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5 More Things VCs Wish Startup Founders Knew

Dream It

co-founder). If they hesitate, respond with, “Okay, can you tell me the 2 or 3 things you would need to see in order to invest?” This shows that you’re comfortable at “trial closing” and the type of founder who actively looks for the “obstacles to sale.” Say something like, “We hope you want to invest and join us on our journey.

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The Very First Startup Founder You Need to Invest in is You

Both Sides of the Table

This week I wrote about obsessive and competitive founders and how this forms the basis of what I look for when I invest. I had been thinking a lot about this recently because I’m often asked the question of “what I look for in an entrepreneur when I want to invest?” I had invested in myself for years.

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Is it time for a Common App for startup founders?

TechCrunch

The venture firm, which just closed a $150 million fund in May 2022 , is launching what it describes as a common application for pre-seed startup founders. Here’s how it works: Afore Capital has an accelerator-like program, Afore Alpha, that offers a standard pre-seed deal to founders.

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Boston offers a world of advantages for startup founders

TechCrunch

It needs a couple of successful exits, which in turn drives angel investing as entrepreneurs growing increasingly wealthy look to help new founders building companies reach their own goals. It requires accelerators and incubators and coworking spaces to help nurture early ideas, and it needs VC firms investing across stages.

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Startup founders are trying to automate the worst part of the job: Fundraising

TechCrunch

With a drier than normal investment scene, founders are looking for more effective ways to reach the right VCs. To that end, over the past few weeks, thousands of founders have applied to land capital through a common app, but instead of hoping to land into a university, they’re hoping to land capital from top investors.

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Investing in a More Inclusive Innovation Economy

Revolution

Since the beginning of modern venture capital investing — a relatively nascent asset class — the industry has been biased toward funding what it knows best: founders with familiar demographics (white, male) in familiar geographies (Silicon Valley). One event held by a few investors focused on Black founders is clearly not enough.

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Startup founders, this is how you get your first investor meeting

TechCrunch

Without a doubt, a good, friendly introduction — ideally from a founder they’ve already invested in — is the best way to get on the radar of an investor. The VC might know their kids’ school teacher pretty well, for example, but the school teacher may not have a lot of startup or investing experience.