Rosaria B.’s Post

A great start-up pitch deck tells a great story, is thoughtful about both the problem and the solution, and provides solid clues that traction is here (or almost here).

We've looked at hundreds of African start-up pitch decks, and some rise to the top based on things like: how thoughtfully the problem is articulated, how the TAM is defined (bigger is definitely not always better), and how the solution is differentiated. https://lnkd.in/gPP6c72D

Pitching for funding at pre-seed/seed is very different to Series A+. Early stage = Investors are backing YOU (with a splash of product 💦 ) Later Stage = Investors are backing the product I've had this conversation from a few different angles over the past few weeks, both from the founder side, and the investor side. And equally heard some interesting lines of questioning being put on founders at pre-seed. From an investor perspective, pre-seed/seed is a high risk/high reward investment. Spread the bets and hope a few come off. As you go through the stages, cheques are bigger and more calculated. It's important for founders to understand this, and understand from the investors perpective. In early stage, it's more about YOU, rather then the product. In your pitch, you need to make sure the investor is coming out of that meeting thinking 'jeez they were good, no matter what the product is, they are going to build something crazy good.' You don't have a crystal ball in the early stages, so don't focus on hypothetical metrics over the next 5 years 🔮 . Showcase you understand what is needed to get there and how you are going to do. In the race of high risk/high reward, showcase just why you're the best bet. Showcase your WHY. (****and investors at pre-seed/seed, stop grilling on projected numbers. It's fine to ask to see if there's an understanding on the metrics, but some of the lines of questioning i've heard. Just no.) #growthstrategies #growthadvisory #venturecapital #startupinvestment #globalexpansion

Stephen Whyte recently jumped in on a post where I described what ADCR Capital's mission is, aside with what I currently see that is going on in the market, leading to me starting the firm. He found it spot on, that's already a good start 😅 . In the comment section, he also said: "The challenge we are seeing is the ones that have already had VC funding where the VCs seem to lack motivation to support a restructuring. How do you propose to deal with reluctant VC?" Absolutely love it when people give those open questions to see what you got - or would do, in certain scenarios. It offers an opportunity to share expertise, yet equally so, an opportunity to learn. I then replied I'd have a sitdown with that VC and get to the bottom of why they are blocking it. Typically these are companies that are not performing as they should, so VC's have all the benefits of what I describe here. That I'd also work closely together with this VC, on a strategic and board level so there is consensus on what we're building here. Or try. In case of conflict, I'd attempt to offer a path to an exit. No magic here, depends on their goals, and ambitions, and sometimes deals just don't work out. But you can sit down and talk about it, and see if there would be a potential way forward in any of those 2 directions. Get their buy-in or offer an exit. But then Stephen Whyte pointed out something to me: "Our challenge is we often engage with the founder who has a strained/nervous relationship with their investors now that the dream of being a Unicorn is dead. Here in the UK we have noticed that many investors are holding these investments in their portfolio at valuations that no longer make sense, maybe the are raising a new fund 😉. When the investment is still held at an unrealistic valuation it is hard to engage with the VC as it forces the issue on a write-down" That does quite close the door - doesn't it. See: not every situation is fixable. Sometimes there's a conflict of interest beyond your control. Not too much you can do about that one. You can try, but there are sometimes different forces at play. I found that addition from Stephen educational, worth sharing. #privateequity #founders #vc #venturecapital #tech

How to Master the Early Stage Phase? Last week, our colleague Thomas joined the Fintech Fringe panel at London Tech Week to discuss "Navigating the Early Stage Landscape.” Moderated by Amelia Isaacs, Future of Finance Reporter, the session provided founders with insights for securing early-stage investment. Alongside Thomas, industry experts Hattie Willis - IfWeRaise, Meera Bissoondeeal - 13books Capital, and Ivan Maryasin - Monite joined the discussion. Here are some of the tips they shared: 1. Fundraising Market ▪ Competitive Market: Despite a tightening market leading to fewer deals, those that do occur remain highly competitive. There's a noticeable growth in pre-emption of upcoming investment rounds across all stages as VCs compete for the best deal flow. ▪ Valuation Trends: Pre-seed and seed rounds continue to hold strong valuations, significantly above the long-term average. However, the valuations of many later-stage rounds remain depressed due to uncertainty in potential exit timelines and the overall environment. 2. Fundraising Process ▪ Focus on Fundamentals: There is a renewed focus on demonstrating necessary growth rates and traction or having a clear narrative for future acceleration. ▪ Building Relationships: Engaging with target VCs between fundraisings to build a relationship and learn who may be the best fit for your journey can be time well spent. ▪ Preparation is Key: The first meeting is crucial. Properly preparing and understanding the person and organization you are speaking to is essential for the best chance of success. This is true for both VCs and founders to ensure the best fit. #MotiveVentures #FintechWeek #EarlyStageInvestment #StartupFunding #VCInsights

Farther Co-Founder & CEO Taylor Matthews and Managing Director Gary Corderman sat down with RIABiz.com's Lisa Shidler Hedger to discuss Farther’s rapid growth trajectory – highlighting the firm’s advisor- and client-centric technology and a company culture that values employee input. From Taylor Matthews: “It’s a pretty consistent trend where advisors are hearing our story. We’re no longer firmly in the startup category. We have credibility as a medium-sized RIA. The proof is in the pudding." Read the full article here: https://bit.ly/4bJo1TX. #gofarther #wealthmanagement #financialadvisor #wealthtech #teamfarther

>>> ✨Last week vs. this week with and for VCs <<< Last week, I had the pleasure of finding out inspiring stories about making it through the storm (e.g. pandemic, war) and growing stronger and dare I say more empathetic with regional investors, associates, and managing directors, like Vedran B., Alin V. Stanciu, Peter Tanczos, Miruna Sophia Popa, Roumen Jordanov, and Mihnea Craciun. 💡 The panel walked us through a journey of fundraising in these challenging times, due diligence evolution through the years, and building long-lasting relationships with tech entrepreneurs. Is it challenging? Yes. Can it be done? Of course, but only if you believe in what you do and you communicate transparently and consistently about this = #Storytelling. 📅 This leads us to The Recursive's last "Let's Sesh" in collaboration with Sessions "Beyond Capital: Brand Building for VC Firms", online, on the 14th of December. Save your spot in the link in the comments! #VCs #Branding #TechInvestors

As early-stage investors we have the opportunity of speaking to founders solving for a diverse set of problems. Not all business ideas need VC funding for growth. The dynamics of VC funding requires exponential growth in business. Most founders are building structurally good businesses that can compound at 20-30% annually and grow without having to take the risks associated with VC funding. That said, we at Chanakya are looking for founders who are building businesses that can truly scale exponentially. Gautam Kapur | Puneet Malik #venturecapital #bootstrapped #debt

I worked with 2000+ startups on their investor readiness. Here are 5 mistakes I saw way too often. ❌ Lack of client’s pain understanding ❌ Too much tech-talk, not enough GTM ❌ Not highlighting the opportunity for the investor ❌ Unrealistic, top-down market calculations ❌ "Selling" too much and not limiting presentation time Want to have stronger, sharper business case? Need a bulletproof pitch that resonates with investors? Wish that I'll get you real feedback from an investor after your pitch? 👉 Let's work together. If you feel like your pitch is standing in your way to money? 👉 Let's talk: https://wa.link/mzljdu

It's the hope that kills you... Founders think they are just one step away from investment ☑ Build an MVP OR ☑ Create a fancier pitch deck OR ☑ A more detailed financial model OR ☑ Pitch to more opportunities In reality being funded by VCs and even winning grants etc depends entirely on a startup fitting the investors' narratives If you're pitching to VCs, do you really, really understand how they operate and how they make decisions?