Winston Starts’ Post

Check out How To Start Something's online accelerator which provides participants with a step-by-step process to launch a new business or nonprofit. #startup #entrepreneurship https://lnkd.in/etZbUUP4

As an investor, it’s usually quite easy to see which companies are going to do well when fundraising. You need at least 2 of these 3: • Growing customer base • Unique value proposition • Enthusiastic pitch Although, I don’t see much success without item 3.

Turn your classroom into a startup incubator with the Virtual Business Entrepreneurship simulation. Students will test out what its like to build and grow a business by conducting market research, mastering an elevator pitch, raising money, and more! Explore the sim here https://lnkd.in/e29WUJjf

What matters when trying to raise your first round? Earlier this week I was on a panel through the Lang Entrepreneurship Center joined by Constanza Gomez and Lexington Studevant. The topic was an AMA for students to learn about fundraising for the first time as an entrepreneur. Some of the key takeaways from the event were: Get used to rejection - It's always harder than you think. The more traction the better - There are no hard rules about the traction you need to raise a first round. However, for people that don't have a strong network, you should assume you will need substantial traction from users or revenue in order to finish a fundraise. Legal - As long as you are a Delaware C corp don't worry too much about anything until you start getting term sheets. First rounds can usually be done on SAFEs. Focus on product - The more happy customers you can convert the better the process will be. Lean on advice - Find people who have raised, or VCs in your network to help you with the pitch deck / story. It will get better - No matter what, the pitch will improve over time. Just keep practicing!

🚀 Boost Your Startup's Fundraising! Avoid these pitfalls: 1. Raising without customers 🚫 2. Diluting your value proposition 🌟 3. Weak pitch 🎤 Turn these missteps into successes! 🤔 Founders, what other fundraising challenges have you faced and how did you overcome them? #StartupLife #FundraisingTips #Entrepreneurship

I couldn't agree more with Sayyid Sawad ✅ In the startup bubble, the focus had shifted to raising money 💰 and enjoying the ride on investors' dime. True founders, however, prioritize delivering value, proving their model, and showcasing at least ONE happy customer who can pitch for their success. Before seeking external funding, it's crucial to establish a profitable, sustainable, and vetted framework. Founders must understand the challenges and responsibilities tied to the money they handle. Investors look for highly ambicious individuals with proven credibility & stability in the core team. Remember, you don’t just sell a product; you sell a brand. For first-timers, "yOU aRE tHE bRAND". Invest in self, build your personality and credibility first – the product will follow and could be pivoted as needed. #kctalks #startup #entrepreneurship #brand #greeninkpro #funding

💡 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁’𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗲𝗰𝗿𝗲𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗲𝘂𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝘀𝘂𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀? It all starts with a strong foundation, network and community and at Grace, we’ve seen this play out time and time again. Here’s how some of our Grace alumnae describe the difference our community has made through our mentorship, coaching, and supportive community: Swipe through our alumnae's Fabiola Munguia Yamile Vargas and Jennifer Baum-Minkus inspiring testimonials and see how #Grace helped them unlock new levels of success and confidence. Whether you’re refining your pitch, seeking funding, or simply looking for the right space to grow, Grace offers what every founder needs: knowledge access and exchange, guidance, and a support network that gets it. 🚀 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗚𝗿𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝗕𝗲𝗿𝗹𝗶𝗻 𝗔𝗰𝗰𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗻 𝗻𝗼𝘄! 🚀 Take the leap, and let Grace help you achieve your entrepreneurial dreams. Apply here: https://lnkd.in/eRDFgZB6 __ The project is funded by the European Social Fund Plus with funds from the European Union and the State of Berlin. #WomenInBusiness #StartupJourney #FemaleEntrepreneurship #FoundersCommunity #GraceBerlinAccelerator #BusinessGrowth

Dear Founders If you build a great product and excel at selling, keep focusing on that. Don't spend too much time on fundraising. Build brand visibility and keep selling. Investors will follow you. Happy customers are the best fundraising tools. VCs will reach out to your customers because they believe them more than you. Also, don't think it's easy after fundraising. It's a more stressful journey than before. #Entrepreneurship #StartupLife #CustomerFirst #SalesSuccess #BrandBuilding #InvestorRelations #FundraisingTips #BusinessGrowth #StartupChallenges

🌟 Day 4 of our 15 Days of Giving Campaign focuses on Navigating the Four Stages of a Second-Stage Company 🌟 Donate now! https://lnkd.in/efRvPznw As a second-stage company, growth comes with its own set of challenges and opportunities. Understanding these stages can help you strategically navigate your business journey. Here are the four key stages: Overwhelmed: The initial phase where everything feels chaotic. It's crucial to prioritize and focus on what's most important to stabilize the business. Building the Team: Once the foundation is set, it's time to invest in building a strong team. Hire the right people and foster a collaborative culture to drive your vision forward. Growing to Last: This stage is all about sustainable growth. Implement scalable processes, invest in marketing and sales, and ensure financial stability to support long-term success. Focused Opportunities: With a solid team and sustainable growth, you can now focus on strategic opportunities. Explore new markets, innovate your product offerings, and expand your reach. Each stage presents unique challenges and opportunities, and understanding them can help you make informed decisions and drive your company toward success. 🚀 Thank you to the Edward Lowe Foundation for this research and helping to lay the foundation for a better understanding of second stage business growth strategy. Which stage is your company currently in? Share your experiences and insights in the comments below! ⬇️ #hailentrepreneur #GrowFL #GrowFL15thAnniversary #SecondStageCompanies #Entrepreneurship #4PhasesofSecondStage

🌟 This #GivingTuesday, Be the Spark for Innovators Everywhere! 🌟 Did you know entrepreneurship isn’t just about starting businesses? It’s about transforming lives, creating jobs, and fueling entire communities. Yet, far too many talented innovators face overwhelming barriers—lack of funding, resources, and access—to launch and grow their ideas. At Entrepreneurship For Everyone (EFE), we believe entrepreneurship knows no boundaries. That’s why we’re dedicated to empowering diverse founders, fostering inclusion, and building an ecosystem where every dream has the chance to thrive. This #GivingTuesday, join us in making a difference: ✨ Help underestimated entrepreneurs turn their ideas into reality. ✨ Support workforce development and drive economic prosperity. ✨ Build a future where entrepreneurship is for everyone, everywhere. 💡 Your donation will: ✅ Provide essential tools and training to early-stage entrepreneurs. ✅ Expand access to vital networks and resources. ✅ Empower innovators to overcome obstacles and create lasting impact. Together, we can unlock untapped potential and inspire innovation that benefits us all. 🌍 💚 Donate now and help us shape a future where everyone has the chance to succeed: https://lnkd.in/gVrpuEVE #EntrepreneurshipForEveryone #GivingTuesday #EconomicDevelopment #SupportInnovation #UnlockEntrepreneurship