Feel the Boot

VCs destroy more startups than they make unicorns

Learn how to identify and avoid that trap

The reason is the “marginal dollar problem”

Understanding that will help you choose whether to accept venture capital investment with open eyes.

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Watch the video: https://ftb.bz/85V

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Meet other founders in the Founders Alliance: https://ftb.bz/Alliance

How to Start Angel Investing 💰

What you need to know to start investing in early-stage startup companies

Best practices for new angel investors

This is the second in a series of videos on angel investing.

It explains the best way to begin as a new angel investor, and some critical pitfalls to avoid.

Read the blog: https://ftb.bz/84B

Watch the Video https://ftb.bz/84V  

Subscribe to Boot Prints https://ftb.bz/join

Here’s the episode on dangerous investment terms https://youtu.be/LCCXSS2ubn8

Merch! https://ftb.bz/merch

Angel Investing 101 💰

What is angel investing?

How to invest in pre-IPO companies

Angel investors put their own money into early-stage startup companies.

This is the first in a series of episodes on becoming an effective angel investor / venture capitalist

Read the article: https://ftb.bz/83B

Watch the Video: https://ftb.bz/83V

Signup for the mailing list and office hours: https://ftb.bz/join

📉Startup Funding in a Bear Market

Adapt your fundraising strategy to succeed in a downturn

Raise angel investment and venture capital in challenging times

When the economy is rough, investors become cautious.

Learn how to position your company to survive these times and appeal to angel and VC investors.

Read the article https://ftb.bz/82B

Watch the Video https://ftb.bz/82V

Founders Alliance https://ftb.bz/Alliance

Mailing list for office hours https://ftb.bz/join

My worst day as a founder 😭 how we pivoted, survived, and eventually thrived

Startup Stories: angel investor quits, acquisition falls through, & personal tragedy

What to expect as a founder.

Creating and growing a company can be an incredible experience, but you will have days that seriously suck. You will probably experience situations that challenge your determination to carry on.

Because I frequently talk about how challenging launching a startup can be, I want to share my worst day as a founder. I hope it helps prepare you for some of the trials you will experience on your journey.

Read the article https://ftb.bz/81B

Watch the video https://ftb.bz/81V

Founders Alliance https://ftb.bz/Alliance

Mailing list for office hours https://ftb.bz/join

Fire the Founder? 🔥 Take the initiative and replace yourself as CEO

Startup typically outgrow their founding CEO

It’s better find your replacement then be replaced

My board of directors wanted to replace me as CEO. This episode explains how I handled that with fantastic results.

If you recruit the new CEO, you can find someone you want to work with, and who will respect you.

They can help drive the company’s success and give you the exit you want.

Read the article https://ftb.bz/80B

Watch the video https://ftb.bz/80V

Founders Alliance https://ftb.bz/Alliance

Mailing list for office hours https://ftb.bz/join

Cofounder Vesting 😭 Handling founder shares when things go wrong

Stock vesting can save you in multi-cofounder startups

Investors may require founder vesting before investing

This episode looks at the issue of founder vesting through the lens of a fictitious company founded by Iron Man, The Hulk, Thor and Loki.

Read the article https://ftb.bz/79B

Watch the video https://ftb.bz/79V

Founders Alliance https://ftb.bz/Alliance

Mailing list for office hours https://ftb.bz/join

Term Sheet Red Flags ☠️ Venture Capital

Abusive terms cause dilution, loss of control, & sabotage future deals

Learn what they mean and when to push back

Read the article https://ftb.bz/78B

Watch the video https://ftb.bz/78V

Founders Alliance https://ftb.bz/Alliance

Mailing list for office hours https://ftb.bz/join

Article on pre-revenue startup valuations: https://ftb.bz/66B

Article on why high valuations can be bad: https://ftb.bz/70B

Here are the standard term sheets I mentioned:

Y Combinator https://ftb.bz/Y-Com-TS

National Venture Capital Association https://ftb.bz/NVCA-TS

Angel Capital Association https://ftb.bz/ACA-TS

Have you ever tried to deliver a pitch deck or other presentation, and the technology just won’t cooperate? Either your computer won’t talk to their projector, or there is some issue with the PowerPoint.

How can you handle these situations in a way that leaves you looking as good or better than you would have if everything had gone perfectly?

Video: https://ftb.bz/77V

Article: https://ftb.bz/77B

Join: https://ftb.bz/Join

Get more from your investor updates

What to include and an easy template

Get the template here: https://ftb.bz/investor-update-template

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Get the podcast: https://ftb.bz/Podcast

Visit the website: https://ftb.bz/

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A regular investor update email is the best way to keep existing and prospective investors in the loop on your startup’s progress.

Use it to ask for investments, introductions, advice, assistance, and more.

In this episode I share how to craft an update that people will read and will keep them engaged and supportive.

Lance Cottrell has been an active startup advisor and startup mentor for over a decade.

He has helped countless startups navigate the key decisions of their journey, like when to take venture capital investment and negotiating term sheets.

He works with many companies in accelerators like Y Combinator and Founder Institute.

He provides help with startup funding including raising venture capital and angel investment.

He can help you achieve liquidity for your company at a high valuation.

Feel the Boot is a startup vlog of tips and advice for early-stage founders.