AutoTech Investments’ Post

See here another reason why we (as educators, coaches, program developers, ecosystem builders) should stop focusing on ideas, and should start focusing on Ideal Customer Persona. Value is not what you create, it is about what is perceived; Customers don't care how long you have worked, or how many birthdays you have missed. They don't even care about how many times you have lost your sanity or life savings. Everything we should educate founders from day one is how to create things that fit the demographics, psychographics, and lifestyle of the Ideal Customer Persona that they want to add value to. These ICP's are the judges of value.

If you provide unquestionable value for an industry you can ignore a lot of the volatilities in any market. A true and important message for startup founders today. In times of volatility and uncertainty, customers tighten their budget and cut "nice to have" products, investors stop funding hype and FOMO, and no one will come to save you. Focus on creating real and significant value. Revenues will follow. Investors will invest. And you will be able to withstand many storms, because your customers need you and they will do what they can to keep you in business. _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ This is a clip from my interview with Michael Millar, the Founder and CEO of Verto Health. This was my 1st interview while I was experimenting with different forms of content creation. Link to the full interview in the comments. #startups #venturecapital #leadership #investing

in my not-so-long career, I've seen companies rise, grow, scale, and fall. I learned a lot in that journey. yet, I believe there is much thing to learn, especially in this uncertain time. now, I would like to learn more, share insight, brainstorm, and discuss what I hope to eventually contribute to solving the company and organization's problem, especially in my areas of expertise which are product and technology development. for connections, friends, and colleagues, feel free to reach me out in DM. and would love to have discussions with you. :) #brainstorm #consultation #discussion #product #technology #startup #business

In startups, growth isn't just about scaling the business—it's about fostering a mindset of continuous improvement, adaptation, and innovation. Studies show that leaders with a growth mindset generate 80 percent more shareholder value over ten years. How can a leader embody this mindset? Encourage continuous learning: Cultivate a culture of ongoing development by providing access to workshops and resources. Encourage team members to embrace challenges and pursue personal and professional growth. Set ambitious goals: Challenge your team with attainable yet ambitious targets that push them out of their comfort zones. By setting stretch goals, you foster a sense of purpose and motivation within the team. Promote resilience: Acknowledge setbacks as part of the journey and encourage a resilient mindset. Emphasize the importance of overcoming obstacles and staying focused on finding solutions. To read more about the traits emerging startup founders must adopt, look at this month's newsletter from our Founder: https://lnkd.in/gFBhPEvS. #startup #b2bstartups #startupfounders #growthmindset #business #upscale #founders #sales

Rapid revenue growth is every founder's dream - but unrestrained expansion can quickly turn into a nightmare. 😱 When is red-hot top-line growth actually sowing seeds of future failure? I can pinpoint if your company's scaling trajectory is stable or high-risk in just one advisory session. 🎯 Ask yourself these key questions: - Are expenses ballooning faster than revenue? - Has customer churn started creeping upwards? - Are there talent gaps emerging amid breakneck hiring? - Is leadership stretched dangerously thin? If you answered YES, then beware...your startup may be expanding faster than its operational capacity can handle. 🚨 During our session, I'll help you strike the ideal balance between capitalizing on momentum versus engineering disciplined expansion. 📏 Book a FREE 30-minute consultation with me to stress test your startup's growth sustainability right now: https://lnkd.in/dhNQSxHs  or Let's connect for a personalized, one-on-one session tailored to your unique business needs at 9830866197. With my guidance, you can build an unstoppable growth engine that delivers value AND stability for the long haul! 🚀 Looking forward to engaging discussions! Best Regards, R.K.Murarka businessaccelerator.co.in carkmco.com #businessgrowthhacks #scaling #startups #entrepreneurship #leadership 

💛 I woke up this morning to see I got a Linkedin Top Voice badge. 💛 😜 Not that it changes things... But it does validate I'm getting some authentic content across. Especially in an area I'm so passionate about: startup development. 🙋🏻 UJJI 🏆 is not my first tech rodeo. In my past lives, I built two corporate ventures. And studied Corporate Finance and Entrepreneurialism in #Oxford. 🙏 I had my support when first starting. Many more experienced people guiding me forward. I've been for the past 5 years now giving back to the startup world. 🧑🏻💻 I jump on calls to hear about people's businesses. I analyse startup #pitch decks for founders in my #network. I introduce founders to other #advisors and #investors. 📊 I help assess #market size and competition. I dive into how they're describing #product and value prop. I drill into unit economics and pick apart assumptions. 💸 All without asking for a single £ in return. 🫡 Why? Because I enjoy it. And because I feel it's my contribution. To building stronger tech solutions around us. 🎗️ Again, this badge doesn't mean much. Just a yellow thingy on my profile. But what's behind it makes me feel I'm doing my part. 🧐 Founders in my network, are you doing yours to those around you? 👋 To giving back to the startup world. Some of those I'm thankful for: Sebastian Azor David Phil Gareth Silvio Helio Ricardo Alan Shreyas Matt Roei Jared Anthony Craig Fernando Adam Roger #startup #VC #scaleup

In the rollercoaster world of startups, I've had the unique privilege of working closely with visionary founders and C-level executives across ventures that, despite their potential, either teetered on the edge of failure or navigated through crises. Reflecting on these experiences, I see them not just as setbacks, but as a rich tapestry of lessons learned—the kind you won't find in textbooks or business school lectures. The journey through startups that didn't make it, or those that barely hung on, is like comparing treating the flu to performing surgery. Each scenario requires different levels of intervention, insight, and resilience. I've walked this path, making my own mistakes and watching those at the helm stumble and recover. Each mistake was a puzzle piece in understanding the complex machinery of a startup, teaching me valuable lessons in leadership, strategy, and the nuanced art of design thinking. My upcoming series is a candid exploration of these stories. It's about the missteps that taught me more than any success could, and the repeated mistakes I saw founders make, which turned into hidden lessons. This series is for those who, like me, see the value in failure and the incredible growth it brings. I've come to enjoy making mistakes, as each one has been a step towards a deeper, more meaningful understanding of what it takes to build not just a successful product, but a resilient, dynamic team and business. Join me as I share these insights, hoping they'll serve not as cautionary tales, but as beacons guiding through the often tumultuous, yet always exciting world of startups. To all the founders, designers, and dreamers out there—let's celebrate learning from our falls, and may these stories help you as much as living them has helped me. I've collected dozens of insights from this experience, and I'm excited to share the first post with you soon. Stay tuned. P.S. The illustration was created in Midjourney, inspired by Leonie Bos, with the prompt "Privilege in Failure." #StartupLessons #FailForward #DesignThinking #LeadershipJourney #StartupChallenges #LearningFromFailure #EntrepreneurialSpirit #ResilienceInBusiness #InnovationThroughAdversity #FounderStories

𝗔𝗿𝗲 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝘆𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗜𝘁 𝗧𝗼𝗼 𝗦𝗮𝗳𝗲? Let me introduce you to the concept of asymmetric bets. These are decisions where the potential loss is limited, but the potential gain is almost infinite. Imagine you're at a networking event, standing at the edge of the room. You can either remain in your comfort zone, blending into the background, or you can step forward and introduce yourself to a group of influential industry leaders. What’s the asymmetric bet here? The worst outcome is a brief, forgettable conversation. But on the flip side, you might just spark a connection that leads to transformative business opportunities. This concept of asymmetric risk is precisely why I was drawn to the startup world. Yes, startups can fail, and they do so more often than not. But these failures might be valuable lessons that you can apply in the future. Plus, the upside is almost unlimited. Your business could thrive in ways you never thought possible, and the sky really is the limit. So, why not take that bet? Remind yourself that the odds are in your favor. Sometimes, a small calculated risk leads to the greatest reward. What will be your next asymmetric bet? #StartUp #StartUpAdvice #Growth #CEOLife

Get Ready for a New Thought Series: The Thrills, Challenges, and Hard Truths of Startup Life: #TryingSomethingNew We’ll unpack the significance of adaptability, resilience, and risk-taking, drawing on real-world experiences—both triumphs and failures—shared by seasoned startup leaders. I am far from a seasoned leader but will take the first stab at this: 😥 Thought #1 : "The Cash Flow Problem" "One of the hardest lessons I’ve learned is that managing cash flow can be a major hurdle for any fast-growing startup. Meeting high demand often requires significant upfront investments—especially in building a talented team—forcing us to cover salaries long before revenue starts to materialize. This challenge is even more intense in our industry, where we primarily serve government and higher education clients. Lengthy procurement cycles and delayed payments create additional strain, making it essential to strike a careful balance between growth and financial sustainability. At the same time, it requires the courage to take risks—whether that means pushing forward without immediate revenue or securing investment to cover costs upfront." Thought by: Nick Stanton of Athena Partners Strategy Group 👉 Are you a startup leader with a story, quote, or advice to share? Send me a DM, and I’d love to feature your insights in an upcoming post! #startup #business #startupadvice #goodbadugly #quotes #innovation #founders #startupjourney #leadership #parking #transportation #mobility #technology #ev

🚀 Excited to share some insights on building success from unconventional paths! 💡 In a world where hype often overshadows substance, it's essential to remember that success isn't just about being first or having the most prestigious credentials. Take Tawk.to, for example. Despite not being first to market, not being VC funded, and not conforming to the Silicon Valley stereotype, they hold a whopping 20% of the live chat market! 💪 What's their secret? It's a combination of solid research, trusting their instincts, and most importantly, patience. As the saying goes, "overnight success" often takes at least a decade of hard work. 🔍 So next time you doubt your ability to compete with industry giants, remember that opinions and ideas are plentiful, but it's the dedication, resilience, and strategic thinking that truly set you apart. Keep pushing forward, and success will follow! #StartUps #BusinessInsights #UnconventionalSuccess #PersistencePaysOff 🚀🌟 tawk.to