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Too many founders think venture capital is the only way to grow, but it’s not. And for a lot of businesses, it’s not the best choice. If you’re focused on building a sustainable, profitable company... you don’t always need to chase VC money. Over this past year, I've talked to a ton of founders looking for outside capital, mainly VC. But at the same time.. most of them didn't have the traction or business model suited for being a venture-backable business, at least not yet. And that's when I usually suggest they consider raising an angel army. Angels are often a better fit for founders with a clear vision of what they want to build. If you’re raising from angels, the first step is understanding your pitch. Ask yourself: 1️⃣ What kind of business am I building? 2️⃣ What’s the promise I’m offering investors? You don’t need to promise the next billion-dollar unicorn if that’s not what you’re after. Angels often care about more than scale. They’re looking for founders who know what they’re building and why. The key is aligning your goals with the right type of funding. Focus on what you want to create and find the capital that fits your vision...not the other way around. I dropped a full episode on my podcast on this topic today. Check it out: https://buff.ly/3URgjSd

In 2015, this guy used his last $50 to start a podcast. Last month, he raised a $400M VC Fund. I spent 11 hours analyzing his content playbook. The result is a 23-minute breakdown: If you haven’t heard of him, here’s a quick overview: Harry Stebbings is the founder of 20VC. When he was 19, he wanted to enter the venture capital world. So he started the ‘20VC podcast’ from his bedroom. He planned to build relationships by interviewing investors and founders on his podcast. He had: • 0 industry experience • 0 connections • 0 credibility He spent the next 10 years interviewing 1000s of people, curating short, 20-minute episodes, and posting them online. Over time, his content started building trust beyond the conversations he was having 1on1. More and more founders and venture capitalists started reaching out to him. Then, in 2020, Harry raised his first $8.3M fund on the back of the media leverage he’d built. Fast forward to October 2024, he raised one of the biggest venture funds in European history at $400M - Harry is 28. Today, he has a 13-person media team that generates over 15 million monthly views for Harry and his brand. Content is the lifeblood of his business case. He even says 20VC is at “the intersection of media & venture capital”. I spent 11 hours breaking down his playbook and turned it into a 23-minute video where I cover: • the “Harry Stebbings Media Playbook” • the “Attention Flywheel” that yields 15M monthly views • how his 23-person media team helps his portfolio companies Check out the full breakdown here: https://lnkd.in/d-U_GjZ8

📈 Early-stage founders often seek advice on how to fundraise from venture capital. Here are 3 valuable resources I recommend: 📖 Read "Secrets of Sand Hill Road" by Scott Kupor Scott Kupor, Managing Partner at Andreessen Horowitz, offers a clear and accessible explanation of how venture capitalists make investment decisions and how entrepreneurs should approach venture financing. Understanding investor perspectives is crucial for both your fundraising strategy and your peace of mind. 🎧 Listen to "How to Sell Like Steve Jobs," Episode #350 of David Senra's Founders Podcast This episode is a powerful reminder of effective selling techniques. It's essential for anyone looking to attract investors, employees, prospects, or board members. Learning from Steve Jobs' ability to clearly articulate outcomes can be a game-changer for securing significant investments. 💰 Follow Jonathan Crowder, Partner at Intelis and a Founding Fiat Advisor Jonathan Crowder is a must follow for impactful daily content on fundraising and GTM strategy. His insights and advice can make a significant difference in raising seed funding and developing a successful go-to-market strategy.

🔥 Founders, don't make the mistake of pursuing VC funding if your startup isn't the right fit! 🔥 In this podcast clip, I sit down with David Forsberg, CFA from Ascent Energy Ventures to explore the truth about raising venture capital. 💸 As a startup founder, former VC, and advisor to companies that have raised over $1 billion, I know how crucial it is to target the right investors. 🎯 Check out the full podcast for more expert advice on navigating the world of venture capital. Link in the original Kruze Consulting post. 🎧 #startups #venturecapital

🚨 Attention Founders: Is Your Startup Really Venture-Backable? 🤔 In this exclusive podcast excerpt, Healy Jones, our VP of Financial Strategy and former VC, sits down with David Forsberg, CFA from Ascent Energy Ventures to unravel the truth about raising venture capital. 💰 David drops a bombshell piece of advice for founders seeking funding: Before you start pitching, take a hard look in the mirror and ask yourself, "Is my startup truly a fit for venture capital?" Too many founders assume they need or should pursue VC funding, but as David explains, if you don't match the investor's profile, you'll waste precious time and resources. 🙅♂️ In this clip, David and Healy explore: 🔷 How to assess if your startup is venture-backable 🔷 Why targeting the right investors is crucial 🔷 The pitfalls of raising VC money for the wrong type of business This is just a taste of the eye-opening insights David shares. For more game-changing advice on navigating the world of venture capital, check out the full podcast on YouTube or your favorite podcast platform. 🎧

Ever wondered how 'fund of funds' fit into the venture capital ecosystem? 💰 In our latest episode of First Cheque, co-hosts Cheryl Mack from Aussie Angels and Maxine Minter from Co Ventures in a riveting discussion that demystifies this early-stage investment strategy. 🚀 Discover why even the most seasoned investors are paying close attention to the growth and sophistication of venture funds. 🌱 From understanding the intricate relationship between management companies and standalone investing funds, to exploring the motivations of limited partners, this episode is packed with insights about how the best investors in the world think about scale. 📊 Tune in to learn more about the top-performing investors and funds, and how their success relies on outliers. ⭐ Subscribe to First Cheque wherever you listen to podcasts. 🎧 Thanks to our sponsors for helping to make this episode of First Cheque possible. Scendar: Scendar is the OG startup accounting firm in Australia. Free 1-hour consultation about your Business' growth plans and finance needs. https://dayone.fm/scendar Turo: Turo is the world's largest carsharing marketplace and it's the perfect app for travel. Download the Turo app and book cars from $38/day Download the Turo app and book cars from $38/day. https://dayone.fm/turo

🚨 Attention startup founders! 🚨 Before you start pitching to VCs, take a hard look at your business. Is it truly venture-backable? 🤔💡 I've worked with hundreds of startups that have collectively raised billions in funding, and I can tell you that not every business is a fit for VC. Check out the full podcast for more insights from David Forsberg, CFA and our VP of Financial Strategy, Healy Jones. Link in the original Kruze Consulting post. 🎧 #startups #venturecapital #funding #entrepreneurship

💰 Founders, are you wasting time and resources pitching to the wrong investors? 💰 In this podcast excerpt, David Forsberg, CFA from Ascent Energy Ventures shares a crucial piece of advice: Make sure your startup is truly venture-backable before you start seeking funding. 🎯 I've advised hundreds of startups that have raised billions in VC and venture debt funding, and I've seen firsthand the pressures founders face when growing their companies. 🌱 Listen to the full podcast for more game-changing insights. Link in the original Kruze Consulting post. 🎧 #startups #venturecapital #funding #entrepreneurship

Greg Baker 🚀 Exciting News! 🚀 Our latest episode of the Scaling Secret Podcast is live, featuring an insightful conversation with Greg Baker from Alumni Ventures. Dive into an enriching discussion about venture capital, entrepreneurship, and the dynamic world of startup investments. 🎙️ Episode Highlights: - Greg Baker shares the inspiring story of an entrepreneur succeeding in unrelated industries, notably by innovating in the surfactant industry using brewing yeast. - An exploration of the "Tech Optimist" podcast, interviewing passionate entrepreneurs revolutionizing various sectors, from fusion energy to cancer treatment. - The episode offers key insights on strategizing with an abundance mindset, the significance of adaptable, curious exploration of opportunities, and the importance of calculated risk-taking in venture capital. 🔑 Key Takeaways: - "Skate to where the puck's going, not to where it is": Greg Baker emphasizes anticipating market trends and future opportunities for successful entrepreneurship. - Investment Approach: Alumni Ventures meticulously assesses approximately 1-2 companies monthly, focusing on alignment with their venture capital strategy and conducting thorough diligence beyond the company's direct inputs. - Venture Capital Considerations: Not all startups fit the venture capital model; entrepreneurs should weigh various funding options, as VC funding may not always align with their company's growth trajectory. For a deeper dive into these topics and more, tune in to the latest episode now! 🎧 Listen and learn at https://lnkd.in/dbNTeNGY #ScalingSecretsPodcast #VentureCapital #Entrepreneurship #TechOptimist #GregBaker #StartupSuccess