Episodes
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In this episode, we're joined by Prateek Joshi, founder and former CEO of Plutoshift (acquired), machine learning author, and now Venture Capitalist at Moxxie Ventures. Pratik shares his journey from growing up in India to becoming a successful tech entrepreneur and investor in Silicon Valley.
Pratik talks about his experiences writing 13 technical books on AI and machine learning, building and exiting a venture-backed startup, and transitioning to the world of venture capital. He offers valuable insights on fundraising, product development, and what he looks for as an investor in early-stage startups.
Here's what you're in for:
00:00 Intro
03:17 Writing 13 books on AI and machine learning
06:16 Founding Plutoshift and raising venture capital
14:59 Metrics and milestones for Series A funding
22:27 Transitioning from founder to VC
32:58 Advice for AI founders on product development and fundraising
37:38 How startups can differentiate in a crowded AI market
39:50 Key lessons learned as an entrepreneur and investor
44:30 Outro
This episode is sponsored by ThunderVC, an investment bank for founders by founders.
Raising capital? Get a list of vetted VCs for FREE here: https://web.thunder.vc/list-of-investors-vcs-for-founders
Raising debt? Find the perfect lender in minutes here: https://debt.thunder.vc
Get the latest fundraising insights, news, and tips - https://join.thunder.vc
ABOUT PRATEEK JOSHI
Prateek Joshi is a Venture Capitalist at Moxxie Ventures, focusing on seed-stage investments in AI, robotics, climate tech, and healthcare. He is the former founder and CEO of Plutoshift, an AI company for physical infrastructure that raised over $16 million in venture funding before being acquired. Pratik is also the author of 13 technical books on artificial intelligence and machine learning.
With a background in software engineering and AI from his time at NVIDIA, Pratik brings a unique blend of technical expertise and entrepreneurial experience to his role as an investor. He is passionate about helping early-stage founders navigate the challenges of building and scaling technology startups.
Connect with Prateek on:
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/prateek-joshi-91047b19/
Website: https://www.prateekj.com/
X: https://x.com/prateekvjoshi
Email: [email protected]
ABOUT FUNDRAISING DEMYSTIFIED
Our goal is simple: to equip you with the knowledge, inspiration, and guidance to navigate the labyrinthine world of fundraising. Whether you're a budding entrepreneur seeking seed funding or an established founder looking to scale your business, this podcast will provide you with the tools you need to conquer the fundraising landscape.
Thank you for being a loyal subscriber to Fundraising Demystified. We appreciate your support and are excited to continue bringing you more inspiring stories from successful founders.
ABOUT JASON
Jason Kirby is the co-founder of Thunder VC. He is a serial entrepreneur with 4 multi-million exits and decades of experience in fundraising and business building. He has coached hundreds of entrepreneurs in his career on fundraising, investing, capital strategy, and business development.
You can reach out to Jason through:
Email: [email protected]
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonrkirby/
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In this episode, I'm excited to welcome the DeepTech entrepreneur, Michael Markesbery, the co-founder and CEO of OROS Labs- a material technology company that provides thermal solutions. He shares his journey from solving a personal problem to building a deep tech material science company that has raised over $50 million. OROS Lab has raised funding through a Kickstarter campaign, seed rounds, and a recent Series B round led by Airbus Ventures.
Michael offers a unique perspective on entrepreneurship, having transitioned from a direct-to-consumer apparel brand to a material science company serving consumer, commercial, and government sectors. Whether you're a first-time founder or a seasoned entrepreneur in the DeepTech space, Michael's practical advice and real-world experiences offer valuable lessons on building and scaling a hardware-based startup.
Here's what you're in for:
00:00 Intro
00:19 Michael's Journey from Apparel to Material Science
01:30 Discovering the Insulation Problem
03:36 Breakthrough with Aerogel
05:26 Commercializing the Technology
07:42 Fundraising and Early Challenges
17:26 Market strategy contract manufacturing vs. In-house production
25:51 Entering government contracts and assembling teams
21:58 Applications of SolarCore foam and market positioning
28:41 Series B funding insights and choosing investors
31:14 Engaging with prospective investors
35:45 Tips for deep tech founders
41:45 Outro
This episode is sponsored by ThunderVC, an investment bank for founders by founders.
Raising capital? Get a list of vetted VCs for FREE here: https://web.thunder.vc/list-of-investors-vcs-for-founders
Raising debt? Find the perfect lender in minutes here: https://debt.thunder.vc
Get the latest fundraising insights, news, and tips - https://join.thunder.vc
ABOUT MICHAEL MARKESBERY
Michael Markesbery is the co-founder and CEO of Oros Labs, a pioneering material science company that has revolutionized insulation technology. His journey began as a college student when a backpacking trip in the Swiss Alps inspired him to solve the problem of bulky cold-weather gear.
In 2014, Michael was awarded the prestigious Astronaut Scholarship, which proved to be a pivotal moment in his career. He has successfully navigated OROS Labs (A material technology company focused on creating the most scientifically advanced thermal solutions on the planet) through multiple funding rounds, raising over $50 million in venture capital to date. The company's innovative approach has also caught the attention of the U.S. Department of Defense, resulting in a multi-million dollar contract.
In 2019, Michael spearheaded Oros Labs' growth and relocated its headquarters to Portland, Oregon. He secured partnerships with innovative entities such as Ad Astra, Elon Musk and Josh Dahn's school, underscoring his dedication to STEM education. Michael epitomizes the new wave of entrepreneurs propelling sustainable, high-performance material advancements.
Connect with Michael Markesbery on:
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-markesbery-32169088/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michaelmarkesbery/?hl=en
Website: https://oroslabs.com/
Email: [email protected]
ABOUT FUNDRAISING DEMYSTIFIED
Our goal is simple: to equip you with the knowledge, inspiration, and guidance to navigate the labyrinthine world of fundraising. Whether you're a budding entrepreneur seeking seed funding or an established founder looking to scale your business, this podcast will provide you with the tools you need to conquer the fundraising landscape.
Thank you for being a loyal subscriber to Fundraising Demystified. We appreciate your support and are excited to continue bringing you more inspiring stories from successful founders.
ABOUT JASON
Jason Kirby is the co-founder of Thunder VC. He is a serial entrepreneur with 4 multi-million exits and decades of experience in fundraising and business building. He has coached hundreds of entrepreneurs in his career on fundraising, investing, capital strategy, and business development.
You can reach out to Jason through:
Email: [email protected]
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonrkirby/
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Missing episodes?
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Join us as we sit down with David Rodnitzky, the founder and former CEO of 3Q Digital. He built his company from the ground up, sold it, then in a rare move, bought it back, only to sell it again.
David breaks down the challenges and opportunities he encountered during multiple rounds of fundraising and acquisitions, offering real insights in agency growth and M&A transactions.
For entrepreneurs eyeing the exit, David's story is a wake-up call. He emphasizes that building and selling a service-based business is far from straightforward, and there's more to consider than just the financial windfall. Drawing from his experience, David provides invaluable advice for founders contemplating a sale, making this episode a must-listen for anyone in the professional services space looking to scale or sell their business.
Here's what you're in for:
00:00 Intro
02:33 The founding and growth of 3Q Digital
08:31 First sale and the challenges of earn-outs
15:51 Buying back the company and subsequent sale
21:38 What makes a marketing agency attractive for acquisition
25:34 Common deal structures in agency acquisitions
33:14 Factors that can derail a deal
39:08 Advice for founders considering selling their business
42:12 David's book: "Selling Your Marketing Agency"
48:45 Outro
This episode is sponsored by ThunderVC, an investment bank for founders by founders.
Raising capital? Get a list of vetted VCs for FREE here: https://web.thunder.vc/list-of-investors-vcs-for-founders
Raising debt? Find the perfect lender in minutes here: https://debt.thunder.vc
Get the latest fundraising insights, news, and tips - https://join.thunder.vc
ABOUT DAVID RODNITZKY
David Rodnitzky is a seasoned entrepreneur and marketing expert with over two decades of experience in the digital marketing industry. His journey began in 2000 at Rentals.com, where he pioneered the shift toward search engine marketing (SEM), setting a precedent for success in the field.
As the founder of 3Q Digital, David built the agency from the ground up, leading it through exceptional growth and multiple successful transactions. His expertise has been recognized by Google, naming 3Q Digital a top agency partner, and his insights have been featured in prestigious publications. David's contributions to the industry earned him the University of Iowa's 2021 Alumni Entrepreneur of the Year award.
David also wrote a book called "Selling Your Marketing Agency" which aims to level the playing field for agency owners looking to sell their businesses by sharing insights from his own experiences with multiple transactions. The book provides valuable guidance for professional services business owners on navigating the complexities of selling their companies
Currently, David runs a consulting firm dedicated to helping marketing agency founders grow their businesses and navigate the complexities of selling. Drawing from his experience in agency growth and M&A transactions, he's passionate about creating equal opportunities for founders in the agency sale process.
Connect with David on:
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidrodnitzky/
Website: https://davidrodnitzky.com/
David's book "Selling Your Marketing Agency" provides valuable guidance for professional services business owners on navigating the complexities of selling their companies and is now available on Amazon at https://www.amazon.com/Selling-Your-Marketing-Agency-Important/dp/B0CGHNMFL2
ABOUT FUNDRAISING DEMYSTIFIED
Our goal is simple: to equip you with the knowledge, inspiration, and guidance to navigate the labyrinthine world of fundraising. Whether you're a budding entrepreneur seeking seed funding or an established founder looking to scale your business, this podcast will provide you with the tools you need to conquer the fundraising landscape.
Thank you for being a loyal subscriber to Fundraising Demystified. We appreciate your support and are excited to continue bringing you more inspiring stories from successful founders.
ABOUT JASON
Jason Kirby is the co-founder of Thunder VC. He is a serial entrepreneur with 4 multi-million exits and decades of experience in fundraising and business building. He has coached hundreds of entrepreneurs in his career on fundraising, investing, capital strategy, and business development.
You can reach out to Jason through:
Email: [email protected]
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonrkirby/
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In this episode, we're joined by Aakash Shah, founder and CEO of Wyndly, a healthcare startup revolutionizing allergy treatment. Akash shares his journey from personal allergy sufferer to innovative healthcare entrepreneur, and reveals how he navigated the challenging waters of fundraising without relying solely on traditional venture capital.
Aakash talks about creative capital strategies, demonstrating how startups can thrive by thinking outside the VC box. From leveraging customer relationships to learning finance lessons from restaurant owners, Akash's approach offers valuable insights for entrepreneurs in any industry.
Here's what you're in for:
00:00 Intro
02:33 From personal struggle to startup solution
07:58 Y Combinator experience and its impact on fundraising
17:42 Creative capital strategies: Beyond traditional VC funding
33:16 Lessons from other industries
36:42 Understanding and optimizing cash conversion cycles
40:13 The importance of founder networks and peer support
46:09 Outro
This episode is sponsored by ThunderVC, an investment bank for founders by founders.
Raising capital? Get a list of vetted VCs for FREE here: https://web.thunder.vc/list-of-investors-vcs-for-founders
Raising debt? Find the perfect lender in minutes here: https://debt.thunder.vc
Get the latest fundraising insights, news, and tips - https://join.thunder.vc
ABOUT AAKASH SHAH
Aakash Shah is the co-founder and CEO of Wyndly, a healthcare startup dedicated to fixing allergies forever. With a background in software and growth product, Aakash leveraged his personal experience with severe allergies to create an innovative, accessible solution for allergy sufferers.
After graduating from the University of Virginia in 2016 with a dual major in Computer Science and Cognitive Science, Aakash joined small technology companies, knowing that technology would continue to change the world. Now, as a Wyndly patient and founder, he's dedicated himself to fixing people's allergies with personalized treatment and phenomenal care.
His journey from Y Combinator to exploring alternative funding strategies offers a fresh perspective on startup growth and capital acquisition in the healthcare sector. Aakash's approach combines his tech background with a deep understanding of healthcare needs, creating a unique blend of innovation and practicality in the allergy treatment space.
Connect with Aakash Shah on:
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mraakashshah/
X : https://x.com/aakashdotio
Website: https://www.wyndly.com/
ABOUT FUNDRAISING DEMYSTIFIED
Our goal is simple: to equip you with the knowledge, inspiration, and guidance to navigate the labyrinthine world of fundraising. Whether you're a budding entrepreneur seeking seed funding or an established founder looking to scale your business, this podcast will provide you with the tools you need to conquer the fundraising landscape.
Thank you for being a loyal subscriber to Fundraising Demystified. We appreciate your support and are excited to continue bringing you more inspiring stories from successful founders.
ABOUT JASON
Jason Kirby is the co-founder of Thunder VC. He is a serial entrepreneur with 4 multi-million exits and decades of experience in fundraising and business building. He has coached hundreds of entrepreneurs in his career on fundraising, investing, capital strategy, and business development.
You can reach out to Jason through:
Email: [email protected]
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonrkirby/
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We're privileged to have Dan Reich join us in this episode - a seasoned entrepreneur and investor with an impressive track record of successful exits. From his humble beginnings selling bouncy balls in high school, he's gone on to found and exit companies in diverse sectors including technology and beauty.
In our conversation, Dan talks about the intricacies of startups, fundraising strategies, and the art of pivoting. He shares candid reflections on his experiences with ventures like Spinback, Tula Skincare, and Troops.ai, each representing different industries and fundraising approaches. Whether you're a first-time founder or a veteran entrepreneur, Dan's story and insights offer valuable lessons for navigating the complex world of startups and venture capital.
Here's what you're in for:
00:00 Intro
05:19 Choosing the right business partners
08:38 The power of the internet and social media
12:58 Pivoting from beauty to tech
31:17 Building on top of Slack and the acquisition by Salesforce
37:07 Post-Acquisition experience and building new ventures
43:03 Lessons on fundraising and capital allocation
53:40 Angel investing and giving back to the startup ecosystem
58:14 Outro
This episode is sponsored by ThunderVC, an investment bank for founders by founders.
Raising capital? Get a list of vetted VCs for FREE here: https://web.thunder.vc/list-of-investors-vcs-for-founders
Raising debt? Find the perfect lender in minutes here: https://debt.thunder.vc
Get the latest fundraising insights, news, and tips - https://join.thunder.vc
ABOUT DAN REICH
Dan Reich is a serial entrepreneur and investor with a track record of building and exiting successful companies across tech and beauty industries. His notable ventures include TULA Skincare (acquired by Procter & Gamble), Troops.ai (acquired by Salesforce), and Spinback (acquired by Buddy Media, later Salesforce). Dan's entrepreneurial journey, which began in his teens, has earned him recognition as one of the "coolest people in New York tech" by Business Insider.
Beyond his business acumen, Dan is an active angel investor, advisor, and philanthropist. He holds a degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and has contributed to publications like Forbes and Harvard Business Review. When not building companies, Dan can be found at New York Giants games, on the golf course, or volunteering for rescue operations at Mount Snow, Vermont. His life philosophy is simple: "I am, and will forever be, a student."
Connect with Dan Reich on:
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danreich/
X : https://x.com/DanReich
Website: https://danreich.com/
ABOUT FUNDRAISING DEMYSTIFIED
Our goal is simple: to equip you with the knowledge, inspiration, and guidance to navigate the labyrinthine world of fundraising. Whether you're a budding entrepreneur seeking seed funding or an established founder looking to scale your business, this podcast will provide you with the tools you need to conquer the fundraising landscape.
Thank you for being a loyal subscriber to Fundraising Demystified. We appreciate your support and are excited to continue bringing you more inspiring stories from successful founders.
ABOUT JASON
Jason Kirby is the co-founder of Thunder VC. He is a serial entrepreneur with 4 multi-million exits and decades of experience in fundraising and business building. He has coached hundreds of entrepreneurs in his career on fundraising, investing, capital strategy, and business development.
You can reach out to Jason through:
Email: [email protected]
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonrkirby/
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In this episode, we're thrilled to talk with a true tech veteran, Chris Gladwin, a serial entrepreneur and currently the CEO and co-founder of Ocient. Chris shares his journey through multiple successful ventures, including Cleversafe (acquired by IBM for over $1.4 billion) and MusicNow. He provides valuable insights into raising capital, navigating market cycles, and building resilient tech companies.
Chris offers a unique perspective on entrepreneurship, having raised hundreds of millions of dollars across various market conditions. He discusses the challenges of fundraising during different economic climates and shares strategies for success. Whether you're a first-time founder or a seasoned entrepreneur, Chris's practical advice and real-world stories will surely resonate.
Here's what you're in for:
00:00 - Intro
07:54 - Strategies for raising capital vs. selling companies
11:03 - Navigating fundraising in different market cycles
23:43 - Understanding valuation models and market trends
30:17 - Avoiding overvaluation and excessive burn rates
37:38 - The benefits of being bought rather than selling
39:35 - How Circuit City acquired Music Now
48:35 - Outro
This episode is sponsored by ThunderVC, an investment bank for founders by founders.
Raising capital? Get a list of vetted VCs for FREE here: https://web.thunder.vc/list-of-investors-vcs-for-founders
Raising debt? Find the perfect lender in minutes here: https://debt.thunder.vc
Get the latest fundraising insights, news, and tips - https://join.thunder.vc
ABOUT CHRIS GLADWIN
Chris Gladwin is a seasoned entrepreneur with multiple successful exits under his belt. He is currently the CEO and co-founder of OCIENT, a software company providing solutions for the world's largest data analyzing systems.
In 2004, Chris founded Cleversafe, which became the largest and most strategic object storage vendor in the world. Under his leadership, Cleversafe had over 1,000 patents granted or filed. After raising over $100M, Chris led the company to a $1.4B exit in 2015 when IBM acquired the company.
Before Cleversafe, Chris founded MusicNow and Cruise Technologies startups and led Zenith Data Systems' product strategy. He started his career at Martin Marietta as a database developer and holds an engineering degree from MIT. Chris's experience spans various sectors, including data storage, digital music, and enterprise software, making him a valuable voice in the tech startup ecosystem.
Connect with Chris Gladwin on:
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-gladwin-7ba42b/
Website: https://ocient.com/
ABOUT FUNDRAISING DEMYSTIFIED
Our goal is simple: to equip you with the knowledge, inspiration, and guidance to navigate the labyrinthine world of fundraising. Whether you're a budding entrepreneur seeking seed funding or an established founder looking to scale your business, this podcast will provide you with the tools you need to conquer the fundraising landscape.
Thank you for being a loyal subscriber to Fundraising Demystified. We appreciate your support and are excited to continue bringing you more inspiring stories from successful founders.
ABOUT JASON
Jason Kirby is the co-founder of Thunder VC. He is a serial entrepreneur with 4 multi-million exits and decades of experience in fundraising and business building. He has coached hundreds of entrepreneurs in his career on fundraising, investing, capital strategy, and business development.
You can reach out to Jason through:
Email: [email protected]
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonrkirby/ -
In this episode, we're sitting down with Alex Pattis, general partner at Riverside Ventures and author of the newsletter "Last Money In". Alex shares his journey from sales director to launching a syndicate that has completed over 300 deals and deployed $75 million in capital.
Alex provides valuable insights into how syndicates operate, their advantages for both founders and investors, and the common pitfalls to avoid. He also discusses the current trends in the syndicate market and offers advice for founders considering working with syndicates.
Here's what you're in for:
00: 00 - Intro
04:53 - Demystifying syndicates: Understanding LPs and SPVs
07:54 - The value of syndicates for founders
14:11 - The importance of transparency in the syndicate process
18:37 - Current trends in the syndicate market
32:36 - Common mistakes in the syndicate market
38:01 - Strategic fundraising with Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs)
47:19 - Outro
This episode is sponsored by ThunderVC, an investment bank for founders by founders.
Raising capital? Get a list of vetted VCs for FREE here: https://web.thunder.vc/list-of-investors-vcs-for-founders
Raising debt? Find the perfect lender in minutes here: https://debt.thunder.vc
Get the latest fundraising insights, news, and tips - https://join.thunder.vc
ABOUT ALEX PATTIS
Alex Pattis is a seasoned entrepreneur and investor with a diverse background in both operations and venture capital. He is currently a co-founder of Last Money In Media, producing the most actionable VC newsletter focused on explaining Special Purpose Vehicles within the
Venture Capital ecosystem. He is also a General Partner at Riverside Ventures, an early-stage venture capital firm investing in high-growth technology companies. To date, they have deployed over $70 million.
Alex's operating background includes nearly a decade of scaling early-stage startups, focusing on growth and commercial strategy. In venture capital, Alex has invested in over 250 companies as a General Partner at Riverside Ventures. He is passionate about supporting entrepreneurs in the early stages of their businesses. His experience spans both operational and investment roles, giving him a unique perspective on the startup ecosystem.
Connect with Alex Pattis on:
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-pattis-1709011a/
Newsletter: https://lastmoneyin.co/
ABOUT FUNDRAISING DEMYSTIFIED
Our goal is simple: to equip you with the knowledge, inspiration, and guidance to navigate the labyrinthine world of fundraising. Whether you're a budding entrepreneur seeking seed funding or an established founder looking to scale your business, this podcast will provide you with the tools you need to conquer the fundraising landscape.
Thank you for being a loyal subscriber to Fundraising Demystified. We appreciate your support and are excited to continue bringing you more inspiring stories from successful founders.
ABOUT JASON
Jason Kirby is the co-founder of Thunder VC. He is a serial entrepreneur with 4 multi-million exits and decades of experience in fundraising and business building. He has coached hundreds of entrepreneurs in his career on fundraising, investing, capital strategy, and business development.
You can reach out to Jason through:
Email: [email protected]
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonrkirby/
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We're excited to have Wen-Wen Lam, former founder of NexTravel and formerly a partner at Gradient Ventures, join us in this episode. Wen-Wen shares her entrepreneurial journey, from her early days at LinkedIn to founding and scaling NexTravel to $100 million in bookings before the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the travel industry.
Wen-Wen provides invaluable insights into the challenging process of acquiring and selling a company during a crisis. She walks us through her strategic approach, including compiling a list of potential buyers, pitching the acquisition, and navigating the intense psychological pressures involved which led to the acquisition by Travelperk in 2020. She also talks about the transition into venture capital where she focused on consumer applications of AI in areas like chatbots, the creator economy, and social platforms. Wen-Wen shares her unique perspective on identifying promising startups in these spaces.
Here's what you're in for:
00:00 - Intro
00:34 - Background and path to founding NexTravel
06:59 - Scaling NexTravel to $100 million in bookings
10:45 - Impact of COVID-19 and the decision to sell the company
16:02 - Strategic approach to running an acquisition process
24:44 - Joining Gradient Ventures and her transition into VC
32:00 - The rise of chatbots and their appeal to younger generations
37:02 - The power of unique and funny content
42:00 - Outro
This episode is sponsored by ThunderVC, an investment bank for founders by founders.
Raising capital? Get a list of vetted VCs for FREE here: https://web.thunder.vc/list-of-investors-vcs-for-founders
Raising debt? Find the perfect lender in minutes here: https://debt.thunder.vc
Get the latest fundraising insights, news, and tips - https://join.thunder.vc
ABOUT WEN-WEN LAM
Wen-Wen Lam, a seasoned entrepreneur and investor, was formerly a partner at Gradient Ventures, an AI fund. Prior to joining Gradient, she founded NexTravel, a corporate travel booking platform that scaled to over $100 million in bookings before being acquired by Travelperk during the COVID-19 pandemic. Her resilience and strategic approach allowed her to navigate the challenges of acquiring and selling a company amid a crisis. Wen-Wen's entrepreneurial journey began at LinkedIn and she has also worked with the founders of MySpace at Slingshot Labs, providing her with unique insights into building successful startups, fundraising, and operating in rapidly evolving industries.
With her multifaceted career, Wen-Wen brings a valuable combination of operating experience and investment acumen to Gradient Ventures, focusing on areas like chatbots, the creator economy, and social AI applications.
Connect with Wen-Wen on:
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wenwen/
X: https://x.com/wenwen?lang=en
ABOUT FUNDRAISING DEMYSTIFIED
Our goal is simple: to equip you with the knowledge, inspiration, and guidance to navigate the labyrinthine world of fundraising. Whether you're a budding entrepreneur seeking seed funding or an established founder looking to scale your business, this podcast will provide you with the tools you need to conquer the fundraising landscape.
Thank you for being a loyal subscriber to Fundraising Demystified. We appreciate your support and are excited to continue bringing you more inspiring stories from successful founders.
ABOUT JASON
Jason Kirby is the co-founder of Thunder VC. He is a serial entrepreneur with 4 exits and decades of experience in fundraising and business building. He has coached hundreds of entrepreneurs in his career on fundraising, investing, capital strategy, and business development.
You can reach out to Jason through:
Email: [email protected]
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonrkirby/ -
In this episode, Rob Hunter, partner at Speaker Ventures and exited founder, shares his entrepreneurial roller coaster journey. From going bankrupt with his ice cream franchise in his 20s to getting into Y Combinator, raising venture capital, and eventually exiting his tech startup HigherMe. Rob provides insights on navigating the highs and lows of entrepreneurship, making tough decisions like when to step away from the CEO role, and evaluating acquisition offers.
He opens up about the mindset shifts required to bounce back from failure and contrasts his experiences raising VC for HireMe versus his subsequent startup ResetButton, where he quickly raised $2 million on just an idea and PowerPoint deck. Rob also talks about the acquisition process - valuation expectations, legal due diligence, deal structuring with earn-outs and seller notes, and ultimately deciding when an exit makes sense for founders and investors.
Here's what you're in for:
00:00 Intro
02:08 Challenges of scaling a brick-and-mortar business
07:08 Lessons from failures
32:18 Strategic talks and potential acquisition
34:39 Cutting a deal and transitioning the business
39:21 Contrasting fundraising experiences
46:44 Creativity in deal structures
50:04 Realistic expectations and understanding investor preferences
1:00:51 Outro
This episode is sponsored by ThunderVC, an investment bank for founders by founders.
Raising capital? Get a list of vetted VCs for FREE here: https://web.thunder.vc/list-of-investors-vcs-for-founders
Raising debt? Find the perfect lender in minutes here: https://debt.thunder.vc
Get the latest fundraising insights, news, and tips - https://join.thunder.vc
ABOUT ROB HUNTER
Rob Hunter has been an entrepreneur from a young age. By the age of 12, he had an eBay account and was selling Japanese professional wrestling VHS tapes and DVDs to finance his education at the Richard Ivey School of Business at the University of Western Ontario.
His success on eBay enabled him to establish a mini-student real estate empire. After graduating, he sold his properties and ventured into the ice cream business, opening seven Marble Slab ice cream stores by the age of 25. As a multi-unit franchisee, Rob experienced many highs and lows, gaining valuable lessons along the way.
In 2012, Rob received a prestigious scholarship to pursue his MBA at Babson College, the #1 school in the world for entrepreneurship. Since relocating to Boston, he has met a co-founder, a wife, and immersed himself in the city's vibrant technology startup culture.
Over several years, Rob built and eventually sold HigherMe, an HR tech solution for the restaurant industry. He also tackled the US student debt crisis with Reset Button/Lexria. Currently, Rob focuses on investing in real estate, startups, and small businesses, while spending as much time as possible with his family.
Connect with Rob on:
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robhunter7/
Website: https://www.speakerventures.com/
ABOUT FUNDRAISING DEMYSTIFIED
Our goal is simple: to equip you with the knowledge, inspiration, and guidance to navigate the labyrinthine world of fundraising. Whether you're a budding entrepreneur seeking seed funding or an established founder looking to scale your business, this podcast will provide you with the tools you need to conquer the fundraising landscape.
Thank you for being a loyal subscriber to Fundraising Demystified. We appreciate your support and are excited to continue bringing you more inspiring stories from successful founders.
ABOUT JASON
Jason Kirby is the co-founder of Thunder VC. He is a serial entrepreneur with 4 multi-million exits and decades of experience in fundraising and business building. He has coached hundreds of entrepreneurs in his career on fundraising, investing, capital strategy, and business development.
You can reach out to Jason through:
Email: [email protected]
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonrkirby/
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We got another great story in this episode with Colby McKenzie having worn multiple hats as a successful corporate lawyer, co-founder of a cannabis tech startup that raised over $12 million, exited founder after orchestrating a strategic acquisition, and now an investor and founder of a boutique law firm dedicated to guiding entrepreneurs.
Colby talks about the grueling fundraising process, navigating the complexities of a strategic acquisition, and the importance of understanding key legal considerations throughout the entrepreneurial journey.
Here's what you're in for:
00:00 - Intro
00:45 - Colby's transition from corporate law to entrepreneurship
02:25 - Challenges of being a first-time founder and raising capital
05:50 - Navigating the fundraising process and courting investors
10:05 - Raising over $12 million across two rounds for Enlightened
13:22 - Strategic acquisition of Enlightened by Weedmaps
18:06 - Leveraging legal expertise to drive a successful exit
24:19 - Joining Weedmaps and public companies post-exit
28:58 - Launching Transition Point Law to guide other founders
50:08 - Outro
This episode is sponsored by ThunderVC, an investment bank for founders by founders.
Raising capital? Get a list of vetted VCs for FREE here: https://web.thunder.vc/list-of-investors-vcs-for-founders
Raising debt? Find the perfect lender in minutes here: https://debt.thunder.vc
Get the latest fundraising insights, news, and tips - https://join.thunder.vc
Get the fundraising guide to sharing your data room - https://lp.thunder.vc/download-the-fundraising-guide-to-sharing-data-rooms
ABOUT COLBY MCKENZIE
Colby Mckenzie is a business-minded attorney and M&A expert. From practicing law at one of the top firms in the world to being a seasoned entrepreneur with numerous successful exits as both a founder/operator and private equity investor, Colby marries his legal and business careers to bring an unrivaled viewpoint to unique and unconventional transactions.
McKenzie founded Transition Point Law to give business owners and funds the experience that he was looking for while operating companies himself.
Prior to founding Transition Point Law, he was the co-founder of venture-backed startup Enlighten, a leading canntech company, which had a successful exit in 2022 to Weedmaps (Nasdaq: MAPS). And, thereafter, spent two years as part of senior management and the c-suite of multiple public companies.
He has helped companies in a wide array of businesses including digital media, ad tech, mobile apps, IoT, health & wellness, cannabis, food/service, financial services, professional services, construction and commercial real estate.
Connect with Colby on:
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/colby-mckenzie-08423372/
Website: https://www.transitionpointlaw.com/
ABOUT FUNDRAISING DEMYSTIFIED
Our goal is simple: to equip you with the knowledge, inspiration, and guidance to navigate the labyrinthine world of fundraising. Whether you're a budding entrepreneur seeking seed funding or an established founder looking to scale your business, this podcast will provide you with the tools you need to conquer the fundraising landscape.
Thank you for being a loyal subscriber to Fundraising Demystified. We appreciate your support and are excited to continue bringing you more inspiring stories from successful founders.
ABOUT JASON
Jason Kirby is the co-founder of Thunder VC. He is a serial entrepreneur with 4 multi-million exits and decades of experience in fundraising and business building. He has coached hundreds of entrepreneurs in his career on fundraising, investing, capital strategy, and business development.
You can reach out to Jason through:
Email: [email protected]
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonrkirby/
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In this episode, Winter Mead, CEO and founder of Coolwater Capital shares his take on what it takes to support emerging fund managers. Coolwater Capital serves as an accelerator for emerging venture fund managers, offering training, resources, and a supportive cohort model to help them successfully build and scale their firms. He has influenced over 200 fund launches and continually adapting to the dynamic needs of the venture capital market.
We discuss the latest trends in VC funding and the types of fund managers that are currently securing funding. He points out common pitfalls that new fund managers should avoid. Winter also explains the cohort model used by Coolwater to support fund managers, emphasizing the importance of information sharing and strong networks.
Here's what you're in for:
(00:00) - Intro
(00:40) - Transition from working as a limited partner to founding Coolwater
(03:03) - The challenges of starting Coolwater
(09:06) - How Coolwater evaluates and supports fund managers
(15:05) - Differences in fundraising for startups vs funds
(23:22) - Trends in VC funding
(31:51) - Common mistakes emerging fund managers make
(47:05) - Profiles of fund managers in Coolwater
(52:23) - OutroThis episode is sponsored by ThunderVC, an investment bank for founders by founders.
Raising capital? Get a list of vetted VCs for FREE here: https://web.thunder.vc/list-of-investors-vcs-for-founders
Raising debt? Find the perfect lender in minutes here: https://debt.thunder.vc
Get the latest fundraising insights, news, and tips - https://join.thunder.vc
ABOUT WINTER MEAD
Winter Mead is the founder and managing member of Coolwater Capital, specializing in emerging managers and technology investments. He authored "How To Raise A Venture Capital Fund" and operates Coolwater, an academy dedicated to training and scaling emerging fund managers. With a history of building an evergreen fund at SAP and working in private equity and venture capital in San Francisco, Winter has made significant contributions to the venture capital community, including founding the LP transparency movement, #OpenLP. He also served as junior faculty at Stanford's Graduate School of Business and holds advanced degrees from the University of Oxford and Harvard University. Winter lives in Utah with his family and is deeply committed to enhancing the capabilities of new managers in the venture capital industry through his work at Coolwater.
Connect with Winter on:
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wintermead/
X: https://x.com/wintmead?lang=en
ABOUT FUNDRAISING DEMYSTIFIED
Our goal is simple: to equip you with the knowledge, inspiration, and guidance to navigate the labyrinthine world of fundraising. Whether you're a budding entrepreneur seeking seed funding or an established founder looking to scale your business, this podcast will provide you with the tools you need to conquer the fundraising landscape.
Thank you for being a loyal subscriber to Fundraising Demystified. We appreciate your support and are excited to continue bringing you more inspiring stories from successful founders.
ABOUT JASON
Jason Kirby is the co-founder of Thunder VC. He is a serial entrepreneur with 4 exits and 15 years of experience in fundraising and business building. He has coached hundreds of entrepreneurs in his career on fundraising, investing, capital strategy, and business development.
You can reach out to Jason through:
Email: [email protected]
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonrkirby/
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We're thrilled to have Diana Heldfond, the solo founder and CEO of Parallel, join us in this episode. Parallel is a cutting-edge virtual care platform focused on aiding children with learning and thinking challenges such as dyslexia and ADHD. Under Diana’s leadership, Parallel has raised over $29 million and now works with numerous school districts across the US, integrating healthcare and education through innovative technology to provide tailored and effective support.
Diana discusses the unique challenges and strategies of fundraising as a solo founder. She talks about how she cultivated early relationships with investors, crafted compelling narratives to manage fundraising timelines effectively, and faced investor rejections head-on. Her strategy shows how crucial it is to be resilient and plan ahead when getting funding alone, without a co-founder.
Here's what you're in for:
00:00 - Intro
00:29 - The mission and vision behind Parallel
02:06 - Diana’s personal motivation for founding Parallel
06:10 - Challenges and triumphs of being a solo founder
09:03 - The strategic decision not to wait for a co-founder
16:03 - Managing both fundraising and company leadership
24:35 - Key performance indicators that attract investors
40:47 - Understanding the process of fundraising and handling rejection
47:59 - Outro
This episode is sponsored by ThunderVC, an investment bank for founders by founders.
Raising capital? Get a list of vetted VCs for FREE here: https://web.thunder.vc/list-of-investors-vcs-for-founders
Raising debt? Find the perfect lender in minutes here: https://debt.thunder.vc
Get the latest fundraising insights, news, and tips - https://join.thunder.vc
ABOUT DIANA HELDFOND
Diana Heldfond is the visionary founder and CEO of Parallel, an innovative virtual care platform transforming the delivery of educational and healthcare services. With a background in business and finance, Diana combines her personal experiences and professional expertise to lead Parallel in enhancing educational outcomes for children across America. Her leadership and persistence have not only propelled the company through significant growth phases but also positioned it as a leader in the intersection of tech, education, and healthcare.
Connect with Diana on:
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/diana-heldfond/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dheldfond/?hl=en
X: https://twitter.com/dheldfond?lang=en
ABOUT FUNDRAISING DEMYSTIFIED
Our goal is simple: to equip you with the knowledge, inspiration, and guidance to navigate the labyrinthine world of fundraising. Whether you're a budding entrepreneur seeking seed funding or an established founder looking to scale your business, this podcast will provide you with the tools you need to conquer the fundraising landscape.
Thank you for being a loyal subscriber to Fundraising Demystified. We appreciate your support and are excited to continue bringing you more inspiring stories from successful founders.
ABOUT JASON
Jason Kirby is the co-founder of Thunder VC. He is a serial entrepreneur with 4 multi-million exits and decades of experience in fundraising and business building. He has coached hundreds of entrepreneurs in his career on fundraising, investing, capital strategy, and business development.
You can reach out to Jason through:
Email: [email protected]
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonrkirby/
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In this episode, we explore the opportunities and strategies of going public with Peter Goldstein, founder and managing director of Emmis Capital and CEO of Exchange Listing. Peter shares his extensive experience as a serial IPO’d entrepreneur in helping companies transition from private to public, detailing the intricacies of capital markets and the opportunities available for micro to small-cap companies looking to enter the IPO arena.
Peter walks us through his journey from starting his first company at 24 to becoming an expert in public offerings. He discusses the challenges and triumphs of navigating the IPO process, the importance of understanding market dynamics, and how his firms assist companies in preparing for and executing a successful public launch.
Here's what you're in for:
00:00 Intro
02:13 Peter’s career journey from entrepreneur to IPO expert
06:53 Benefits of listing on senior exchanges
09:48 Criteria and process for taking a company public
16:12 How Exchange Listing prepares companies for IPO
21:14 Real-world challenges and learning experiences from IPOs
34:15 Identifying potential companies for public transition
41:47 Financial implications and preparations for going public
43:28 Pro tips to maintain investor relationships
48:44 Outro
This episode is sponsored by ThunderVC, an investment bank for founders by founders.
Raising capital? Get a list of vetted VCs for FREE here: https://web.thunder.vc/list-of-investors-vcs-for-founders
Raising debt? Find the perfect lender in minutes here: https://debt.thunder.vc
Get the latest fundraising insights, news, and tips - https://join.thunder.vc
ABOUT PETER GOLDSTEIN
Peter Goldstein, founder and managing director of Emmis Capital and CEO of Exchange Listing, is a seasoned entrepreneur who specializes in guiding small to micro-cap companies through the complexities of going public.
Starting his first company at 24 and achieving his first exit at 30, Peter has decades of experience, including founding his own investment bank and taking two companies public. His firm, Exchange Listing, focuses on preparing these companies for successful IPOs by helping them navigate the intricate regulatory and market dynamics and prepares companies aiming to list on major stock exchanges like Nasdaq and NYSE, ensuring they meet listing and funding objectives efficiently. Peter has recently authored "The Entrepreneur's IPO," which offers a roadmap for small to micro-cap companies planning to go public
Connect with Peter Goldstein on:
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-goldstein-exchangelisting/
ABOUT FUNDRAISING DEMYSTIFIED
Our goal is simple: to equip you with the knowledge, inspiration, and guidance to navigate the labyrinthine world of fundraising. Whether you're a budding entrepreneur seeking seed funding or an established founder looking to scale your business, this podcast will provide you with the tools you need to conquer the fundraising landscape.
Thank you for being a loyal subscriber to Fundraising Demystified. We appreciate your support and are excited to continue bringing you more inspiring stories from successful founders.
ABOUT JASON
Jason Kirby is the co-founder of Thunder VC. He is a serial entrepreneur with 4 multi-million exits and decades of experience in fundraising and business building. He has coached hundreds of entrepreneurs in his career on fundraising, investing, capital strategy, and business development.
You can reach out to Jason through:
Email: [email protected]
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonrkirby/
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In this episode, Shane Neman, an angel investor and founder shares his entrepreneurial journey from starting businesses during the dot com bust, facing failure on his initial tech venture, to selling his companies and transitioning to investing.
As an investor, he looks for game-changing ideas and founders who don't necessarily need the money. Neman provides tips for founders on standing out in a crowded market, getting in front of investors, making good impressions, growing their businesses and raising money.
He also covers the challenges of getting out of deals and generating returns. This story can inspire founders to look beyond traditional paths and explore how their unique capabilities can address unmet needs in diverse sectors.
Here's what you're in for:
00:00 Intro
00:42 Shane Neman's entrepreneurial background
09:08 Transitioning to investing
12:15 Writing the book 'Nightly Lessons'
15:32 Struggles with fundraising and capital
23:03 Investing in early-stage ventures
31:30 Asking questions to test founders
35:28 Getting in front of investors
36:07 Making a good first impression
42:13 Getting out of deals and generating returns
47:54 Advice for founders chasing capital
51:40 Outro
This episode is sponsored by ThunderVC, an investment bank for founders by founders.
Raising capital? Get a list of vetted VCs for FREE here: https://web.thunder.vc/list-of-investors-vcs-for-founders
Raising debt? Find the perfect lender in minutes here: https://debt.thunder.vc
Get the latest fundraising insights, news, and tips - https://join.thunder.vc
ABOUT SHANE NEMAN
Shane Neman is a serial entrepreneur and investor. As the CIO and General Partner of Neman Ventures, Shane dedicates himself to uncovering unique and often overlooked investment opportunities that offer significant potential for growth and innovation with a robust portfolio that includes over 50 startups. His expertise spans various asset classes, including venture capital, private equity, and real estate.
A graduate of NYU with a degree in Computer Science, Shane's entrepreneurial journey began in the tech sector, where he founded three startups, two of which—EZ Texting and JoonBug—achieved successful acquisitions.
He was also recognized as a recipient of the prestigious Barry M. Goldwater scholarship and membership in the Phi Beta Kappa academic honor society.
Shane authored NightLife Lessons: How I Conquered the Business of Partying with Tech and a Glimpse Into its Future, manages various property types, and oversees a portfolio of over 20 properties in major metropolitan cities across the U.S.
Connect with Shane Neman on:
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shaneneman/
Website: https://www.shaneneman.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shaneneman/reels/
X: https://twitter.com/shaneneman
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nemanshane
ABOUT FUNDRAISING DEMYSTIFIED
Our goal is simple: to equip you with the knowledge, inspiration, and guidance to navigate the labyrinthine world of fundraising. Whether you're a budding entrepreneur seeking seed funding or an established founder looking to scale your business, this podcast will provide you with the tools you need to conquer the fundraising landscape.
Thank you for being a loyal subscriber to Fundraising Demystified. We appreciate your support and are excited to continue bringing you more inspiring stories from successful founders.
ABOUT JASON
Jason Kirby is the co-founder of Thunder VC. He is a serial entrepreneur with 4 multi-million exits and decades of experience in fundraising and business building. He has coached hundreds of entrepreneurs in his career on fundraising, investing, capital strategy, and business development.
You can reach out to Jason through:
Email: [email protected]
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonrkirby/
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In this episode, Brady Nolan, co-founder of Till, takes us through his journey from real estate to fintech transforming rent payments, leading to Till's impressive acquisition by Best Egg after raising $16 million. We talked about the early challenges of aligning Till—a startup that innovated how rent is managed with flexible payments—to meet market needs effectively, and the tactics they used to secure early-stage funding.
Brady shares how Till, which started as a simple idea to help renters manage cash flow, grew into a significant player in the FinTech space. He also shares the acquisition process, highlighting the crucial role of strong investor relationships and the integration hurdles they faced post-acquisition, providing invaluable insights for startups navigating the financial landscape.
Here's what you're in for:
00:00 Intro
00:32 Brady's property development background and Till's founding
03:19 Till's progression from idea to tackling real issues through rent payment solutions
07:33 Till's early fundraising efforts and deployment of capital
13:14 The explosive demand for Till’s services during the pandemic
15:04 The acquisition of Till by Best Egg
27:00 Cutting partnerships and focusing on new growth avenues
32:47 Integration and impact on the team/product post-acquisition
33:13 Mistakes and Lessons Learned
38:51 Advice for founders
44:42 Outro
This episode is sponsored by ThunderVC, an investment bank for founders by founders.
Raising capital? Get a list of vetted VCs for FREE here: https://web.thunder.vc/list-of-investors-vcs-for-founders
Raising debt? Find the perfect lender in minutes here: https://debt.thunder.vc
Get the latest fundraising insights, news, and tips - https://join.thunder.vc
ABOUT BRADY NOLAN
Brady Nolan, a seasoned real estate investor and innovative entrepreneur, co-founded Till to transform the rent payment experience for middle-class Americans. With a focus on aligning rent payments with renters' cash flows, Brady has led Till to significant growth, culminating in a strategic acquisition by Best Egg. His career spans over 15 years in real estate, where he developed and invested in large multi-unit apartment communities across the U.S. Prior to founding Till, Brady worked on the institutional side of the market, managing big real estate projects and working with major property management companies.
Connect with Brady Nolan on:
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brady-nolan/
Website: https://www.bestegg.com/
ABOUT FUNDRAISING DEMYSTIFIED
Our goal is simple: to equip you with the knowledge, inspiration, and guidance to navigate the labyrinthine world of fundraising. Whether you're a budding entrepreneur seeking seed funding or an established founder looking to scale your business, this podcast will provide you with the tools you need to conquer the fundraising landscape.
Thank you for being a loyal subscriber to Fundraising Demystified. We appreciate your support and are excited to continue bringing you more inspiring stories from successful founders.
ABOUT JASON
Jason Kirby is the co-founder of Thunder VC. He is a serial entrepreneur with 4 multi-million exits and decades of experience in fundraising and business building. He has coached hundreds of entrepreneurs in his career on fundraising, investing, capital strategy, and business development.
You can reach out to Jason through:
Email: [email protected]
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonrkirby/
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In this episode, I talked with Sim Desai, founder and CEO of Hiive, a platform to buy and sell secondary shares that recently raised $4.25 Million. Sim and I give a masterclass on the secondary market. If you’re looking to gain an insight into that world, this episode is for you.
Sim also talks about his switch from a career in private equity brokerage to changing how people trade private company secondary shares with his platform, Hiive. He wants to make trading easier and clearer for everyone by using automation and transparency. Hiive works to improve the buying and selling experience in a market that's usually not very transparent.
Sim explains the regulatory hoops you’ve got to jump through to list your shares and how Hiive adds value and streamlines processes in the secondary market. He also shares his initial fundraising adventure and the strategic thinking behind it while discussing the ups and downs of Hiive’s fundraising journey and what they learned along the way.
Here's what you're in for:
00:00 Intro
00:37 Sim's background in private equity and Hiive's creation
04:38 Typical companies in the secondary market
07:05 Who are the typical buyers in secondary markets?
12:53 How Hive reduces transaction fees
14:39 How to list in the secondary market
17:42 How Hive optimizes secondary market transactions.
21:16 Raising capital for Hiive
26:48 Challenges and outcomes of Hive’s fundraising journey
32:53 Market overview and predictions for the secondary
36:40 Advice to founders
41:12 Outro
This episode is sponsored by ThunderVC, an investment bank for founders by founders.
Raising capital? Get a list of vetted VCs for FREE here: https://web.thunder.vc/list-of-investors-vcs-for-founders
Raising debt? Find the perfect lender in minutes here: https://debt.thunder.vc
Get the latest fundraising insights, news, and tips - https://join.thunder.vc
ABOUT SIM DESAI
Sim Desai combines extensive industry experience with a forward-thinking approach to reshape the secondary market. His background in private equity brokerage at Setter Capital laid the groundwork for Hiive, which simplifies transactions and increases transparency for private company shares. At Hiive, Sim leads initiatives that challenge traditional market processes, emphasizing the importance of technology in providing liquidity and fair pricing.
Connect with Sim Desai on:
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sim-desai-89835a1a4/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/simdesaihivе
ABOUT FUNDRAISING DEMYSTIFIED
Our goal is simple: to equip you with the knowledge, inspiration, and guidance to navigate the labyrinthine world of fundraising. Whether you're a budding entrepreneur seeking seed funding or an established founder looking to scale your business, this podcast will provide you with the tools you need to conquer the fundraising landscape.
Thank you for being a loyal subscriber to Fundraising Demystified. We appreciate your support and are excited to continue bringing you more inspiring stories from successful founders.
ABOUT JASON
Jason Kirby is the co-founder of Thunder VC. He is a serial entrepreneur with 4 multi-million exits and decades of experience in fundraising and business building. He has coached hundreds of entrepreneurs in his career on fundraising, investing, capital strategy, and business development.
You can reach out to Jason through:
Email: [email protected] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonrkirby/ -
In this episode, we have Alex Simpson, fintech founder of OpenStock, who shares his story of transitioning from fintech to tackling liquidity problems for investors in private funds. Openstock helps open up liquidity for one of the largest untapped asset classes — private credit, private equity, and real estate funds to make it easier for people to access liquidity from their illiquid investments without selling.
Alex discusses how crucial it is for fund managers to manage their Limited Partners’ expectations around cash flow. He shares that partnering with private equity and credit funds lets OpenStock give investors more options. He also gives startup founders great tips, highlighting the need to stay unbiased and steer clear of assumptions when dealing with business partners.
Here's what you're in for:
00:00 Intro
05:15 Working with private equity and private credit funds
07:09 Building relationships with LPs and funds
12:33 Interesting deals facilitated by OpenStock
21:44 Advice for GPs and managing Expectations
28:44 Understanding LP expectations
30:31 Selectivity in working with funds
36:00 Outro
This episode is sponsored by ThunderVC, an investment bank for founders by founders.
Raising capital? Get a list of vetted VCs for FREE here: https://web.thunder.vc/list-of-investors-vcs-for-founders
Raising debt? Find the perfect lender in minutes here: https://debt.thunder.vc
Get the latest fundraising insights, news, and tips - https://join.thunder.vc
ABOUT ALEX SIMPSON
Alex Simpson, a fintech entrepreneur from South Africa, has been living in the US for over four years. With 12 years of experience, he specializes in B2B fintech and has a notable track record in advising and expanding early-stage companies, establishing a significant network in the pre-IPO and late-stage private sector. Alex also serves as an advisor and investor in various fintech companies.
He saw a big need for ways to turn private stocks into cash, especially for investors in fund managers that aren't public traded and want more options to access liquidity. So he started OpenStock. This company gives loans to certain limited partners in large illiquid funds. The company is partnered with an $800M fund to focus on this problem and give out big loans. This helps meet the high demand for cash from private funds, mainly from LPs in well-known funds. By focusing on helping both shareholders and LPs, OpenStock has made a special spot for itself in the market and is getting bigger in the fintech world.
Get in touch with Alex Simpson on:
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alsimpson1/
Website: https://www.moonrise.fund/alexander-simpson
ABOUT FUNDRAISING DEMYSTIFIED
Our goal is simple: to equip you with the knowledge, inspiration, and guidance to navigate the labyrinthine world of fundraising. Whether you're a budding entrepreneur seeking seed funding or an established founder looking to scale your business, this podcast will provide you with the tools you need to conquer the fundraising landscape.
Thank you for being a loyal subscriber to Fundraising Demystified. We appreciate your support and are excited to continue bringing you more inspiring stories from successful founders.
ABOUT JASON
Jason Kirby is the co-founder of Thunder VC. He is a serial entrepreneur with 4 multi-million exits and decades of experience in fundraising and business building. He has coached hundreds of entrepreneurs in his career on fundraising, investing, capital strategy, and business development.
You can reach out to Jason through:
Email: [email protected]
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonrkirby/ -
In this episode, I talked with Sherry Jiang, co-founder and CEO of Peek.Money, where she shares her journey from leaving Google to starting her own company. Blue Jay Finance aims to solve the problem of managing personal finances by providing an intelligent net worth tracker and personalized insights. Sherry explains her decision to take a bold bet on Asia and build her company in Singapore. She first jumped into fintech focusing on stablecoins, even with the ups and downs of the crypto market. When COVID hit, raising money got tough. But Sherry got creative and focused on small checks to get intros to bigger checks.
Sherry didn't just look for money; she also worked on making real connections beyond the context of fundraising. Amidst pivots in the company's direction and changes in co-founder dynamics, she stayed focused on being careful with money and keeping things simple. She made sure they didn't spend too much and always looked for ways to make revenue. She offers tips for founders dealing with pivots, focusing on key metrics, communicating effectively, and having a nuanced perspective on the process.
Here's what you're in for:
00:00 Intro
03:45 Leaving Google and starting Peek.Money
09:47 The conception of Peek.Money
22:10 Raising funds for the stablecoin idea
27:01 Raising capital and networking
29:05 Pivoting and communicating with investors
34:23 Co-founder dynamics and transition
39:39 Managing burn and cashflow
44:24 Advice for founders dealing with pivots
51:26 Outro
This episode is sponsored by ThunderVC, an investment bank for founders by founders.
Raising capital? Get a list of vetted VCs for FREE here: https://web.thunder.vc/list-of-investors-vcs-for-founders
Raising debt? Find the perfect lender in minutes here: https://debt.thunder.vc
Get the latest fundraising insights, news, and tips - https://join.thunder.vc
ABOUT SHERRY JIANG
Sherry Jiang, Co-founder and CEO of Bluejay Finance, mixes a strong entrepreneurial drive with smart strategy in the blockchain world. Before starting Bluejay Finance, Sherry sharpened her skills at Google. There, she learned a lot about creating products and understanding markets. Using what she knows, Sherry set out to make private market investments open to more people through Bluejay Finance. At Bluejay Finance, she leads a team working to change how people invest in private markets. She has since pivoted to focusing on helping investors track real world assets. Sherry's way of leading focuses on being the best, always learning, and pushing the industry forward.
Connect with Sherry Jiang on:
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sherry-jiang-12557332/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/SherryYanJiang
ABOUT FUNDRAISING DEMYSTIFIED
Our goal is simple: to equip you with the knowledge, inspiration, and guidance to navigate the labyrinthine world of fundraising. Whether you're a budding entrepreneur seeking seed funding or an established founder looking to scale your business, this podcast will provide you with the tools you need to conquer the fundraising landscape.
Thank you for being a loyal subscriber to Fundraising Demystified. We appreciate your support and are excited to continue bringing you more inspiring stories from successful founders.
ABOUT JASON
Jason Kirby is the co-founder of Thunder VC. He is a serial entrepreneur with 4 multi-million exits and decades of experience in fundraising and business building. He has coached hundreds of entrepreneurs in his career on fundraising, investing, capital strategy, and business development.
You can reach out to Jason through:
Email: [email protected]
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonrkirby/
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In this episode, we are joined by Thanasis Delistathis, managing partner and co-founder of Proof, to talk about their groundbreaking insider access strategy in venture capital. Proof partners with early-stage funds to invest in high-potential breakout companies, boasting a track record of success, including the recent acquisition of Jackpocket. With investments totaling approximately $350 million on behalf of Limited Partners (LPs) through managed entities, Proof leads the way in innovative fund management.
Thanasis discusses the origin of the opportunity fund and how it evolved into the Proof strategy. He emphasizes building relationships with early-stage funds and Proof's role in facilitating co-investments, while explaining the strategy's economic incentives and addressing fundraising challenges and opportunities. Venture capitalists and fund managers won't want to miss these insights into navigating the competitive landscape and unlocking investment opportunities.
Here's what you're in for:
00:00 - Intro
03:11 - Evolution of Proof from early-stage investing to insider access strategy
04:06 - How opportunity funds started
05:09 - Founding New Atlantic Ventures and innovations in fund structures
12:18 - Launching Proof and building relationships with early-stage funds
14:33 - Evaluation criteria for selecting high-growth startups
16:31 - How funds share profits and incentives align
36:45 - Acquisition of Jackpocket and investment strategy
37:04 - Advice for emerging fund managers
42:59 - Outro
This episode is sponsored by ThunderVC, an investment bank for founders by founders.
Raising capital? Get a list of vetted VCs for FREE here: https://web.thunder.vc/list-of-investors-vcs-for-founders
Raising debt? Find the perfect lender in minutes here: https://debt.thunder.vc
Get the latest fundraising insights, news, and tips - https://join.thunder.vc
ABOUT THANASIS
Thanasis Delistathis, Managing Partner and Co-founder of Proof, began his career with a passion for engineering but discovered his knack for finance at Princeton University. After gaining experience at Draper Atlantic and co-founding New Atlantic Ventures, he pioneered Proof insider access strategy, revolutionizing venture capital by challenging traditional funding norms. With a focus on innovation and emerging opportunities, Thanasis continues to empower entrepreneurs and investors, reshaping the startup landscape with forward-thinking approaches to investing.
Connect with Thanasis on:
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tdelistathis/
Website: https://www.proof.vc/
Email: [email protected]
ABOUT FUNDRAISING DEMYSTIFIED
Our goal is simple: to equip you with the knowledge, inspiration, and guidance to navigate the labyrinthine world of fundraising. Whether you're a budding entrepreneur seeking seed funding or an established founder looking to scale your business, this podcast will provide you with the tools you need to conquer the fundraising landscape.
Thank you for being a loyal subscriber to Fundraising Demystified. We appreciate your support and are excited to continue bringing you more inspiring stories from successful founders.
ABOUT JASON
Jason Kirby is the co-founder of Thunder VC. He is a serial entrepreneur with 4 multi-million exits and decades of experience in fundraising and business building. He has coached hundreds of entrepreneurs in his career on fundraising, investing, capital strategy, and business development.
You can reach out to Jason through:
Email: [email protected]
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonrkirby/
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In this episode, Nick Cuomo, CEO of AllStar.gg, shares his journey from the e-sports world as a former pro-gamer to founding a gaming technology startup. With a background in graphic design, digital marketing, and SaaS sales, Nick discusses his career path and the evolution of AllStar's mission to empower gamers as creators.
Nick walks us through his fundraising journey, detailing how he attracted investors by optimizing user growth and engagement metrics. He also discusses the importance of building strategic connections and staying adaptable to market shifts, while offering practical advice for maintaining resilience during the fundraising process.
Here's what you're in for:
00:31 Nick's Journey into gaming and entrepreneurship
10:50 Fundraising journey and initial challenges
21:11 The fundraising process
26:25 Adapting to market shifts and raising Series A
35:37 Metrics and benchmarks that attracted investors
39:47 Advice for founders
This episode is sponsored by ThunderVC, an investment bank for founders by founders.
Raising capital? Get a list of vetted VCs for FREE here: https://web.thunder.vc/list-of-investors-vcs-for-founders
Raising debt? Find the perfect lender in minutes here: https://debt.thunder.vc
Get the latest fundraising insights, news, and tips - https://join.thunder.vc
ABOUT GUEST
Nick Cuomo is a former professional gamer and viral gaming video creator. With over 15 years of experience in technology, marketing, software, sales, and digital media, Nick's entrepreneurial spirit led him to establish Allstar in 2019. Their mission is to empower gamers to become creators by simplifying the process of sharing gameplay through innovative technology.
Connect with Nick on:
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cuomon/
X: https://twitter.com/nickcuomo?lang=en
Website: www.nickcuomo.com
ABOUT FUNDRAISING DEMYSTIFIED
Our goal is simple: to equip you with the knowledge, inspiration, and guidance to navigate the labyrinthine world of fundraising. Whether you're a budding entrepreneur seeking seed funding or an established founder looking to scale your business, this podcast will provide you with the tools you need to conquer the fundraising landscape.
Thank you for being a loyal subscriber to Fundraising Demystified. We appreciate your support and are excited to continue bringing you more inspiring stories from successful founders.
ABOUT JASON
Jason Kirby is the co-founder of Thunder VC. He is a serial entrepreneur with 4 multi-million exits and decades of experience in fundraising and business building. He has coached hundreds of entrepreneurs in his career on fundraising, investing, capital strategy, and business development.
You can reach out to Jason through:
Email: [email protected]
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonrkirby/
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