Thunder.vc’s Post

🎙️ New Podcast As a non-tech startup, our growth has been grounded in the real world, driven by values and a commitment to sustainable, tangible impact. The latest podcast focuses on exactly that - the story of two races at the end of 2023, back-to-back, across two weeks, with two entirely distinct groups, yet those strands of our values, threaded them both together. It's a story that crossed, time zones, topographies, weather systems, and Matt Fenton realising that Nick Kershaw had a run into a bus door and given himself a nice concussion...well worth a listen. Starting in 2015, amidst the rapid rise of tech unicorns, we embarked on a journey of building an events organisation rooted in SDGs that would connect runners to the power they have to uplift the lives of others. https://lnkd.in/eddijcdH This journey reaffirms that innovation isn't confined to technology. It's found in the way we bring people together, inspire action, and create lasting change. Here's to celebrating the power of human spirit and the non-tech startups making a profound impact in their own, unique ways. 🌱 #powerofrunning #startups #entrepreneurship

The word 'startup' often conjures images of tech giants and billion-dollar valuations, building a non-tech startup like Impact Marathon Series has been a journey against the current. 🏞️ When we began in 2015, the startup landscape buzzed with tech innovations. Names like Bird, Theranos, and WeWork dominated headlines with their rapid rises (and, for some, equally rapid falls). I was often frustrated with the lauding of a big raise on a massive valuation over the tangible growth of revenue and healthy balance sheets. Yet, here we are, carving our path at Impact Marathon, just about outliving those more glamorous names listed here, not with SASS, or by engineering a marketplace, or a platform, but building human connections, and running a whole lot. Our growth hasn't been meteoric; it's been organic, rooted in values and real-world impact. There hasn’t always been growth either! In a tech-dominated era, we've embraced the slow but steady approach, focusing on deep, tangible change. This is a reminder that startups aren't just scalable tech companies. They're about vision, passion, and people. We're here to show that a different model of success exists, one that's measured not in app downloads or user data, but in the laughter of children at a newly built water pipeline, in the sweat and tears of runners crossing finish lines, in the communities uplifted, and in every step taken towards a better world. https://lnkd.in/eCbRNiWZ the power of unity - Impact Stories with Nick Kershaw (captivate.fm) To my fellow non-tech entrepreneurs: stay the course. Our journeys may be quieter, but they are no less extraordinary. #powerofrunning #impactstories #entrepreneurship #startup

Not a fan of acceleration programs? 👀 Maybe you see them as a waste of time? Or you tried once and it didn't meet your expectations? 🤔 Let us change your mind! 😎 Check out our interview with Maria Tyka-Majewska and get insights about acceleration programs, tips from the expert, and learn more about the upcoming #HugeThingStartupBooster 🚀 Hold your coffee and click here 👉 https://lnkd.in/gptR8Cme #FunduszeUE #FunduszeEuropejskie

The most underrated talent out there: 🙌 Simplifying 🙌 Having a talent for putting things simply, makes, content, pitches, and conversations refreshing and easy to digest. You see a lot of people trying to complexify everything, especially here on Linkedin, perhaps in order to appear smarter or something? 😅 But you know what really screams expertise? 🙌 Explaining a complex topic simply. 🙌 ♻️ Repost if you liked this, 📢 Comment or DM me "𝗳𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴" to hear more from me about raising money for your startup. I'm here to serve! #business #entrepreneurship #fundraising

I am a mentor at the Scaling Up Program by Unicorn Factory Lisboa for leading growth-stage startups. They are open for applications: Apply here by Sep 29: https://lnkd.in/dYkBMX7E or contact Mariana Mendes Ribeiro Launched in 2023, this is Portugal's premier acceleration initiative focused on scaleups, offering strategic guidance and resources to drive their success and establish Lisbon as a global innovation hub. Key Program Insights: - 40 scaleups selected from 148 applicants - 1305 employees across participating companies, with €309M in total capital raised - 29% employee growth and 65% funding growth within the 8-month program - Supported by 84 investment, corporate, and ecosystem partners - Over 140 C-level mentors from unicorns, scaleups, corporates, and venture capital firms #StartupMentoring #Scaleup #Innovation #UnicornFactoryLisboa #ScalingUpProgram #Entrepreneurship #GrowthStage #LisbonInnovation #ScalingStartups

Fundraising tip #9 of 13: it's pretty obvious but... don't wait for the money to come - go out and meet it. Early-stage fundraising is a pretty random activity. There are few professional investors, and a large part of the global capital dedicated to funding early startups comes from non-newtonian sources: friends and family, random rich people, small companies, obscure family offices... So, much like finding friends, romance or adventure, it's a matter of getting out of the house and making things happen, with no small part of luck and randomness involved. Get out of your office, go places, be nice to everyone 😃, meet more people, send tons of mails, make stuff happen. Incidentally, that is a very good reason to make sure your critical tasks in the company are covered by someone else until you've raised your round. As a CEO or lead fundraiser, your place is out there networking and talking to people.

It's great to be part of the Scaling Up Program by Unicorn Factory Lisboa, where I have the privilege of mentoring some of the most promising growth-stage startups! Launched in 2023, this is Portugal’s first acceleration program dedicated to scaleups. It equips companies with the strategic guidance and resources needed to scale successfully, positioning Lisbon as a global hub of innovation.   Why I’m involved: Supporting innovation and entrepreneurship is one of my passions, and this program brings together an exceptional network of scaleups, mentors, and partners to create a real impact. Program Highlights: 40 scaleups selected from 148 applicants 1305 people employed, raising €309M in total capital Scaleups grew by 29% in employees and 65% in funding during the 8-month program 84 investment, corporate, and ecosystem partners backing the initiative +140 C-level mentors from unicorns, scaleups, corporates, and venture capitals If you’re a scaleup with a strong team, generating revenue, and scaling fast, this program is for you! Apply here by Sep 29: https://lnkd.in/dmAcpNGs Looking forward to helping even more startups scale and succeed! #StartupMentoring #Scaleup #Innovation #UnicornFactoryLisboa #ScalingUpProgram #Entrepreneurship #GrowthStage #LisbonInnovation #ScalingStartups

For many companies, this week is the start of a new fiscal quarter - and time for renewed fundraising efforts. #FemaleGPs, we've got you covered with the top three #fundraising tips from Sophia Platt and Emna Ghariani from Bridge Funding Global Read their tips in this Forbes article: https://lnkd.in/gX6Wn4rC

Fundraising is not easy in the current climate. Actually, from our experience, it’s not been easy for more than a year now. Investors want more metrics, pre-launch companies will find this near impossible to work with. At our #startup we know this because that’s us. Be encouraged • it’s possible but it takes guts and a deep determination. Believe in your product. Keep going! #buildinginpublic #fundraising

🌟 I’m thrilled to be part of the Scaling Up Program by Unicorn Factory Lisboa, where I have the privilege of mentoring some of the most promising growth-stage startups! 🚀 Launched in 2023, this is Portugal’s first acceleration program dedicated to scaleups. It equips companies with the strategic guidance and resources needed to scale successfully, positioning Lisbon as a global hub of innovation.   ✨ Why I’m involved: Supporting innovation and entrepreneurship is my passion, and this program brings together an exceptional network of scaleups, mentors, and partners to create a real impact. 🌎 Program Highlights: - 40 scaleups selected from 148 applicants - 1305 people employed, raising €309M in total capital - Scaleups grew by 29% in employees and 65% in funding during the 8-month program - 84 investment, corporate, and ecosystem partners backing the initiative - +140 C-level mentors from unicorns, scaleups, corporates, and venture capitals If you’re a scaleup with a strong team, generating revenue, and scaling fast, this program is for you! Apply here by Sep 29: https://lnkd.in/dGAyFmRB Looking forward to helping even more startups scale and succeed! 💡 #StartupMentoring #Scaleup #Innovation #UnicornFactoryLisboa #ScalingUpProgram #Entrepreneurship #GrowthStage #LisbonInnovation #ScalingStartups