Kevin Surace’s Post

Startup Hustle invited Stephen Wolfe onto the podcast to talk about practical funding and founder-market fit. Some key themes from the episode include: - Founder-market fit is crucial to success - Traditional venture capital isn't appropriate for most entrepreneurs (read Greg Head's content about practical founders) - Early growth capital, like Growth Street's, is a sensible path for most founders to raise the proper amount of capital for their opportunity and to get the right kind of help Listen here: https://lnkd.in/gfZNnmAk

The pivotal role of mentorship, access, and automation in startup triumphs cannot be overstated. Those with the right mentors and streamlined processes have shown significantly higher success rates than traditional startup founders. On the other hand, private equity firms specialize in optimizing businesses for profitability. It's a synergy of innovation and strategic optimization driving entrepreneurial triumphs. 🚀💼 Get ready to supercharge your startup journey with insights from industry leaders! Join us at the upcoming Capital Raising Event in Seattle, WA, from April 26th to 28th, 2024, where dynamic discussions and innovative strategies will pave the way for your business growth. 📅 Register now: https://lnkd.in/g54gxciZ. Drop your thoughts and questions in the comments below by watching the full podcast episode on YouTube 👉 https://lnkd.in/gVxfjUXV! Let's keep the conversation going. 💡 #StartupSuccess #MentorshipMatters #BusinessOptimization #PrivateEquity #InnovationDriven #StrategicTurnarounds #EntrepreneurialTriumph #SynergyInBusiness

The pivotal role of mentorship, access, and automation in startup triumphs cannot be overstated. Those with the right mentors and streamlined processes have shown significantly higher success rates than traditional startup founders. On the other hand, private equity firms specialize in optimizing businesses for profitability. It's a synergy of innovation and strategic optimization driving entrepreneurial triumphs. 🚀💼 Get ready to supercharge your startup journey with insights from industry leaders! Join us at the upcoming Capital Raising Event in Seattle, WA, from April 26th to 28th, 2024, where dynamic discussions and innovative strategies will pave the way for your business growth. 📅 Register now: https://lnkd.in/g-sh5P3b. Drop your thoughts and questions in the comments below by watching the full podcast episode on YouTube 👉 https://lnkd.in/gXMrp3VE! Let's keep the conversation going. 💡 #StartupSuccess #MentorshipMatters #BusinessOptimization #PrivateEquity #InnovationDriven #StrategicTurnarounds #EntrepreneurialTriumph #SynergyInBusiness

🎙️ In a recent podcast episode of 20 Minute VC with guest Trae Stephens from Founders Fund, the hosts explored the topic of competitive deals. Among the many gems, one profound statement resonated particularly deeply in today's bustling startup ecosystem: "There is something deeply troubling with #prices getting out of control that has nothing to do with the price itself - usually what an #inflated price means is that the deal is being competed and the founders believe that they have leverage." 💸 These words reveal a crucial truth: the allure of a #competitive deal can sometimes blind investors to its underlying risks. When prices soar and bidding wars erupt, it's easy to lose sight of what truly matters: the intrinsic #value of the investment 💡 Therefore, it's crucial to remember that the most competitive deals aren't necessarily the best ones. In fact, they may be the most perilous. Why? Because in the frenzy of competition, #critical factors such as team alignment and unique value propositions can be overlooked. 💬 According to Trae, the most competitive deals can be the worst ones because they are the ones that create super consensus: everyone rushed to agree on the team and on the thesis; the investment lacks an edge, and everything is going to be expensive in every financing round. Consequently, the expected value of the investment will decrease. Our general partner Gregor Unger agrees: There are opportunities that are obviously good, everyone knows it, and someone wins it. In the past, these opportunities would float around: every investor takes a look, then someone commits to it and wants to lead, and, then, suddenly everyone jumps on board, causing the price to rise. 📈 Of course, there are instances where #competitive #deals are justified. Consider Facebook’s early-stage rounds fueled by its undeniably extraordinary growth rates and massive market. However, succumbing to the allure of competition often leads to compromising investment criteria and foregoing due diligence. In essence, investing in startups is not merely about winning the deal; it's about securing long-term #value and mitigating risks. So, instead of living for the thrill of competition, let's focus on identifying investments with genuine potential and sustainable advantages 🚀 What do you think? Are the most competitive deals the worst? 🤔👇🏽💭 Listen to the full podcast episode here: https://lnkd.in/ezupDQNy #StartupInvesting #VentureCapital #InvestmentStrategy #FoundersFund #20MinuteVC Harry Stebbings

🎙️ I was recently a guest on a podcast where I addressed a common concern my clients—startup founders—and many of you have raised: securing VCs and business angels. A key issue? Managing startups as cash cows. While this provides stability, it can signal to investors that growth and innovation are on the back burner. 🚫 💡 The solution? Balance. While profitability matters, showing a clear growth path and an exit strategy can make your startup much more attractive to investors. Curious about the details? Check out the podcast for more insights! 🚀 #StartupStrategy #VCFunding #CashCow #ExitStrategy #Innovation

🎙️ Back at it with my annual tradition: sitting down with the one and only Loulou Khazen Baz on #ConversationswithLoulou! This year, our discussion was fueled by insights from MAGNiTT’s flagship Year-End Report, and we dove deep into some of the most pressing topics shaping the venture landscape. What made this conversation special? It was raw, honest, and unfiltered. We explored: ✅ The "Why?" – The importance of understanding the story behind the numbers. ✅ Empathy in perspective – Putting yourself in the shoes of VCs, founders, and governments. ✅ Incentives – How they differ across stakeholders in the ecosystem. ✅ The road ahead – Why 2025 looks more promising for venture capital ✅ Exits and IPOs – Balancing the focus between $50/100/200M exits and the elusive IPO. …and so much more! This episode was a deep dive—nearly 3 hours of recording—because there was just that much to unpack. I’m incredibly excited for you to listen. 🎧 Catch the full episode here and let me know your thoughts in the comments: https://lnkd.in/dDhKJbKb 📊 And don’t miss out on our free EVM Year-End Report, packed with data and insights to help you navigate 2025: https://lnkd.in/dVQ7NADh Shoutout to Christopher Rogers for his feature in Episode 87 and his continued support of MAGNiTT’s VC data—thank you, Chris! 🙌 I’m optimistic about what 2025 holds for investors and founders alike. What are your predictions for the year ahead? Let’s discuss in the comments 👇  #VentureCapital #Startups #EmergingMarkets #VCFunding #ScaleUp #ConversationsWithLoulou #Podcast #BusinessInsights #MENA #Africa #SoutheastAsia #InvestmentTrends #MergersAndAcquisitions #EcosystemGrowth #Entrepreneurship

🚀 The thrilling journey of building a startup is often marked by many milestones, but none as significant as the exit. When it's time to make that big leap, the road can be fraught with pitfalls that can cost you dearly. From my experiences as a founder, investor, and host of The Big Exit Show, I've identified three common mistakes founders make during their exit: 1️⃣ Lack of planning: Rushed decisions tend to result from an absence of a well-structured plan. In the rush of the moment, you risk making errors that could have been avoided. 2️⃣ Unclear valuation: Having no clear idea about your company's worth can lead to undervaluing or overvaluing your business. This mismatch often sparks disagreements amongst shareholders. 3️⃣ Poor communication: A lack of clear communication with key stakeholders and employees could result in a misalignment of interests. It could even lead to early investors blocking the sale if they perceive their stake to be worth more. When you're ready to exit your startup, remember - thorough planning, clear valuation, and effective communication are paramount. 🎧 Tune in to The Big Exit Show podcast to learn from founders who have sold their European tech company: https://buff.ly/49dkegP 🎤 Want to share your Exit Journey to inspire other founders? I’d love to hear your story on The Big Exit Show Podcast. Just connect with me. 👇Share your insights or questions about exits below, and let's start a conversation! #StartupExit #FounderAdvice #BusinessValuation

After working with 100s of  D2C founders, I've seen firsthand how challenging it can be for founders to cut through the noise and capture investors' attention.  It's a daunting task to craft a perfect pitch, stand out in a crowded market, and find investors who truly understand your vision. While researching this, I came across Devansh Lakhani's podcast, Level Up, where he talks about investment strategies and startup growth. This led me to a one-on-one conversation with Devansh, where we discussed the realities of the startup funding landscape. We talked about - Tailoring Pitches for D2C Startups - Building Genuine Investor Relationships - Overcoming Early-Stage Challenges If you’re grappling with similar challenges, exploring different viewpoints might provide the breakthrough you need. Sometimes, a fresh perspective can make all the difference. What’s the biggest challenge you’re currently facing in securing funding? Comment below! #startupfunding #d2cinvestments #businessgrowth #investmentstrategy #d2cbrands

🚀 Here are my 3 best ways to prepare for an exit: I've seen my share of startups prepare for an exit as a founder, investor, and host of The Big Exit Show. So here are 3 elements that stand tall in preparing for an exit: 1️⃣ Begin by crafting a clear exit strategy at least two years in advance. This will give you ample time to align your operations, financials, and team for maximum value. By streamlining your processes and enhancing your financial records, you stand a better chance of attracting favorable terms in an exit. 2️⃣ Next, make sure you understand your company's valuation. Look to comparable businesses, and talk to investment bankers and other founders who've successfully exited. The insights gained will help align expectations with shareholders and the board, ensuring the best possible outcome. 3️⃣ Lastly, maintain open communication lines with all stakeholders. Keep your employees, investors, and others in the loop about developments. Transparency builds trust, and trust leads to a smoother transition during an exit. 🎧 Tune in to The Big Exit Show podcast to learn from founders who have sold their European tech company: https://buff.ly/49dkegP 🎤 Want to share your Exit Journey to inspire other founders? I’d love to hear your story on The Big Exit Show Podcast. Just connect with me. 👇Share your insights or questions about exits below, and let's start a conversation! #StartupExit #Entrepreneurship #FounderAdvice

3 reasons founders should be active angel investors: ✅ Broader Perspective: getting an insider's view of a bunch of other startups can be an incredible learning experience that can make you a better founder. ✅ Network Strengthening: there is no better way to build strong relationships with other founders in your community than by putting your money where your mouth is. ✅ Diversification: Most startups fail. Why not give yourself more chances of that big exit by investors in your fellow founders? ...and 2 reasons they shouldn't: ❌ Distraction Potential: angel investing take time. Perhaps you are better off spending that time doing everything you can to make your own startup succeed? ❌ Negative signalling: whether or not you find it distracting, a lot of VCs (and maybe even your employees) won't like to see you investing your time, money, and energy into other people's startups. We talk all about angel investing in today's episode of The Startup Podcast. What do you think? Should founders angel invest?