Master The Art Of Fundraising With Inner Circle

Minnie Ingersoll has lived the full cycle of being an entrepreneur. She has gone from working on incredible tech rocket ships to founding her own startup and graduating to being an active investor in other startups. Ex-Googler and used car dealer, Minnie has done a lot. It was a great privilege to host her on the DealMakers Podcast. During this interview, she shared how she got started and raised millions of dollars, her top advice for new entrepreneurs, and what she looks for when being pitched by those looking for funding. Plus, what you should be spending 30% of your time on as a leader.

What if someone steals your pitch deck? How do you prevent it? What can you do if they steal itYou’ve put a lot of passion into your new business idea, bringing together the perfect team, and commissioning an amazing pitch deck that could raise millions of dollars. The last thing you want is for someone to just steal your idea and deck, and then squeeze you out by mastering startup fundraising and running with your idea without you. It’s a concern many new entrepreneurs have. Is it really warranted? What best practices do you need to know?

Are you wondering what are the pros and cons of crowdfunding? Crowdfunding can be a fantastic way to raise significant sums of money to get your startup business off the ground and to the next level. There are also some downsides which many first-timers overlook. Know the pros and cons and make an educated choice before you rush in or dismiss this as a fundraising option.

Gero Decker’s Berlin-based startup has raised $200M to help businesses collaborate better and be ready for the future. When it came time to raise, Gero’s startup had over a dozen term sheets on the table to choose from. We got together for a recent episode of the Dealmakers Show. He told our audience the differences between the startup ecosystems in Europe and the United States. Plus, how to pick the best investors and what he’s learned on the journey as an entrepreneur.

Are you ready to seize all the fantastic advantages of becoming an entrepreneur? Being an entrepreneur is seriously underrated. There are far more benefits than you might think. Some of the best are also the most overlooked. If you’ve been debating the pros and cons of entrepreneurship and starting your own company, check out these advantages, and you’ll want to quit your job before you finish reading this post.

Joshua Motta has been a leader in tech since he was a teenager. His latest venture has already raised $50M to protect other companies from the growing and ever more severe threat of cyber attacks. This founder has been at the head of at least two incredibly fast-growing startups. With his experience, there are few who probably come close to this level of expertise at the cross-section of tech and business.

What are the next steps when you have a great business idea? You’ve had one of those lightbulb moments and are excited about a new business idea. How do you validate the idea as a viable business? How do you get it going?

The correct order for a pitch deck can be broken down into 10 stages. They are Problem, Solution, Market, Product, Traction, Team, Financials, Investment Amount, and Appendix. This order ensures that each slide leads logically into the next and builds a persuasive case for investment.In this article, I’m going to explore why this order is important and how you can use this structure to create the best possible pitch deck for your business.

To present a business strategy in a pitch deck effectively, you have to break it down into its simplest elements and then convey those elements in a powerful way. An entrepreneur only has a few minutes to deliver their pitch, so there is no room for in-depth information. In this article, I’m going to outline how to be both concise and effective when presenting your business strategy to investors.

Mike Cagney led one of his startups to raise the first billion-dollar round in fintech. He’s not done raising or building companies yet either. Mike recently joined me for an episode of the DealMakers podcast. During the interview, we talked about why to go back to school even after you’ve started and sold a business of your own, why you might actually want a lower valuation and the most important things to know when starting your own company.

What do you need besides a pitch deck to launch and fund a successful startup? A great pitch deck may be the most crucial tool in effectively launching, building and financing a startup business. Yet, it is not the only thing you need. Here are some of the other assets you want to have lined up as a founder to ensure your venture has the wings to fly and legs to get funded.

What is cash flow and why it is important? Is the hype overblown? If you want it, what are some of the best practices for securing it and making sure your startup business doesn’t run out of it?

Sending a pitch deck to VC investors differs from presenting your pitch deck in person. As your pitch is going to be read rather than watched, you must convert it into an Investor Deck first. This is the format you should use to send a pitch deck to potential investors.In this article, I’m going to outline exactly what you should consider when sending a pitch deck to VC investors, why the process is different from others, and how to convert your pitch deck to an investor deck effectively.

Wondering what to include in the traction slide of a pitch deck? The traction slide of a pitch deck should present information about how your product or service is already showing its value. This can include current sales, growth, valuable partnerships, endorsements, pre-orders, or data from a pilot study outlining current consumer interest. In this article, I’m going to unpack these aspects of the traction slide of a pitch deck. I’ll take you through each of these elements, how to present them, and why you should spend some time considering exactly what to include in your traction slide.

Oisin Hanrahan’s last startup raised $100 million to make your daily life a lot easier. Over the years he has started, built and sold multiple ventures. In our exclusive interview on the DealMakers Podcast, he opened up and shared the keys to getting started, how to navigate funding rounds, and finding a great exit.

How do you find a profitable niche for your business? What will ensure your startup success?Not even Google can be everything to everyone. They certainly didn’t even start out in maps, autonomous vehicles, drone delivery, video, or online pay per click ads. They started with a niche, gained a profitable foothold in the world and built a massive enterprise on top of that.

Rachel Drori knows what it takes to make big brands work, create experiences and keep yourself running in great health. She rolled all of this experience into a startup of her own. One which has raised tens of millions of dollars to make it easier to take good care of yourself, even when you are crazy busy.  Drori recently appeared on the Dealmakers podcast. We got to talk about fundraising as a female founder, what it means to be a customer-centric business, lessons learned on the entrepreneurial journey and trusting your instincts.

There are many, many ways to fund a startup today. Which are the most reliable? Which are best for your venture. Starting a business requires money to be invested in it. It just does. It doesn’t always have to be a lot, but there will be expenses. Plenty of fantastic startup successes have been launched on less than $10,000. Some for less than $1,000. Others have raised millions in capital before they even really started.

Aman Narang’s startup Toast has raised $400 million in funding to disrupt the bar and restaurant industry. Aman has that entrepreneurial spirit that has enabled him to constantly embrace new settings and challenges. The next time you are ordering coffee while coding your new app, celebrating closing a fundraising round with your cofounders, or are out to dinner with your investors and advisors, there’s a good chance your experience will be driven by his technology.

Are you wondering how to start a business in a few hours? Some people spend months or years cultivating a business idea, planning, and getting to market. That has worked out tremendously well for a few founders. It has cost far more would-be entrepreneurs everything when putting together that initial business plan.

Paul Hedrick turned a college rejection into a hot startup that is disrupting one of America’s oldest industries. After a stint in corporate America, with one of the most enviable consulting firms, Hedrick went out on his own and finally got to do something he really loved. Investors even gave him $34M to do it.

Amar Hanspal is one of the pioneering entrepreneurs of what’s next in technology and manufacturing. In fact, he’s been instrumental in creating the DNA of many of the products we have today. Amar and I recently recorded a truly insightful episode of the Dealmakers Podcast together. He shared how he got started, the lessons learned when a startup doesn’t turn out how you expected, the $17M MBA, and how he struck on the idea for building Bright Machines.

Need to shave some business costs to make your new startup idea viable or keep your current venture afloat? Check out these ways to slash the burden and be more profitable. Starting a business doesn’t have to be as expensive as you imagine. If you are already in business and need to grind it out until a new fundraising round comes through or you get paid on invoices, here are some of the ways you can do that, and keep on working smarter in the future.

Want to start your own eCommerce business? Ecommerce businesses have massive potential. They are one of the easiest businesses to start. They can be a lot of fun too. So, if you’ve got a burning online business idea, how do you get started? What are your next steps?

Are you in the fundraising process and wondering what are the pros and cons of venture capital? Can there really be any downsides of raising large amounts of venture capital? Landing big-name VCs and their tens of millions of dollars in funding for your startup is the holy grail for many entrepreneurs. There are clearly significant advantages of going this route. Yet, for every pro, there can be a con. What’s important is knowing what they are, and balancing that in your business. 

A pitch deck should be no longer than 20 slides in length. Ideally, you should be as concise as possible. 10 slides is even better, as long as you aren’t overcrowding your pitch deck. Less than 10 slides would tend to suggest that your pitch is underdeveloped. With that answer out of the way, you might think you know everything you need to know about pitch decks and their length. However, the only way you can make a pitch deck the right length is to understand what goes into making an effective one.

Are you wondering how to show the financials in a pitch deck? Your pitch deck needs to include important financial data including a breakdown of past and future performance. A standard metric of performance should be used for this data such as month on month growth for units sold and gross profit. To create the perfect pitch deck, you will need more than just solid numbers; as opposed to a business plan you will need to present the numbers in a way that is persuasive and accessible. In this article, I’m going to show you exactly which financial numbers you need to include and how to show your financials in a pitch deck.

A pitch deck appendix includes all financial data, risk assessment, legal status, patents and trademarks, performance and projection metrics, information on previous or existing high profile investors, and any other salient information you didn’t include in your main pitch deck for brevity. In this article, I am going to outline the importance of the pitch deck appendix and explore exactly what information you need to include in greater detail. This will markedly improve your chances of securing investors for your business.

A pitch deck should be 10 – 20 slides in length. Each slide should have a purpose and be uncluttered. Only a handful of bullet points should be used at a time. A pitch deck should flow from one clear concept to another, taking the investor on a journey from why a product or service solves a problem for consumers, to why a business will provide a valuable return on investment.

Do you want to know how to build a pitch deck but don’t know where to start? I’ve advised hundreds of leading entrepreneurs on how to build the perfect pitch deck. Today, I’m going to share that blueprint for success with you. Read on to build a great pitch deck and earn the investment your business idea deserves.

Alex Kazerani has not only done a fair amount of traveling around the world, but he has also been around the block of starting and exiting startups a few times too. Most entrepreneurs dream of launching and maybe selling one company. Alex Kazerani has done it three times and is now building what could be his biggest company yet. We got together for a recent episode of the Dealmakers Show. Alex walked us through his entrepreneurial journey, why he sold his companies, what he might do differently now, how he has picked his investors when to take venture debt versus equity, and how he stumbled on his latest business idea.  

To secure investors for your startup business, you need an effective pitch deck. A pitch deck is your way to persuade investors that you and your business are worthy of investment. In this article, I’m going to outline exactly how to create a pitch deck that will succeed.

Writing the perfect pitch deck can feel daunting at first. After all, your entire pitch relies upon it. If your pitch deck is not well written and presented, then you will not secure investment for your business. However, when learning how to write a pitch deck, there are some simple steps you can take to get the investment you need to take your business to the next level.

Osama Elkady knows a thing or two about building multi-billion dollar companies. His startup helps them grow every day. I had the great opportunity to interview Osama on a recent episode of the Dealmakers Show, where he talked about growing as a leader when your company is growing by triple digits. We also discussed the myths of big companies, overcoming the challenges of being a small one, what you need to succeed,  how to say no to VCs and what you can learn by working with Larry Ellison.  

Are you wondering how to raise startup capital? Whether you’ve just had your “eureka!” moment and have seized on a great business idea you need to fund, or you’ve already been putting in the 100 hour weeks and know you need an injection of some kind to make the next leap, how do you do about raising capital for your startup? Do you know what you need to raise money at your stage in business? Have you explored all of the potential options? Do you have the right pitch and timeline? Are you pointing your business in the right direction? Here’s what you need to know.

Are you wondering how to make a pitch deck? If this is the case, you need to consider the function of your deck. What is it that you are pitching? In this article, I’m going to show you how to make an effective pitch deck. We’ll look at the above questions and explore the perfect structure for your pitch deck. Let’s get to it.

Are you wondering what to include in a pitch deck? Your pitch deck needs to include a specific structure that best sells your business to investors. This structure includes 9 specific stages. Each stage contains at least one slide.

A pitch deck is an essential tool for securing investors. Pitch decks are presentations to potential investors that summarize what your company does, what your business plan is, and how you want your company to develop with new investment. Like any pivotal business tool, your pitch deck should not be generic. It needs to shine. It should also be catered to its intended audience. Because of this, pitch decks can take several forms and have different purposes. 

René Rechtman is a true serial entrepreneur, who has been involved with multiple exits. His current company, Moonbug has raised an incredible $145M Series A to bring children’s entertainment to the masses. René and I recently did an episode of the DealMakers Podcast together. He talked about growing international companies, how he got started in entrepreneurship, fundraising, and the most important business lessons he’s learned on the journey.  

Think you need startup capital for your next business idea? Here’s what you need to know. Choosing to launch your own startup business is one of the most exciting things you can do in life. It can be one of the most valuable things you can do with your life. It can also be one of the toughest. Especially when it comes to raising startup capital. Before you run out there to ask for money for your big idea or give up on landing that VC money, here what you must know.

Angel investors are a significant part of the startup ecosystem. If you are an aspiring entrepreneur or founder of a young startup you may be thinking about fundraising with angel investors. Here’s what you need to know. Angels are a key element and building block in starting fundraising. They can be one of the most critical sources of funding for startups. Before you rush out there with your new pitch deck to try and present to them, make sure you understand how they fit, what drives them, and what’s next.

Peter Bailis left academia and formed an incredible team that is tackling this problem. They’ve already raised tens of millions of dollars to do it, and partnered with some incredible businesses. Peter and I recently recorded a new episode of the Dealmakers Podcast together. We talked about his journey into computer science and entrepreneurship, the future of business, the top challenges facing companies of all sizes today, fundraising, how to pick your first customers, and his top advice for new founders. 

Jill Layfield is co-founder and CEO of fashion startup Tamara Mellon. Together they’ve raised tens of millions of dollars to empower women with a new direct to consumer apparel brand.  I had the great opportunity to interview Jill on a recent episode of the Dealmakers Show. We talked about the fun and challenges fashion startups, staying ahead of the competition, curating company culture, raising a Series C round, and the importance of storytelling.   

A restricted stock unit (RSU) is an effective way to motivate employees. It is also an excellent option for employees on their career path as they build an investment portfolio. In this article, I’m going to outline exactly what an RSU is, how it works, and what the advantages and disadvantages of this type of stock are.

If you do not know how to exercise stock options, you will miss out on their associated rewards. Exercising stock options are a critical part of improving your investment outlook and making positive returns, so you should familiarize yourself with this process as much as possible. With this in mind, let’s now explore how to exercise stock options so you can make the most out of your investment. 

What is the power of storytelling in fundraising? How do you write a great one and how do you get investors excited to share the journey with you? There has been a lot of talk about storytelling over the past few years. A whole new side industry has popped up to support it.

Poojan Kumar has raised millions of dollars to build what’s next in the enterprise technology space.  On a recent episode of the DealMakers Show Poojan and I discussed the future of tech, SaaS startups, M&A deals, raising money and how to grow as a leader when your company is growing at over 200% per year.  

Colleen Cutcliffe has proven that when you have a passion for solving a big problem and are willing to let others help, anything is possible. So far Colleen’s startup has raised nearly $60M from amazing investors like Khosla, Sequoia and True Ventures. They’ve just released the world’s first and only microbiome intervention for type 2 diabetes, which has been clinically proven to lower A1C and post-meal glucose response.

Mauria Finley maybe one of the few female entrepreneurs who really helped give birth to the internet and mobile experiences. She has since launched two successful startups of her own. After working for some of the most notable tech companies Finley started and sold her first company for $50M, giving her investors a 10x return. Now she’s raised at least $10M for her latest fast-growing marketplace startup.   

Learning about venture capital terms can take a while and I have never come across a venture capital dictionary. There are a lot of terms to get your head around, especially when you are trying to get the best deal as an investor or startup founder. With this in mind, I’ve put together a go-to list of the most important venture capital terms you need to know on your journey as an entrepreneur.

Sean Harper and Lucas Ward ran into each other in a local coffee shop. That chance meeting has resulted in a startup that is disrupting one of the largest industries on the planet, and a business worth as much as $500M. Lucas and Sean have taken on the inefficiencies and inconvenience of the insurance industry with a fast-growth company that just keeps doubling. They now have hundreds of employees and were valued at between $100M and $500M when they raised another $47M in funding last summer.

What are the best ways to learn about startup fundraising? You can have the best startup business idea in the world, but it may not go anywhere without the funding to make it happen. Unfortunately, raising capital is rarely as simple as it is often made out to be. Some struggle with it for months and years and get turned away by investors hundreds of times.

Startup accelerators and incubators help businesses during their infancy to reach their initial goals. This is done in a number of ways including by offering finances, advice, and even facilitating networking with potential investors. In this article, we are going to delve deep into what startup accelerators and incubators actually are. By the end of this article, you’ll understand what they are and whether you should be involved in them as either an investor or a startup founder.

What is a 409A valuation? It isn’t as easy as you might think. Public companies are valued by their share price. What the public is willing to pay for a share is what it’s worth. But how do you value a private company that isn’t listed on any exchange? 

Michelle Cordeiro took her first fashion startup from launch to exit in just four years. She got funded even before opening an office and raised $50M to give women their own brand. We caught up on a new episode of the Dealmakers Show. Michelle shared her journey as a woman entrepreneur, what she has learned about brand building, raising capital and exiting a venture. Plus, her top advice for new entrepreneurs looking to start their own companies.

How do the different stages of startup fundraising work for entrepreneurs and their businesses? The big numbers thrown around in the media might make you think that one big fundraising campaign or two is enough finance your business idea for life. It doesn’t work like that. Startup funding in done through a series of stages of ‘rounds’.  Each round typically targets a different type of investor, for different amounts of capital. Investors will have differing expectations of entrepreneurs and their startups at each stage. While there are always exceptions, these round often come 12 to 18 months apart. 

Arad Levertov has raised tens of millions of dollars to innovate in the fin-tech space to make access to credit more efficient. We recently got together for an episode of the Dealmakers Podcast. Arad shared how his venture was born out of the Startup Nation, the keys to successful fundraising, the importance of picking the right investors, plus the future of banking.  

Non-dilutive methods to fund your startup comes with distinct pitfalls and rewards. In this article, we are going to explore how to fund a start-up through non-dilutive financing, while outlining the advantages and disadvantages of doing so.

Andrew Feldman is a true serial entrepreneur. He has already created and exited over $1 billion in startups and has raised $200M for his next venture. We got together for a recent episode of the Dealmakers podcast. Andrew shared his unique start in the entrepreneurial ecosystem, the challenges, and successes of raising capital in a bear market, how to pick investors, the art of listening and the biggest mistakes he’s made.   

Jeff White is a true serial entrepreneur. With two successful exits under his belt, he is now on his next big data startup.  As an entrepreneur, Jeff has certainly pulled off some enviable feats. As a founder and investor, there is plenty to learn and get inspired by his story. We got together for a recent episode of the dealmakers podcast. He shared why he made the leap from the 9-5, tips for making it through the tough days, and what’s possible when you go all-in on your ideas.  

Are you wondering how to build a fundraising story for your business? In essence, you should never try fundraising for your startup without a great story. If you want to rocket your chances of converting investors, secure the best terms when you do get and turn every contract into a brand ambassador, you need a strong story. Where do you start with creating one that will pave the way for you?

Sammy Dorf has set the bar pretty high for entrepreneurs and startups. His cannabis company raised $100M after many months of effort, over the course of one extraordinary weekend, and went on to be acquired in the largest transaction in the industry (at the time), at $850M. Whatever your opinions about marijuana, Sam Dorf has proven it’s serious business. We caught up for a special episode of the Dealmakers Show where he broke down his incredible entrepreneurial journey. We talked about legal cannabis, the strategy involved in winning licenses, the struggles and big wins of fundraising, choosing your exit, and what lies ahead in the industry.  

Convertible notes are one of many fundraising options for start-up entrepreneurs making it essential to understand the pros and cons of convertible notes. The way that convertible notes work is that an investor loans an agreed amount to a company which is then converted to equity during a later investment round. While convertible notes are becoming increasingly popular with entrepreneurs because they are a great bargaining chip to entice investors, they do have distinct advantages and disadvantages like any financial agreement. 

Marco Zappacosta has raised $400M for his marketplace startup that is unlocking the largest industry digital hasn’t fully solved yet. If you think a billion dollars is big business, Zappacosta’s already successful business is still just at the beginning of revolutionizing the trillion-dollar-plus human services industry.   

Alex Friedman is an experienced businesswoman, who has brought a wealth of knowledge to make millions of lives easier. So far LOLA has raised millions of dollars to fund her mission, and the brand is only growing. Having a few daughters myself, I was excited to have Alexandra appear on a new episode on the DealMakers Show. We talked about getting equipped to be an entrepreneur, what investors look for in funds and VCs to give their money to, the advantage of consumer products as a founder, and fundraising for your startup.  

Cybersecurity expert Fred Kneip has raised almost $60M for his startup so far. It all started with a winning PowerPoint that has drawn the attention of a host of the most enviable investors. Fred recently made an appearance on the Dealmakers Show. In our interview, he shared his journey, what he’s learned, the keys to raising millions in funding, and how his company is transforming one of the fastest-growing markets we’ve ever seen.  

Want to know the skills top founders master when fundraising? These are the skills you’ll need in order to land that funding. The media can often make it sound incredibly easy and simple to land hundreds of millions of dollars in funds for just about any startup idea. In reality, many stumble around for years and even have to face hundreds of investor rejections before getting a single check. 

Nathan McCauley lives and breathes cybersecurity. He’s been involved in some of the best-known tech startups and has now launched his own. His crypto company has already attracted some of the best-known investors, and they’re just getting started. Nathan showed up for a recent episode of the DealMakers podcast, where I had the opportunity to interview him on his journey. We talked about digital security, being a part of popular tech rocket ships, and what’s next in cryptocurrency.   

Need a business plan template? Check out this step by step plan to crafting one that will work for your venture. Every startup business needs a business plan template. You know the saying, “failing to plan means planning to fail.” Going into business for yourself is exciting, empowering and probably one of the best things you can ever try in your life. It can also be risky.

As a startup, your competitor analysis is one of the most important and influential parts of getting off the ground. Here’s what to include in your competitor analysis template. Every startup has competition. If you don’t see it, it is even more of a threat. If you don’t acknowledge it, prospective investors won’t take you seriously.

What do entrepreneurs need to include in an executive summary for it be successful and effective? The executive summary is a crucial and pivotal document for all startup businesses, and even over the years as you reach and stretch to new stages.

Reuven Moskowitz has started and sold multiple companies. His latest venture has raised over $50 million to advance technology for law firms. They’ve got some incredible case studies and are changing what’s possible for lawyers. Moskowitz recently joined me for an episode of the DealMakers podcast. We talked about buying and selling companies while still in college, the top challenges for entrepreneurs, balancing your optimism, and the future of law.  

A marketing campaign template will help your startup breakout your individual campaigns, gain more focus and improve the accuracy and outcome of your efforts.

Every startup needs a marketing strategy template to get things going. Without a written plan it is going to be virtually impossible to stay on track, keep the team focused and really enable your business to achieve its potential.

What is the right path when evaluating the pros and cons of different sources of startup funding for your venture? There’s more than one way to fund your startup. Each has its own pros and cons. Which is right for you?

Valentin Stalf has raised $670 million to disrupt the banking world. His fintech startup is now valued at $3.5 billion, making it one of the largest in Europe today.   

What are some of the reasons to start your own business? Is starting your own business the best path forward at this point in time for you? Here are at least twenty reasons why you should dive in and launch your own startup.

Michael Wystrach was born into the farm to table movement, even before it was a thing. He was raised to be an entrepreneur, and since school and a stint in investment banking has launched one of the most successful startups in the food space. I recently had the great pleasure of interviewing Michael on the DealMakers Podcast. He shared how his entrepreneurial spirit was incubated from an early age, what he learned from the world of investment banking, his tips on hiring and cofounders, as well as what it takes to get through the dark days and create a hyper-growth startup that attracts millions of dollars in capital.  

What were the ages of successful entrepreneurs when they started? Age is one of the top excuses that would be entrepreneurs use as a crutch not to pursue their visions.

Looking for the best markets to launch a hyper-growth startup? Want to know which sectors could offer the best growth potential for making startup investments? These are ten of the largest markets that have been lagging in innovation, disruption, and implementation of new technologies. 

Bhavin Turakhia is a man on a mission. He’s been building and selling companies since he was just 17 years old. His macro approach to starting businesses and proven startup acumen make him one of the most capable of disrupting and transforming the payments space. Bhavin is a true serial founder with multiple starts and exits. We caught up for a special episode of the Dealmakers Podcast. He shared his early journey of becoming an entrepreneur, how he sold his first company, his top advice to new founders, how to validate your business idea and the three-step formula for startup success.  

Immad Akhund is a true serial entrepreneur who has been on both sides of the table and many times. His latest startup has raised tens of millions of dollars to become the Google of the banking world through new Fintech applications. During our recent interview on the DealMakers Podcast, Immad shared his journey from being a young entrepreneur to multiple exits and becoming an active angel investor himself. We talked launching back to back startups, the patterns of success, how to take the pain out of entrepreneurship (as best you can), Fintech and M&A.

Austin Russell began his first real startup at just 16 years old. He got paid $100k to drop out of college to go all-in on making fully autonomous driving a reality. He’s already raised $250 million to make it happen and counts the world’s top auto manufacturers as customers.  

You’re not going to get far in business or stay in business for long without a good marketing plan template to start building your own pln. So, what should be in yours? Even if you never write a full business plan or put together a pitch deck, you need a marketing plan template. Without one you’ll just be blowing around in the wind. Do that and there’s more than a 90% chance you are going bankrupt within five years. Probably far sooner.

This startup pitch deck delivered a 100x return to investors and helped this uber competitor to go on to raise hundreds of millions of dollars. Careem was an Uber alternative based in Dubai. They’ve since gone on to spread to 14 countries and raise over $421 million in funding.

How to find buyers for your business? Selling a business is unlike selling anything else. This is especially true when it comes to achieving an exit for your startup. So, where are they, buyers? How do you connect with them and get offers to buy you out? 

What do you need to know about startup advisors before you launch and to get to the next level? Startup advisors can make a huge difference in your venture. Though there can be a substantial difference in the outcome or bringing them in based on a variety of factors.

A clear action plan can be one of the most valuable assets you have as a startup entrepreneur. So, what should it look like? There’s nothing that can bog you down more as a startup than a dinosaur of a business plan. Or derail you more than having not clear written plan. There’s nothing better for curing a slow grind or getting out of the weeds than a clean, simple and powerful action plan. 

Rebecca Minkoff is well known for not only her line of designer bags and accessories but her high tech shops that blend interactive technology with tailored experience and fashion. If you’ve visited Rebecca Minkoff’s store in Soho you’ve found interactive mirrors to help you pick the perfect outfit, along with your choice of drinks delivered right to your dressing room, where you are matched with the latest styles. 

How to compensate startup employees without money during the early stages of a venture is an art. Cash for salaries is one thing you may not have a surplus of as a young startup. Even if you are funded, you need to be very careful about how you spend it. Yet, you know that the survival and ability of your venture to survive relies almost 100% on recruiting and retaining the best talent in your space. So, how do you do it?

Eric Kinariwala has revolutionized the pharmacy industry with his latest venture, Capsule. In a recent exclusive interview on the DealMakers podcast, he provided an insider’s look at what it takes to cultivate one of the fastest-growing companies in the world.  

Getting ready to raise money for your startup? Here we will be breaking down the pitch deck as well as the digits you need to know about creating and presenting the presentation that will get you funded.

Thinking about selling your business? This piece covers the 100 questions potential buyers will ask startups… Selling a business is often the best move. Maybe you receive an offer too good to refuse. It may be foolish or negligent not to accept offers you are receiving. You may be in a personal situation that is demanding more of your time. Exiting may be better for the business than raising another round of money.

Thejo Kote knows a thing or two about building startups. Two of the ventures he has cofounded were accepted by Y Combinator. One sold for over $100M. He is now working on his third venture. A startup aiming to simplify spending and accounting for other growing businesses.

Wondering how startup financing rounds get oversubscribed? Ready to launch your first fundraising campaign and want to make sure you bring in enough money? How do some startups seem to attract more money than they asked for while others struggle with hundreds of investor rejections for years?

Need a startup business plan template for your new venture? What’s the best layout for a business plan? What role should it play in your small business startup? How do you best make it work for you? The Role Of The Business Plan In Startups Every business needs a...

Will investors fund my startups? Does your startup really have a chance of getting funded? Whether you are still debating whether fundraising is the right path right now, or you’ve had some rejection and want to know whether it’s worth continuing, these questions will help you evaluate your startup, and improve your game to increase your odds of getting funded. Or you might find it’s time to make a quick pivot to give your vision the best chance of success.

Who are the 10 most famous entrepreneurs and what made them insanely rich? There may be only a dozen or so truly iconic entrepreneurs that stand out for their wealth and accomplishments. How much are they worth? What really made them so much money?

Are you wondering how to start a business with almost no money and if it is even possible? Why should you, even if you just sold your last startup for millions and have plenty of cash?

Ready to build a highly successful business? In this article, you will find the 10 tips for building a successful business.  Here are the steps to take to create a valuable and growing business that will last and see your idea through.