Alderson James’ Post

In the world of angel investing, great ideas are just the starting line. The real success stories come from teams that can take those ideas, navigate the inevitable challenges, and scale them into thriving businesses. Investors know that the ability to execute under pressure and adapt to change is what truly sets a team apart. For investors, it’s the team’s ability to execute under pressure and adapt to change that truly matters. When you find a team that can not only envision greatness but also deliver it, you’re backing a winning formula. Get the full scoop on what makes a startup team unstoppable by watching the video: https://lnkd.in/gjh_PrEV Join Angel Investors Network to connect with investors who understand the true power of a great team. Discover opportunities that align with your investment strategy: https://lnkd.in/dNV5xgz4 What traits do you prioritize in a startup team? Share your insights in the comments! 💬 #WinningTeams #AngelInvesting #InvestmentStrategy #StartupSuccess #InvestorInsights #TeamDynamics #Leadership

In the world of angel investing, great ideas are just the starting line. The real success stories come from teams that can take those ideas, navigate the inevitable challenges, and scale them into thriving businesses. Investors know that the ability to execute under pressure and adapt to change is what truly sets a team apart. For investors, it’s the team’s ability to execute under pressure and adapt to change that truly matters. When you find a team that can not only envision greatness but also deliver it, you’re backing a winning formula. Get the full scoop on what makes a startup team unstoppable by watching the video: https://lnkd.in/gaSd__am Join Angel Investors Network to connect with investors who understand the true power of a great team. Discover opportunities that align with your investment strategy: https://lnkd.in/duiBQ5S2 What traits do you prioritize in a startup team? Share your insights in the comments! 💬 #WinningTeams #AngelInvesting #InvestmentStrategy #StartupSuccess #InvestorInsights #TeamDynamics #Leadership

The Final Day: Winter is Coming and for some It’s Already Here. The industry is changing! If you take one thing from this series, let it be this: what worked for small businesses and startups five-ten years ago won’t work in today’s fast-changing market. Those founders-They didn’t wait to get wiped out like Blockbuster video. They seized this opportunity and created a $75 million enterprise done in weeks that changed their futures. The Exact Framework – Exponential Growth without Giving Up Control or Raising Capital. Here’s the step-by-step process you can follow right now. Identify Complementary Businesses - Find well established companies whose services, clients, and capabilities add to or enhance your own. Unite Under Our Multiple Arbitrage Framework - Join forces in a way that allows each business to operate individually but contribute to a shared purpose and greater goal. Multiply Value - Each partner brings something unique, building a one stop powerhouse that attracts clients, investors, and value increase virtually overnight. In the end, this framework allows small business owners and founders to become a powerful force for driving innovation and collaboration while also positioning you for a high profit exit fast—but on your terms without giving up an arm and a leg. Winter is Coming! Let’s schedule a 45 min Zoom and see for yourself if it’s a HOT fit or not. Make 2025 Your Year! I hope you gain a new perspective Darnell Phelps #AI #GrowthStrategy #Collaboration #Ecosystem #MSPs #Startups #Exit #Founder #CEO #SMB #Marketing #sales

Before you pitch to a VC, what should you, as a Founder, be aware of? Ben Winn from FirstMark recently shared a valuable insight: VCs are very public about their investments, highlighting the success stories and providing clear reasons why those ventures were successful. This transparency is incredibly useful for founders looking to pitch to the right investors. Before approaching a VC, it’s critical that you do your homework. Take the time to analyze the posts and content shared by investors or the partners at the firm on social media, especially from the past few months. This will give you a sense of what they value in founders and start ups. Look for patterns around the types of industries, ideas, or traits they are highlighting as particularly exciting or important. This research can provide you with key insights into: 1️⃣What investors are looking for in terms of market trends, product focus, and founder qualities. 2️⃣What excites them about specific sectors or challenges they’re eager to solve. 3️⃣What they might prioritize in a pitch, such as team dynamics, scalability, or innovation. Armed with this knowledge, you’ll be in a stronger position to ensure you’re pitching to the right investors and tailoring your pitch to grab their attention right away. By aligning your approach with what they’re actively interested in, you increase your chances of resonating with them and making a strong first impression. #startup #tech #nyc #founder #venturecapital #cfo

One #feedback founders often hear during rejection is "This is not a fit for us," or "We don't think this fits the VC case we are after." Well, what do they mean? It signals that your business doesn't align with the high-growth, high-return profile VCs typically seek. 0 - 100Mn in Rev in 7 - 10 years (the top quartile companies do it in 4 years 🤯). 1️⃣ Scalability 🌍: VCs are usually looking for businesses that can #scale rapidly and achieve significant growth - 2 to 3x YOY.   2️⃣ Market Size and Growth 📈: VCs often target companies that address large markets that are growing fast because a big market offers more potential for a company to grow and deliver high returns. (points 1 & 2 go hand in hand).   3️⃣ High Return Potential 💰: VCs seek investments that can provide a substantial return, often aiming for a 10x or higher return on investment.   4️⃣ Nimble Business Model: Check whether your business model offers high margins, easy to scale, asset-light, high LTV, repeatability and predictability. (That being said, there are investors that look for deep tech and hardware innovations - who might look for different things).   5️⃣ Exit Potential 🏁: VCs invest with the expectation of an exit strategy, such as an acquisition or IPO, that allows them to cash out their investment. If the business doesn't have a clear path to an exit that would generate substantial returns, it might not be a VC case.   Final Note: Not every business is a VC case—and that's okay! Consider alternative funding sources that align with your growth appetite and vision.     #Startups #VentureCapital #Founders #rejection #PITCHING

Here's an interesting fact no one is talking about. The fastest growing companies in the world don't end up where they originally planned. And in fact, often not where they had hoped. Quick Fact: Two-thirds of companies that make the “5000 Fastest Growing Companies” list end up either smaller, sold at an unfavourable valuation, or out of business a few years later. Why? Growing too fast ends up being what kills startups with massive potential: 1️⃣ 𝗖𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗗𝗶𝗹𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 – New hires may not align with core values, leading to a fragmented team. 2️⃣ 𝗢𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻 – Systems that work for a small team can break under larger demands. 3️⃣ 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝗕𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗼𝘂𝘁 – The pressures of rapid growth likely lead to exhaustion and turnover. Here's what I'd focus on instead: 𝗕𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗧𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗼𝗶𝘀𝗲: Focus on steady, controlled growth. Set achievable milestones and re-evaluate at each phase. 𝗕𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗲𝗹, 𝗡𝗼𝘁 𝗪𝗮𝘅: Invest in scalable systems and robust processes. 𝗙𝘂𝗲𝗹 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗚𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘁𝘂𝗱𝗲: Appreciate what you have now to sustain long-term success - build from a place of abundance, not lack, to go far. How do you balance growth with sustainability? *** P.S. Are you experiencing any of these challenges? At Bear Venture Group we partner with CEOs and Founders to help them scale in the right ways. DM me if you'd like to chat about how I can help you and your business to take the next step. #Scaling #Leadership #GrowthMindset #StartupLife

“You reap what you sow” Over the last fews weeks I’ve met multiple peers and one thing has come out emphatically: What most have collectively learnt over time & my suggestion as well to anyone looking to get into Venture Capital : 𝘉𝘦𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢 𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘰𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘪𝘴 𝘮𝘶𝘤𝘩 𝘣𝘦𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘯 𝘣𝘦𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘥 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘸𝘪𝘯. Genuine Connections trump everything in the Startup / VC ecosystem, why ? 1. 𝐈𝐭'𝐬 𝐚 𝐒𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝: - High Overlap: Approximately 60% of people from notable VC funds are familiar with each other, either directly or indirectly. - Information Flow: Information, including reputations of both firms and individuals, travels quickly within this circle. A good or bad reputation can spread rapidly, impacting potential deals and partnerships. - Collaborations and Co-Investments: The familiarity among VCs often leads to co-investments, where multiple firms invest in the same startup. These collaborations are built on trust and mutual understanding developed over time. - Mentorship and Guidance: Experienced VCs often mentor newcomers, developing a shared knowledge base. This mentorship helps expedite ones growth in the industry. 2. 𝐂𝐫𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐌𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬: 𝐁𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐌𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐓𝐫𝐮𝐬𝐭 In the VC ecosystem, credibility is crucial and has long-lasting effects: - First Impressions: Leads to being the go to person in an industry for both peers and founders, first impressions last, last longer than one thinks. - Track Record: VCs with a history of backing successful startups are more likely to attract promising new ventures. - Long-Term Relationships: Building credibility involves maintaining integrity, transparency, and reliability in all dealings. Long-term relationships are often based on the trust and respect garnered through consistent credible behavior. 3. 𝐑𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐅𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐢𝐬 𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 The relationship between VCs and startup founders is pivotal for the success of both parties, difficult to repair once it takes the sour route: - Trust and Communication: Strong rapport is built on trust and open communication. Founders need to feel comfortable sharing both successes and challenges with their investors. - Crisis Management: During challenging times, a good rapport can make a significant difference. Founders are more likely to turn to supportive VCs for help in navigating crises. - Alignment of Interests: A strong relationship ensures that both VCs and founders are aligned in their goals and vision for the company. Also a lot of founder support is needed when a VC is looking for an exit. #VentureCapital #Career #Networking

Venture Building is Down, But Not Out At Martian & Machine, we've always viewed venture building differently. Often seen as a buzzword spectacle, especially in Germany, we see it as a missed opportunity to prove that Germany can still build hands-on hidden champions. While many settle for flashy press releases, we firmly believe that hard work, countless hours, and genuine passion pave the way to market leadership, rather than mere talk and celebrations. We’re not redefining venture building, we’re re-executing it—the time for just thinking is over. In corporate venturing, rolling up your sleeves and rewriting the rulebook leads to breakthroughs: 1. Tasting the Dirt: Venture success isn’t about staying clean. If you've always kept your hands clean, you'll probably end up with a dirty balance sheet. The real work happens in the field, not in boardrooms where underpants might be dirty, but your hands are still clean. 2. Not Here to Maintain Reportings: Too many reportings foster a focus on meaningless KPIs and numbers, leading to falsified figures. Achieving real results requires doing, not just reporting. Better to have founders who request meetings because they have updates than founders who meet just to update. 3. Bypassing Blueprints: No universal playbook exists. Each project is a unique challenge requiring creative execution to transform ideas into market leaders. If there were a holy blueprint, there would be no need to discuss it on LinkedIn. 4. Not Here to Make Friends: Your priority is the venture's success, not winning popularity contests. This means tough conversations, standing firm in negotiations, and sometimes skipping the cozy business dinner for a confrontation that drives progress. 5. Challenging Consultancy Norms: Consulting is designed to make companies efficient, not innovative. High fees make sense for efficiency drives—you know, spend ten million to save twenty million. But for building businesses it just don’t stack up. Without a clear savings target, investment should align more closely with the dynamic, cost-effective approaches typical of startup culture. Curious to hear from you: Which venture are you proud of for the tough stands you had to take? How did facing these conflicts head-on help you achieve success? #CorporateVenturing #venturebuilding #companybuilding #bereal #startupstudio #venturestudio #marketleader #mvp #data #innovation #sickmanofeurope #germanangst

Investors take note 📝 No matter what you think about “founder mode”, companies led by founders grow faster and produce better returns (on average). This is a critical reason to help your founders get coaches and connect with supportive peer forums 🚀 Reach out to explore how we can partner to help your founders succeed! Read the full article by Rosie Bradbury: https://lnkd.in/dtZ4_u53 #startupdevelopment

** TL;DR - Is the Projection Slide really "useless" in your pitch deck? ** I've seen some posts and comments from investors on LinkedIn recently saying that "projection slides in pitch decks are useless." Respectfully, I disagree. For early stage rounds (pre-Series A), a projection slide demonstrates: 🚀 Ambition - do the founders aspire to build a venture backable company? 🔥 Commercial Viability - do the founders understand their business model? 💰 Financial Acumen - do the founders understand basic startup math? 💯 Venture Experience - do founders show product, GTM and sales capability? What I do agree with the investors however, is that: ❌ The numbers most founders present are nearly always inappropriate, and ❌ Founders could present the projection slide SO MUCH better. My suggestion as a fix - founders, instead of providing revenue forecasts for the next 10 years, break your "forecast" into a three milestone journey that includes: M1: $1m/revenue or North Star Metric (NSM) Equivalent eg. 100k MAU's M2: $10m/revenue or NSM Equivalent, and M3: $100m/revenue or NSM Equivalent. This way, you can present a working hypothesis to the investors about what you know (and don't know) about each milestone, and what progress their investment will "buy" (and how you will re-tool the business when you hit each milestone). Lastly, investors - the reason why all the projection slides look similar, is because that's what founders are told that you want. When every accelerator or investment readiness program teaches the same "template", it's not a surprise that founders who don't really understand the mechanics of their business just give you a j-curve/hockey stick and hope for the best. #startups #scaleups #planetstartup #finance #cfo #projections #forecasting