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In this episode of Investor Connect, Hall T. Martin sits down with Brett Striker, founder of Traction with Brett and a certified implementer of the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS). Brett shares his journey from building and selling two companies to helping other leaders gain traction in their businesses through EOS. He delves into the challenges founders face in scaling operations and how the EOS framework addresses these issues by driving clarity, accountability, and alignment across teams. Brett also discusses the benefits investors see when their portfolio companies adopt EOS, from improved execution to better valuation and reduced risk. For those interested in how EOS can transform their business, Brett offers insights and advice based on his extensive experience and success in implementing this powerful system. Reach out to at brett.striker@eosworldwide.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.

Revenue First, Salaries Second Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. In launching a startup, the first goal is to generate revenue. Salaries come later and in some cases much later. Some founders look to the startup as a source of income. Fundraising from investors is not the answer to the salary question. Investors will not fund a startup that can't generate enough revenue to prove the market wants it. Fundraising comes into play when there's product and market validation. The product works, and customers will pay for it. Founders often take second jobs to pay their bills while the revenue ramps up. Once revenue is established and growing, then salaries come into the picture. It's often the case that the second job becomes a part-time job. Later, those part-time jobs will go away. Building a startup is hard work. Before launching, identify the path to revenue generation through an initial product. Selling will be the primary goal of everyone on the team every day. As a founder, consider how you can reduce your cost of living for a period of time while you ramp up the business. Investors look for commitment in founders who can make this situation work. It's tough, but it's doable. 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.

Drawing Fundraising Skills From Other Areas Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. Fundraising requires a set of skills. Those skills can be found in other areas. Here's a list of skills and where to find them: Sales. Fundraising is fundamentally a sales process. One can transfer selling skills to fundraising. Marketing. Fundraising requires the ability to reach out to the investors to convey a message. One can use their marketing skills in promoting the fundraising campaign. Financial. Fundraising requires a basic knowledge of finances. One can use financial literacy from other areas and apply it to fundraising. Communications. Fundraising requires the ability to communicate with others. One can use communication skills in pitching to investors. People management. Fundraising can leverage a team effort. One can use the human resources to enable fundraising. Consider these skills for your fundraising. Thank you for joining us for the Startup Funding Espresso where we help startups and investors connect for funding. Let's go startup something today. _________________________________________________________ For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at: 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.

Valid Reasons for Raising Funding Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. There are many valid reasons for raising funding. Here's a list of reasons to consider for your fundraiser: The business is growing and is now ready to scale. It can be hard to bootstrap a scaling effort. There's a clear need for a minimum viable product to establish the product and market validation. It takes some funding to build an MVP. The startup is seeking to prepare for a Series A raise, and the metrics are not yet aligned with the target investor's fund requirements. It can take additional funding to prepare to raise a Series A with an institutional investor. Here are some reasons that are not valid: The founder needs a salary to pay rent. The founder wants to hire a number of people, but doesn't know exactly what they will do. The founder wants to quit their day job to work full-time on the startup. The founder doesn't want to spend time on sales and wants to hire someone else to do it for them. A valid reason to raise funding comes down to building a key deliverable for 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.

Why Do Some Startups Raise Funding Quickly? Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. Some startups seem to raise funding quickly and with great ease. The press coverage of startups often leads the reader to believe that the round closed in a short amount of time. In most cases, the startup spent substantial time planning and then campaigning to raise the funding. It appeared easy because the hard work was done before the campaign launched. The founder starts six months before the campaign launches. They researched and built a strategy for the campaign. They then prepared the documents and digital assets for it. Most founders contact ten to twenty investors to check interest in a potential investment. This often tells them the concerns the investor may have about the deal. The founder then mitigates that risk. All of this goes on before the fundraiser begins. It takes seven touches to close a sale, so it takes seven touches to close an investor. Start that engagement before the campaign starts. Once you have enough interest and potential commitments, then launch the fundraise campaign. For some, the fundraiser looks easy. It's not; they just did the work before the campaign began. 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.

Raising Funding To Be a Unicorn Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. Raising funding for a unicorn seems like a mystical art. The funding rounds are outsized compared to the norm. Here are the key components to raising funding to be a unicorn: The team has exits. If your team doesn't have a history of successful startups, then build out your team with more experience and star power. The team has a known business model that can be applied to a new growth area. This is often a recurring revenue stream built around a new industry segment that is now inflecting upward. The investors are familiar with unicorn deals and have had success with them. Look for early investors in past unicorns as potential investors for your deal. Scalability is the primary concern. Build scalability into your business through recurring revenue, virality, network effects, and more. Have experience with the domain or sales channel prior. Many successful startups have built businesses in the domain prior to becoming a unicorn. This gives the founding team an edge through their network. Consider these points in raising funding to be a unicorn.   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.

Prof. Joongi Kim, Yonsei University From Seoul to The Hague, from the classroom to the tribunal — this week's guest has seen it all. We sit down with Dr. Joongi Kim, Professor of Law at Yonsei University and a leading figure in the development of arbitration across Asia and beyond. In this wide-ranging conversation, Dr. Kim shares: His journey from studying in the U.S. to shaping Korea's arbitration landscape What “K-Arbitration” means and why the world should take notice His perspective on transparency, legitimacy, and reform in ISDS Reflections on mentorship, teaching, and lessons learned from his students Why diversity of thought — not just geography — is essential for the next era of arbitration

In this episode of Investor Connect, Hall T. Martin engages in a compelling conversation with Courtland Imel, a regulatory executive consultant and founder of Ceutical Labs. With over 24 years of experience in FDA compliance, Courtland shares his journey of aiding companies in remaining compliant and the industry's shift towards individualized medicine in the pharmaceutical and biotech sectors.  The discussion also touches on the implications of innovations in medical devices, the use of AI in development, and the regulatory challenges faced by AI-based medical devices. Courtland emphasizes the importance of having a narrow scope for AI-specific devices to gain regulatory approval and highlights the significant strides Ceutical Labs is making with 25 new products under development. He also shares investment insights, strategically focusing on the right talent, partnerships, and financial backing that are essential for scaling biotech startups. Lastly, the episode delves into the shifting landscapes of biotech hubs, the benefits of operating in Texas, and the future growth opportunities for Ceutical Labs.   Visit Ceutical Labs at ceuticallabs.com/  Reach out to at cimel@ceuticallabs.com, and on /www.linkedin.com/company/ceutical-laboratories-inc-/   _______________________________________________________ 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 Components of a Fundraising Strategy Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. Before launching a fundraiser, the founder should first develop a fundraising strategy. This is the plan for how to prepare and then launch a fundraiser campaign. Here are the key components of a fundraising strategy: Identify the problem to solve and ensure it is a substantial problem that will attract investor attention. Build a solution to show that it works, and customers will pay for it. This could be a minimum viable product.  Make a list of family, friends, and other personal connections who can provide funding. The early stage of funding is the hard part and should be done by those who know you. For the rest of the raise, you'll need to show traction, a growth story, and a key insight that drives your business. Traction is revenue that is growing. A growth story shows how your product fits the market and how customers are engaging with it. The key insight is your knowledge of the problem and how to solve it with a unique solution.  The unique solution is your value proposition. Investors look for a competitive advantage, and having a key insight helps. Consider these elements in building your fundraising strategy.   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 Raise Funding for an Idea Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. Startup investors look for revenue traction and momentum in the deal. Those with an idea only can struggle to raise funding, but it can be done.  Here are some key points to consider: Focus on the team, the problem, and the size of the market. Show the strength of the team. The most compelling indicator is the previous startup experience and exits of the team. Highlight the key insight the team has regarding the problem. Show overwhelming evidence that the team can build and sell the product. Show how compelling the problem is with dollar figures and the number of people impacted. Show how other startups are doing well in the sector. This validates that there's a market and others are having success. Show the strong relationships and partnerships the team has with key players in the market. Highlight the immediate opportunities available to the team. Without revenue traction, it's difficult for the investor to know the product will work and the customer will buy it. Raising on an idea alone works best when the target market segment is hot and everyone knows 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.

The Least Talked About Part of Fundraising – Relationship Building Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. In startup fundraising, the discussion focuses on what the investor is looking for. This often comes down to a strong team, traction with the customer, a product with a moat, and momentum in the deal. A key component in raising funding is building a relationship with the investor. There are some startups with enough traction and momentum that carry the startup through the fundraising process. Most startups don't have such traction to win investor interest right out of the gate. It's important the founder builds a relationship with the investor. The founder does this by reaching out on a regular basis first through email and then through phone calls to update the investor and get feedback. After an introductory meeting, this should be done every one to two weeks. Email is great for sending information, but not so much for building a relationship. A discussion by phone or online will build the relationship. The key test to know if you have a relationship with the investor is the ability to make a phone call and have the investor answer it. If you can do that, then you have built a relationship with the investor. If you cannot, then you don't yet have a relationship with the investor. It takes seven touches to close a sale, so it takes seven touches to close an 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.

What Investors Are Looking for in Your Startup Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. Investors funding startups look for key factors that point to the success of the business. Here's a list of key points the investor looks for in the startup: Successful track record of the team. Exits by the team are the most substantial proof. Key experiences of the team in solving the problem at hand. Strong relationships with key players in the market. Focused strategy for going to market. Strong communication skills by the CEO. Evidence of success with traction. Scalability of the business model. Some fit with the investor's skills and interests. Market validation is shown by customers paying for the product. Product validation is shown by the product working. Evidence of momentum in the business. A moat of some kind around the business. The more elements you have in the deal, the more likely you are to raise funding.  Make sure you include these points in your pitch to the 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.

Sales for a Biotherapeutic Startup Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. In a tech startup, the customer is the one who buys the product. In a biotherapeutic startup, the customer is the pharma company that will buy the company. While almost all tech startups launch a product and sell it to the user,  the biotherapeutic startup rarely launches the startup to sell the product. The cost to launch a biotherapeutic company is very high, given the cost of deploying the sales force and producing the product. The biotherapeutic startup spends its time identifying the right pharma company. This includes a review of their product line, intellectual property portfolio, and position in their sector. The CEO of the biotherapeutic spends time with potential acquirers of the startup to learn more about their priorities. The CEO looks for a candidate pharma company that does not already have the same IP as the startup. Biotherapeutics, in most cases, are looking for IP that fills a gap in their patent portfolio. In launching a biotherapeutic startup, identify the ideal customer profile and then match to the existing pharma companies on the market.    Thank you for joining us for the Startup Funding Espresso where we help startups and investors connect for funding. Let's go startup something today. _________________________________________________________ For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at:   Check out our other podcasts here:   For Investors check out:   For Startups check out:   For eGuides check out:   For upcoming Events, check out    For Feedback please contact info@tencapital.group    Please , share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of .

Tools for Fundraising Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. Before launching a fundraising campaign, set up the tools you'll need. Here's a list of key tools to support fundraising: Database. Create a list of prospective investors with name, email, phone number, and how you know them. This could be a simple spreadsheet list or a full-blown database. Set up a CRM system for outreach to the investors. This could be a simple mailer tool or a fully developed CRM. Set up an online video conference tool for holding calls with investors. Most introductory meetings are held online. Add a transcription tool for capturing the content of each pitch with an investor. This will help you review the pitch and follow-up questions afterwards. Set up a project management tool to coordinate support activities.  It's often the case that you will engage others to help you find investors and set up meetings. A project management tool can help with coordinating the effort. Install an online calendar for scheduling meetings and follow-ups. Set up software for building the pitch deck. Build a system to keep track of the many variations of the deck you will create. Fundraising is a sales process with a specific set of tools for one outcome -- to raise funding.  Prepare your tools before launching your fundraising campaign   Thank you for joining us for the Startup Funding Espresso where we help startups and investors connect for funding. Let's go startup something today. _________________________________________________________ For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at:   Check out our other podcasts here:   For Investors check out:   For Startups check out:   For eGuides check out:   For upcoming Events, check out    For Feedback please contact info@tencapital.group    Please , share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of .

In this episode of Investor Connect, Hall Martin chats with Tim Raines, founder and CEO of Rare Innovation, a boutique consultancy that serves as an outsourced executive team for deep tech startups. Tim shares his extensive experience in science and technology commercialization, helping startups transition from research phases to market-ready products. With expertise in creating go-to-market strategies, product development, and compelling pitch decks, Tim has been pivotal in assisting startups to secure funding and achieve market traction. He discusses the importance of founders making the first sale, early market validation, and adapting communication for various stakeholders, from investors to end-users. Tim also underscores the importance of partnerships and strategic collaborations in navigating limited-resource environments and ensuring successful product commercialization. For founders and investors interested in deep tech, Tim offers valuable insights into the current trends and pitfalls in the ecosystem.    Visit Rare Innovation at Reach out to at   _______________________________________________________ For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at:    Check out our other podcasts here:   For Investors check out:   For Startups check out:   For eGuides check out:   For upcoming Events, check out    For Feedback please contact info@tencapital.group    Please , share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of .

The Four T's of Startup Investing Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. There are many ways to evaluate a startup. For investors funding SaaS startups, here are the four T's to consider: Team.   Does the team have the skills to build the proposed startup? Are they in place, working on the business now? Have they proven themselves yet? Timing. Is now the right time for the startup? Is the market ready for this idea? Traction Does the startup have revenue growth? Will the growth continue? Technology. Does the startup have the right technology for the market? Can the technology scale? Does it provide a moat for the business? Use the four T's to determine if the startup is ready for an investment.   Thank you for joining us for the Startup Funding Espresso where we help startups and investors connect for funding. Let's go startup something today. _________________________________________________________ For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at:   Check out our other podcasts here:   For Investors check out:   For Startups check out:   For eGuides check out:   For upcoming Events, check out    For Feedback please contact info@tencapital.group    Please , share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of .

How To Pitch in a Down Market Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. Down markets change the care abouts of the investor. The investor wants to know whether the business will survive difficult times.  Here are some key points to consider when pitching your startup in a down market: Focus on the core financials to show the business is stable. Show how the company is cash flow positive or nearing it. Talk about the break-even point and how soon your startup will reach it. Show the burn rate is low and shrinking. Highlight the path to profitability. Show reasonable valuations and fundraising goals. Focus on the core business and avoid extraneous products and markets. Show the strength of the core team and the competitive product they are building. Talk about how founders have launched and grown startups in down markets before. Point out the market opportunities in the current down market. Pitching the startup in an upmarket focuses on the potential growth. Pitching in a down market focuses on the solidity of the business and its efficiency.   Thank you for joining us for the Startup Funding Espresso where we help startups and investors connect for funding. Let's go startup something today. _________________________________________________________ For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at:   Check out our other podcasts here:   For Investors check out:   For Startups check out:   For eGuides check out:   For upcoming Events, check out    For Feedback please contact info@tencapital.group    Please , share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of .

Prepping Your Website and Social Media for Fundraising Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. Before launching a fundraiser campaign, make sure your website and social media are prepped. The first place an investor goes after hearing your pitch is your website. They are primarily looking to learn more about the product and the team. Pitch Decks are designed to pique interest and do not give the full story. Interested investors will use your website to ‘fill in' the gaps left by the pitch. Make sure your website is up to date with your current business. A website that is two steps behind will undersell your startup. Consider adding an “Investor relations” button to your website to capture their questions.  Make sure the team's profiles on LinkedIn are up to date, as that is the primary social media channel they will use. Investors are looking to learn more about the team members and their experience. They also want to see if the team members' titles on the pitch deck and the titles listed on LinkedIn match. Are you formally engaged with the company or are you tangentially connected to the startup? Make sure your website and social media enhance and engage the investor during your fundraiser.   Thank you for joining us for the Startup Funding Espresso where we help startups and investors connect for funding. Let's go startup something today. _________________________________________________________ For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at:   Check out our other podcasts here:   For Investors check out:   For Startups check out:   For eGuides check out:   For upcoming Events, check out    For Feedback please contact info@tencapital.group    Please , share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of .

Startup Metrics in a Down Market Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. In an upmarket, startup metrics focus on growth rates, cost of customer acquisition, and scalability factors. In a down market, the startup metrics focus on efficiency. Here's a list of key startup metrics to use in a down market: Burn multiple. This measures the startup's efficiency in growth. It's the net annual burn rate divided by the net new ARR. Rule of 40. This is another efficiency metric. The growth rate and profitability added together should reach 40. Customer payback period. This calculates the number of months to pay back the cost of acquiring a customer. It's calculated by taking the cost of customer acquisition and dividing it by the monthly revenue from that customer. Revenue per employee. This measures productivity by showing how much growth can be sustained by the employees. It's calculated by taking the annual revenue for the company and dividing it by the number of employees. These metrics shift the focus from raw growth to efficiency. Consider these metrics for your startup.   Thank you for joining us for the Startup Funding Espresso where we help startups and investors connect for funding. Let's go startup something today. _________________________________________________________ For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at:   Check out our other podcasts here:   For Investors check out:   For Startups check out:   For eGuides check out:   For upcoming Events, check out    For Feedback please contact info@tencapital.group    Please , share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of .  

How To Tell When the Startup Doesn't Have Anything Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. Startups raising funding should bring customer engagement, if not traction, to the pitch. Founders raising funding often compensate for the lack of customer engagement through distractions. Here's how to tell when the startup doesn't have anything: Revenue is only listed as a forecast with pipeline sales. Key metrics are based on forecast sales, not actual sales.  There are no actual customers in discussion, and no names of any partners. The focus is on technology and how it works. The product is a high-level vision of what will be, but nothing is under development. The team has a handful of potentials but no actual results from their work. The pitch is primarily how big the market is and the size of the opportunity. The discussion focuses on how the competition is failing but never mentions how the startup is succeeding. The deck shows huge returns to the investor, but there are no actual revenue figures listed. In short, it's all vision and no execution. Look for these signs that the startup doesn't have anything before pursuing investment.   Thank you for joining us for the Startup Funding Espresso where we help startups and investors connect for funding. Let's go startup something today. _________________________________________________________ For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at:   Check out our other podcasts here:   For Investors check out:   For Startups check out:   For eGuides check out:   For upcoming Events, check out    For Feedback please contact info@tencapital.group    Please , share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of .

In this episode of Investor Connect, Hall Martin engages with Joe Perino, a seasoned industrial strategist, consultant, and engineer with over four decades of experience. Joe shares insights on industrial transformation, emphasizing the importance of technology-enabled business model changes that yield significant improvements. He discusses the impact of predictive analytics and edge computing in the energy process and manufacturing sectors, highlighting their role in predictive maintenance and operational efficiency. Joe also touches on the challenges of scaling AI applications, the necessity of robust cybersecurity measures, and the importance of interoperability standards in industrial tech. Additionally, Joe shares his experience with mentoring startups and the role of industry consortia and accelerators in fostering innovation and business growth. This episode provides a comprehensive overview of the industrial tech landscape, offering valuable advice for both operators and investors.   Reach out to at   or       _________________________________________________________For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at:    Check out our other podcasts here:   For Investors check out:   For Startups check out:   For eGuides check out:   For upcoming Events, check out    For Feedback please contact info@tencapital.group    Please , share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of .

LP Investing Mistakes Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. Limited partners are referred to as LPs.  They invest in venture capital funds. Just as angel investors make mistakes, so do LPs Here's a list of LP investing mistakes: Not investing consistently. It's easy to invest when the market is up and difficult to do so when the market is down. One of the best times to invest is after the market has dropped. Investing based on track record alone. While it's a good reference point, the returns of a manager can be manipulated. Treating a venture as an index fund. While an index fund model can be applied to venture capital, it yields limited returns. Focusing solely on fees. The LP receives the return minus the fees. In some cases, the return may justify the fees. Ignoring portfolio structure. LPs should build a diversified portfolio of funds and startups and avoid over-concentration in a sector. Direct startup investment. While there may be opportunities that come along, it's very rare that solo investments will prove out. Avoid these mistakes in your VC investments.   Thank you for joining us for the Startup Funding Espresso where we help startups and investors connect for funding. Let's go startup something today. _________________________________________________________ For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at:   Check out our other podcasts here:   For Investors check out:   For Startups check out:   For eGuides check out:   For upcoming Events, check out    For Feedback please contact info@tencapital.group    Please , share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of .

Tips for the Startup Financial Pro Forma Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. Part of the fundraising documentation is the financial pro forma. Investors want to know what the founder proposes will happen if they raise the target fundraising amount. The financial pro forma shows this projection. Here are some tips on building your startup financial pro forma. The pro forma should be a bottom-up analysis, not a top-down. This means each revenue and expense comes from history. Use historical dates such as 2024, 2025, rather than year 1, year 2, etc. This helps the investor understand what will happen and when. For hires, include the full overhead that comes with each one. For revenue, start with a realistic amount and then apply a growth rate to it. This will give a steady ramp to the revenue and can be changed easily when the assumptions change. Model the sales funnel in the pro forma by showing the cost to generate the lead, qualify it, set up a pilot, and close the sale. Include churn as a part of the financial pro forma. Build the pro forma with each month listed, but be able to roll it up into quarters for use in the pitch deck. The investor understands the entire forecast is based on receiving funding, and that is a moving target.   Thank you for joining us for the Startup Funding Espresso where we help startups and investors connect for funding. Let's go startup something today. _________________________________________________________ For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at:   Check out our other podcasts here:   For Investors check out:   For Startups check out:   For eGuides check out:   For upcoming Events, check out    For Feedback please contact info@tencapital.group    Please , share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of .

Mistakes VCs Make Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. Venture capitalists make mistakes just like every other investor. Here's a list of mistakes VCs make: Not investing consistently through the market's ups and downs. Valuations are better in down markets, and good deals are hard to find in up markets. Treating venture capital funding as a one-size-fits-all. There are some sectors of the market that do well with VC funding, while other sectors only waste it. Quoting returns without taking into account the management and carry fees. Fees are a cost of investing and should be counted in the return metrics. Not taking into account the overall portfolio structure. Time to exit, sector position, and other factors can help build a solid portfolio. Investing in overvalued startups. During frothy markets, one can get carried away by stellar startups even though they have outsized valuations. Not scanning the overall industry for the best deal. Some VCs choose startups because they are accessible, but this may fail to find the best startup in the industry. Funding too many deals in a specific application. Diversification is still a key factor in successful startup funding. Consider these mistakes VCs make.   Thank you for joining us for the Startup Funding Espresso where we help startups and investors connect for funding. Let's go startup something today. _________________________________________________________ For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at:   Check out our other podcasts here:   For Investors check out:   For Startups check out:   For eGuides check out:   For upcoming Events, check out    For Feedback please contact info@tencapital.group    Please , share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of .

From orbit to arbitration—this week we're talking with Laura Yvonne Zielinski, co-founder of the Space Arbitration Association. Laura is part of a new generation of arbitration professionals redefining what the field can be—linking law, technology, developing a brand, and even outer space. From Germany to France to Mexico, her journey is as international as it gets. In this episode, Laura and I talk about: How she discovered her passion for space law and arbitration What inspired the founding of the Space Arbitration Association How Technology, and AI are changing the way disputes are resolved The importance of curiosity and interdisciplinary thinking in arbitration What it means to build a career across borders (and maybe across planets!)

The Dark Side of Venture Capital Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. While venture capital brings many benefits to the startup ecosystem, it also has drawbacks. Here's a list to consider: The venture model generates a high number of startup failures. By pushing the business to the extreme, many fail. The standard for venture-backed businesses is very high. The cost of venture funding is expensive, so losses to the investor are also high. The pressure to succeed at all costs drives some founders into mental and physical health problems. Venture capital is still a long way from being an inclusive and diverse group. Women and minorities are still woefully underrepresented. The pressure to find and join successful startups can drive investors to overvalue startups. The emergence of new technologies can turn into market bubbles driven by irrational exuberance. Venture capital brings many benefits to the startup ecosystem, including capital, innovation, and expertise. It's important to keep these challenges in mind.   Thank you for joining us for the Startup Funding Espresso where we help startups and investors connect for funding. Let's go startup something today. _________________________________________________________ For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at:   Check out our other podcasts here:   For Investors check out:   For Startups check out:   For eGuides check out:   For upcoming Events, check out    For Feedback please contact info@tencapital.group    Please , share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of .

The Introductory Version of the Pitch Deck Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. For the first pitch to an investor, build an introductory pitch deck. The introductory version of the pitch deck simplifies your deal into its most basic presentation. The pitch deck should focus on one problem, one solution, and one application.  It should have one product, one channel, and one monetization model. It should have one fundraise, one outcome, and one exit. The introductory version avoids the many things your business can do. Investors have a difficult time managing multiple scenarios and outcomes. Your pitch deck should not go into the many markets and applications it can cover. Instead, keep it simple and focus on the core elements of the deal. There will be time later to discuss the options. Keep it to one thing on each element of the pitch deck. The goal of the introduction is to convince the investor that this is a fundable deal worth digging into.   Thank you for joining us for the Startup Funding Espresso where we help startups and investors connect for funding. Let's go startup something today. _______________________________________________________ For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at:   Check out our other podcasts here:   For Investors check out:   For Startups check out:   For eGuides check out:   For upcoming Events, check out    For Feedback please contact info@tencapital.group    Please , share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of .

In this episode of Investor Connect, host Hall Martin sits down with Earle Hager, Managing Partner of The Neutrino Donut, a consulting firm specialized in transforming scientific research into commercial solutions. Earle shares his extensive experience in technology evaluation, market planning, and commercialization strategies, highlighting his work with startups, universities, and government-funded projects supported by SBIR/STTR programs.  He discusses his journey from business development roles in Texas to founding Neutrino Donut and working on global projects at the University of Texas at Austin and UC Irvine's tech transfer office. Earl reveals the challenges and successes in helping science-based startups bring their innovations to market, focusing particularly on medical devices. He shares insights on balancing technical rigor with practical market demands, the importance of SBIR funding, and his extensive network of industry contacts. Earle also explains the meaningful name behind his consulting firm, 'Neutrino Donut,' and emphasizes his commitment to fostering innovation across regions like Austin, Los Angeles, and beyond. To wrap up, Earl outlines the importance of building relationships and continually learning in this dynamic field. For more details, visit Neutrino Donut's website or contact Earl directly on LinkedIn.   Visit The Neutrino Donut at   Reach out to at        _______________________________________________________ For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at:    Check out our other podcasts here:   For Investors check out:   For Startups check out:   For eGuides check out:   For upcoming Events, check out    For Feedback please contact info@tencapital.group    Please , share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of .

The Role of Venture Capital Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. Venture capital brings innovation and growth to many industries. The VC model provides funding to startups to innovate and provide new products and business models. VC funding seeks out innovative ideas that are scalable. Scalability enables startups to transform the industry. The tech industry uses venture capital to fund new ideas and disrupt existing business models.  The biotech and healthcare industry use VC  to find new drugs and medical devices that improve efficacy and reduce cost. The consumer product industry uses it to create new products and build brands. The cleantech industry uses it to transform the economy into a more sustainable future. Venture capital brings funding that enables a transformation for growth, fostering innovation. By providing a high return to investors in successful startups, the VC model transforms economics at scale. The key to venture capital is high growth coupled with a scalable business model. Any industry with that potential is a candidate for the VC model. Consider how venture capital can bring growth to your industry.   Thank you for joining us for the Startup Funding Espresso where we help startups and investors connect for funding. Let's go startup something today. _______________________________________________________ For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at:   Check out our other podcasts here:   For Investors check out:   For Startups check out:   For eGuides check out:   For upcoming Events, check out    For Feedback please contact info@tencapital.group    Please , share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of .

Key Factors Investors Use To Evaluate a Startup Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. Investors review the startup founder's pitch to determine if it's worth pursuing or not. Most startup pitches follow the same model of problem, solution, and how it works. The team, traction, competitive advantage, and business model follow. The pitch closes with the financial forecast, the investment ask, and the exit strategy. The team and their track record on launching and exiting startups are the most important factors. If your team has experience with startup launch and exit, then make that known up front. Other factors of lesser importance include the following: The business model.   If you have a recurring revenue business model, then that will positively impact the investors' consideration. The size of the market and its growth rate are interesting. The target market has some impact, as some industries are known to be quite profitable, such as healthcare.   The lowest consideration goes to the financial forecast, exit strategy, and investment ask. These are envisioned numbers and will most likely change over time.  In building your pitch deck, consider these factors and their level of importance to the investor.   Thank you for joining us for the Startup Funding Espresso where we help startups and investors connect for funding. Let's go startup something today. _______________________________________________________ For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at:   Check out our other podcasts here:   For Investors check out:   For Startups check out:   For eGuides check out:   For upcoming Events, check out    For Feedback please contact info@tencapital.group    Please , share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of .

How To Organize Your Pitch Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. The pitch deck is the key communication tool in startup fundraising. Here are the key steps on  how to organize your pitch: Start with a one-liner on your business. State what the business does in a short and concise sentence. This provides the basic context for the presentation. Next, identify the key value proposition of the business. The value proposition shows the startup's unique solution to solving the problem. Next, identify the key values in the business. Show the team you have built and how they have the right skills for the task at hand. Show the revenue traction of the product to demonstrate market and product validation. Outline the target market, making the case that it's big enough to provide a venture outcome. Finally, outline the fundraising ask which invites investors to participate in the business. By providing a core context to the business, one can then show how the value proposition and values in the business point to a successful startup. Consider these steps in organizing your pitch.   Thank you for joining us for the Startup Funding Espresso where we help startups and investors connect for funding. Let's go startup something today. _______________________________________________________ For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at:   Check out our other podcasts here:   For Investors check out:   For Startups check out:   For eGuides check out:   For upcoming Events, check out    For Feedback please contact info@tencapital.group    Please , share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of .

Start With a Fractional CTO Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. In launching a startup, the watchword is minimal. Minimum fund raise, minimum team, minimum viable product. The CTO is a key component of the startup team. Start with a fractional CTO rather than a full-time hire. Here is what a fractional CTO does: They advise on the project rather than command direct reports. They review the engineering designs for strengths and weaknesses. They set the architecture of the product. They design the technical roadmap. They choose the tech stack. They advise on the tools to use. They provide training to the early-stage developers. They review the overall project plans. They develop the budget for the project and teams. The fractional CTO can work remotely. At the early stage, the startup works on the minimum viable product. This doesn't require a full-time CTO but rather someone who is familiar with the application. Consider a fractional CTO for your early-stage product.   Thank you for joining us for the Startup Funding Espresso where we help startups and investors connect for funding. Let's go startup something today. _______________________________________________________ For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at:   Check out our other podcasts here:   For Investors check out:   For Startups check out:   For eGuides check out:   For upcoming Events, check out    For Feedback please contact info@tencapital.group    Please , share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of .

The Benefit of Short-Term Returns Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. In startup investing, many investors swing for the fences.   The goal is to make each investment a homerun. In most cases, home runs will take a substantial amount of time to complete. There are benefits to short-term investments in which the returns are smaller. Here are some benefits to consider: There's a psychological boost that comes from knowing you've had a return of capital. The returned cash can be recycled into a follow-on investment in a home run deal. Short-term returns are easier to fund. Home run deals are often difficult to get into due to investor demand. Short-term returns are easier to find. There are many startups that can return capital in three years or less. This can boost one's investment metric, such as an IRR, which includes time to return as part of the calculation. Consider both short and long-term return startups for your investment strategy.   Thank you for joining us for the Startup Funding Espresso where we help startups and investors connect for funding. Let's go startup something today. _________________________________________________________ For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at:   Check out our other podcasts here:   For Investors check out:   For Startups check out:   For eGuides check out:   For upcoming Events, check out    For Feedback please contact info@tencapital.group    Please , share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of .

On this episode of Investor Connect, Hall welcomes Ivor Stratford, co-founder and CEO of Morpheus Group, a leading consultancy specializing in talent solutions and executive recruitment. Located in London, Morpheus Group works with organizations across the globe, particularly in the U.S., to help founders and executives align their culture, values, and growth strategy with the right talent. With a focus on venture-backed startups from pre-seed to IPO, Ivor and his team provide a unique vantage point into the world of early-stage investing, emphasizing that at the earliest stages, the real investment is in people. Morpheus Group combines deep experience in recruitment, strategic advisory, and hands-on mentorship to ensure founders not only hire effectively but also build high-performing teams that can scale. Morpheus Group has carved out a niche in the AI and machine learning space, guiding founders who are hyper-focused on specific applications rather than broad, generalized solutions. From conversational AI in drive-through technology to other emerging use cases, Ivor and his team help identify opportunities where technology meets real-world demand, all while keeping founders disciplined on what truly drives their business forward. Beyond advisory and recruitment, Morpheus Group actively builds in-person ecosystems through curated events, dinners, and conferences, particularly in New York and San Francisco, establishing long-term trust and relationships in the startup community. Their approach emphasizes real-world engagement over tech gimmicks, proving that sometimes the most cutting-edge work starts with a handshake—or a coffee machine conversation. Throughout the conversation, Ivor shares insights on evaluating founders, spotting conviction versus potential, and the advantages of maintaining small, agile teams in a rapidly evolving market. He also reflects on lessons learned from expansion into the U.S., emphasizing the value of being physically present to truly understand client businesses.   Visit Morpheus Group at     Reach out to at     _______________________________________________________ For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at:    Check out our other podcasts here:   For Investors check out:   For Startups check out:   For eGuides check out:   For upcoming Events, check out    For Feedback please contact info@tencapital.group    Please , share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of .

When the Investor Won't Sign an NDA Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. During the diligence phase, startups may ask investors to sign an NDA. If the information is truly confidential and proprietary, then it may make sense to ask for it. Some investors may choose not to sign an NDA. In this event, do the following: Remove any information from the diligence that is considered highly confidential. Provide the diligence box without this information and check to see if the investor is satisfied. If not, then identify the specific information the investor is looking for. This could be customer names and contact information. In this case, come to an agreement on how the investor will use that information. Set safeguards against cold calling the customer. Perhaps set up a joint call with the customer for the investor to ask questions. In summary, find out what information the investor is seeking specifically and then try to facilitate that piece of information. General perusal may not be necessary to complete the investors' diligence.   Thank you for joining us for the Startup Funding Espresso where we help startups and investors connect for funding. Let's go startup something today. _________________________________________________________ For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at:   Check out our other podcasts here:   For Investors check out:   For Startups check out:   For eGuides check out:   For upcoming Events, check out    For Feedback please contact info@tencapital.group    Please , share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of .

It's Not Your Fault, but It Is Your Responsibility Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. In fundraising, the ultimate responsibility lies with the CEO. The CEO must know their numbers, how their operations work, and exactly how the product performs.  From time to time, there will be problems in the business. While it's not the fault of the CEO, it is their responsibility. Investors want to know that the CEO is taking responsibility for the problem. CEOs should avoid blaming others in the startup.  When challenged by an investor for an issue in the company, it's best that the CEO “owns” the problem and discusses how it will be resolved. Never abdicate responsibility, but always have a plan. Investors will look to see how CEOs fix problems during the diligence phase.  For key issues, it's best that the CEO brings up the issue and shows the progress made on the topic. Investors avoid those who avoid the problems, knowing that eventually the problems will drag down the startup. Take responsibility for any and all problems and own them.   Thank you for joining us for the Startup Funding Espresso where we help startups and investors connect for funding. Let's go startup something today. _________________________________________________________ For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at:   Check out our other podcasts here:   For Investors check out:   For Startups check out:   For eGuides check out:   For upcoming Events, check out    For Feedback please contact info@tencapital.group    Please , share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of .

Always Have a Customer Update Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. In raising funding, it's important to show progress with customers. In each interaction with an investor, bring up new information about a customer. Investors care less about how the product works and more about how the customer is engaging with the product. In each update, show new information about the customer interaction. Here's a list of customer updates to consider: A list of care abouts from the customer for a solution. A product specification. The customer's test results of the startup's product. The startup's pitch to the customer to buy the product. The price negotiation for buying the product. The customer's buy rate and retention rate. The customer's comparison of the startup's product with a competitor's product. Additional features the customer wants from the product. How the product fits into the customer's workflow. Investors want to know how well the product works for the customer to understand product-market fit.  Always have a customer update when talking to an investor.   Thank you for joining us for the Startup Funding Espresso where we help startups and investors connect for funding. Let's go startup something today. _________________________________________________________ For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at:   Check out our other podcasts here:   For Investors check out:   For Startups check out:   For eGuides check out:   For upcoming Events, check out    For Feedback please contact info@tencapital.group    Please , share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of .

Ideal Size of a Due Diligence Team Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. Due diligence works best when it's a shared endeavor. It can take a substantial amount of time to diligence a startup. The ideal size of a due diligence team is six people. Here are the key roles and responsibilities of the team: The lead. Takes responsibility for the overall diligence process and typically recruits the others on the diligence team. Sales, marketing, and competition. Investigate the sales of the startup, as well as the marketing strategy and the current competitors. Financials. Reviews the financial pro forma, income statement, and balance sheet to understand the financial health of the business. Product and technology. Reviews the status of the product and the technology underlying it. Team. Reviews the skills of the team and the commitment of each one to see if it meets the needs of the business objectives. Terms sheet. Builds and negotiates the terms sheet, including the valuation. Consider joining an angel network to find others to help with due diligence.   Thank you for joining us for the Startup Funding Espresso where we help startups and investors connect for funding. Let's go startup something today. _________________________________________________________ For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at:   Check out our other podcasts here:   For Investors check out:   For Startups check out:   For eGuides check out:   For upcoming Events, check out    For Feedback please contact info@tencapital.group    Please , share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of .

In this episode of Investor Connect, host Hall Martin engages with Ron Ondechek Jr., a seasoned investment executive and the founding managing director of South Highland Ventures LLC. With over 15 years of experience and a track record of leading more than 100 transactions totaling over 1 billion dollars, Ron shares insights on South Highland Ventures' investment mandate, deal sourcing, and diligence processes. He discusses the firm's strategic partnerships, including collaborations with family offices like Nova Stone Capital Advisors, to secure proprietary deal flows in the low mid-market acquisition fund sector. Ron emphasizes the importance of aligning motivations, communication, and the ability of entrepreneurs to navigate markets and work effectively as a team to ensure successful investments and growth. Drawing from his extensive experience, Ron also highlights key factors that contribute to consistent value creation and pitfalls that destroy value in venture capital and private equity spaces. The conversation delves into specific strategies for working with under-recognized markets and mid-market companies, the importance of operational improvements, and the structure of search fund acquisitions. Ron also touches on the balance necessary in structuring deals, ensuring fair compensation and alignment of interests among all parties involved. For more insights and to connect with Ron, you can reach him via email or phone as provided in the show notes.    Visit South Highland Ventures LLC at     Reach out to at     _______________________________________________________ For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at:    Check out our other podcasts here:   For Investors check out:   For Startups check out:   For eGuides check out:   For upcoming Events, check out    For Feedback please contact info@tencapital.group    Please , share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of .

Good Design Techniques for the Pitch Deck Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. The pitch deck is the primary tool in fundraising. It's important to develop a pitch deck that's clear and engaging. Here are some key techniques to improve the design of your pitch deck: Use graphs and charts to show numbers and data. Increase the impact of the data through charts with bold lines and colors that stand out. Use colors and contrast to highlight key points. The colors should be consistent with the color theme of the deck, which should complement the startup's logo. Choose a font that's clear and legible.  Avoid big blocks of text and break paragraphs down into bullet points. Align the style of the pitch deck with the startup and its mission. Use glyphs and other design elements to communicate the message. Add background images to create additional effects. Show how the product works using a 3 to 4-step sequence. Create a flow in the deck to tell the startup story in a seamless fashion. Consider these steps in adding good design to your pitch deck.   Thank you for joining us for the Startup Funding Espresso where we help startups and investors connect for funding. Let's go startup something today. _______________________________________________________ For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at:   Check out our other podcasts here:   For Investors check out:   For Startups check out:   For eGuides check out:   For upcoming Events, check out    For Feedback please contact info@tencapital.group    Please , share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of .

Garry and Tim discuss the magic of Grand Final week, they chat about some local footy results over the weekend and look ahead to Geelong and Brisbane on Saturday at the MCG. For Feedback, please email joel.brooks@sen.com.au Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How To Invest in Vertical SaaS Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. Vertical SaaS is a recurring revenue business that focuses on a specific application or a narrow vertical sector. By narrowing the scope of the target application, the startup can focus its efforts more effectively on solving the problem. Here are some key points to consider in investing in a vertical SaaS play: While the target application may be narrow, make sure the market is big enough to support a venture business. A vertical SaaS business starts with a specific application to win a place in a customer's business. Once inside, the vertical SaaS seeks to take on additional applications. Later, the vertical SaaS business can extend to other businesses connected to the customer. The key to a vertical SaaS play is to have a control point in the business, such as the core customer data, or an efficient platform for managing applications, or a technology such as Artificial Intelligence. Once established, the control point opens the door to other areas in the customers' business.  Investors should look for the control point to see how the vertical SaaS play will grow. Vertical SaaS businesses require less capital to launch and scale. This reduces the amount of funding the startup needs to raise. Consider these steps in investing in a Vertical SaaS business.   Thank you for joining us for the Startup Funding Espresso where we help startups and investors connect for funding. Let's go startup something today. _______________________________________________________ For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at:   Check out our other podcasts here:   For Investors check out:   For Startups check out:   For eGuides check out:   For upcoming Events, check out    For Feedback please contact info@tencapital.group    Please , share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of .

Advisor Shares Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. Startup founders can find additional support through advisors. Advisors are typically experienced operators who previously ran a startup and now provide coaching and consulting services. The startup brings in an advisor to coach on areas that are unfamiliar to the founder. They often have industry connections, sales experience, or funding contacts.  The advisor should have enough time and experience to provide value to the company. Advisors are compensated with advisor shares. They earn them over time through vesting with their consulting work rather than their investment dollars. Advisors typically aren't in a position to be an employee through lack of time on their part or lack of resources on the startup's part. Compensating with shares incentivizes the advisor to do their best, as they'll receive their payout when the company exits. Equity shares paid to the advisor are typically a quarter to half of one percent of the outstanding shares. These shares vest over a one to two-year period, typically without a cliff.   This means the shares start vesting immediately. It's best to sign one-year agreements and no longer, as the startup will grow and its needs will change.   Thank you for joining us for the Startup Funding Espresso where we help startups and investors connect for funding. Let's go startup something today. _______________________________________________________ For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at:   Check out our other podcasts here:   For Investors check out:   For Startups check out:   For eGuides check out:   For upcoming Events, check out    For Feedback please contact info@tencapital.group    Please , share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of .

Impact of VC on the Entrepreneur Ecosystem Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. Venture capital plays a key role in entrepreneur ecosystems. The VC sits at the nexus of startups, innovation, and entrepreneurship. While not all startups receive VC funding, most startups seek investment from the VC. Here is how the VC impacts the entrepreneurial ecosystem: Providing funding for startups with venture-level potential. Applying business skills to early-stage startups that may have inexperienced founders. Attracting capital to the ecosystem. This means drawing other investors into the ecosystem to provide funding.  Networking the key players in the community together. VCs foster needed interactions between startups, providers, and investors. Creating new jobs for the ecosystem. Funding creates new jobs that propel the startup forward and grow the ecosystem. Fostering entrepreneurship and innovation. The VC catalyzes the development of new products and business models. Venture capitalists help spur the growth of entrepreneurship. Consider attracting key venture capitalists to your entrepreneur ecosystem.   Thank you for joining us for the Startup Funding Espresso where we help startups and investors connect for funding. Let's go startup something today. _______________________________________________________ For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at:   Check out our other podcasts here:   For Investors check out:   For Startups check out:   For eGuides check out:   For upcoming Events, check out    For Feedback please contact info@tencapital.group    Please , share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of .

How To Write Concise Investor Updates Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. Founders should keep their investors up to date on the business.  Investor updates on a regular basis are important. Here are some key elements to include in your investor update: Remind the investor what you do in one sentence. Investors often have dozens of startups ongoing, so it's helpful to remind them. Start with the current month's focus for the team. Talk about wins as well as losses. A few bullet points on each should suffice. Next, show the metrics for key areas such as cash, revenue, and product development. Discuss the team by showing who is coming and who is going. Indicate where you need help at this moment. Give a shout-out to those investors who helped you in the past month. This will encourage other investors to contribute. Summarize each topic into one sentence. This gives the investor an overview in a short amount of time. The investor update should show them how they can help. Finally, always be open and honest with the investors.     Thank you for joining us for the Startup Funding Espresso where we help startups and investors connect for funding. Let's go startup something today. _______________________________________________________ For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at:   Check out our other podcasts here:   For Investors check out:   For Startups check out:   For eGuides check out:   For upcoming Events, check out    For Feedback please contact info@tencapital.group    Please , share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of .

In this episode of Investor Connect, Hall Martin welcomes Uli Chettiapally, a distinguished physician, researcher, and healthcare innovator from Burlingame in the San Francisco Bay Area. Chettiapally shares his journey and expertise in driving physician-led innovation and collaboration through his firm, Innovator MD. He discusses how frontline medical professionals can identify unmet clinical needs and develop scalable solutions with the support of specialized education and networking opportunities provided by Innovator MD.  The conversation delves into the challenges and opportunities in funding healthcare startups, the role of AI and data in improving patient outcomes, and the importance of involving physicians early in the innovation process for realistic and effective healthcare solutions. Chettiapally also highlights his new venture, Sirica Therapeutics, aimed at revolutionizing autism treatment, and urges listeners to connect with him on LinkedIn for further collaborations.   Visit InnovatorMD & Sirica Therapeutics at   Reach out to at     _______________________________________________________ For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at:    Check out our other podcasts here:   For Investors check out:   For Startups check out:   For eGuides check out:   For upcoming Events, check out    For Feedback please contact info@tencapital.group    Please , share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of .

The Challenge With Solo-Founder Startups Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. Many investors avoid investing in startups with a solo founder. Here are some reasons why: The company is at risk in case something happens to the founder. There's no one there to pick up the business. The lack of additional founders often means the company has limited growth potential. It takes multiple skills and people to grow a business. It takes longer for the startup to accomplish the work because there is only one founder. The solo founder startup has fewer family and friends for funding. Early-stage funding is built on the founders' network.   The fundraising takes longer as there's only one founder to hold the meetings. Multiple founders can cover more ground in following up with investors. The startup has limited resiliency. With more founders comes a stronger base to lead the company. For startups with a solo founder, consider building a more robust team around the founder to avoid these issues.    Thank you for joining us for the Startup Funding Espresso where we help startups and investors connect for funding. Let's go startup something today. _______________________________________________________ For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at:   Check out our other podcasts here:   For Investors check out:   For Startups check out:   For eGuides check out:   For upcoming Events, check out    For Feedback please contact info@tencapital.group    Please , share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of .

Incentives for Investors Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. Closing the fundraiser can sometimes be a challenge. In down markets and uncertain economic conditions, investors hesitate to commit. Consider incentives for investors to move the fundraising to a close. Here are some key incentives: Offer advisor shares to investors who invest above a minimum amount. This gives the investor additional shares in return for their support. Negotiate the value of the advisor shares based on the work the investor will provide. Offer warrants to investors who invest within a certain time period. Warrants give the holder the right to additional shares. Finally, consider adding preferences to the terms sheet for investors who come into the round. Preferences give the investor dividends, which in most cases will be accruing rather than paying out. Put a deadline on the incentives to move the investors to action. Consider a deadline in the 1-2 month range. Consider these incentives to close investors to finish the 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:   Check out our other podcasts here:   For Investors check out:   For Startups check out:   For eGuides check out:   For upcoming Events, check out    For Feedback please contact info@tencapital.group    Please , share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of .

How To Answer Questions You Don't Know Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. Investors ask many questions of startup founders. Founders should know their business and, in particular, their numbers. Sometimes an investor will ask a question that the founder doesn't know. Here are some key steps on how to answer questions you don't know the answer to: First, make sure you understand the question. Probe to find out more about it. If it's a question requiring a simple answer that you don't know, then state you don't have it readily available, but that you will find it for them. If it's a deeper dive question, then break the question down into separate components and open a dialog on the subject. Explain what you know so far. Describe what you're doing to learn more in this area. List what you hope to accomplish with the answer. Invite feedback on what to do as well.   While this may not answer the question in a succinct fashion, it shows how you are approaching the situation. Use the question as an opportunity to show you have a plan. Demonstrate what you have done so far on it.   Thank you for joining us for the Startup Funding Espresso where we help startups and investors connect for funding. Let's go startup something today. _______________________________________________________ For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at:   Check out our other podcasts here:   For Investors check out:   For Startups check out:   For eGuides check out:   For upcoming Events, check out    For Feedback please contact info@tencapital.group    Please , share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of .

How To Perform Technical Due Diligence Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. Investors perform diligence on a startup before investing. Most of the diligence focuses on the financial aspects of the business. Technical diligence is just as important. For startups, it's also important to focus on the technical aspects. Here's a list of areas to review for technical due diligence: Architecture Review the technical architecture for scalability and robustness. Check the architecture for fit with the application. Code Review the code for quality and documentation. Are there processes for testing and verification? Security Review the code for security measures. Perform penetration exercises to check its strength. People Interview the technical team for their technical background and skills. See if the skills match the project requirements. Intellectual property Review the intellectual property to see if the key technical features are covered. Consider these steps in performing technical due diligence on 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:   Check out our other podcasts here:   For Investors check out:   For Startups check out:   For eGuides check out:   For upcoming Events, check out    For Feedback please contact info@tencapital.group    Please , share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of .