Provide clear financial outlook for next 1-3 years in pitch deck: Focus on one to three-year financial projections, with a clear and realistic outlook, to support your startup's story and aid investors in understanding your business needs and growth potential.
During the early stages of a startup, such as Seed or Series A, it's essential to include financial information in your pitch deck, but don't overthink it. Focus on providing a realistic and clear financial outlook for the next one to three years. Remember, a pitch is a sales pitch, and financial data should support your story and provide a framework for investors to understand your business needs and growth potential. As an investor, I personally prefer to see a one to three-year financial projection, with a focus on the first year for seed-stage investments. This allows me to assess the company's financial logic and thoughtfulness, helping me make informed investment decisions.
Creating a financial model is essential for entrepreneurs: Entrepreneurs should create a financial model to project revenue, costs, and income, ensuring a financial cushion for unexpected challenges.
Creating a financial model is crucial for entrepreneurs embarking on a business journey, no matter the destination. A financial model is a simplified projection in Excel or Google Sheets that outlines revenue, cost of goods sold, operating expenses, and resulting operating income. This income serves as a reliable indicator of burn for most startups. However, for capital-intensive businesses, a more robust three-statement model including cash flow and balance sheet is necessary. It's important to remember that unforeseen circumstances can arise, just like encountering storms during long voyages. Having a financial cushion ensures you're not cutting it too close and can reach milestones even when faced with unexpected challenges. In other words, bring 125 days' worth of food instead of just 100. When analyzing a financial model, focus on the cost of goods sold (COGS) and resulting gross profit. COGS are the costs directly related to producing and delivering your product. Gross profit indicates the potential profitability of your business and can help attract capital and higher valuations when going public or being acquired. High gross profit businesses, such as software companies, tend to have an easier time securing funding and trading at higher valuations.
Accurately reporting gross margins is vital for securing venture capital funding: Allocating costs correctly is essential to accurately represent a business's financial health and secure funding. Misallocating costs can lead to an inaccurate representation and potential funding issues.
Accurately reporting gross margins is crucial for software startups seeking venture capital funding. The gross margin, which represents the difference between revenue and cost of goods sold (COGS), can significantly impact a company's perceived financial health. However, it's essential to allocate costs correctly to avoid misrepresenting the gross margin. For instance, a customer support representative's salary should only be allocated to COGS if they're directly supporting revenue-generating activities. Misallocating costs can lead to an inaccurate representation of the business's financial health and potentially hinder the ability to secure funding. Additionally, some companies may attempt to manipulate their gross margins by underreporting necessary costs or overreporting revenue. This dishonesty can lead to consequences down the line. Therefore, it's crucial for startups to work closely with their management teams and accountants to ensure accurate cost allocation and reporting.
Understanding financials early on is crucial for startup success: Misallocating resources can lead to inaccurate financial projections. Learn financial concepts early to ensure future success and understand financial models like steady state gross margins.
In the early stages of a startup, founders often wear multiple hats and need to understand various aspects of their business, including finances and operations. A common mistake is misallocating resources, such as overspending on development environments while neglecting customer-facing expenses. This can lead to inaccurate financial projections during investor pitches. It's crucial to learn these concepts early on, even when numbers are low, to ensure future success. Additionally, understanding financial models, such as steady state gross margins, can help provide clarity and confidence during investor meetings. For further exploration, resources like the Cruise website offer tools to help entrepreneurs work through these financial details and learn the difference between roles like sales operations and general admin.
Presenting financials to investors: Entrepreneurs should prepare a detailed financial model before pitching to investors, providing a two to three-year projection and additional details in an appendix or data room.
Having a solid business model and financial understanding is crucial for entrepreneurs when pitching to investors. While storytelling through words is important, investors often prefer to understand the business through numbers and financial projections. Preparing a detailed financial model beforehand can help entrepreneurs identify potential issues and make necessary adjustments, saving time and resources during the pitching process. This can be compared to a restaurant experience, where having more detailed information about the dish can increase confidence in the dining experience. Entrepreneurs should aim to provide a two to three-year financial model in their pitch deck, with an appendix or data room available for additional details.
Enhance credibility with your appendix: A comprehensive appendix demonstrates understanding of business model, increases investor confidence, and sets entrepreneurs apart from competition.
Preparing a comprehensive appendix for your pitch deck can significantly enhance your credibility and impress potential investors. The appendix should include various statistics and supporting information that demonstrate your understanding of your business model, pricing, customer acquisition costs, and lifetime value of customers. Having this information readily available shows that you have thoughtfully considered these aspects of your business and can speak knowledgeably about them. Additionally, it demonstrates to investors that you are proactive and have already gathered important data, increasing their confidence in your ability to navigate the unknown aspects of your business. Don't underestimate the value of having even small amounts of data in your appendix. It's better to have something to show than nothing at all. Many entrepreneurs lack this level of preparation, so having an appendix sets you apart and shows that you are serious about your business and its potential for growth.
Preparing for Series A Funding: Transparency and Preparation are Key: Understand financial milestones, present a robust financial model, have clear revenue and spending, organize due diligence folder, and work with a great accounting partner.
For startups seeking Series A funding, transparency and preparation are key. The analogy of a journey with milestones and reprovisioning highlights the importance of knowing financial milestones and having a robust financial model to present to investors. This includes having a clear understanding of revenue and spending, as well as any significant upfront cash collections or capital-intensive expenses. Having a well-organized due diligence folder with financial information, including a balance sheet and cash flow statement, is essential to demonstrating the startup's financial health and viability to potential investors. Additionally, having a great accounting partner can make this process easier and more effective.
Navigating Economic Challenges with Passion and Determination: Entrepreneurs and investors remain unwavering despite economic challenges. Thorough diligence and strategic planning are crucial for navigating market instability.
Despite the economic challenges and market instability, the passion and determination of entrepreneurs and venture capitalists remain unwavering. Cruz Scott, as a trusted partner, has consistently provided valuable insights into the ever-changing landscape of business expenses and regulations. The market may be tight in 2023, but it's expected to improve, and the importance of thorough diligence cannot be overstated. Entrepreneurs, like Vanessa Cruz, continue to start companies out of passion and mission, regardless of market conditions. The IMA Q4 guy may be a Q3 guy, but what's clear is that accurate record-keeping and diligent preparation are more important than ever. The economic downturn has made it necessary for investors and founders alike to be more meticulous and strategic. Cruz Scott's focus on early-stage companies and commitment to education make them an invaluable partner in navigating these challenging times.
Founders can't ignore diligence during fundraising: Investors demand accurate financial records, tight accounting, and transparent legal documents. Founders who fail to provide these risk losing investment opportunities. Competitors are embracing diligence, so founders should too.
Founders cannot afford to ignore the diligence process during fundraising. Investors are becoming more thorough in their due diligence, and founders who fail to provide accurate financial records, tight accounting, and transparent legal documents risk losing potential investment opportunities. Scott Cruz emphasized this point, sharing his experience of receiving proactive emails from investors following their conversation, which included term sheets and requests for clarifications. This trend is expected to continue into 2023. Founders who think they are above the diligence process should reconsider, as their competitors are embracing it and improving their chances of securing investments. To learn more about this topic and other valuable insights, tune in to Cruz Consulting's episodes at cruzconsulting.com or visit thisweekinserfs.com/basics.
Financial info to include in your pitch deck | Startup Finance Basics w/ Kruze's Scott Orn | E1640
Recent Episodes from This Week in Startups
How Pie's 'Block Ads, Get Paid' Model Is Giving Users Control of Ads & Privacy | E2012
This Week in Startups is brought to you by…
OpenPhone. Create business phone numbers for you and your team that work through an app on your smartphone or desktop. TWiST listeners can get an extra 20% off any plan for your first 6 months at https://www.openphone.com/twist
LinkedIn Jobs. A business is only as strong as its people, and every hire matters. Go to https://www.linkedin.com/twist to post your first job for free. Terms and conditions apply.a
Beehiiv. Power your newsletters with AI tools, referral programs, and ad network features—all in one platform. Get 30 days free and 20% off your first 3 months at https://www.beehiiv.com/twist
*
Todays show:
Pie.org’s Ryan Hudson joins Jason to discuss consumer behavior (5:57), Honey’s business strategy (10:47), Pie’s consumer ad control (14:20), legal considerations of ad blocking (27:21), and more!
*
Timestamps:
(0:00) Pie.org’s Ryan Hudson joins Jason
(2:30) History and initial reactions to Honey
(5:57) Consumer behavior, trust, and conversion rates
(9:17) OpenPhone - Get 20% off your first six months at https://www.openphone.com/twist
(10:43) Merchant reactions and Honey's business strategy
(14:20) Future of Pie and consumer ad control
(17:50) Demo of Pie browser extension
(20:35) Economic implications of ad blocking
(27:23) LinkedIn Jobs - Post your first job for free at https://www.linkedin.com/twist
(28:34) Legal considerations of ad blocking
(30:20) Apple's privacy stance and ad reintroduction strategies
(36:22) Beehiiv - Get 30 days free and 20% off your first 3 months at https://www.beehiiv.com/twist
(37:50) Funding decisions and advice for young founders
(43:40) Company values and political engagement
(49:08) Remote work and the value of in-person interactions
*
Subscribe to the TWiST500 newsletter: https://ticker.thisweekinstartups.com
Check out the TWIST500: https://www.twist500.com
*
Subscribe to This Week in Startups on Apple: https://rb.gy/v19fcp
*
Follow Ryan:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanhudson
Check out: https://www.pie.org
*
Follow Jason:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasoncalacanis
*
Thank you to our partners:
(9:17) OpenPhone - Get 20% off your first six months at https://www.openphone.com/twist
(27:23) LinkedIn Jobs - Post your first job for free at https://www.linkedin.com/twist
(36:22) Beehiiv - Get 30 days free and 20% off your first 3 months at https://www.beehiiv.com/twist
*
Great TWIST interviews: Will Guidara, Eoghan McCabe, Steve Huffman, Brian Chesky, Bob Moesta, Aaron Levie, Sophia Amoruso, Reid Hoffman, Frank Slootman, Billy McFarland
*
Check out Jason’s suite of newsletters: https://substack.com/@calacanis
*
Follow TWiST:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/TWiStartups
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/thisweekin
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thisweekinstartups
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thisweekinstartups
Substack: https://twistartups.substack.com
*
Subscribe to the Founder University Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@founderuniversity1916
Navigating Challenges in Distressed Companies with Becki DeGraw | Wilson Sonsini Startup Legal Basics
Todays show: Wilson Sonsini Partner Becki DeGraw joins Jason on the latest edition of Startup Legal Basics! In this episode, they break down challenges in distressed companies(1:04), pay-to-play scenarios (2:31), the importance of a market check in financing (9:25), and high-profile legal and ethical issues (18:03).
*
Timestamps:
(00:00) Wilson Sonsini partner Becki DeGraw joins Jason
(1:04) Distressed companies and VCs leaving the board; Challenges in distressed companies
(2:31) Insider-led down rounds and pay-to-play scenarios
(7:07) Legal actions and stockholder lawsuits in successful turnarounds
(9:25) The importance of a market check in financing; Voting against board decisions
(18:03) Character and incentives in the startup ecosystem; High-profile legal and ethical issues
*
Check Out Wilson Sonsini: https://www.wsgr.com
*
Subscribe to the TWiST500 newsletter: https://ticker.thisweekinstartups.com
Check out the TWIST500: https://www.twist500.com
*
Subscribe to This Week in Startups on Apple: https://rb.gy/v19fcp
*
Follow Becki:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebecca-degraw-639bbb62
*
Follow Jason:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasoncalacanis
*
Great TWIST interviews: Will Guidara, Eoghan McCabe, Steve Huffman, Brian Chesky, Bob Moesta, Aaron Levie, Sophia Amoruso, Reid Hoffman, Frank Slootman, Billy McFarland
*
Check out Jason’s suite of newsletters: https://substack.com/@calacanis
*
Follow TWiST:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/TWiStartups
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/thisweekin
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thisweekinstartups
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thisweekinstartups
Substack: https://twistartups.substack.com
*
Subscribe to the Founder University Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@founderuniversity1916
No hype, Just works: How Comma reached 100M miles in autonomous driving
This Week in Startups is brought to you by…
.Tech Domains - Don’t miss our “Jam with JCal” contest! To apply and get more details go to https://jamwithjcal.tech brought to you by .tech domains.
Vanta. Compliance and security shouldn't be a deal-breaker for startups to win new business. Vanta makes it easy for companies to get a SOC 2 report fast. TWiST listeners can get $1,000 off for a limited time at https://www.vanta.com/twist
Micro1. Micro1 is an AI recruitment engine to hire world class engineers fast. Visit https://www.micro1.ai/twist to open a talent search and get a 2 week free trial per hire.
*
Todays show:
Comma’s Harald Schäfer joins Jason to discuss the future of autonomous driving, Comma’s open-source approach (7:24), how camera-based systems stack up against lidar (20:52), self-driving technology developments globally (32:55), and more!
*
Timestamps:
(0:00) Comma’s Harald Schäfer joins Jason
(2:02) Comma's approach to self-driving technology
(4:06) Cost, installation, and car manufacturers' reactions to Comma
(6:38) .Tech Domains - Apply for the Jam Session with JCal contest today at https://jamwithjcal.tech
(7:24) Open source and different approaches in autonomous driving
(13:08) Comparing Waymo, Tesla FSD, and comma AI's strategies
(20:52) Lidar vs. camera-based systems in autonomy and the advantages of camera-based systems over human drivers
(24:05) Vanta - Get $1000 off your SOC 2 at https://www.vanta.com/twist
(24:56) Autonomous vehicle rollout timeline and predictions
(27:33) Open source projects and major car manufacturers' adoption
(31:25) Micro1 - Visit https://www.micro1.ai/twist to open a talent search and get a 2 week free trial per hire.
(32:55) Self-driving technology developments in China
(34:25) Tesla's anticipated announcements and AI integration in robotics
(39:48) Accessing and contributing to open-source self-driving projects
(41:01) Data sharing and transparency in autonomous driving
(43:14) Global adoption and demographics of self-driving technology
*
Subscribe to the TWiST500 newsletter: https://ticker.thisweekinstartups.com
Check out the TWIST500: https://www.twist500.com
*
Subscribe to This Week in Startups on Apple: https://rb.gy/v19fcp
*
Follow Harald:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/harald-schäfer-567830132
Check out: https://www.comma.ai
*
Follow Jason:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasoncalacanis
*
Thank you to our partners:
(6:38) .Tech Domains - Apply for the Jam Session with JCal contest today at https://jamwithjcal.tech
(24:05) Vanta - Get $1000 off your SOC 2 at https://www.vanta.com/twist
(31:25) Micro1 - Visit https://www.micro1.ai/twist to open a talent search and get a 2 week free trial per hire.
*
Great TWIST interviews: Will Guidara, Eoghan McCabe, Steve Huffman, Brian Chesky, Bob Moesta, Aaron Levie, Sophia Amoruso, Reid Hoffman, Frank Slootman, Billy McFarland
*
Check out Jason’s suite of newsletters: https://substack.com/@calacanis
*
Follow TWiST:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/TWiStartups
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/thisweekin
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thisweekinstartups
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thisweekinstartups
Substack: https://twistartups.substack.com
*
Subscribe to the Founder University Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@founderuniversity1916
Summarize Anything & Discover Connections with Recall’s Sankari Nair | E2010
This Week in Startups is brought to you by…
Squarespace - Turn your idea into a new website! Go to https://www.Squarespace.com/TWIST for a free trial. When you’re ready to launch, use offer code TWIST to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain.
Lemon.io - Hire pre-vetted remote developers, get 15% off your first 4 weeks of developer time at https://www.Lemon.io/twist
CommandAI. Seamlessly integrate an AI-powered guide into your software, making navigation intuitive and interactive. Visit https://www.command.ai/twist to get a custom live demo.
*
Timestamps:
(0:00) Recall’s Sankari joins Jason
(4:15) Explanation of automatic taxonomy creation and adding content to Recall (8:11) Recall’s augmented browser feature and web content indexing
(10:26) Squarespace - Use offer code TWIST to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain at https://www.Squarespace.com/TWIST (14:39) B2B applications, multiplayer mode, and capturing institutional knowledge
(19:15) Lemon.io - Get 15% off your first 4 weeks of developer time at https://www.Lemon.io/twist
(20:40) AI costs for summarization and model preferences (22:08) Personalized learning features and Recall pricing strategy (26:10) The concept of luxury software and jamming on potential features (31:00) CommandAI - Visit https://www.command.ai/twist to get a custom live demo.
(32:34) LinkedIn integration and visual knowledge graph representation (35:26) Jason and Sanks play with the quiz section of Recall (40:43) Final thoughts on startup journey and investment opportunities
*
Subscribe to the TWiST500 newsletter: https://ticker.thisweekinstartups.com/
Check out the TWIST500: twist500.com
Subscribe to This Week in Startups on Apple: https://rb.gy/v19fcp
Founders! Apply to LAUNCH: https://www.launch.co/apply
*
Check out Recall: https://www.getrecall.ai/
*
Follow Sankari and Recall:
X: X: https://x.com/getRecallAI
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sankari-nair-13a549a7
*
Follow Jason:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasoncalacanis
*
Thank you to our partners:
(10:26) Squarespace - Use offer code TWIST to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain at https://www.Squarespace.com/TWIST
(19:15) Lemon.io - Get 15% off your first 4 weeks of developer time at https://www.Lemon.io/twist
(31:00) CommandAI - Visit https://www.command.ai/twist to get a custom live demo.
*
Great TWIST interviews: Will Guidara, Eoghan McCabe, Steve Huffman, Brian Chesky, Bob Moesta, Aaron Levie, Sophia Amoruso, Reid Hoffman, Frank Slootman, Billy McFarland
*
Check out Jason’s suite of newsletters: https://substack.com/@calacanis
*
Follow TWiST:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/TWiStartups
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/thisweekin
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thisweekinstartups
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thisweekinstartups
Substack: https://twistartups.substack.com
*
Subscribe to the Founder University Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@founderuniversity1916
OpenAI's new models, the MrBeast leak, Waymo ♥’s Uber and more! | E2009
Todays show:
Alex Wilhelm joins Jason to discuss OpenAI's latest model and implications (11:49), Uber's partnership with Waymo and its implications (38:16), Analyzing Mr. Beast's content creation and business culture (1:01:21). and more!
*
Timestamps:
(0:00) Jason and Alex kick off the show.
(3:57) Highlights from the All-In Summit (9:16) Tackling media criticism and the state of journalism
(10:23) Washington Post - TWiST listeners can subscribe for just 50 cents per week for your first year at https://www.washingtonpost.com/twist
(11:49) Alex and Jason dive into OpenAI's latest model and implications (19:46) Examination of OpenAI's corporate structure and financing
(20:39) AssemblyAI - Get 100 free hours to start building at https://www.assemblyai.com/twist
(21:51) Further analysis of OpenAI's business model (27:08) OpenAI's valuation and perspectives on speculative investment
(30:26) Brex. Get the business account trusted by 1 in 3 US startups at https://www.brex.com/twist24
(32:07) The landscape of AI startup investments (35:20) How AI is enhancing developer productivity (36:33) AI's potential in consumer markets (38:16) Uber's partnership with Waymo and its implications (41:15) The realities of autonomous vehicle technology deployment (47:00) The government's role in autonomous vehicle tech and partnerships with big tech (52:26) Economic insights: Predictions on the Fed rate cut (56:26) The influence of interest rates on startups and investment strategies (58:52) Discussing cost of living adjustments and food delivery trends (1:00:44) Innovations in autonomous food preparation (1:01:21) Analyzing Mr. Beast's content creation and business culture (1:09:12) How large companies can maintain focus on goals
*
Subscribe to the TWiST500 newsletter: https://ticker.thisweekinstartups.com/
Check out the TWIST500: twist500.com
Subscribe to This Week in Startups on Apple: https://rb.gy/v19fcp
*
Mentioned on the show:
OpenAI o1’s announcement: https://openai.com/index/learning-to-reason-with-llms/
OpenAI release article on The Verve: https://www.theverge.com/2024/9/12/24242439/openai-o1-model-reasoning-strawberry-chatgpt
Supermaven article: https://techcrunch.com/2024/09/16/ai-coding-assistant-supermaven-raises-cash-from-openai-and-perplexity-founders/
Twitter post from Michael Seibel: https://x.com/mwseibel/status/1835063692117103090
Waymo and Uber expand partnership: https://waymo.com/blog/2024/09/waymo-and-uber-expand-partnership/
Polymarket on Fed Interest Rates: https://polymarket.com/event/fed-interest-rates-september-2024?tid=1726496650092
Leaked Mr Beast doc: https://drive.google.com/file/d/11dV24Mda_kNEBCLtPtBomWG4IkngvQKK/view
Travis Kalanick | All-In Summit 2024 video**:** https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8j7lwauJN2s
*
Follow Alex:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexwilhelm
*
Follow Jason:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasoncalacanis
*
Thank you to our partners:
(10:23) Washington Post - TWiST listeners can subscribe for just 50 cents per week for your first year at https://www.washingtonpost.com/twist
(20:39) AssemblyAI - Get 100 free hours to start building at https://www.assemblyai.com/twist
(30:26) Brex. Get the business account trusted by 1 in 3 US startups at https://www.brex.com/twist24
*
Great TWIST interviews: Will Guidara, Eoghan McCabe, Steve Huffman, Brian Chesky, Bob Moesta, Aaron Levie, Sophia Amoruso, Reid Hoffman, Frank Slootman, Billy McFarland
*
Check out Jason’s suite of newsletters: https://substack.com/@calacanis
*
Follow TWiST:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/TWiStartups
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/thisweekin
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thisweekinstartups
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thisweekinstartups
Substack: https://twistartups.substack.com
*
Subscribe to the Founder University Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@founderuniversity1916
Relationship Advice of the Investor Sort with Meghan Reynolds of Altimeter | E2008
This Week in Startups is brought to you by…
LinkedIn Ads. To redeem a $100 LinkedIn ad credit and launch your first campaign, go to https://www.linkedin.com/thisweekinstartups
Runway. Looking to up-level your financial planning Runway is the modern and intuitive way to model, plan, and align your business for everyone on your team. Sign up at https://www.Runway.com/TWIST to get your first 3 months free.
Beehiiv. Power your newsletters with AI tools, referral programs, and ad network features—all in one platform. Get 30 days free and 20% off your first 3 months at https://www.Beehiiv.com/TWIST
*
Todays show:
Meghan Reynolds takes the stage at Liquidity Summit 2024 to discuss the intricacies of raising capital and pitching to VCs. Meghan dives into many topics including the importance of relationships (3:07), fund size rationalization (20:36), market sentiment (25:55), and other crucial aspects of successful fundraising!
*
Timestamps:
(0:00) Meghan Reynolds takes the stage at Liquidity Summit 2024
(3:07) Meghan Reynolds’ talk “Relationship Advice: Of the LP / GP Sort”
(9:43) LinkedIn Ads - Get a $100 LinkedIn ad credit at http://www.linkedin.com/thisweekinstartups
(10:59) Client service in investor relations and fundraising strategies
(15:07) The complexity factor in raising capital
(19:19) Runway - Sign up at https://runway.com/twist to get your first 3 months free.
(20:36) Rationalizing fund size, securing re-ups, and worst pitching practices
(25:55) Market sentiment and single deal SPV dynamics
(29:34) Beehiiv - Get 30 days free and 20% off your first 3 months at https://www.beehiiv.com/twist
(31:02) VC allocations, private credit, and market dynamics
*
Subscribe to the TWiST newsletter: https://www.ticker.thisweekinstartups.com
*
Subscribe to This Week in Startups on Apple: https://rb.gy/v19fcp
*
Check out Altimeter: https://www.altimeter.com
*
Follow Meghan X: https://x.com/MeghanKReynolds
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meghankreynolds
*
Follow Jason:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasoncalacanis
*
Thank you to our partners:
(9:43) LinkedIn Ads - Get a $100 LinkedIn ad credit at http://www.linkedin.com/thisweekinstartups
(19:19) Runway - Sign up at https://runway.com/twist to get your first 3 months free.
(29:34) Beehiiv - Get 30 days free and 20% off your first 3 months at https://www.beehiiv.com/twist
*
Great 2023 interviews: Steve Huffman, Brian Chesky, Aaron Levie, Sophia Amoruso, Reid Hoffman, Frank Slootman, Billy McFarland
*
Check out Jason’s suite of newsletters: https://substack.com/@calacanis
*
Follow TWiST:
Substack: https://twistartups.substack.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/TWiStartups
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/thisweekin
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thisweekinstartups
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thisweekinstartups
*
Subscribe to the Founder University Podcast: https://www.founder.university/podcast
The New Power Law & How I Built a $100B Portfolio | E2007
This Week in Startups is brought to you by…
.Tech Domains. Don’t miss our “Jam with JCal” contest! To apply and get more details go to jamwithjcal.tech brought to you by .tech domains.
Fidelity Private Shares. Manage your cap table and data room, get faster, more accurate 409A valuation and fully automate your next financing round. Visit https://www.fidelityprivateshares.com/ Mention our podcast and receive 20% off your first-year paid subscription.
Oracle. Oracle Cloud Infrastructure, or OCI, is a single platform for your infrastructure, database, application development, and AI needs. Save up to 50% on your cloud bill at https://www.oracle.com/twist
*
Timestamps:
(0:00) Jason joins Pejman Nozad and Jason Shuman at the Liquidity Summit 2024.
(3:25) Pejman Nozad’s “How I Built a $100B Portfolio”
(10:42) .Tech Domains. Don’t miss our “Jam with JCal” contest! To apply and get more details go to https://jamwithjcal.tech/
(21:34) Fidelity Private Shares. Visit https://www.fidelityprivateshares.com/ Mention our podcast and receive 20% off your first-year paid subscription.
(23:50) Jason joins Pejman for a fireside chat.
(36:33) Oracle. Save up to 50% on your cloud bill at https://www.oracle.com/twist
(38:02) Jason Shuman’s “The New Power Law: Good vs Great Funds”:
Subscribe to the TWiST newsletter: https://www.ticker.thisweekinstartups.com
*
Subscribe to This Week in Startups on Apple: https://rb.gy/v19fcp
*
Check out Pear: https://pear.vc/
Check out Primary: https://www.primary.vc/
*
Follow Pejman Nozad: X: https://x.com/pejmannozad
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pejman/
*
Follow Jason Shuman:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonshuman/
*
Follow Jason:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasoncalacanis
*
Thank you to our partners:
(10:42) .Tech Domains. Don’t miss our “Jam with JCal” contest! To apply and get more details go to https://jamwithjcal.tech/
(21:34) Fidelity Private Shares. Visit ****https://www.fidelityprivateshares.com/ Mention our podcast and receive 20% off your first-year paid subscription.
(36:33) Oracle. Save up to 50% on your cloud bill at https://www.oracle.com/twist
*
Great 2023 interviews: Steve Huffman, Brian Chesky, Aaron Levie, Sophia Amoruso, Reid Hoffman, Frank Slootman, Billy McFarland
*
Check out Jason’s suite of newsletters: https://substack.com/@calacanis
*
Follow TWiST:
Substack: https://twistartups.substack.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/TWiStartups
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/thisweekin
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thisweekinstartups
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thisweekinstartups
*
Subscribe to the Founder University Podcast: https://www.founder.university/podcast
Boom: Supersonic speeds for everyday travel with Blake Scholl | E2006
This Week in Startups is brought to you by…
Vanta. Compliance and security shouldn't be a deal-breaker for startups to win new business. Vanta makes it easy for companies to get a SOC 2 report fast. TWiST listeners can get $1,000 off for a limited time at https://www.vanta.com/twist
Squarespace. Turn your idea into a new website! Go to https://www.Squarespace.com/TWIST for a free trial. When you’re ready to launch, use offer code TWIST to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain.
OpenPhone. Create business phone numbers for you and your team that work through an app on your smartphone or desktop. TWiST listeners can get an extra 20% off any plan for your first 6 months at https://www.openphone.com/twist
*
Todays show:
Boom Supersonic’s Blake Scholl joins Jason to discuss the future of supersonic flight (1:18), Boom's vision and test flights (9:25), the evolution of hardware startups (22:29), the future of autonomous aviation (1:17:06), and much more!
*
Timestamps:
(0:00) Boom Supersonic’s Blake Scholl joins Jason
(1:18) Commercial flight speed & Concorde history
(8:34) Vanta - Get $1000 off your SOC 2 at https://www.vanta.com/twist
(9:25) Boom's XB-1 test flights and airline partnerships
(15:04) Pricing, market comparison, and venture capital's view on hardware startups
(21:16) Squarespace - Use offer code TWIST to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain at https://www.Squarespace.com/TWIST
(22:29) Evolution of startup market and hardware innovation
(29:03) Boeing's innovation decline and attracting talent to projects
(36:15) OpenPhone - Get 20% off your first six months at https://www.openphone.com/twist
(37:42) Working with tech legends and overcoming engine design challenges
(49:14) Cross-discipline innovation
(57:01) Learning from Air France 447 and cockpit safety design
(1:03:36) Cockpit technologies and the MH370 mystery
(1:11:30) Public perception of aviation risks and airport security impact
(1:17:06) The future of autonomous aviation
*
Subscribe to the TWiST500 newsletter: https://ticker.thisweekinstartups.com
Check out the TWIST500: https://www.twist500.com
*
Subscribe to This Week in Startups on Apple: https://rb.gy/v19fcp
*
Follow Blake:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/blakescholl
Check out: https://boomsupersonic.com / https://x.com/boomaero
*
Follow Jason:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasoncalacanis
*
Thank you to our partners:
(8:34) Vanta - Get $1000 off your SOC 2 at https://www.vanta.com/twist
(21:16) Squarespace - Use offer code TWIST to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain at https://www.Squarespace.com/TWIST
(36:15) OpenPhone - Get 20% off your first six months at https://www.openphone.com/twist
*
Great TWIST interviews: Will Guidara, Eoghan McCabe, Steve Huffman, Brian Chesky, Bob Moesta, Aaron Levie, Sophia Amoruso, Reid Hoffman, Frank Slootman, Billy McFarland
*
Check out Jason’s suite of newsletters: https://substack.com/@calacanis
*
Follow TWiST:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/TWiStartups
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/thisweekin
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thisweekinstartups
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thisweekinstartups
Substack: https://twistartups.substack.com
*
Subscribe to the Founder University Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@founderuniversity1916
Scaling Childcare with Tech: Winnie.com’s Blueprint for Growing with Purpose & Profit | E2005
This Week in Startups is brought to you by…
Brave Search API. Get started for free at https://www.brave.com/jason
CLA. Get started now at https://www.claconnect.com
Sprig**.** Visit https://sprig.com/twist to book a demo and get a $75 gift card.
*
Timestamps:
(0:00) Sara Mauskopf, CEO of Winnie joins Alex
(1:45) Winnie's evolution, pivot, and focus on childcare services (7:25) Building Winnie's database and reflections on company growth
(9:55) Brave Search API. Get started for free at https://www.brave.com/jason
(12:08) The value of transparency and growth metrics
(19:20) CLA. Get started now at https://www.claconnect.com/
(21:16) Market positioning, motivations, and goals in the childcare industry (23:30) Addressing gender dynamics and startup funding (27:34) Balancing investor expectations with business models
(29:43) Sprig. Visit https://sprig.com/twist ****to book a demo and get a $75 gift card.
(31:10) Profitability, operational efficiency, and managing costs (37:01) Marketing strategies, brand growth, and the impact of Google’s model (40:30) Adapting to changing childcare demands due to remote work (44:08) Efforts to reduce childcare costs and home-based business challenges (50:06) Balancing profitability with growth and venture capital experiences (54:00) SaaS pricing challenges and the impact of AI (58:22) Tech M&A, FTC regulations, and innovation policies
*
Subscribe to the TWiST500 newsletter: https://ticker.thisweekinstartups.com/
Check out the TWIST500: twist500.com
Subscribe to This Week in Startups on Apple: https://rb.gy/v19fcp
*
Check out: Winnie: https://winnie.com/
Check out 2024 Inc. 5000 list: https://www.inc.com/inc5000/2024
Check out the BLS statistics: https://www.bls.gov/cps/telework.htm#data
*
Follow Sara:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/smausk/
*
Follow Alex:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexwilhelm
*
Thank you to our partners:
(9:55) Brave Search API. Get started for free at https://www.brave.com/jason
(19:20) CLA. Get started now at https://www.claconnect.com/
(29:43) Sprig. Visit https://sprig.com/twist to book a demo and get a $75 gift card.
*
Great TWIST interviews: Will Guidara, Eoghan McCabe, Steve Huffman, Brian Chesky, Bob Moesta, Aaron Levie, Sophia Amoruso, Reid Hoffman, Frank Slootman, Billy McFarland
*
Check out Jason’s suite of newsletters: https://substack.com/@calacanis
*
Follow TWiST:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/TWiStartups
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/thisweekin
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thisweekinstartups
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thisweekinstartups
Substack: https://twistartups.substack.com
*
Subscribe to the Founder University Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@founderuniversity1916
The Rise of Stablecoins with Circle’s Jeremy Allaire | E2004
This Week in Startups is brought to you by…
LinkedIn Jobs. A business is only as strong as its people, and every hire matters. Go to https://www.linkedin.com/twist to post your first job for free. Terms and conditions apply.
Google Cloud. Accelerate your startup journey with the Google for Startups Cloud Program. Get up to $200K in Google Cloud credits – or up to $350K for AI startups – plus training and guidance. Apply at https://startups.google.com/twist
Beehiiv. Power your newsletters with AI tools, referral programs, and ad network features—all in one platform. Get 30 days free and 20% off your first 3 months at https://www.beehiiv.com/twist
*
Todays show:
Circle’s Jeremy Allaire joins Alex Wilhelm to discuss the growth of stablecoins (49:06), stablecoin market infrastructure (22:23), their impact on global financial systems (56:07), and more!
*
Timestamps:
(0:00) Circle’s Jeremy Allaire joins Alex Wilhelm
(2:08) Jeremy's early career and the evolution of the internet
(5:28) Transition from Macromedia to Circle's founding
(12:10) LinkedIn Jobs - Go to https://www.linkedin.com/twist to post your first job for free.
(13:21) Bitcoin, stablecoins, and Circle's compliance
(20:53) Google Cloud - Get up to $200K in Google Cloud credits – or up to $350K for AI startups – plus training and guidance. Apply at https://startups.google.com/twist
(22:23) The current state and future of stablecoin market infrastructure
(28:07) Integrating stablecoins with traditional finance
(34:12) Beehiiv - Get 30 days free and 20% off your first 3 months at https://www.beehiiv.com/twist
(35:40) Stablecoins' impact on global financial systems
(41:30) Circle's business model, scalability, and blockchain potential
(49:06) Growth of USDC and other currency stablecoins
(51:10) USDC market cap trends and interest rates
(56:07) Stablecoins in the global financial system and US regulation
*
Subscribe to the TWiST500 newsletter: https://ticker.thisweekinstartups.com
Check out the TWIST500: https://www.twist500.com
*
Subscribe to This Week in Startups on Apple: https://rb.gy/v19fcp
*
Follow Jeremy:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremyallaire
Check out: https://www.circle.com
*
Follow Alex:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexwilhelm
*
Thank you to our partners:
(12:10) LinkedIn Jobs - Go to https://www.linkedin.com/twist to post your first job for free.
(20:53) Google Cloud - Get up to $200K in Google Cloud credits – or up to $350K for AI startups – plus training and guidance. Apply at https://startups.google.com/twist
(34:12) Beehiiv - Get 30 days free and 20% off your first 3 months at https://www.beehiiv.com/twist
*
Great TWIST interviews: Will Guidara, Eoghan McCabe, Steve Huffman, Brian Chesky, Bob Moesta, Aaron Levie, Sophia Amoruso, Reid Hoffman, Frank Slootman, Billy McFarland
*
Check out Jason’s suite of newsletters: https://substack.com/@calacanis
*
Follow TWiST:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/TWiStartups
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/thisweekin
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thisweekinstartups
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thisweekinstartups
Substack: https://twistartups.substack.com
*
Subscribe to the Founder University Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@founderuniversity1916
Related Episodes
#158 - Same, Same but Different with Vanta and Zapier
How Vanta’s Christina Cacioppo and Zapier’s Wade Foster took on a disciplined approach to fundraising ande flipped the equation of a typical startup founder.
Christina Cacioppo is the founder of Vanta, and Wade Foster is the founder of Zapier. Vanta automates security and compliance for startups, and Zapier automates work by connecting with over 5,000 apps.
Same, Same but Different brings together two YC founders who will discuss a similar decision they made on their journey to building a growth-stage company. But like every journey, the path getting there and the results are unique to that startup.
Christina and Wade flipped the equation of a typical startup founder: instead of raising money to enable a certain amount of growth, they eliminated the assumption of fundraising, controlled their spend, and evaluated how to ramp up spending based on what the business was bringing in. Given the current state of public markets, this mindset is pertinent, and we’re excited to dive into how Christina and Wade have thought about funding from day one.
Learn more about YC and apply for funding here: https://www.ycombinator.com/apply/
The Key to Success Is To Just Ask! A Crowdfunding Success Story.
Understanding Financing Structures: SAFEs, Convertibles Notes, Priced Rounds & more with Becki DeGraw | Wilson Sonsini Startup Legal Basics
Check out Wilson Sonsini: https://wsgr.com
FOLLOW Wilson Sonsini: https://twitter.com/wilsonsonsini
FOLLOW Jason: https://linktr.ee/calacanis
E32: “Angel” podcast: Season 4 Premiere! Sarah Cannon, Partner at Index Ventures, shares insights on investing in the future of work, underrated emerging startup markets, going from the Obama Administration to Venture Capital, increasing upward mobility in America, fixing the gig economy & more!
3:22 How did working for the Obama administration lead Sarah into Venture Capital?
4:56 Picking a fight with Larry Summers as an intern
15:42 Choosing Harvard's MBA program over Stanford's
18:26 Getting into VC
20:27 Working at CapitalG
24:09 How was the foundation of Index built by Danny Rimer and what is Sarah's role?
31:42 What does Index focus on during a Series A and what is a partner meeting like at Index?
36:31 Thoughts on gig economy work and is there a better way to categorize freelancers and full-time workers in the gig economy?
44:54 Sarah's proposed solution for categorizing gig economy workers
46:36 Jason's thoughts on politicians evolving their views over time
50:15 Ideas to increase upward mobility in America
1:00:35 What was Sarah's first investment? How did it work out?
1:08:42 Founders getting distracted after raising large rounds of funding
1:11:05 Thoughts on emerging international startup markets like India & Australia
1:13:19 Is France an underrated startup market?
1:17:42 What is Sarah most passionate about investing in?
Episode 61: Panel Discussion: Startup Investment & Risk Capital
The token economy is a great way to raise funds for startups. When it comes to financing sustainability and tackling complex macroeconomic challenges, new technologies and ventures are often crucial. However, institutional and professional investors may be hesitant to back them due to risk profile mismatches (untested tech), small deal sizes, high administrative burdens, limited high-quality investment options, and a disorganized investor pool. Unfortunately, this leaves many validated business models in a "valley of death," with few funding options available for startups.
Startupbootcamp is a global network of industry-focused startup accelerators that provides promising startups with the necessary resources, mentorship, and access to a vast network of corporate partners, investors, and mentors. The organization runs several accelerator programs across multiple cities worldwide, focusing on industries such as fintech, healthtech, smart cities, and energy, among others. Through its rigorous and intensive accelerator programs, Startupbootcamp helps startups refine their business models, accelerate their growth, and secure the necessary funding to scale their businesses. Additionally, the organization provides ongoing support to its alumni through various post-acceleration services, including funding, mentorship, and access to industry networks.
Symbid is a crowdfunding platform that connects entrepreneurs and investors, allowing individuals to invest in promising startups, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and real estate projects. Symbid's platform offers a user-friendly interface that makes it easy for entrepreneurs to create investment campaigns, set investment targets, and reach out to potential investors. It's about providing investors with detailed information about investment opportunities, as well as a robust set of tools to track their investments and monitor the performance of the businesses they support. It's important to make investing in startups and SMEs more accessible and transparent, thereby democratizing access to capital and fostering innovation and growth in the economy.
Guests:
Kauan Von Novack - Startupbootcamp
We take startups global by giving them direct access to an international network of the most relevant partners, investors, and mentors in their sector.
Bio: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kauan-von-novack/
Robbin Hoogstraten - Seedblink & Co-founder Symbid
Join SeedBlink’s Venture Partners to co-invest and grow a portfolio of top-tier European technology startups and scaleups
Bio: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robbin-hoogstraten-a09b9523/
Subscribe to our newsletter https://share.hsforms.com/1bf2NmSX1Tp6hFgNpN8_iWQ4tojo
Read more on our blog https://www.2tokens.org/news
Follow us on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/2tokens
Twitter https://twitter.com/2tokens_org?s=20
Website https://www.2tokens.org/
Do you want to join one of the use cases? Contact us via info@2tokens.org