landing/ For eGuides check out: https://tencapital.group/education/ For upcoming Events, check out https://tencapital.group/events/ For Feedback please contact info@tencapital.group Please follow, share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of Bensound.

Are You Ready To Be a Public Company? Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. Successful startups have several exit options. Going public on the exchange is one of them. Here is the test to know if your startup is ready to be a public company: Can you provide a 20% annual growth rate for the next five years? This typically requires a stable customer base that is locked in. This often shows up in high customer retention rates. It can be seen in the use of the product with high daily active use rates. Do you have an operations level that is consistent with other public companies in your sector? Expenses growing at 85% of the rate of revenue or less is a good indicator. This improves margins over the course of time. Can you accurately predict your sales revenue over the next twelve months? Public investors expect the company to beat its forecast by 5% each quarter. To do so, the company needs to have a stable revenue stream. Consider these points before taking your startup public. 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: http://investorconnect.org Check out our other podcasts here: https://investorconnect.org/ For Investors check out: https://tencapital.group/investor-landing/ For Startups check out: https://tencapital.group/company-landing/ For eGuides check out: https://tencapital.group/education/ For upcoming Events, check out https://tencapital.group/events/ For Feedback please contact info@tencapital.group Please follow, share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of Bensound.

The Challenge of Startup Investing Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. Startup investing is one of the most difficult asset classes to pursue. Information about the potential of the startup is often scarce and always opaque. Some information is available, but the early signs provide only scant information. Investors are torn between the fear of missing out on a good deal and the fear of getting caught up into a bad one. One must make an investment choice before all the information becomes available. Otherwise, other investors will come and take it over. Startup investing is unique among investment options because the upside is truly unlimited. Almost all other investments have limits. Startups do not, and this is what fuels the investors' fear of missing out. Most investors know that they can't afford to miss the home runs. The losses from the others will be too great unless one has a home run hit. To resolve this dilemma, investors look for additional information. They look for every piece of information they can to find evidence that it will be a success. Startup founders should take note of this dilemma and provide updates to assuage their fear. 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: http://investorconnect.org Check out our other podcasts here: https://investorconnect.org/ For Investors check out: https://tencapital.group/investor-landing/ For Startups check out: https://tencapital.group/company-landing/ For eGuides check out: https://tencapital.group/education/ For upcoming Events, check out https://tencapital.group/events/ For Feedback please contact info@tencapital.group Please follow, share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of Bensound.

Understand Why the Investor Said 'No' Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. In pitching investors, the founder will hear 'no' many times. Without understanding why, the fundraising process can turn into a slog. By understanding why the investor said 'no', the founder can turn it into an educational experience. Here are some common reasons why investors say 'no'. There's no momentum or traction. If all you have is an idea, it can be hard for the investor to share your vision. The team is not complete and sufficient for the task at hand. Take a hard look at the team to see what the investor sees. Would you invest in a company with this team? There are too many missing pieces. There may be no shipping product, clearly defined customer, or target market. Make sure you have a clear focus on these factors, as the investor will consider these to be table stakes. The pitch may not convey all the values in the startup. Make sure the pitch is complete and communicates the value proposition well. Go to the next step to figure out why the investor said 'no'. Then use it to improve 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: http://investorconnect.org Check out our other podcasts here: https://investorconnect.org/ For Investors check out: https://tencapital.group/investor-landing/ For Startups check out: https://tencapital.group/company-landing/ For eGuides check out: https://tencapital.group/education/ For upcoming Events, check out https://tencapital.group/events/ For Feedback please contact info@tencapital.group Please follow, share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of Bensound.

In this episode of Investor Connect, Hall T. Martin delves into the intricacies of venture capital in Middle America with Triet Nguyen, a principal at Render Capital. Based in Louisville, Kentucky, Triet discusses Render Capital's focus on high agency founders who are driving essential infrastructure and innovative technologies in often overlooked markets. Triet elaborates on how Render Capital remains competitive by fostering strong regional relationships and emphasizing less-tapped markets away from the coastal regions. He also highlights Render's distinctive approach to deal selection, emphasizing the importance of high agency in founders, along with strategies for navigating and thriving in the unique venture landscapes of the South and Midwest. The conversation covers the tactics Render employs to support underrepresented entrepreneurs and insights into effective portfolio construction for emerging ecosystems. Triet also provides a detailed look into how Render Capital backs its investments with meaningful post-investment support and innovative funding vehicles tailored to the nuanced needs of Middle American startups. Reach out to at www.linkedin.com/company/render-capital/ , and on triet@render.capital _________________________________________________________ For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at: http://investorconnect.org Check out our other podcasts here: https://investorconnect.org/ For Investors check out: https://tencapital.group/investor-landing/ For Startups check out: https://tencapital.group/company-landing/ For eGuides check out: https:/_/tencapital.group/education/ For upcoming Events, check out https://tencapital.group/events/ For Feedback please contact info@tencapital.group Please follow, share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of Bensound.

Key Factors in Raising a VC Fund Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. In raising a VC fund, there are key factors that will lead to a successful outcome. Here's a list of key success factors: Providing value add to the relationship. For example, make introductions between two Limited Partners who may benefit from knowing each other. Educate the LPs so they understand the industry better. Investors love to learn insights about a sector they are investing in. Fast follow-up shows you value the relationship. Return calls quickly to show how important the relationship is. Gain endorsement from LPs, founders, and other VC funds. A good standing in the industry helps burnish the reputation. Build a robust program with well-defined processes. LPs will appreciate a strong operational team in place. Finally, build a relationship with the Limited partner. An authentic relationship will bring many benefits throughout the life of the fund. Consider these factors in raising 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: http://investorconnect.org Check out our other podcasts here: https://investorconnect.org/ For Investors check out: https://tencapital.group/investor-landing/ For Startups check out: https://tencapital.group/company-landing/ For eGuides check out: https://tencapital.group/education/ For upcoming Events, check out https://tencapital.group/events/ For Feedback please contact info@tencapital.group Please follow, share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of Bensound.

How To Create Momentum in Your VC Fundraise Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. In raising a VC fund, it's important to create momentum in the fundraise. This helps carry the campaign through the ups and downs that come with fundraising. Here are a few steps to create momentum: Before launching the fundraise, obtain commitments from one or two Limited Partners. LPs with a brand name or reputation work best. This motivates other LPs to consider the fund. Show progress through the fundraising process with updates to the prospective Limited Partners. Demonstrating traction helps build momentum. Use content to show how the investment thesis of the fund stands out from the crowd. Highlight trends and inflection points that indicate how the position of the fund is gaining momentum. Offer informational sessions to educate the investor about the fund. This creates a deeper understanding of how it will work. Gain endorsements from leading figures in the industry. Investors look for momentum in the deals they fund. Consider how to use these tools to build momentum into your VC 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: http://investorconnect.org Check out our other podcasts here: https://investorconnect.org/ For Investors check out: https://tencapital.group/investor-landing/ For Startups check out: https://tencapital.group/company-landing/ For eGuides check out: https://tencapital.group/education/ For upcoming Events, check out https://tencapital.group/events/ For Feedback please contact info@tencapital.group Please follow, share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of Bensound.

Closing a Limited Partner Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. In raising funds, the VC fund manager needs the ability to close Limited Partners. Here are some closing techniques to consider: FOMO The Fear of Missing Out is one of the most often used techniques for closing. To use this, the fund manager must demonstrate how other investors are coming into the fund. It's best to create some scarcity by showing the current capacity left in the fund and then comparing it to the interest from the investors. To do so, calculate the interest and committed funds to show the fund is potentially oversubscribed. For example, the fund is raising $50M, and has $40M invested so far. Show the interested and committed funds at $25M. This shows there's more interest than fund capacity. Deadlines Break the raise into rounds or tranches and run deadline campaigns. When the fund reaches two-thirds of the capacity of the round, then declare a deadline in six to eight weeks. This forces investors to make decisions or risk missing that round. Incentives Offer incentives to investors who come in by a certain date. This could be warrants, advisor shares, fee discounts, preferred returns, or follow-on investment opportunities. Consider these techniques to help close the fund round. 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: http://investorconnect.org Check out our other podcasts here: https://investorconnect.org/ For Investors check out: https://tencapital.group/investor-landing/ For Startups check out: https://tencapital.group/company-landing/ For eGuides check out: https://tencapital.group/education/ For upcoming Events, check out https://tencapital.group/events/ For Feedback please contact info@tencapital.group Please follow, share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of Bensound.

Marketing documents for a VC fund Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. In raising funds from Limited Partners, make sure to prepare the following marketing materials: Website. The website should reflect the values of the general partners and details about the fund. This is the first place investors go to learn more. Pitchdeck. Just as startups use a pitchdeck to communicate their deal, a VC fund needs a pitchdeck to present to Limited Partners. One pager. A one-pager describes the overview of the fund, including investment thesis, track record, and bios of the general partners. Due diligence questionnaire. It's a summary of the fund and how it compares to others, such as ESG funds. Data room. The basic documents and records of the fund should be in one place that LPs can access. Track record. A spreadsheet showing the track record of the fund with all the basic metrics, including TVPI, DPI, and IRR. Limited Partnership Agreement. This document lays out the details of the fund, including investment thesis, capital calls, management fees, and distributions. Private Placement Memorandum. This document highlights the financial characteristics of the fund and the risks associated with the investment. Make sure you have these documents ready 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: http://investorconnect.org Check out our other podcasts here: https://investorconnect.org/ For Investors check out: https://tencapital.group/investor-landing/ For Startups check out: https://tencapital.group/company-landing/ For eGuides check out: https://tencapital.group/education/ For upcoming Events, check out https://tencapital.group/events/ For Feedback please contact info@tencapital.group Please follow, share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of Bensound.

The Ideal Investor Profile of a VC Fund Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. To find the ideal investors for your VC fund, consider the following: Value proposition What is the value proposition of the fund? Answering this question will narrow the field of investors dramatically. What is the solution your fund offers? This could be funding women-led businesses, startups using the latest technology or others. What community do you have? Investors that fit your fund are looking to join a like-minded community. Return expectations The fund's return will determine which type of investor will consider it. Competitive advantage What advantage does your fund have over other funds in the space? Uniqueness Does your fund stand out or does it get lost in the crowd of many others? Consider how to communicate these characteristics of your fund to prospective investors. Use this criteria to guide your search for Limited Partners for your 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: http://investorconnect.org Check out our other podcasts here: https://investorconnect.org/ For Investors check out: https://tencapital.group/investor-landing/ For Startups check out: https://tencapital.group/company-landing/ For eGuides check out: https://tencapital.group/education/ For upcoming Events, check out https://tencapital.group/events/ For Feedback please contact info@tencapital.group Please follow, share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of Bensound.

In this episode of Investor Connect, Hall Martin speaks with Robert Tucci, Managing Director of Texas Halo Fund. With a career spanning life sciences, technology, and capital, Robert provides insights into the fund's investment thesis, which has evolved since its inception in 2012 as a spin-out from the Houston Angel Network. The discussion delves into the critical factors that make a deal fundable, highlighting the importance of de-risked, short-term investments, particularly in the current climate of uncertainty in private equity and venture capital markets. Robert also offers a detailed overview of how Texas Halo Fund's due diligence process differentiates opportunities and addresses common failure points, particularly in life sciences versus digital and other sectors. He stresses the significance of management quality and the potential pitfalls of overvaluation in startups. The conversation further explores the innovation ecosystem in Texas, particularly the strengths of regions like Houston in life sciences and Austin in digital technologies. Robert underscores the value of co-investors and strong leadership in syndication and the benefits of programs like CPRIT. He also hints at potential opportunities for new funds and collaborations with interested investors. Visit Texas HALO Fund at /www.texashalofund.com/ Reach out to at rob.tucci@texashalofund.com.com , and on www.linkedin.com/company/texashalofund/ _________________________________________________________ For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at: http://investorconnect.org Check out our other podcasts here: https://investorconnect.org/ For Investors check out: https://tencapital.group/investor-landing/ For Startups check out: https://tencapital.group/company-landing/ For eGuides check out: https:/_/tencapital.group/education/ For upcoming Events, check out https://tencapital.group/events/ For Feedback please contact info@tencapital.group Please follow, share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of Bensound.

VC Fund References Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. Limited partners considering an investment in a VC fund should check the references. Here's a list of references to consider: Other funds the VC has worked with before. This could be in the form of a syndicate for funding startups. Entrepreneur network. This is the list of startup founders the fund has in their network. Limited partner references. This is the list of current and previous investors the fund has worked with before Community leaders. This is the list of community leaders the fund has interacted with before. Followers. This includes the social media followers of the fund. The fund is more than just an investment vehicle. Include these in the VC fund investor documents. The VC fund is a network of people, a brand with a promise, and a community of followers. Consider how to build these elements into your 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: http://investorconnect.org Check out our other podcasts here: https://investorconnect.org/ For Investors check out: https://tencapital.group/investor-landing/ For Startups check out: https://tencapital.group/company-landing/ For eGuides check out: https://tencapital.group/education/ For upcoming Events, check out https://tencapital.group/events/ For Feedback please contact info@tencapital.group Please follow, share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of Bensound.

VC Fund Track Record Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. Limited Partners in VC funds look at the team's track record and also that of previous funds. Here's a list of key metrics to disclose about your track record: Total Value to Paid in (TVPI) Compares the value of realized gains and the estimated value of remaining assets to the total amount of capital raised. Net IRR. Calculates the Internal Rate of Return on the funds distributed, which is the net present value of all cash flows. Graduation rate. The number of investments that raised a follow-on round of funding. Follow on investors. The existence of investors who followed up with additional funding. Key investments. A list of standout investments showcasing the strength of the investment thesis. Write-offs. The number of investments that have been written off. The fewer, the better Value distribution. The number of investments making a return for the fund. The more the better. Include these numbers in your VC 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: http://investorconnect.org Check out our other podcasts here: https://investorconnect.org/ For Investors check out: https://tencapital.group/investor-landing/ For Startups check out: https://tencapital.group/company-landing/ For eGuides check out: https://tencapital.group/education/ For upcoming Events, check out https://tencapital.group/events/ For Feedback please contact info@tencapital.group Please follow, share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of Bensound.

How LPs Test the VC Fund Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. Limited Partners test VC funds before investing. Here's a list of the criteria LPs use to test the fund: Does the fund have a track record that is compelling? Does the fund fit an open slot in the LPs asset allocation? Does the fund manager have access to deals the LP does not? Does the fund manager have the ability to construct a better portfolio than the LP? Can the fund manager better support the startup than the LP? Does the fund bring access to other LPs who can provide value to the portfolio? Does the fund have LPs that bring credibility to the fund itself? Does the fund require a high minimum investment? Does the fund's minimum investment require the LP to take on debt? Does the fund charge below, above, or standard fees? There are many funds available to the Limited Partner. Consider these points in preparing a pitch to an LP for your 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: http://investorconnect.org Check out our other podcasts here: https://investorconnect.org/ For Investors check out: https://tencapital.group/investor-landing/ For Startups check out: https://tencapital.group/company-landing/ For eGuides check out: https://tencapital.group/education/ For upcoming Events, check out https://tencapital.group/events/ For Feedback please contact info@tencapital.group Please follow, share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of Bensound.

Types of Limited Partners for a VC Fund Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. In raising a VC fund, there are several types of limited partners. Here's a list to consider: High networth individual This is a person who has a net worth of over a million dollars available for investment. They often participate as an active investor. Ultra high net worth individual. This is a person who has a net worth of over $5M available for investment. They can make higher levels of investment and often want a controlling position in the management of the fund. Single-family office. This is a family office entity representing one family. They invest along a more specific investment thesis, but can be patient money. Multi-family office. This is a family office entity that represents several families. They invest in a more risk-averse manner. Corporate This is a larger company that makes investments for strategic purposes. They invest to gain access to new technologies and industries. Institutions. These are pension funds, endowments, and foundations. They invest along a more strict governance structure. Consider these types of limited partners for your 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: http://investorconnect.org Check out our other podcasts here: https://investorconnect.org/ For Investors check out: https://tencapital.group/investor-landing/ For Startups check out: https://tencapital.group/company-landing/ For eGuides check out: https://tencapital.group/education/ For upcoming Events, check out https://tencapital.group/events/ For Feedback please contact info@tencapital.group Please follow, share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of Bensound.

Shutting Down a Startup 2 Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. Not all startups succeed. For those that don't, there may come a time to shut it down. Here are some key points to consider in shutting down a startup: Before announcing the shutdown, collect all accounts receivable. Sell any inventory left on hand. Notify investors first so they are aware. Notify employees and give them their last pay date. Notify your customers of the transition to a new service or program. Liquidate all assets. Pay taxes and payroll withholding. Pay off outstanding debt as much as possible. File IRS forms related to employment tax. Close the bank account. Dispose of any remaining assets. This may include patents, trademarks, and other intellectual property, as well as physical assets. Finally, dissolve the legal entity. The shutdown process can take some time as each of the steps above requires time to complete. Consider these steps in shutting down a 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: http://investorconnect.org Check out our other podcasts here: https://investorconnect.org/ For Investors check out: https://tencapital.group/investor-landing/ For Startups check out: https://tencapital.group/company-landing/ For eGuides check out: https://tencapital.group/education/ For upcoming Events, check out https://tencapital.group/events/ For Feedback please contact info@tencapital.group Please follow, share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of Bensound.

In this episode of Investor Connect, Hall Martin speaks with Henning Schwinum, the co-founder and managing partner of Vendux, a company specializing in connecting businesses with fractional, interim, and full-time sales leaders. Henning shares his journey from a 25-year career in global sales and leadership roles to identifying a gap in the market for senior sales leadership in fast-growing companies that aren't ready for a full-time executive. This led to the creation of Vendux, a specialized marketplace for fractional sales leaders. Henning explains the concept of 'sales leadership capital' and the importance of investing in the talent, processes, and technology needed to build a successful sales function. He also discusses the 'perfect match system,' a proprietary technology used by Vendex to match businesses with the right sales leaders based on detailed criteria. The conversation delves into the state of fractional sales leadership, touching upon trends, compensation, and the growing acceptance of fractional roles across various industries. Henning highlights the benefits of fractional executives in de-risking go-to-market strategies for startups and scaling efforts that are often out of reach for small sales teams. The discussion includes real-world examples, emphasizing the impact of fractional sales leaders on pipeline quality, win rates, and accelerated growth. Henning also shares his insights on the evolving ecosystem supporting fractional executives, which includes agencies, marketplaces, and education platforms. As the episode wraps up, Henning offers advice for founders considering the fractional route, emphasizing the importance of finding the right match for specific problems and growth stages. He also highlights the role of the Fractional Leadership Alliance, an industry association that amplifies the voice of the fractional executive community. Visit Vendux at www.vendux.org/ Reach out to at www.linkedin.com/company/vendux-sales-leadership-capital/ , and on henning.schwinum@vendux.org _________________________________________________________ For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at: http://investorconnect.org Check out our other podcasts here: https://investorconnect.org/ For Investors check out: https://tencapital.group/investor-landing/ For Startups check out: https://tencapital.group/company-landing/ For eGuides check out: https:/_/tencapital.group/education/ For upcoming Events, check out https://tencapital.group/events/ For Feedback please contact info@tencapital.group Please follow, share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of Bensound.

Best Practices for Launching a Startup Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. Many founders have unrealistic expectations and misguided notions about how startups work. Here's a list of best practices to consider for launching a startup: Don't bank on the idea alone. Startups need more than a great idea; they need execution. Launch as soon as you can. Delaying the launch means delaying customer interaction, which is the key driver in the early days. Build momentum into the business. Investors will look for momentum and traction to fund the deal. Choose painkiller solutions over vitamin solutions. Pick a problem that customers consider a painkiller, as it will be easier to sell. Generate revenue and happy users. This will give you momentum in the fundraising process. Strive for product market fit. This is a demand outstripping the supply. Consider these points in launching 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: http://investorconnect.org Check out our other podcasts here: https://investorconnect.org/ For Investors check out: https://tencapital.group/investor-landing/ For Startups check out: https://tencapital.group/company-landing/ For eGuides check out: https://tencapital.group/education/ For upcoming Events, check out https://tencapital.group/events/ For Feedback please contact info@tencapital.group Please follow, share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of Bensound.

The Value of LTV:CAC Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. The Lifetime Value to Cost of Customer Acquisition ratio is called LTV:CAC and is a useful ratio in determining the health of a startup. To calculate the Lifetime value, take the monthly revenue and divide by the churn rate. To calculate the Cost of Customer Acquisition, take the number of new customers for a month and divide by the cost of sales and marketing for that month. Compare the LTV to CAC to determine the ratio. The ratio must be at least 3:1 to prove the business viable. The higher the LTV:CAC, the higher the gross margins and profit margins. This provides a greater reinvestment rate into the business. Investors place a higher valuation on startups with higher LTV:CAC ratios. SaaS businesses often have a 5:1 LTV:CAC, which comes from the recurring revenue. SaaS businesses at the Series A level often have a 7:1 LTV:CAC. The higher the multiple, the higher the growth rate for the company. Check the LTV:CAC rate of a startup to determine its growth prospects. 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: http://investorconnect.org Check out our other podcasts here: https://investorconnect.org/ For Investors check out: https://tencapital.group/investor-landing/ For Startups check out: https://tencapital.group/company-landing/ For eGuides check out: https://tencapital.group/education/ For upcoming Events, check out https://tencapital.group/events/ For Feedback please contact info@tencapital.group Please follow, share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of Bensound.

When To Sell Your Business Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. Startup founders receive buyout offers throughout the life of the business. Even in the early days of the startup, they have the opportunity to sell the company. At each round of funding, the founder has the choice to raise more funding or sell it. Here's a list of reasons to sell the business: The founder no longer wants to run or own the business. The business no longer appears to have a future due to changes in the market or competition. The offer is outsized in valuation due to unusual circumstances. There's a strategic reason for selling the business that furthers the founders and investors goals. The founder should consult the investors before selling. In some cases, it may be better to shut down the business rather than sell it. Selling the business takes time and preparation to do it properly. Consider these points in deciding to sell your 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: http://investorconnect.org Check out our other podcasts here: https://investorconnect.org/ For Investors check out: https://tencapital.group/investor-landing/ For Startups check out: https://tencapital.group/company-landing/ For eGuides check out: https://tencapital.group/education/ For upcoming Events, check out https://tencapital.group/events/ For Feedback please contact info@tencapital.group Please follow, share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of Bensound.

The Challenge of Regulation Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. Regulation by the government of an industry is meant to protect customers and provide a level playing field for the companies. The downside to regulation is that it inhibits innovation. It often favors the incumbents in an industry and makes it difficult for startups to succeed. It makes market entry for new players more expensive. The existing players form advocacy groups that lobby the government for their point of view. Regulation often snuffs out competition for the existing players. It keeps costs high, which limits the number of users in the space. It prevents new innovations that the incumbents may not want to adopt since it would come at a high cost. Some industries move abroad to find acceptance for the new technology, citing the challenges in the US. In short, regulation drives the cost up and the innovation down. As an investor in startups, consider the regulatory environment before investing in a particular industry. Understand the impact of regulation on the startup's growth prospects. 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. _________________________________________________________ Thank you for joining your host Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at: http://investorconnect.org Check out our other podcasts here: https://investorconnect.org/ For Investors check out: https://tencapital.group/investor-landing/ For Startups check out: https://tencapital.group/company-landing/ For eGuides check out: https://tencapital.group/education/ For upcoming Events, check out https://tencapital.group/events/ For Feedback please contact info@tencapital.group Please follow, share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of Bensound.

In this episode of Investor Connect, Hall T. Martin welcomes Mike Sloan, the founder and CEO of Simple Labs. Mike introduces the audience to Cogni, a ground-breaking device designed to address some of the major challenges in the wine and spirits industry, such as product loss due to evaporation and spoilage. With real-time monitoring, Cogni provides distilleries and wineries valuable insights, allowing them to better manage their product quality and significantly increase their return on investment. Mike emphasizes the importance of continuous barrel monitoring and how Cogni's integration of ML and AI technologies offers unprecedented data visibility and efficiency. Already conducting beta tests and receiving positive industry feedback, Simple Labs aims to launch in the bourbon and wine markets, with expansion plans to service a global market. With strong financials, a dedicated team, and a pipeline of potential clients, Simple Labs is poised to disrupt and innovate within this traditional sector. Tune in to learn more about Mike's journey, the technology behind Cogni, and the promising future of Simple Labs in optimizing the wine and spirits production process. _________________________________________________________ For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at: http://investorconnect.org Check out our other podcasts here: https://investorconnect.org/ For Investors check out: https://tencapital.group/investor-landing/ For Startups check out: https://tencapital.group/company-landing/ For eGuides check out: https:/_/tencapital.group/education/ For upcoming Events, check out https://tencapital.group/events/ For Feedback please contact info@tencapital.group Please follow, share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of Bensound.

How To Monitor Your Sales Forecast Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. Forecasting revenue is an important skill because investors want visibility into it. To forecast better, use the Trailing Four Months model. In this model, calculate the growth rate by taking the average of the growth rate over the last four months. Use this growth rate to forecast the remainder of the year. Do the same for burn rate. Set up a spreadsheet that calculates this automatically at the end of each month. This will give you an ongoing estimate for the year. It compares sales and burn. This takes the guesswork out of forecasting and gives the investors a data-driven forecast. Knowing where the company stands is important in making decisions. Share this model with investors so they can track your progress. Monitor your sales forecast with the trailing four-month model to understand where the company stands. 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: http://investorconnect.org Check out our other podcasts here: https://investorconnect.org/ For Investors check out: https://tencapital.group/investor-landing/ For Startups check out: https://tencapital.group/company-landing/ For eGuides check out: https://tencapital.group/education/ For upcoming Events, check out https://tencapital.group/events/ For Feedback please contact info@tencapital.group Please follow, share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of Bensound.

Mistakes in Scaling the Startup Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. The seed stage grows the business from 0 to $1M. The growth stage grows from $1M to $10M. The scaling stage grows from $10M to $100M. Here are the most common mistakes founders make at the scaling stage: They stop working on sales to focus on other areas of the business. The founder can never stop working on sales. They fail to control the burn. The burn rate must be managed throughout the life of the business. They fail to keep up with the competition. The competition will continually challenge the startup, and it must be managed. They look to hire "rock star" players. These rarely work out in the long run, as they often don't fit the culture. Failing to keep up with the product. As the company grows, the product continues to grow so it's important for the founder to keep up with it. Overestimating sales capacity. Founders often overestimate how much the team can manage. Reaching for the upmarket. Startups often try to move upmarket to gain a higher dollar sale per customer. Doing this at the expense of the core business is detrimental. Consider these mistakes in scaling the 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: http://investorconnect.org Check out our other podcasts here: https://investorconnect.org/ For Investors check out: https://tencapital.group/investor-landing/ For Startups check out: https://tencapital.group/company-landing/ For eGuides check out: https://tencapital.group/education/ For upcoming Events, check out https://tencapital.group/events/ For Feedback please contact info@tencapital.group Please follow, share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of Bensound.

Investors Look for Execution, Not Ideas Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. Startup founders often believe their idea will carry the day with the investor. They propose their idea to spark interest. While that may be a good way to get attention, it will certainly not maintain it for long. Investors look for execution, not ideas. In raising funding, investors look for momentum and traction in the deal. They will look for evidence of execution in sales, team, product, and fundraising. These are the four core areas in which execution lives in a startup. Consider your efforts in those areas in crafting an update to the prospective investor. Showcase that story over a period of time, as execution occurs over time and not in a single moment. Having an idea is interesting. Understanding the customer problem and knowing the domain is helpful. Having a key insight is useful. Showing execution in a consistent manner is the winning ticket for gaining investor attention and interest. Consider these points in pursuing funding from 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: http://investorconnect.org Check out our other podcasts here: https://investorconnect.org/ For Investors check out: https://tencapital.group/investor-landing/ For Startups check out: https://tencapital.group/company-landing/ For eGuides check out: https://tencapital.group/education/ For upcoming Events, check out https://tencapital.group/events/ For Feedback please contact info@tencapital.group Please follow, share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of Bensound.

Lessons From Napoleon for the Startup Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. Napoleon never ran a startup, but his life provides many lessons for the startup founder. Here are some lessons to take away from his life: Underestimating risk -- Napoleon underestimated the harshness of the Russian winter and suffered great losses. The startup should consider carefully the market to pursue before investing substantial resources. Overconfidence -- Napoleon grew overconfident from his past successes. The startup should consider each opportunity as a new way to succeed or fail. Failure to adapt -- Napoleon refused to modify his traditional plan and suffered losses for it. The startup should adapt to the market conditions and make changes to optimize the team for each stage. Failing to take timing into account -- Napoleon refused to retreat from the Russian campaign and suffered for it. The startup should ask if now is the right time to pursue a market. Overextending -- Napoleon overextended himself in attacking Russia. The startup founder should consider focusing resources on a few key priorities and not spread out over too many. Consider the fate of Napoleon and his attack on Russia as a series of lessons 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: http://investorconnect.org Check out our other podcasts here: https://investorconnect.org/ For Investors check out: https://tencapital.group/investor-landing/ For Startups check out: https://tencapital.group/company-landing/ For eGuides check out: https://tencapital.group/education/ For upcoming Events, check out https://tencapital.group/events/ For Feedback please contact info@tencapital.group Please follow, share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of Bensound.

Aisha Abdallah, ALN Kenya Anjarwalla & Khanna Building world-class disputes practices in Africa — on your own terms. Chris Campbell sits down with Aisha Abdallah, Head of Dispute Resolution at ALN Kenya | Anjarwalla & Khanna, for a powerful conversation on leadership, culture, and the evolution of arbitration and disputes work across Africa. Aisha shares her journey building a female-led, top-tier disputes practice, navigating cross-border commercial conflicts, and challenging misconceptions about legal practice on the African continent. The episode also explores rule of law, mentorship, capacity-building, and why global arbitration must better reflect lived regional expertise. An essential listen for anyone working across borders — or thinking seriously about the future of the profession.

Roman Kramařík, JSK Law Firm Navigation, judgment, and re-imagining arbitration through maps. In this episode of Tales of the Tribunal, Chris Campbell is joined by Dr. Roman Kramarik — arbitrator, partner in Prague, aviation pioneer, and the founder of Arbitration Atlas. Roman reflects on building an independent practice outside Big Law, the value of technical literacy for lawyers, and how his experience as a pilot informs decision-making, leadership, and arbitral judgment. The conversation also dives deep into Arbitration Atlas, a new project mapping procedural and legal differences across jurisdictions in a way the arbitration community has never seen before. A thoughtful, wide-ranging discussion on ethics, perspective, and why arbitration needs better tools — not just more rules.

Product Strategy for AI Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. Artificial intelligence is a disruptive technology that promises tremendous benefits to the tech industry. Current products will be upgraded to use AI. New products will be introduced using AI from the get-go. Here's a list of product strategies for AI: AI-based applications that use large language models called LLMs. This could be a chatbot that replaces a traditional user interface. AI-based networks that leverage AI for performance. This could be a solution that gives a more complete picture of the system. AI-based platforms that enable multiple applications using an AI engine. AI-based marketplaces that enable new features for discovery. Marketplaces are ideal for creating and capturing data, such as the most popular product in a category. Marketplaces also make matches between a buyer and seller. AI can perform more comprehensive matches and provide the buyer with help in finding the right product. AI will find its initial success in creating assistants. An assistant can guide one through a complex process, enhancing the user experience. Consider these product strategies 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: http://investorconnect.org Check out our other podcasts here: https://investorconnect.org/ For Investors check out: https://tencapital.group/investor-landing/ For Startups check out: https://tencapital.group/company-landing/ For eGuides check out: https://tencapital.group/education/ For upcoming Events, check out https://tencapital.group/events/ For Feedback please contact info@tencapital.group Please follow, share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of Bensound.

In this episode of Investor Connect, we welcome Kat Delgadillo and Hall Martin from Ten Capital to discuss their innovative platform connecting startups and investors. Kat and Hall introduce Ten Capital's mission to streamline the investment process, spotlighting their robust event lineup that includes the Family Office Roundtable, Virtual Quick Pitch, and Life Science Syndicate. Ten Capital aids growth companies in securing funding by connecting them with angel groups, VC funds, high-net-worth individuals, and family offices, emphasizing the importance of building relationships between startups and investors. The discussion takes an exciting turn with the introduction of Ava, Ten Capital's new AI venture assistant designed to simplify the startup ecosystem. This advanced chatbot leverages over 500 blogs, podcasts, and tools to assist both investors and founders with personalized investment strategies and fundraising tips. Ava is accessible 24/7 on the Startup Funding Espresso platform, exemplifying the integration of cutting-edge AI technology to facilitate venture capital endeavors. The episode also features a detailed pitch by Nathan Monty of Enamel Pure, a company revolutionizing preventive dentistry with laser and AI technology. Nathan explains how their innovative device improves dental hygiene processes and integrates AI diagnostics, ensuring better patient outcomes. Enamel Pure's strategic partnerships with major distributors and planned monetization strategies highlight the company's significant growth potential. With insights from panelists and further discussions on market positioning and exit strategies, this episode offers a comprehensive look into the intersection of technology, dentistry, and investment. _______________________________________________________ For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at: http://investorconnect.org Check out our other podcasts here: https://investorconnect.org/ For Investors check out: https://tencapital.group/investor-landing/ For Startups check out: https://tencapital.group/company-landing/ For eGuides check out: https:/_/tencapital.group/education/ For upcoming Events, check out https://tencapital.group/events/ For Feedback please contact info@tencapital.group Please follow, share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of Bensound.

Learning From Mistakes Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. A CEO once said, I don't mind people making mistakes. I mind people not learning from them. It's important to learn from mistakes. There are several ways to do this. Learn from your own mistakes. Writing down the mistakes and what you learned helps reinforce your knowledge. Learn from the mistakes of others. This is easier to do in comparison to learning from your own mistakes. There are so many other people making mistakes; there's no shortage of lessons. Consider mistakes as learning opportunities. To learn from your mistakes, recognize what the mistake was and how it happened. What can one take from the mistake to improve in the future? Consider how to avoid the mistake. What caused it, and how can I avoid the same mistake again? Delve into the root cause of the mistake to find a deeper understanding. To do this, ask "why" five times to drill down. Once you identify the root cause, there's a place to start work. Consider these steps in learning from mistakes. 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: http://investorconnect.org Check out our other podcasts here: https://investorconnect.org/ For Investors check out: https://tencapital.group/investor-landing/ For Startups check out: https://tencapital.group/company-landing/ For eGuides check out: https://tencapital.group/education/ For upcoming Events, check out https://tencapital.group/events/ For Feedback please contact info@tencapital.group Please follow, share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of Bensound.

Stages of Technology Adoption Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. Technology adoption goes through several stages over the life of that technology. Here are the steps of adoption: Unknown -- no one knows the technology. Awareness -- some hear about it but don't know what it is. Understanding -- those who know it understand how it works but don't know what to do with it. Belittlement -- those who know it consider it an underperforming technology and discard it as a toy. Usefulness -- some users find use cases for it. Repeat usage -- more users find it helpful and use it repeatedly. Designed in -- the tool becomes embedded into the workflow and is used constantly. Locked in -- the tool is something the user has no choice but to use. Regulated -- the tool becomes so prevalent that it attracts regulatory oversight. In building your product, consider these stages for marketing the technology behind your 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: http://investorconnect.org Check out our other podcasts here: https://investorconnect.org/ For Investors check out: https://tencapital.group/investor-landing/ For Startups check out: https://tencapital.group/company-landing/ For eGuides check out: https://tencapital.group/education/ For upcoming Events, check out https://tencapital.group/events/ For Feedback please contact info@tencapital.group Please follow, share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of Bensound.

Acid Test for Startup Valuation Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. Valuation is a key negotiating factor in startup investing. There are many valuation models available. The most common is the use of comps or comparables to see if the valuation is at market rate. Consider using the acid test for startup valuation. The acid test for startup valuation compares the money invested so far to the proposed pre-money valuation. Some call this the Money-in method. To calculate this value, take the pre-money valuation and divide by the total funding to date. Total funding includes founder funding, investor funding, and non-dilutive funding such as grants. This yields a factor. A factor in the low single digits is a conservative valuation. A factor in the double digits is a speculative one. Most investors look for a factor in the single digits to make an investment. Anything in the double digits requires more investigation to understand the value proposition of the business. Consider this metric in reviewing the valuation of a 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: http://investorconnect.org Check out our other podcasts here: https://investorconnect.org/ For Investors check out: https://tencapital.group/investor-landing/ For Startups check out: https://tencapital.group/company-landing/ For eGuides check out: https://tencapital.group/education/ For upcoming Events, check out https://tencapital.group/events/ For Feedback please contact info@tencapital.group Please follow, share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of Bensound.

Innovation Looks Trivial in the Early Days Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. In the early days of a startup, innovation can look trivial. Innovation is often applied to the lower end of the market. New technologies often start as simple devices or applications. These devices have minimal functionality and lack robust features. In vetting startups, look past the minimal functionality to the rate of change of the technology. While today it may seem trivial, a fast growth rate can move it into a more competitive position. Look at the underlying growth driver. For example, semiconductors double their density every eighteen months. Genomics brings an even higher growth rate. It's these drivers that determine the trajectory of a startup's product. Startups that leverage growth drivers are positioned to succeed over time. The incumbents often dismiss startups because their initial solution underperforms the current competition. Over time, the startup's product will outperform. Consider this in evaluating startups for 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: http://investorconnect.org Check out our other podcasts here: https://investorconnect.org/ For Investors check out: https://tencapital.group/investor-landing/ For Startups check out: https://tencapital.group/company-landing/ For eGuides check out: https://tencapital.group/education/ For upcoming Events, check out https://tencapital.group/events/ For Feedback please contact info@tencapital.group Please follow, share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of Bensound.

Hiring a Professional CEO Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. Startup founders take the CEO position because they bring the vision and passion to launch the company. They know the domain and are building the core product and go-to-market strategy. They are the ultimate authority at the company. As the company grows and then scales, there comes a time for a professional CEO. Here's a list of key characteristics to look for in a professional CEO: One who has experience managing a large company. They've grown and exited companies in the past. They bring a network to the process for growing the company and finding an exit. They know how to transition the company from the founding CEO. They are good at processes and programs. They understand the product development process and can manage it in the company. Founders are often at their best in innovating and launching startups. They often do better by turning over the reins of the business to a professional CEO when the company no longer needs the founder's skills. 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: http://investorconnect.org Check out our other podcasts here: https://investorconnect.org/ For Investors check out: https://tencapital.group/investor-landing/ For Startups check out: https://tencapital.group/company-landing/ For eGuides check out: https://tencapital.group/education/ For upcoming Events, check out https://tencapital.group/events/ For Feedback please contact info@tencapital.group Please follow, share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of Bensound.

How Startups Can Make Better Forecasts Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. Forecasting is a key skill founders need for raising funding. Investors want to know the founders' expectations for the business with the funds raised. Here are some key steps to make better forecasts: Start with a baseline. If the startup has revenue, then use that as the starting point. If the startup is pre-revenue, then look to similar startups to set a baseline. Determine the drivers behind the revenue. This could be leads generated, clients viewing a demonstration, or other. Determine how much can be done with the team proposed. Focus on the customers signed up rather than a percentage of the available market. Use the sales cycle for the product to determine lead times. The more you know about your customer buying cycles, the more accurate your forecasts. This is called a bottom-up analysis. For predicting explosive growth, look for trends in the market that can drive hyper sales growth. Look to other startups for their sales forecast to calibrate your own. Consider these points in making better forecasts. 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: http://investorconnect.org Check out our other podcasts here: https://investorconnect.org/ For Investors check out: https://tencapital.group/investor-landing/ For Startups check out: https://tencapital.group/company-landing/ For eGuides check out: https://tencapital.group/education/ For upcoming Events, check out https://tencapital.group/events/ For Feedback please contact info@tencapital.group Please follow, share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of Bensound.

How To Build an Elevator Pitch Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. The elevator pitch is the short form of your startup pitch. It introduces the deal to an investor and gives the key highlights. The goal is not to tell them everything but rather to intrigue them to learn more about it. Here's how to build an elevator pitch: State in five words or fewer what the startup does. Show two examples of the impact of the startup using numbers. This could be exploding revenue, such as "We're seeing 50% month over month growth." It could have an impact on the community, such as "We help feed 5000 children a week." State the goal of the startup, such as "We're looking to reach a break-even in 4 months." Choose three words that best describe your startup and work them into the pitch. Choose three phrases that best describe your startup and build them into the pitch. The keywords will help the audience understand the context. The catch phrases will help the audience understand what the startup does. Consider these steps in building your elevator 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: http://investorconnect.org Check out our other podcasts here: https://investorconnect.org/ For Investors check out: https://tencapital.group/investor-landing/ For Startups check out: https://tencapital.group/company-landing/ For eGuides check out: https://tencapital.group/education/ For upcoming Events, check out https://tencapital.group/events/ For Feedback please contact info@tencapital.group Please follow, share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of Bensound.