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5.00 stars

1:06:02

Prodcricle with Mudassir Mustafa

by Mudassir Mustafa

Each week, I invite entrepreneurs, venture capitalists & industry professionals to share their experiences and insights on the journey to building a successful startup.
I try to explore the human side of the business, their successes, failures, stories, we talk about latest trends, and dive deep into whatever is going on in the startup world.

Episodes

The real reasons behind Airtable's success

1h 11m · Published 08 May 12:00

Summary

Discover the real reasons behind Airtable's success in this podcast episode! From their innovative pitch deck to their unique distribution strategy, learn how Airtable became a venture capital sensation.Early-stage founders, this podcast decodes the secrets to startup success! Learn from a VC investor's journey, craft a winning go-to-market strategy, and discover the power of distribution innovation. We'll guide you through pre-seed funding, pitch deck mastery, and the VC ecosystem. Plus, we'll debunk investment myths and explore the future of AI in VC. Get ready to transform your startup from hopeful idea to soaring success story!

Takeaways

1. Distribution innovation is crucial for startups, and founders should consider it from the beginning.
2. Collaboration in the VC ecosystem depends on the business model and the stage of investment.
3. Building a go-to-market strategy requires understanding the product-market fit and the right distribution channels.
4. The value of a VC firm lies in its ability to increase the likelihood of raising the next round of funding. Meaningful investment from a VC firm involves more than just a financial contribution; it requires a partner who is aligned with the founder's vision and actively supports the growth of the business.
5. Fund size is an important factor in determining a VC firm's investment strategy and the level of commitment they can provide to portfolio companies.
6. Starting a small VC fund requires building a track record, proving differentiated access or picking ability, and gradually scaling up while maintaining alignment with the fund's strategy.
7. Pre-seed and seed funds play a crucial role in the startup ecosystem by providing early-stage capital and support to founders who may struggle to raise money from larger funds.
8. Key slides in a pitch deck include those that clearly articulate the problem the business is solving and the founder's vision for the future.

Chapters

00:00 Trailer
01:13 Early Life and Journey to VC
05:22 Investing in 50 Companies and Providing Help
08:41 Effective Use of Funding
15:30 Building a Go-to-Market Strategy
19:00 Distribution Innovation
14:26 Early Days at Airtable
17:10 Building a Go-to-Market Strategy
20:30 Innovating Distribution
26:40 Edge of Ex-Founders in VC
29:00 Collaboration and Chasing Deals
32:45 Working with Sequoia and Brand Value
37:43 The Relationship Between Fund Size and Investment Strategy
42:27 The Overrated Investment Thesis
45:27 Starting a Small VC Fund
49:55 The Need for Pre-Seed and Seed Funds
56:30 How much time spending in looking pitch deck
57:10 Key Slides in a Pitch Deck
01:08:00 Ritual Time
01:11:10 Ending

Connect with Mudassir

🎥 YouTube Channel - @prodcircleHQ
🐦 Twitter - https://twitter.com/ProdcircleHQ
📸 Instagram - https://instagram.com/prodcirclehq
💻 Website - https://prodcircle.com/
👥 Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mudassir-mustafa/

VCs Only Spend 30 Seconds on Your Pitch Deck | Elizabeth Yin, Hustle Fund

1h 9m · Published 01 May 12:00

Summary

This podcast dives into the world of venture capital (VC) with a focus on early-stage startups, particularly those in the B2B SaaS space. Elizabeth Yin, founder of Hustle Fund, shares her insights on democratizing wealth creation through startups, the power of content marketing for VCs, and the importance of investing in first-time founders with strong product-market fit. The episode explores the challenges and considerations for VCs, including investment theses, market saturation, and deal evaluation criteria. Listeners gain valuable takeaways on navigating the VC landscape and the key factors that influence startup success.

Takeaways

Hustle Fund aims to democratize wealth through startups by providing capital, knowledge, and networks to early-stage founders.
Content marketing, particularly through platforms like Twitter, can be a powerful tool for attracting deal flow and building a brand.
Lessons learned from Elizabeth Yin's startup experience include the importance of validating ideas before building, prioritizing company culture and values, and effective management.
For B2B SaaS companies, it may be better to back first-time founders with lower entry point valuations, as the exit potential may not be significantly higher for serial entrepreneurs.
Most B2B SaaS companies do not need a large amount of capital and can bootstrap or raise smaller rounds until they reach a revenue stage that justifies larger investments.
Investment theses are important for VC firms to differentiate themselves and attract investors, as they help investors understand the fund's focus and expertise.
B2B SaaS companies are favored by VCs due to their predictable revenue streams, high retention rates, and stability compared to consumer-focused businesses.
The SaaS market is becoming crowded, and investors are looking for differentiated ideas and industries off the beaten path to avoid high customer acquisition costs.
VCs spend less than 30 seconds reviewing a pitch deck and focus on the founding team, idea differentiation, and a deep understanding of the problem being solved.
The valuation of a startup is influenced by factors such as market size, team expertise, idea differentiation, and the potential for repeatability and scalability.

Chapters

00:00 Trailer
01:25 Introduction and Early Influences
05:27 Why Starting a VC Firm
08:33 Science behind Concept of Hustle Fund
10:12 The Need for More Early Stage Funds
12:10 Deal Flow and VC Strategies
13:50 The Power of Content Marketing
16:50 Why Investing in First-Time Founders / 3 Biggest Lessons I Startup
24:42 Venture Capital Business Model and Funding Challenges
31:35 The Gambling Nature of VC Investments
33:22 The Importance of Investment Theses for VC Firms
34:58 The Appeal of B2B SaaS Companies to VCs
38:00 The Potential SaaS Bubble
40:45 How Deep Tech Investers Makes Money
42:30 VC Evaluation Criteria and Attention Span
47:00 Market Size And Valuation
52:30 Evolution of Investment Acumen
55:35 Post-Money and Pre-Money Safes
59:00 Consequences of Not Tracking Cap Table
01:03:15 PrepStacks and Growth Stage Deals And Impact on Early Stage Investors
01:06:05 Disagreement with Market Sizing Exercises
01:08:28 Ritual Time
01:09:25 Conclusion

What does it take to build a billion dollar company? with Somi Arian

40m · Published 24 Apr 12:00

Summary

In this video, Somi Arian shares what it takes to build a billion-dollar company. Learn about scalability, agencies, and more! If you're wondering how to make your business successful, this video is a must-watch!

Takeaways

When starting a business, think about what people want and how you can provide it to them in a more efficient way than your competitors.
Building a personal brand on LinkedIn involves creating valuable content, listening to what resonates with your audience, and associating with industry experts.
Even with limited resources, it is possible to build a good enough personal brand by taking risks, being consistent, and focusing on content creation.
The choice between running a bootstrapped company or a venture-backed unicorn depends on personal preferences and the stage of life one is in.
Investors should consider the potential of female founders and not let biases or polished pitches overshadow their potential for success.

Chapters

00:00 Trailer
01:30 Who is Somi Arian
06:30 Understanding Scalable vs Non-Scalable Businesses
11:30 Why agency business are not scalable
14:50 Competing in the SaaS Market
18:40 Building a Network of VCs and LPs
20:20 Building Successful Businesses in Different Verticals
23:55 Giving People What They Want
26:25 Building a Personal Brand on LinkedIn
31:35 Building a Personal Brand on a Limited Budget
37:07 Choosing Between a Bootstrapped Company and a Venture-Backed Unicorn
40:19 Ending

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

1h 3m · Published 17 Apr 12:00

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

Most founders never get to reach Product Market Fit with Aaron Michael of 1984 ventures

1h 16m · Published 10 Apr 12:00

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.

1h 21m · Published 03 Apr 12:00

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?

55m · Published 27 Mar 12:00

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 Flags

‍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

1h 16m · Published 20 Mar 13:00

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

1h 26m · Published 13 Mar 13:00

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.

44m · Published 06 Mar 13:00

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

Prodcricle with Mudassir Mustafa has 47 episodes in total of non- explicit content. Total playtime is 51:43:46. The language of the podcast is English. This podcast has been added on December 3rd 2023. It might contain more episodes than the ones shown here. It was last updated on May 13th, 2024 14:42.