Step aside J.P. Morgan 😎
We’re partnering with Jumpstart as they put on the startup ecosystem’s answer to the J.P. Morgan Corporate Challenge, the Big Startup 5K.
1,000 members of the startup ecosystem will be heading down to Battersea Park, London, on 6th August for an evening of walking/jogging/running and, most importantly, partying.
Whether you're a startup, scaleup or VC - you're all invited! Book your ticket here to get 10% off with our Focal VC link: https://lnkd.in/e_Uys_7N. Even better... bring the entire team!
I believe that there is way too much pressure on quick and instant exits, and this doesn't give startups ample time for market penetration and consolidation. This is why I advise first or second-time founders not to disrupt but to build a fast-to-market and fast-to-product-market-fit product, either by contributing to an existing vertical or by extending availability to a market segment.
Founders and VCs should be able to have a long-term plan for continuous deal collaborations post pre-seed until market consolidation. Facebook, Airbnb, Uber, Amazon are all examples of startups that didn't show signs of profits early; in fact, they ran in the red for years before market consolidation. Facebook is notorious for not monetising for the first few years.
I agree that timing and economic conditions play an important role in all these as well.
It's hard to build, but with the right mindset, integrity, focus and collaborations, anything is possible.
Startup Advisor | Principal Partner, SDC Startup School | VP, Ecosystem & Venture Labs at Spark Africa HQ
What if The VC model is not all that?
What if the VC model only corrupts the DNA of a business, leaving founders with the wrong mindset towards building?
What if the VC funding model isn’t right for the future of African Startup Ecosystem?
What if we need to develop a new model for funding African startups, a funding model with new priorities & goals?
What if we need to review our current way of doing business?
Just what if?
Looking forward to hearing your thoughts in the comment section
By the way, If you are a first time or aspiring African founder you need to take the classes at SDC Startup School to avoid the common mistakes that founders make when they are just starting out.
https://lnkd.in/eBJNv8C2
Investors give startup founders money to grow the startup.
Growth is not optional, it is the very thing you sold them a stake for.
It’s extremely stressful.
Losing your OWN money is one thing.
Losing your investor's money is next-level stress.
This is why I do what I do at Midstage Institute.
I help founding teams speed up their startups systematically.
So they don’t need to have those awkward no-growth investor meetings.
Learn more here: https://lnkd.in/gtFy_Zhe
Starting to feel that the Series A/B markets are warming up.
Over the past year+, most founders preferred to avoid a distracting and lengthy Series A process in a slow market. Instead, they often raised a quick seed+ round, and focused on building and growing past the usual Series A metrics.
Recently, we've seen some startups close quick/oversubscribed Series A/B rounds, and more founders are considering raising now.
It's still closer to anecdotal than robust data, but we'd be among the first to notice at Pioneer Fund, with our large portfolio of strong YC startups.
I plan to post here again if the trend continues or not.
Join a startup early and you can make millions. Join a growth stage startup and you have way better odds of seeing an exit.
But what stage offers the optimal tradeoff between risk and reward?
We looked back at 14,000 startups that raised in 2014-15 and found the highest expected values are: Series C, A, and B in that order.
We also dug into how these numbers vary if you want a larger exit (>$500M) or boost your odds by working at a startup with top investors.
Hello Xsellerate Founder subscribers! Most of you will be across this I'm sure, but, if not, see below for a link to the various different funding options and support available for Startups in Victoria through LaunchVic.
Should you need any help navigating the different funding options and finding out what the right path for you could be then please reach out to us to connect.
#startup#scaleup#startupadvice
📣 ATTN: FOUNDERS
Are you looking to bring your startup idea to life in Victoria?
With a range of equity-free grants and programs tailored for aspiring and early-stage startup founders, you’ll find the support you need to find that product/market fit.
Explore our Accelerators, Grants and Investor Networks to grow your startup ➡️ https://lnkd.in/gqVd966s
When we got started with our first rudimentary workshops, addressing people problems felt like the frontier in supporting startups. Hardly anyone in the startup ecosystem—including founders, investors, and accelerators—was paying attention to the help founders needed to navigate team conflicts and build healthy cultures.
#TheBonfireMoment 🔥 meets your team where they are and lays out a plan to help your team do what they can.
Learn more: bonfiremoment.com
I get asked this all the time
Matt... What is the difference between
”Venture Studios & Accelerators”
In short:
Venture studios offer comprehensive, flexible,
hands-on support from idea to growth stages
Accelerators offer brief, structured programs
for early-revenue startups, focusing on
education and networking
But for a more detailed answer
⤷ Check out this post below
And if you like this table
You’d love this post on the comparison between the
returns of Traditional Start-Ups and Studio Start-Ups
Click here to see why I say that
⤷ https://lnkd.in/gaTBvTAd
Is your startup getting lost in a stampede? We dive into the difference between early-stage cash and VC windfalls. Spoiler alert: sometimes less is more!
The Startup Hustle newsletter can help you decide what’s good and not. Sign up today!: https://zurl.co/OJpW
CEO @ Teamhub.com | Project tools your team will stick with.
2moBooked our tickets 🥳. Looking forward to it. Wondering if I should start training for the run 🏃🏽♂️. Can’t remember the last time I ran 5K 😂.