Being The Pattern (Stax / Suneera Madhani - Ep23)

There is one thing that almost every single entrepreneur has in common - the drive to change the world in some way, shape, or form.

For today's guest, she spent years of her career working for organizations like Doctors Without Borders and the United Nations, living overseas and funding entrepreneurs who were trying to make a difference in their communities.

Stacy Edgar is the co-founder and CEO of Ventuer, a company revolutionizing the healthcare space. To date, Ventuer has raised a total of $7.72M in venture funding. $120k of that being a pre-seed round from Techstars, the other $7.6M coming from the seed round they closed in August of 2023 led by GSR Ventures. 

In this episode Stacy shares some of her stories from raising her seed round as well as her success with open enrollment and the hard decisions they had to (and continue to have to) make while raising and scaling the business. Make sure to listen to the full episode!

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In this episode of The Backchannel, the host delves into the intricacies of lead investors versus co-leads, breaking down the key distinctions and red flags to watch out for. 

Learn why securing a dedicated lead investor holds paramount importance in navigating the complexities of fundraising, and gain valuable insights into the potential pitfalls of co-lead arrangements. 

Tune in for an informative exploration of investment dynamics and strategic considerations to think about before considering getting a co-lead. See you next week!

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Join us in this episode for an insightful discussion on pattern recognition in venture capital and its impact on underrepresented founders. 

The host dives into the power dynamics of pattern matching, exploring how VCs use this tool to make investment decisions while shedding light on its potential biases. 

From the imprecision of pattern recognition to strategies for overcoming its limitations, this episode offers practical insights for both founders and investors. 

Listen in for a solid conversation on leveling the playing field in startup funding.

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While most kids were occupied with typical childhood activities, today's guest was already knee-deep in the world of technology. From coding PHP to deconstructing old computers with his pops, his early passion for innovation set the stage for an extraordinary entrepreneurial journey.

Fast forward to the present, Igor Marinelli stands as the visionary co-founder of Tractian, a cutting-edge machine intelligence company that has gained significant attention in the startup ecosystem. With an impressive $63 million in funding raised within just four years, including a substantial $45 million Series B led by renowned investor General Catalyst, Igor's achievements are nothing short of awe-inspiring.

Join us as we delve into Igor's insightful narrative, exploring the pivotal moments that shaped his entrepreneurial trajectory and propelled Tractian to success.

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In this episode, the host tackles a common yet often misunderstood slide in pitch decks: the "use of funds" slide. 

Many founders include it because they've heard it's necessary, but often it ends up being a vague waste of space. 

Instead, use this slide strategically to outline where you are today, your future goals, and how the allocated funds will be specifically utilized. 

By anchoring it in concrete objectives and clear allocation, you not only inform investors but also demonstrate a thoughtful plan for executing with the capital raised. 

So, next time you're crafting a use of funds slide, ensure it serves a purpose and isn't just a filler in your deck!

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In this episode of the Back Channel, Jason shares a fresh approach to email communication that's both personal and impactful.

Learn how to craft emails with a punchy, genuine tone while including a business-focused appendix for all the important details.

Say goodbye to lengthy, synthetic emails and hello to increased response rates. 

Listen and discover the power of the email appendix and revolutionize your communication style!

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In the last two decades, the startup industry has seen remarkable transformations, from the emergence of angel investors and venture capital firms to the rise of SaaS, cryptocurrencies, and the global diversification of the field.

But what's even more exciting is the increasing presence of female founders, who, despite facing challenges, are making significant strides in entrepreneurship.

Today, we're chatting with Joanna Strober, a founder who's witnessed this industry shift firsthand. From being one of the few women in venture capital to securing venture backing for her first company (which was later acquired by Weight Watchers), and raising a total of $39M for her latest venture, Midi Health, Joanna's journey is nothing short of inspiring.

Curious about what it was like being apart of a changing industry? Listen to find out.

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In this episode of The Back Channel, we delve into a crucial post-fundraising topic: choosing service providers for your startup.

While it may seem mundane, the decision-making process can greatly impact your business. 

Key takeaways include filtering for providers with startup expertise, considering the additional value they offer beyond their core services, and trusting your instincts about the working relationship.

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Join Jason Yeh on The Back Channel as he demystifies thesis-driven firms. They may not be as rigid as you think! 

Ever wondered why these firms love their theses? It's not just about focus; it's also a way to say "no" graciously when a deal doesn't spark joy. 

Plus, it can also be used for flexibility! Some startups may not seem thesis-fit, but if you dig deeper, they'll find intriguing connections to make the deal work.

Don't be afraid to engage with thesis-driven firms. Look beyond the thesis, explore their portfolio, and you might discover hidden opportunities!

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Just like with any skill, there are beginners, and there are experts. Through practice and experience, the experts become exceptional at what they do.

In fundraising, there are also experts. You could call them the "seasoned vets" of venture capital. These are the founders that have raised all the way from small angel rounds to Series B and beyond. It's safe to say that any founder who's raised over 4 rounds of venture capital knows a thing or two about fundraising.

Today, I get to share my conversation with one of those fundraising experts.

Dylan Beynon is a 3x Founder who has raised hundreds of millions of capital throughout his career. His most recent venture is Mindbloom, a company that provides at-home psychedelic care that transforms mental health which he has raised over $50M across 3 rounds for.

Dylan's success with Mindbloom is amazing, but his why is even better. Get your tissues, this one might pull on your heart strings...

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