Travis Starkey’s Post

When traction talks, investors listen. Investors crave proof that your idea isn't just a concept but a force gaining momentum. When pitching, cut to the chase and lead with your traction – whether it's user growth, revenue spikes, or strategic partnerships. Traction is your golden ticket to capturing investor interest in a saturated market. So, the next time you try to answer the investor question of, "Is this fundable?" remember, it's the traction that speaks volumes. #StartupFunding #TractionIsKey #InvestorPitch #EarlyStage #b2btech Our accelerator program invests up to $100k in selected companies, meanwhile focusing on elevating the key indicator of success, traction. To learn more or apply, check out the link in the comments below.

Don't Care About Your Exit Strategy ______ Sometimes I hear other early-stage investors ask Founders about their exit strategy. I think that question is pointless. Asking the Founder of a pre-revenue or early-revenue company whether or not they plan to go public or be acquired 10 years down the road shouldn't be on the top 500 investor questions. When I meet with software founders at PHX Ventures, I'm trying to assess whether I believe this team, building this product, selling into this industry at this point in time will be able to build a high-growth, capital-efficient company. Team. Product. Market. Timing. Growth. Efficiency. All of these things need to go right for a company to be built successfully. And that's what I care most about - company building. Can this team stay together and stay in love with the problem? Can this team build a product that customers love and can't live without? Is the timing right for a product like this and who else is trying to compete? Can a $100m ARR company be built here? That's what I am trying to figure out. Can a real company get built here? If ambitious Founders build high-growth, capital-efficient, sustainable companies with great cultures, the right exit strategy will manifest itself at the right time. Just build something awesome. #founders #venturecapital #b2b #saas

I file this under founder education. It’s important that founders understand what motivates investors and how these motivations manifest in the terms and conditions of an investment agreement. While I wouldn’t obsess about it, it’s good to ask because many founders are not aware of the assumption that there will be an eventual exit. #founder #venturecapital #startups

I genuinely could not agree more. Asking a pre-revenue or early-revenue business about its exit strategy is like asking what the weather will be like in 2020 on April 15th at 6:45 p.m. They really don't have a bloody clue yet because they haven't built any real scalable, proven value yet. Obsess over what builds value, starting with the team and relentless execution in every area that counts... the gravity created by that value generation will bring more exit options than you can shake a stick at. Results are 90 degrees to motion (ripple effect); if you are obsessed with building a valuable enterprise, the world is your oyster.

Unlocking a Win-Win Partnership between Enterprises and VCs: "Collaboration breeds success when trust, shared goals, innovation, strategic alignment, and open communication intertwine." At AccelRevenue, we're dedicated to fostering partnerships that redefine success. Discover the keys to creating thriving collaborations between enterprises and venture capitalists. Join the journey of transforming visions into reality through strategic partnerships. Let's build bridges that bridge success for both enterprises and VCs. Share this wisdom and ignite discussions on how impactful partnerships drive innovation and growth in the business landscape. #AccelRevenue #WinWinPartnerships #StrategicCollaboration #EnterpriseGrowth #VCPartnerships #BusinessInnovation #SuccessKeys #InvestorConnections #CollaborativeEcosystem #InnovationHub #EntrepreneurialJourney #BusinessPartnerships #VentureCapitalInsights #UnlockingSuccess

📈 𝐓𝐨𝐩 𝐔𝐒 𝐕𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐈𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐐1 2024 1. Andreessen Horowitz: 33 companies 2. General Catalyst: 32 companies 3. Sequoia Capital: 23 companies 4. Khosla Ventures: 21 companies 5. Lightspeed: 19 companies 6. Alumni Ventures: 16 companies 7. Bessemer Venture Partners: 15 companies 8.AlleyCorp, GV (Google Ventures), Polychain Capital, Samsung Next: 13 companies #VentureCapital #InvestmentTrends #USInvestors #1Q2024 #QuarterlyReview

They say Sequoia sees every deal. So then it’s the question of internal decision making and competition with other funds. Are VC funds actually tracking this KPI of seeing every deal? Comparing the internal CRM to the funded startups each quarter? Feels like a simple vlookup type of exercise. Paraphrasing: “you miss 100% of potential profits from the deals you don’t see”. You need to make adjustments to stage/industry of course.

Private Equity (PE) firms are becoming a larger part of the exit optionality for B2B SaaS Founders and CEOs. Over the past few years, PE firms have gone down the market to evaluate companies in the $5M - $20M ARR range which was traditionally the domain of Venture Capital. In today's episode, we cover several aspects of being an Operating Partner at a Private Equity firm with Paul Stansik, Partner at ParkerGale Capital including: • The role of an Operating Partner at a PE firm • The evolution of an Operating Partner over the past five years • How to work with a PE Operating Partner as a GTM executive • The most concerning “metrics trends” over the last 12 months • What CEOs should expect from their VP of Sales If you are working with or will be starting to work with an Operating Partner in a Private Equity firm this conversation is chock-full of great insights and ideas. Listen now at https://lnkd.in/eb82hWS4 #MetricsThatMeasureUp #PrivateEquity #B2BSaaS

Pre-IPO vs. Post-IPO: Picking Your Startup Winner The startup world is sizzling, and investors are hungry for a piece of the action. But should you chase pre-IPO opportunities or grab shares post-IPO? Let's break down the pros and cons of each: **Pre-IPO: High Risk, High Reward ** Early Access: Be among the first investors in a potential game-changer. Discount Potential: Pre-IPO shares might be cheaper than the public offering price. Limited Availability: Owning a pre-IPO gem can be exciting, but access is restricted. But be aware: Illiquidity Trap: Selling pre-IPO shares can be tough. You're likely in for the long haul (years) until an IPO or acquisition. Startup Rollercoaster: Many young companies don't make it. Your investment could become worthless. Information Blackout: Pre-IPO companies often share less financial data, making due diligence tricky. **Post-IPO: Transparency & Flexibility ** Liquidity Lifeline: Publicly traded shares offer the freedom to buy or sell on the stock exchange. Open Book Management: Public companies disclose more financial information, allowing for better analysis. Proven Track Record: By IPO time, these companies have a business model that's working, reducing some risk. However, remember: IPO Frenzy: The initial offering can be volatile, and the stock price might not reflect true value. Missed Discount: You won't get the potentially lower pre-IPO price. **Choosing Your Startup Champion ** Pre-IPO is for investors comfortable with high risk, long bets, and the potential for massive returns. Post-IPO caters to those seeking liquidity, transparency, and a less volatile entry point. The best choice depends on your risk tolerance, investment goals, and research skills. Consider connecting with a financial advisor to find the option that aligns with your overall strategy. #startupinvesting #preipo #ipo #venturecapital #stockmarket