Lucas Luckett,CPA,PFS,CEPA’s Post

The Anders Startup Funding and Outlook Survey highlights two key issues: securing funding and retaining talent. Despite this, investor optimism is high, aiming to make St. Louis a top startup hub.  Discover the obstacles startups must overcome for growth.

The Anders Startup Funding and Outlook Survey highlights two key issues: securing funding and retaining talent. Despite this, investor optimism is high, aiming to make St. Louis a top startup hub.  Discover the obstacles startups must overcome for growth.

The Anders Startup Funding and Outlook Survey Report highlights the strengths and challenges St. Louis startups face to secure funding and retain talent. Despite these hurdles, investor activity optimism is high. Discover the obstacles and opportunities for growth: https://lnkd.in/gVgiw46A

**Can Open Source Startups Thrive Without a Traditional Business Model? 🤔** In the world of tech investment, Joseph Jacks and OSS Capital are challenging conventional wisdom by betting on open source startups that defy the traditional business model narrative. While open source software is often seen as lacking a clear monetization strategy, Jacks believes in the potential of these early-stage companies to flourish through innovative funding approaches. One standout example is Formbricks, an exciting open-source alternative to Qualtrics—showing that creativity thrives even amidst the complexities of capitalism and philanthropy. As these startups navigate their formative years with intentional support and investment, it raises questions about what it truly means to drive innovation in our digital landscape. Can open source projects redefine profitability while still delivering value? Where do we draw the line between altruism and entrepreneurial success? Join us in discussing this intriguing paradox! 🚀 And if you’re ready to tap into groundbreaking startup ideas for your corporate innovation journey, don’t hesitate—book a meeting today! 👉 Connect with startups to drive your corporate innovation: [Book a meeting!](https://lnkd.in/dTxGsKrN) #OpenSource #Startups #Investment #JosephJacks #OSSCapital #Innovation #BusinessModel #TechTrends #Entrepreneurship #Philanthropy Read more here: https://lnkd.in/dhBmrDbD

👥 What is an Equity Pool? Understanding equity pools for startups is a crucial step in structuring your company for long-term success. It's not just about ownership—it’s about setting aside equity to reward key employees, advisors, and early contributors. At Launch A Biz, we’ve broken down the essentials of understanding equity pools for startups, making it easier to navigate how to retain top talent while growing your business. Ready to dig deeper? Check out our blog post for actionable insights and helpful resources on understanding equity pools for startups 👇 🔗 Read the full blog post: https://lnkd.in/e6gSGF-s #StartupSuccess #EquityManagement #FounderTips #BusinessGrowth #LaunchABiz

**Can Open Source Startups Thrive Without a Traditional Business Model? 🤔** In the world of tech investment, Joseph Jacks and OSS Capital are challenging conventional wisdom by betting on open source startups that defy the traditional business model narrative. While open source software is often seen as lacking a clear monetization strategy, Jacks believes in the potential of these early-stage companies to flourish through innovative funding approaches. One standout example is Formbricks, an exciting open-source alternative to Qualtrics—showing that creativity thrives even amidst the complexities of capitalism and philanthropy. As these startups navigate their formative years with intentional support and investment, it raises questions about what it truly means to drive innovation in our digital landscape. Can open source projects redefine profitability while still delivering value? Where do we draw the line between altruism and entrepreneurial success? Join us in discussing this intriguing paradox! 🚀 And if you’re ready to tap into groundbreaking startup ideas for your corporate innovation journey, don’t hesitate—book a meeting today! 👉 Connect with startups to drive your corporate innovation: [Book a meeting!](https://lnkd.in/dFYwmbHq) #OpenSource #Startups #Investment #JosephJacks #OSSCapital #Innovation #BusinessModel #TechTrends #Entrepreneurship #Philanthropy Read more here: https://lnkd.in/d5x36uzp

**Can Open Source Startups Thrive Without a Traditional Business Model? 🤔** In the world of tech investment, Joseph Jacks and OSS Capital are challenging conventional wisdom by betting on open source startups that defy the traditional business model narrative. While open source software is often seen as lacking a clear monetization strategy, Jacks believes in the potential of these early-stage companies to flourish through innovative funding approaches. One standout example is Formbricks, an exciting open-source alternative to Qualtrics—showing that creativity thrives even amidst the complexities of capitalism and philanthropy. As these startups navigate their formative years with intentional support and investment, it raises questions about what it truly means to drive innovation in our digital landscape. Can open source projects redefine profitability while still delivering value? Where do we draw the line between altruism and entrepreneurial success? Join us in discussing this intriguing paradox! 🚀 And if you’re ready to tap into groundbreaking startup ideas for your corporate innovation journey, don’t hesitate—book a meeting today! 👉 Connect with startups to drive your corporate innovation: [Book a meeting!](https://lnkd.in/dFYwmbHq) #OpenSource #Startups #Investment #JosephJacks #OSSCapital #Innovation #BusinessModel #TechTrends #Entrepreneurship #Philanthropy Read more here: https://lnkd.in/d5x36uzp

ICYMI, PitchBook has ranked Houston among the world’s "Top 50 Startup Cities." What's more, it's also earned a growth score of 63.8 out of 100 — the highest of any U.S. hub and the seventh highest in the world. Sounds about right given the metamorphosis our team has seen across most industries in The Bayou City these past few years! 💡📈👊 🔗 https://lnkd.in/gsehXM9Z via InnovationMap

The Series A Squeeze: Eastern Europe's Hidden Startup Challenge In the vibrant startup hubs of Eastern Europe, a silent storm is brewing. We've bootstrapped, hustled, and grown, but as we approach Series A, the game changes dramatically. The 'Series A squeeze' isn't just a Silicon Valley phenomenon - it's hitting us hard, reshaping our startup landscape. Investors globally are tightening their belts, raising the bar for Series A funding to unprecedented heights. We're now competing against global startups for a shrinking pool of capital. While seed funding remains relatively accessible, the leap to Series A has become a formidable chasm. But here's our edge: resilience is our superpower. Eastern European startups have always been masters of efficiency, building world-class products with a fraction of the resources available to our Western counterparts. Now it's time to showcase this efficiency on the global stage. The '#Blitzscaling' model, while successful in Silicon Valley, often falters in our ecosystem. Eastern Europe demands a different playbook - one that prioritizes sustainable growth, capital efficiency, and building storm-proof businesses. It may not be as flashy as 'growth at all costs', but it's far more resilient and attractive to discerning investors. This approach isn't just a necessity; it's our golden opportunity. We can pioneer a new model of startup success that harmonizes rapid growth with long-term sustainability. By laser-focusing on robust unit economics, stellar customer retention, and strategic expansion, we can build companies that not only secure Series A funding but are built to thrive for decades. As we face this #SeriesASqueeze, let's transform it into our collective breakthrough. It's time to spotlight the unique strengths of Eastern European startups - our resourcefulness, technical prowess, and innate ability to build global products from day one. This is how we'll attract not just capital, but the right kind of capital - investors who truly understand and value our approach to building sustainable, impactful businesses. 𝐐𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐫𝐞𝐟𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: ❔ How are you navigating the Series A landscape in your startup journey? ❔What strategies are you employing to build for the long haul? ❔How can we collectively elevate the Eastern European startup ecosystem? Share your thoughts and let's spark a conversation that could reshape our startup future. 𝘕𝘰𝘵𝘦: 𝘓𝘪𝘯𝘬𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘤𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘢𝘥𝘥𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘭 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘢𝘭𝘴 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘣𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘴 𝘴𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘣𝘦𝘭𝘰𝘸.

According to a study conducted by Demandsage - 77% Of The Businesses Rely On Their Savings For The Initial Funds. (Although about 100% of headlines on startup funding cover venture capital, only 0.05% of the startups raise venture capital) Fundraising is tough. Rejections sting. It's a marathon, not a sprint. But prep smooths the runway. Founders: — Know your numbers: Investors want a clear financial picture. — Craft a compelling story: Sell the vision, not just the product. — Target the right investors: Don't waste time on bad fits. Remember - Preparation is your competitive edge. ♻️What are your thoughts? Link to the study - https://lnkd.in/d_XHmcpU #startups #funding #investors #capital #failure #statistics