Prodcircle with Mudassir Mustafa

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How VCs pick founders to back or not? With Pearse Coyle of Deepseed Fund VC Apr 17, 2024

Show notes

Summary
Want to know how VCs pick founders to back or not? Join us as Pearse Coyle of Deepseed Fund VC shares insights on deep tech startups, venture capital due diligence, and more. If you're a startup looking for funding, this video is a must-watch!
Takeaways
1. Market discovery is crucial for startups to identify potential customers and validate their product or service.
2. Cap table issues often arise in university spinouts, with tenured academics expecting a larger stake than full-time founders.
3. A standardized scorecard can help evaluate startups based on market traction and customer interest.
4. Investors should look for startups that have engaged customers and a clear path to market.Building a strong founding team is crucial for startups and spin-outs. It requires the commitment of the scientists or entrepreneurs involved and the involvement of individuals who are familiar with the technology.
5. Measuring traction in startups can be challenging, especially in deep tech ventures. It is important to define tangible stages in the sales process and track the progress of potential customers.
6. Becoming a VC in the deep tech space requires experience and understanding of the investment process. It is recommended to gain a track record through angel investing or successful entrepreneurship.
7. The deep tech sector is expected to shape the future of technology and innovation. With the potential decline in the software business, there will be a shift of capital towards deep tech ventures, leading to new opportunities and challenges for the VC industry.
Chapters
00:00 Trailer
01:12 Introduction / Venture Investing and Consulting
22:33 What kind of cap table screw up and importance of scorecard?
33:04 Building a Better Founding Team
41:03 What matrics are used to evaluate startups
47:45 Becoming a VC in the Deep Tech Space
46:14 Measuring Traction in Startups
53:55 Becoming a VC in the Deep Tech Space
55:35 Emerging Trends in the Deep Tech Sector
01:01:03 Ritual Time ( What's the worst decision he made )
01:02:31 Ending

Connect with Mudassir
🎥 YouTube Channel - @prodcircleHQ
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💻 Website - https://prodcircle.com/
👥 Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mudassir-mustafa/

Most founders never get to reach Product Market Fit with Aaron Michael of 1984 ventures Apr 10, 2024

Show notes

Summary
Join us as we dive into the world of product market fit with Aaron Michael of 1984 Ventures. In this episode, we discuss the importance of finding product market fit for startups and the role venture capital plays in the process. Tune in for valuable insights and advice from a investor!
Takeaways
1. The key to success when starting a company is learning and iterating quickly.
2. Finding product-market fit requires speed and the ability to pivot when necessary.
3. VCs provide support to founders through advice, founder therapy, and assistance with hiring and fundraising.
4. Investing in unsexy industries can offer unique opportunities for growth and success.
5. Competition can be both beneficial and challenging, and the first mover advantage varies depending on the market dynamics.
Chapters
00:00 Trailer
01:30 Who is Aaron Michael
04:00 How you find product market fit (Espacially for early stage)
15:00 Venture capilalist Raising money criteria and Vc gives support to founder
19:33 1984 Ventures' Investment Thesis
25:00 The Pitfalls of Hype and investing in Unsexy Industries
33:23 The Value of Competition and the First Mover Advantage
38:18 How Vc's Calculating Total Addressable Market (TAM)
43:44 Evolution of Pitch Decks
46:30 Evaluation Method and Favorite Slides
49:30 Importance of the Team
54:30 Pitch Deck and Cap Table Red Flags
58:30 Disagreement with Venture Capital Industry
01:04:02 Three Things for First-Time Founders
01:06:32 Bridge Rounds, Down Rounds, and Valuations
01:09:17 Transparent and Honest Feedback
01:11:37 Being Contrarian as a VC
01:13:50 Ritual
01:15:35 Ending

Is your startup idea VC backable?' with Eva Dobranzska of FundIQ. Apr 03, 2024

Show notes

Summary
Are you a first-time founder with a brilliant startup idea but unsure how to get the funding to make it a reality? This podcast is your roadmap to success!Join Eva who is a seasoned VC industry professional as she empowers you with the knowledge and practical steps to secure funding for your venture. We'll delve into everything from venture capital and alternative funding methods to crafting a killer pitch deck and negotiating the right valuation.
Takeaways
1. The VC world has a dark side, with risks including boosting businesses that are not economically viable.
2. Creating an effective pitch deck involves structuring it properly and focusing on problem and target market slides, solution and competitive advantage slides, and market size and financial projections.
3. Building a waitlist can be a valuable strategy for startups, as it demonstrates market interest and potential customer demand.
4. Success stories often emerge from down markets, and being the second runner up can lead to great success.
5. Founders should carefully consider metrics, valuation, and cap table management to ensure fundraising success.
Chapters
00:00 Trailer
01:30 Who is Eva
04:44 Are you qualify for VC money? (First time founder MUST LISTEN)
08:00 Eva Key Takeaways from Working in Startups
13:35 Why Agency Models Are Not Venture-Backed
16:35 What other raising methods founder should look
26:40 What Value of Incubators and Accelerators in first time founder life
38:40 How Eva helping to raise money and what valuation to give (MUST LISTEN)
45:50 The Dark Side of the VC World
50:20 How to create an effective pitch deck
01:06:35 Metrics Founders Should Care About
01:10:42 When to use Convertible Notes or Safe Notes
01:12:37 How Eva Navigating Valuation
01:17:45 Cap Table Red Flags
01:25:21 Is Fundraising a Success?
01:19:45 Ritual Time
01:21:13 Ending

What are the cap table red flags for VCs? Mar 27, 2024

Show notes

Summary
Confused about "cap tables" and fundraising? This episode is your guide! We explain what a cap table is and why it's important for startups. Plus, VC expert Jeff Crusey reveals the warning signs investors look for in a cap table. Learn how to avoid these red flags and build a cap table that sets your startup up for success! This episode is perfect for first-time founders and anyone interested in venture capital.
Takeaways
1. Background in the industry is important for VC investors in deep tech
2. Deep tech startups often remain in stealth mode to retire engineering risk
3. Traction in deep tech varies depending on the business model and industry
4. Valuation of deep tech companies is influenced by fund size and risk profile
5. Being the first money in can provide an edge for VC investors
6. Founder chemistry is crucial for the success of a startup
7. Post-money SAFEs have drawbacks, including dilution and lack of due diligence
8. Venture studios and accelerators can vary in their effectiveness and support
9. YC has been popularized but may have some hype surrounding it
10. The best and worst pitches can vary in terms of insight and execution
Cahpters
00:00 Trailer‍
01:40 Introduction‍
06:02 Question Unclear‍
07:24 What Is Investment Thesis of 7%
09:41 Why deep tech startup stay in stealth mode / How VC's evaluate of deep tech ideas‍
14:10 How VC's track good pitch deck. (First time founder need to listen)‍
15:32 Understand the though process of VC's (Must listen if you want funding)‍
28:10 Failure rate in deep tech catagoery according to VC
29:37 Difficulties in building humanite and biotech products
31:37 How much management team and founders expertise are required
33:23 Jeff favourate pitch deck slides
36:07 Cons of Post-Money SAFE
37:25 Opinion on Venture Studios and Accelerators
42:10 Best and Worst Pitches
47:00 Raising money is success metrics
49:28 Cap Table Red Flag
52:08 Did VC's providing clear feedback to founders‍
53:25 Ritual Time‍
54:39 Conclusion

No more focus on Unicorns in 2024 with Francesco Petricarari of Silicon Roundabout Ventures Mar 20, 2024

Show notes

Summary
Today's guests is Francesco Petricarari of Silicon Roundabout Ventures who primarily invests in Deep Tech and Hard Tech. Francesco is an early stage deep tech VC who shares the importance of founding team, VC founder fit, having the right board member, and a lot more.
Takeaways
1.Founder-led funds provide advantages in terms of understanding the challenges faced by founders and offering relevant support.
2. Deep tech encompasses companies that focus on technology development rather than just business growth.
3. Evaluation of deep tech startups requires a focus on the team, their expertise, and their ability to build a sustainable business.
4. The team slide in a pitch deck is crucial as it showcases the founders' strengths and their potential to execute their vision. The team and their unique qualifications are crucial in a startup pitch.
5. Key slides in a pitch deck include the team, market opportunity, and technology.
6. Deep tech and hardware startups are on the rise due to increased demand for security and climate solutions.
7. Moving from prototype to mass production in hardware startups requires building the right supply chains and finding the right advisors.
8. AI in deep tech should go beyond current systems and offer unique applications.
Chapters
00:00 Trailer

‍01:50 Introduction

‍05:00 What is Deep Tech and why is it exciting?

‍09:00 How experienced founders help early stage founders in Deep Tech with investing

‍12:50 Achieving the right VC-Founder Fit (Crucial insights for new founders)

‍16:36 Why the era of Unicorns has ended

‍20:50 The 40 Rule's importance and how VCs judge businesses

‍24:20 Why VCs really like SAAS startups

‍29:25 Why many companies fail after getting lots of VC money

‍33:15 Strategies for building a sustainable business in Deep Tech

‍38:22 What VCs look for in a Pitch Deck for Deep Tech Startups and How He Evaluate

‍53:21 In-depth analysis of Deep Tech trends and insights

‍58:50 Challenges that founders of hardware companies need to know about

‍1:04:40 Strategies for generating innovative Deep Tech ideas

‍1:08:40 Deep Tech and AI

‍1:13:00 Ritual Time

How VCs evaluate your idea? with Sam Marchant of Hambro Perks Mar 13, 2024

Show notes

Summary
Learn how VCs evaluate your idea from early stage founder and investor Sam Marchant of Hambro Perks. Get insider tips on how to craft a successful pitch deck and stand out as a first-time founder in the competitive world of startup and CPG brands. Don't miss this valuable advice from an experienced entrepreneur!
Takeaways
1.Observing entrepreneurship in childhood can have a significant impact on one's career path.
2.Consumer product goods (CPG) startups face unique challenges, including the need for innovation and the difficulty of standing out in a crowded market.
3.Consumer companies often require more time and capital to scale, making them less attractive to VC investors.
4.The VC industry has evolved, with a wider range of investors and a focus on different types of returns.
Chapters
00:00 Trailer
01:48 Who is Sam Marchant
08:00 Learning from SAM: Building to Sold Startup Journey
13:30 Why Not Work with Friends and Family / Deep Insights about CPG Brands
26:23 - How VCs add value to startups?
30:50 Venture Capitalists' Judgment of Founders: An Operator's Perspective
34:52 Important Characteristics for First-Time Founders
38:40 VC Pitch Deck Selection Process: A Challenge for Early-Stage Founders (Very Important)
55:30 How to Create a Pitch Deck: Lessons from a VC
1:02:10 Calculating Market Size
1:05:55 Why Venture Capital Money Is SEXY
1:11:15 Deal Negotiation with Venture Capitalists for Early-Stage Founders
1:16:50 Most Common Questions from First-Time Founders (Must Watch)
1:23:10 Ritual Time: Previous Guest's Question for Sam
1:25:20 Ending

Are you a fintech startup looking to launch a new product? CEO of Fuel Finance. Mar 06, 2024

Show notes

Summary
In this conversation, Alyona Mysko discusses her journey in finance and the motivation behind building a financial management product. She shares her early interest in math and economics, as well as the inspiration she received from professors and corporate finance professionals. Alyona emphasizes the importance of making finance accessible and easy to understand for both financial and non-financial people. She also highlights the current demand for financial management solutions and the company's evolution from offering services to building a product.
Takeaways
1. Alyona's passion for finance and her background in managing finance led her to build a financial management product.
2. The company's goal is to make finance accessible and easy to understand for both financial and non-financial people.
3. There is a high demand for financial management solutions, especially during periods of financial downturn.
4. The company started by offering services in financial management and evolved to build a product based on customer needs.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction
01:18 Who Is Alyona Mysko
03:40 What is Fuel Finance
06:52 How to validate idea and how much time it takes
10:20 First time founder guide on hiring people
16:50 What's the metric to identify product success
18:55 What is revenue per employee
21:23 How first time found raise venture capital and what are the strategies
25:25 How to look right investor
26:06 What is the right way to write PITCH DECK
30:50 What is Goto Market strategy
31:58 How to lead a team as a leader
36:50 Learning points for first time founders
39:03 Enterpreunership, Fin Tech and Startup trends in 2024
41:22 Fuel finance launches
42:26 Recent Guest Question for Alyona Mysko
43:16 Conclusion

How to build $100 million businesses? with Daniel Priestly. Feb 28, 2024

Show notes

Looking to build a $100 million business? Join startup business podcast with our guest Daniel Priestley. He shares his insights on how to build a $100 million business. From finding your niche to creating a solid business plan, Daniel will cover the key steps to building a successful startup. Don't miss out on this valuable advice from one of the top business minds in the industry!
-------------------------------------------------
*Prodcircle Insider*
Join ~15,000+ founders and VCs in the US. Build better, Raise better, Exit Better.
* Your First Startup Journey: https://newsletter.prodcircle.com/profile
-------------------------------------------------
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Early Life
03:45 Entrepreneurship and Starting a Business
06:17 Why Start a Business and Scaling a Business
10:03 Managing Multiple Businesses
12:51 Hiring Great Talent
15:46 Acquisitions and Exits
25:31 Starting a Business and Building Value
32:53 Starting a Business Today
38:19 Agency Businesses vs. D2C or SaaS Businesses
40:50 The Importance of Demand Generation
43:18 The Journey of an Entrepreneur
45:52 Building a Personal Brand
54:07 Who Should Raise Money and Why
58:24 Venture Capital and Entrepreneurship
01:01:04 When to Raise Money
01:05:34 Daniel's Experience with Boom and Bust
01:15:46 Impact of Daniel's Books
01:16:14 The Role of Luck in Business Success
01:19:09 The Future of AI-Enabled SaaS Businesses
01:22:31 Dealing with Negative Comments and Feedback
01:23:59 The Power of Writing a Book for Entrepreneurs
01:28:41 The Step-by-Step Process of Starting a Successful Business
01:31:53 Starting a New Business in 2024
01:38:15 The Influence of Having Kids on Business
01:42:06 Preparing Children for the Future of AI
-----------------------------------------------------------
🔗 CONNECT WITH DANIEL PRIESTLY
Read His Books: https://danielpriestley.com/daniel-priestley-books/
Linkdin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielpriestley/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/DanielPriestley
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/danielpriestley/
-----------------------------------------------------------
🔗 CONNECT WITH MUDASSIR
🎥 YouTube Channel - @prodcircleHQ
🐦 Twitter - https://twitter.com/ProdcircleHQ
/ prodcirclehq
💻 Website - https://prodcircle.com/
👥 Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/company/prodcirclehq/
📄SHOW NOTES & TRANSCRIPT
Visit the website for the transcript and highlights from the conversation - https://www.prodcircle.com/podcast
🎧 LISTEN FOR FREE
Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...
Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7MKODYG...
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RSS - https://feeds.buzzsprout.com/2189808.rss
👋🏼 GET IN TOUCH
You can also Tweet @prodcirclehq with any feedback, ideas, or thoughts about the lessons you've learned from the episodes and we can thank you personally for tuning in 🙏
Looking to work with Mudassir, drop an email.

How to split equity between startup founders? with Peter Walker of Carta Feb 19, 2024

Show notes

60% startups dont split equity 50-50
The conversation with Peter Walker covers various topics related to startups, including structuring compensation packages, equity distribution among early hires, co-founder splits, raising capital, startup failure rates, and alternative financing options. Peter shares insights based on data from Carta, providing valuable information for founders and investors.
The conversation highlights the challenges and opportunities in the startup ecosystem, particularly in the context of the changing landscape in 2023. Overall, the discussion provides valuable insights into the world of startups and venture capital. In this conversation, Peter Walker discusses various aspects of venture capital and startup funding. He provides insights into different funding rounds, including pre-seed, seed, and series A.
He also highlights the changing valuations in the venture capital landscape. Peter shares his thoughts on concerns about investment in SaaS startups and the differences between B2B and B2C SaaS companies. He discusses the trends he is excited about in 2024, including the shift towards capital-efficient startups and the growth of hard sciences. Peter emphasizes the importance of data storytelling and shares his perspective on the future of AI. He also discusses red flags to watch out for in cap tables.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction
00:38 Understanding Peter Walker's Background
02:21 The Best and Worst Parts of Peter's Job
03:44 Structuring Compensation Packages in 2023
07:11 Equity Distribution Among First Five Hires
10:45 Factors Influencing Co-Founder Split and CEO Background
15:09 The Impact of 2023 on Startups
19:11 Raising Capital as a Success Metric
21:34 Startup Failure Rates and Reasons for Closure
25:24 Exploring Alternative Financing Options
29:18 Evaluating Startups and Factors Influencing Valuation
34:13 The Use of SAFEs in Fundraising
36:25 Raising Multiple SAFEs and Conversion
39:46 Comparison of Valuations in Pre-Seed, Seed, and Series A Rounds
41:28 Pre-Seed and Angel Rounds
42:28 Seed Rounds
43:26 Series A
44:46 Later Stage Rounds
45:29 Investor Concerns about SaaS Startups
46:43 B2B vs B2C SaaS Companies
48:44 Future of Crypto, Web3, and AI
50:43 Trends in 2024
56:19 Importance of Data Storytelling
58:55 Cap Table Red Flags

What Venture capitalist look for funding in early stage startup founders? Jenny Fielding. GP Everywhere VC (The Fund) Feb 14, 2024

Show notes

If you're an early-stage startup founder and want to take your startup to the next level with venture capitalist funding, even if you've failed to secure funding in the past, don't worry!
In today's episode, we're joined by Jenny Fielding venture capitalist who will teach you how to get venture capital (VC) funding, including: how to pitch them, what qualities they want, and other things venture capitalists look for before investing in any startup. No matter your past experience, this episode will equip you with the knowledge and strategies you need to attract VC funding and launch your startup to success.
*About Podcast Episode*
Jenny Fielding, Managing Director at Techstars and Founder of Everywhere Ventures, shares insights on evaluating founders and their ideas, the unique structure of Everywhere Ventures, managing a large community of founders, and the impact of 2023 on startups and venture capital. She emphasizes the importance of resilience, vision, and responsiveness in founders, and highlights the need for founders to focus on the future and the market opportunity. Jenny also discusses the value of working with founders from zero to one and the challenges and opportunities in the venture capital industry. In this conversation, Jenny discusses the challenges of venture capital and the need for resilience and grit in the industry. She shares her personal experience of almost opting out of venture capital before achieving success. The conversation also touches on the topic of preparing children for the future, emphasizing the importance of a well-rounded education. Finally, the conversation concludes with a reflection on the turbulent year of 2023 and a question for the next guest about their word for 2024.
Takeaways
*Resilience, vision, and responsiveness are key qualities to look for in founders.
*Investing in future-oriented ideas requires understanding the market opportunity and the founder's vision.
*The unique structure of Everywhere Ventures, with a community of founders as LPs, provides a collaborative and supportive environment.
Managing a high volume of pitches requires asynchronous and automated processes.
*Founders should focus on inspiring investors and sharing their vision, rather than getting bogged down in the details.
*Founders should optimize their business for customers rather than investors, and consider alternative funding options if venture capital is not the right fit.
*The challenges faced by startups and venture capital in 2023 have led to a focus on resilience and fundamentals.
*Pitch decks are important for providing an overview of the business, but the narrative and story are what distinguish a good deck.
*The role of institutional money in startups depends on the founder's goals and the scalability of the business.
*Working with founders from zero to one provides the opportunity to support and mentor early-stage companies.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Background
02:14 Qualities of a Successful Founder
05:41 Evaluating Future-Oriented Ideas
08:57 Investing in Blockchain and Cryptocurrency
11:13 The Unique Structure of Everywhere Ventures
14:37 Managing a Large Community of Founders
17:23 Managing a High Volume of Pitches
21:13 Mistakes Founders Make When Pitching to VCs
23:53 Optimizing Business for Investors vs. Customers
24:48 The Value of Working with Founders from Zero to One
27:56 The Impact of 2023 on Startups and Venture Capital
29:32 The Importance of Pitch Decks and Attention Span
31:57 The Different Paths for Raising Capital
34:10 The Challenges of 20

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