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How To Apply For A Business Grant

Are you wondering how to apply for a business grant? There are moments when it may not be the perfect timing to self-fund a new business venture, or a traditional business loan may not be possible. This is where a business grant comes in. A way to kick things off, before raising more money from outside investors to fuel growth. Business grants are made up of free capital meant to serve as financial assistance to the awarded business. Its objective is to eliminate the need for deb right at the beginning, allowing the business to grow and flourish.

He Sold His First Business For $4 Billion To Alibaba And Now Raised $250 Million To Extend The Lifespan Of Your Clothes

Maximilian Bittner has raised over $1B in capital for his two startups and already sold one for $4B. He has hopped continents launching and scaling companies at an incredibly fast rate, and he isn’t done yet. During our time together on the DealMakers Podcast, Bittner shared his journey to becoming an entrepreneur, how to create hyper-growth companies at an incredible scale, how to take the best of one culture and apply it to commerce in another, and what you do after selling a startup for billions of dollars.

How To Start A Business

Are you at that point where you are wondering how to start a business? Starting your own business is probably one of the best things you can ever do in your life. No matter how it turns out on your first try, no entrepreneur ever seems to regret it or want to go back to working for someone else after they’ve tasted the experience. So, how do you get started?

This Entrepreneur Raised $100 Million To Transform The Healthcare Experience

Jay Desai committed himself to build a meaningful startup. His health tech venture has already raised $100M and is growing. During our interview on the DealMakes Podcast, Jay talked about transforming the healthcare industry, how he is investing in and advising other startups and entrepreneurs, his take on incorporating your startup, including hiring co-founders, your most important employees, and solving marketplace businesses.

What To Expect From Board Members

Are you wondering what to expect from board members? As a startup founder, your board of directors can be one of your most powerful tools for success. It is also one of the factors of starting a real business that few entrepreneurs really have experience with. That can also make it one of the most precarious parts of running a true fast-growth startup that scales. So, what should you expect from board members?

This Entrepreneur Raised $150 Million To Create A Dropbox For Your Real Things

Rahul Gandhi has been on both sides of the table, building, financing, and scaling companies. His venture MakeSpace has brought the next evolution of innovation to a very big industry. During our interview on the DealMakers podcast, Rahul shared his early start to entrepreneurship, the challenges of creating and sustaining a business, the truth about building your own business, and his top advice for other new startup founders.

Investment Materials Needed For Fundraising

What are the investment materials needed for fundraising? Funding is one of the most critical parts of a startup. Without enough funds, even the best ventures can fail hard and fast. This equally applies whether you are just starting out looking for pre-seed money, or are seeking a bridge round before your Series C or later. It’s rare anyone is just going to pop up out of the blue and try to throw money at you. So, what kind of investment materials do you need for fundraising?

He Raised $100 Million To Provide 100 Million People Access To Microfinance Solutions

Taejun Shin is on a mission to provide microfinance solutions to millions of the most underserved in the world. His startup has been growing fast and has drawn the attention of many investors. During our interview on the Dealmakers Show Taejun Shin shared his adventure into entrepreneurship. We talked about Japan’s growing venture capital and startup ecosystem, serving low income households and his secret sauce for recruiting great talent.

What Is A Business Grant?

What is a business grant? Why might a business grant be the right choice for you? According to the Chamber of Commerce, around 400,000 small businesses open every year in the United States. While 80% of them survive the first year, about 50% can hardly reach the five-year mark. There are many reasons why a business fails. Including competition, lack of foot traffic, and mismanagement. When it comes to kick-starting a new business venture, originality and traffic are not enough.

This Entrepreneur Sold His Companies For Over $1 Billion And Is Now Transforming The Food Industry With Mushrooms

If Silicon Valley VCs could clone anyone to be their golden child capable of consistently delivering fast 10x returns like a printing press, they would probably use Alan Hahn’s DNA. So, far serial entrepreneur Alan Hahn has started six companies. He built, scaled, and exited. Including selling his very first company for over $1B. While nothing ever goes perfectly smoothly, even for repeat founders, Hahn has demonstrated an incredible talent for bouncing forward, fast. During our interview on the Dealmakers Show Alan gave us a breakdown of his starts and exits, and the lessons he learned in the process. Plus, his strategy for structuring the right mix of investors, and the magic key to hyper-growth startups.

How To Build A Financial Model For Investors

How to build a financial model for investors? A financial model can be a critical part of starting a business and many of the steps that come with building and growing one. So, how do you do it? What do you need to know to nail it?

Equity Incentive Plan Basics

Are you figuring out the equity incentive plan basics for your startup? Thinking about offering equity incentives to key players in your startup business? Why would you? What are the basics of an equity incentive plan that really works for everyone? Equity can be a highly valuable and powerful tool for entrepreneurs. Even early-stage startups can find it unlocks incredible value for them and makes so much possible, far faster than many could imagine. Equity incentive plans can also be a tricky beast. They can bite you back or limit your potential, or at least throw some serious wrenches in your vision if you aren’t careful

Types Of Business Grants

Are you wondering what are the types of business grants available for you? You have an idea for a new business, and while you know it would be a success, you lack the funds to get off the ground. For those afraid of falling into debt so early in the venture, a business loan may not be that attractive. Raising equity from investors may be an option, but what about a business grant? Business grants help organizations progress by giving them financial assistance. The best part? Grants are non-payable, allowing the business to grow debtless. There is a catch though. While grants are plentiful, they can be hard to receive. Grant-makers want to award their funds to businesses aligned with their own projects and worldview.

He Built The Largest Micromobility Company In South America With Over 2 Million Rides Per Month

Tomás Martins is on a mission to change how we get around our cities. His startup has already raised tens of millions of dollars and has acquired companies larger than itself as it expands to modernize micro-mobility in new major cities. During our session on the Dealmakers Podcast Tomás Martins shared his journey through launching and scaling a startup. He talked about the truth about building a company, surviving and believing through the tough moments, the future and challenges of micro-mobility, and Brazil’s growing startup ecosystem.

What Is The Difference Between Pre-Money Valuation And Post-Money Valuation

What is the difference between pre-money valuation and post-money valuation? How are they different for startups? Valuations can already be a confusing and challenging element for startup founders. If you’ve started preparing for a fundraising campaign, you now also have to think about pre-money and post-money valuations. In general, valuation can be a distraction from focusing on some of the most important parts of building and scaling a business. Yet, valuation can be a powerful tool for growing your company. They can make a big difference to you, your organization, and customers in some unexpected ways.

This Entrepreneur Helped Build A $3 Billion Startup And Now His Fourth Company Is One Of The Fastest Growing In Music

Ola Sars is a repeat entrepreneur who knows how to scale, and whether many of the challenges that founders face as they try to start, fund, and scale new ventures. He has created at least one billion-dollar company that was bought by Apple, and you’ve probably heard the result of his work yourself this week without even knowing it. Now scaling his latest venture, Sars is helping businesses unlock new revenues, and enhance their brands using music. This includes his contribution to the tech music industry where he is opening the opportunity to unlock incremental value in the music streaming market. As a result, this could provide up to 15% to 20% growth in the next 10 years.

What Is Preferred Stock And Why Is Given To Investors?

What is preferred stock and why is given to investors? You’ve got to know your stocks and shares as a startup founder. This is especially true when it comes to giving equity and issuing stock. Unless you thrive on legal and math, this part of the startup game can seem really confusing at first. If you skipped this class in business school, it’s time for a quick tour of classes of stock, and the difference they can make when it comes to startup fundraising. For the creative entrepreneur, this can seem about as fun and unsexy as accounting at first. However, knowing your classes of shares can quickly make all the difference in various outcomes, and certainly in what you get out of the ride of this venture. Those who do take the time to familiarize themselves with this part of being a startup can find it gives them a great advantage in negotiating and achieving a desirable outcome.

He Sold His First Business For $2.6 Billion And Now Raised $108 Million From Jeff Bezos And Others To Improve Medical Diagnostics

Sujal Patel has not only started and scaled a billion-dollar company but is on his second venture that is on track to change the world. Not only has Sujal already raised almost $200M for his startups, but he has done it through some of the most challenging times for fundraising in recent history. During our interview on the DealMakers podcast, he shared his foundational experiences, why he chose Seattle over San Francisco, going through the M&A process, and pre-marketing your fundraise.

How To Pitch Your Financial Projections To Investors

Are you wondering how to pitch your financial projections to investors? Financial projections can be one of the most pivotal parts of your presentation and pitch as a startup entrepreneur. They definitely have the power to trip you up and sabotage your startup fundraising campaign if you get it wrong. There is a lot of misinformation and misconceptions about financial projections and pitching investors. Here’s what you need to know when preparing and delivering your pitch to get the funding your venture needs.

This Entrepreneur Raised Millions To Accelerate Your Sales With Artificial Intelligence

James Isilay’s startup has raised at least $20M so that other companies can get better and more relevant data, so that they can grow.

During our interview on the Dealmakers Podcast James shared his inspiration for becoming an entrepreneur, where to find the help you need to get going, how the world of work is changing after COVID-19, the difference in where you start your startup, and his tips on managing millennials, workplace culture and using regulations to your advantage.

What Is Traction For A Startup?

What is traction for a startup? There is a lot of talk about it out there online and in startup circles. You know you need it. Yet, there is a lot of confusion about it. Why is traction so important? What does it really mean? How can you get it?

This Entrepreneur Has Given $1 Billion In Loans To Small And Medium-Sized Businesses In Asia

Kelvin Teo has raised millions of dollars to help others sustain and scale their ventures. His fintech startup Funding Societies (or Modalku in Bahasa language) is now the largest in Southeast Asia, and even bigger than some banks. During our interview on the DealMakers podcast, Kelvin shared his journey into entrepreneurship, what’s changing in the business and fintech landscape post COVID-19, what’s important to creating a sustainable business and getting funded now, the advantages of launching in emerging markets, and differences between the US and Asia for startups.

Y Combinator Rejected Him And Then He Raised $62 Million To Build The Tech Infrastructure Needed Post COVID-19

Avi Freedman’s startup has proven to be an important part of the technological infrastructure helping enterprise businesses run post COVID-19. During our interview on the DealMakers podcast, he described how he fell into the world of computing, applying to startup accelerator Y Combinator, the pros and cons of bootstrapping your startup versus raising venture capital money, and the post coronavirus fundraising landscape.

Largest Tech Companies In Silicon Valley

Which are the largest tech companies in Silicon Valley today? In spite of the fact that NYC and other notable cities have been displacing Silicon Valley as hotspots for launching startups, fast-growing startup ecosystems, and attracting capital, the valley is still a mecca for many entrepreneurs and tech workers. The foundation and how entrenched this culture is in the DNA of the area is unlikely to change any time soon, even if traditional office space is all but abandoned for remote work after 2020. So, who are the biggest companies in the area today? What can aspiring entrepreneurs learn from them?

This Biotech Entrepreneur Raised $50 Million To Create The Ultimate Coronavirus Test

Rahul Dhanda’s latest startup made history with its new coronavirus test. A rapid feat that could prove to go down as one of the most impactful business and medicine achievements in 100 years. During our time together on the Dealmakers Podcast Dhanda shared how we got into starting businesses, lessons learned from starting from scratch to taking a company public, the concept of bioethics, why his latest venture has an incredible nine cofounders, how they raised $50M including funds from the Gates Foundation, and strategies for taking on a competitive market with established players.

How To Win A Pitch Competition

Wondering how to win a pitch competition? An effective pitch can make all of the difference between getting your startup business the funding, resources, and backing it needs to become a reality versus it falling flat and having to start over from scratch. There are many types of competitions and pitching opportunities for entrepreneurs. These can run from school business plan competitions to government grants to demo days at startup accelerators and those hosted by angel groups, TV shows like Shark Tank, as well as individual investor meetings you’ve managed to line up. So, what’s the secret sauce to winning pitch competitions and getting the money your startup needs?

This Third Time Entrepreneur Has Raised Millions To Help Businesses Thrive In The New Normal

Jay Bregman has given birth to three popular tech startups. He has already exited two of them and is now working on a thriving venture which is helping new ventures launch post-COVID-19 while enabling existing businesses to adjust and optimize for the new working environment. In our interview on the Dealmakers podcast, Jay Bregman talked about his three ventures, eCourier, Hailo and Thimble, the differences in EU and US startups and fundraising, the most important lessons he’s learned along the way, as well as his top tips for those founding new startups today.

Top Rules Of Ideation

What are the top rules of ideation? How do you come up with and qualify the best ideas for a startup business? Ideation is the process of coming up with and conveying ideas. It’s the basis of any startup, fundraising exercise, and business venture. So, where do great ideas come from? How do you know if yours is really worth pursuing? How do the most successful entrepreneurs go from wanting to start something to hit businesses?

This Entrepreneur Raised $90 Million To Drive Artificial Intelligence To The Edge

Hailing from the Startup Nation, Orr Danon is an entrepreneur and founder who has raised millions of dollars for this tech startup, through a recent Series B round. His now international company came to life after he decided to take on a bigger challenge, in order to have even more of an impact. In our interview on the Dealmakers Podcast, Danon talked about taking risks, navigating the startup journey, possibility, and what he sees as the most important factor for new companies.

Mistakes To Avoid When Creating Your Pitch Deck

Are you wondering what are the mistakes to avoid when creating your pitch deck? Your pitch deck can make all the difference in getting your startup funded and giving it the fuel it needs to become what it could be. As with many things in life and business, knowing what to do is only half of the puzzle. Knowing what not to do is just as important. Sometimes even more so. For a winning deck, take a look at the template created by Silicon Valley legend, Peter Thiel (see it here) that I recently covered. Thiel was the first angel investor in Facebook with a $500K check that turned into more than $1 billion in cash.Remember to unlock the pitch deck template that is being used by founders around the world to raise millions below.

How To Value A Startup Without Revenue

Are you at the point where you are wondering how to value a startup without revenue? While the paper value of your company might not be the big end goal, the main focus on a daily basis, or even the most important negotiating point, it can play a big role in many ways throughout the lifecycle of your startup. Few startups start out with revenues. Many take years to build up significant revenue. Some never seem to breakeven. So, what role does value play for your venture? How will others value your company? What can you do to boost revenues and value quicker?

He Raised Over $100 Million To Disrupt A $120 Billion Industry

Drew McElroy has helped raise $128M for his startup that is displacing incumbents in one of the biggest business sectors. During our interview on the DealMakers podcast, McElroy shared his journey into entrepreneurship, and from working in the family business to fast-growth startup. He talked about the benefits of moving faster than you think possible, building a network, perfection versus revenues, being smart about choosing investors, and his top advice for other new founders.

What Are Pre-Seed Financing Rounds?

What are pre-seed financing rounds? When it comes to getting your startup funded and launched into action, the money doesn’t all just come in a one and done deal. Funding comes in chunks as you progress and the value of your company and proof grows. Your pre-seed may be your most important round. So, how does it fit in? What do you need in order to get money at this stage? What best practices can help set you up for ongoing success?

This Entrepreneur Raised $100 Million To Empower The $14 Billion Powersports Market

Jason Guss has raised over $100M for his startup and pulled off a pivot despite challenges coming from all directions. During our interview on the DealMakers podcast, Jason shared how he managed to raise hundreds of millions of dollars for his venture, why his first company didn’t work out, the secrets to finding great business ideas and pitching them to investors, and why to embrace adversity.

How To Define Your Go To Market Strategy

Are you wondering how to define your go to market strategy? A good go to market strategy is essential for startup businesses. It can make all the difference in success or failure, and how quickly you gain traction. Aside from the team, you choose to recruit, this is probably the most important factor in ensuring your venture makes it. So, what is a go to market strategy exactly? What difference can it really make? What are the steps for defining it and making the right choices through the process?

He Quit His Job At Google And Raised $100 Million To Take Over The Skies With Drones

Michael Winn has raised almost $100M for his startup. On the way, he’s discovered some of the great secrets and surprises in the fundraising journey and built an important business that is transforming how other companies operate. During our time on the DealMakers podcast, Michael talked about his journey to San Francisco, what he learned from working at Google, riding the capital raising rollercoaster, what you might not know about hiring in startups, as well being ahead of your time, and the most important thing to focus on to create a successful company.

How To Pitch Investors And Get Funded

Wondering how to pitch investors and get funded? Whether you really need outside funding to make your big vision a reality, or just see how getting funded may speed up your progress and make things easier, how can you master the process of pitching to get the money?

He Raised $300 Million To Make Sure You Can Afford The Latest Tech Products

Michael Cassau has reinvented how we get and use new technology. His startup Grover has changed how we access it, and to make sure having the latest devices can be as financially savvy as it is appealing. During our interview on the DealMakers podcast, Cassau shared his insights from the fundraising journey, tips on balancing debt and equity funding, building a team, and how to get started with a marketplace startup that can scale to over 500k registered users.

How To Approach Investor Meetings

As an entrepreneur, you are eventually going to ask yourself how to approach investor meetings and the best way to go about it. Investor meetings are highly important to startup founders. Each one has the potential to get that all-important check or land the lead investor that will make this venture or its next chapter possible. As such, investor meetings can be a source of substantial anxiety and excitement. Most notoriously don’t work out as entrepreneurs hope. Here’s how to tilt that in your favor, optimize your time and effort for results, and never have a bad investor meeting again.

He Raised $300 Million To Become The Financing Solution For Businesses in Latin America

David Poritz‘s fintech startup has already raised $310M to help give small and medium-sized businesses the access to credit and capital they need to survive and thrive in Latin America. During our interview on the Dealmakers podcast, David and I talked about his trailblazing financial technology startup, the differences between startups in the US and Mexico, the post-COVID-19 market for SME credit, and financing, and the most important early moves to make for startup founders.

Pros And Cons Of Friends And Family Financing

What are the pros and cons of friends and family financing for your startup business? Friends and family financing rounds are one of the most basic and foundational steps for launching a startup business. However, it can be a very controversial source when doing startup fundraising. Some entrepreneurs don’t even want to consider the idea. Others swear by it as the smartest first step in any venture. So, is it for you? Can you really succeed without it? What are the real advantages and disadvantages?

He Raised $100 Million To Allow Brands To Instant Verify Eligible Customers For Special Offers

Jake Weatherly’s startup has raised almost $100M to make it easy for brands to instantly verify eligible teachers, students, the military and hundreds of other consumer tribes for their gated personalized offers. This helps brands like Spotify, Lowe’s, and Target build new relationships with influential customer groups, while mitigating fraud for their exclusive offers. It also allows eligible consumers to receive a benefit in seconds instead of days.

How To Get A Business Loan

Are you trying to figure out how to get a business loan? Businesses require money. Most entrepreneurs need some money to help get them off the ground. Even when things are going well, funds can be necessary to fill gaps and finance scaling. There are also times when companies want to bulk up on cash and access to credit in order to survive crises and disruptions. Business loans can be a great way to fill this need.

This Entrepreneur Raised $53 Million To Redefine One Of America’s Biggest Industries

After building and exiting his first company, Andrew Smith has now raised over $50 million to bring important change to one of our most important industries. During our time together on the DealMakers podcast, Smith shared some fascinating insights on the journey to building and scaling a company. We talked about what the best founders spend most of their time doing, uncommon places to find and launch great startup ideas, protecting your progress, smart fundraising moves, and how his latest venture is helping avoid supply chain issues during crises like COVID-19.

Types Of Financial Models

What are the different types of financial models? Financial modeling is woven into everything you’ll do as an entrepreneur and business owner or investor. So, how hard is it? What does it take to be good at it? Who should be doing the financial modeling for your organization?

What Financial Models Do

What financial models do? What is the purpose of them for entrepreneurs and startup founders? You are either the type of entrepreneur who loves and thrives on financial modeling, or who just can’t bear to stomach more than a few seconds of it. Regardless of this, you need financial models as an entrepreneur and founder. You at least need to know how to read basic financial models, know what they are for and how to leverage their findings. These are just some of the reasons you’ll use financial models on your entrepreneurial journey.

He Raised $90 Million Before Achieving One Of The Largest Acquisitions in Healthcare Tech

Jean Nehme has gone from junior doctor to advancing healthcare at scale with his own startup. During our interview on the Dealmakers show Jean detailed his journey from the frontlines of medicine to becoming a tech entrepreneur who has taken a venture full cycle.

How To Learn Financial Modeling

Did you bump into one of those things that lead you to ask yourself how to learn financial modeling? Financial modeling can be fun and stimulating. Or it can be daunting. It’s all in how you look at it. Either way, whether you are going to need it whether you are an entrepreneur, founder, CEO, or just aspire to climb these roles. So, what options are there for learning financial modeling? Which is the best method for you?

He Left His Corporate Job And Raised $400 Million To Empower The New Surge In Ecommerce

Chang Wen Lai has built an incredible empire from serving both new and pivoting players to the eCommerce space. His company Ninja Van has already raised $400M in the process and now employs tens of thousands. During our interview on the DealMakers Podcast, Chang Wen Lai shared why he made the leap from a lucrative career in finance to launching his own hit startup, balancing fundraising with dilution and capital, as well as managing big teams, and what’s different about the market post-coronavirus.

How To Build Your Startup‘s Financial Model

Are you thinking about how to build your startup‘s financial model? A financial model is going to be the foundation and north star of your startup business. It’s going to affect everything else you do. How do you get started building one that will fuel your success?

This Entrepreneur Raised More Than $340 Million To Create Air Taxis

Daniel Wiegand’s electric, vertical take-off and landing startup is set to transform the transportation industry. Given all of the recent events happening around the world, there may be no better time for a new, sustainable mode of mobility that can get us around. During our time together on the Dealmakers Show, Wiegand shared his inspiration for innovating in aerospace, the future of travel, and the fun he has had building and funding an important startup.

Reasons Why Entrepreneurs Need Financial Projections

Are you wondering what are the reasons why entrepreneurs need financial projections?Some entrepreneurs love math and juggling numbers to create new business plans. Others are far more passionate about the product, sales and just doing the business. Whatever your strengths and interests, it is vital to layout financial projections in advance. Here are just some of the reasons you need them, and how they can help.

He Sold A Startup For $89 Million And Now Raised Millions To Help Businesses Predict Demand

Campbell Brown has been involved in several startups. Including raising $32M for one, exiting two of them, and is now helping others grow their businesses. During our time on the Dealmakers Show Campbell Brown shared his journey to Silicon Valley, how he was inspired by scale, the trials of startup fundraising, how startups and talent are different outside of the Bay Area, and what he is working on in-demand intelligence.

Step-By-Step Approach To Financial Modeling

What is the best step-by-step approach to financial modeling? Financial modeling is one of the pillars of all businesses and startup ventures. It is an essential ingredient. For those that haven’t been through business school and have practiced it before, it may be intimidating. So, what are the steps for creating financial models to get the results you need?

He Sold His First Startup For Over $3.5 Billion And Now Raised $150 Million To Make Your Home Smarter

Fahri Diner is one of those unique people who has enjoyed being on both sides of the table, as a startup founder and a VC investor. He sold his own company for $3.52B, started a fund with $2B in assets, and has since gone on to raise $150M for a new venture. On the DealMakers podcast, Fahri Diner shared his journey into entrepreneurship, the advantages startups have in this environment, his fundraising strategy, and much more.

What Is A Pre-Emptive Offer?

I always encourage start-up founders to prepare for the next stage of fundraising as quickly as possible. The pitching process can be complicated and can take time, so it’s great to be ready as quickly as you can. In some cases, entrepreneurs will be given an offer of funds before they are ready for their next fundraising round. This is called a pre-emptive offer. It’s a great sign that you, as an entrepreneur, are doing everything right, but it can also take people by surprise and result in less than desirable investment terms.

This Entrepreneur Raised $80 Million To Connect Billions With Digital Content

Rohit Paranjpe is now on his third company. He has learned a lot of critical business lessons on his journey. Those learnings appear set to enable him to bring connectivity to billions of new internet users worldwide. During our conversation on the DealMakers Podcast, Paranjpe shared his story of accidental entrepreneurship, how to fail hard, and just keep going, being resourceful, and his approach of going for big customers out of the gate.

The Importance Of Financial Projections In Your Pitch Deck

What is the importance of financial projections in your pitch deck? Financial projections and models still play a crucial role in business plans and planning. You know you need them, but what should they include? What is the purpose and benefit for you and others? How might they have the power to rocket or wreck your business?

This Entrepreneur Raised $100 Million To Eliminate Viruses And Purify The Air You Breathe

Dilip Goswami has raised almost $100 million to make clean air accessible around the world, through his startup Molekule. In our interview on the Dealmakers Show Dilip shared how he made the leap from academia to business, and why. As well as the value he found in startup accelerators, mentors. Plus, how to overcome the challenges of creating a hardware startup and the north star that will make all your decisions much easier.

This Entrepreneur Raised $140 Million To Create The Future Of Ecommerce

With a lot of hard work and over $100 million in backing from Softbank and private equity firms in Brazil, Geraldo Thomaz is designing the future of e-commerce and the software that makes it possible. During our interview on the DealMakers Podcast, Geraldo shared his story of becoming an entrepreneur, the journey to being a real CEO, the real work that goes into it, the hustle trap, and how amazing things can happen if you keep sticking it out.

What Is Cash Burn Rate?

What is a cash burn rate in business? How do you calculate yours? What is its importance in your organization? How can you shrink yours if it is killing your company?

He Raised $300 Million For A Startup Where 500 Employees Work Remotely

Jack Newton is a wealth of knowledge for other entrepreneurs trying to navigate the current market to startup, fund, and scale new companies. Newton hasn’t just built an incredible startup that employs 500 people. Or has simply raised hundreds of millions of dollars. He did this through some of the most trying economic moments in recent history. During our interview on the DealMakers podcast, Jack shared incredibly valuable insights on when to make the leap, a million-dollar blog post, why you should check your email spam folder, tips for successfully scaling your team, and managing a remote workforce. Plus, your most important job as a founder and fundraising in a downturn.

How To Do A SWOT Analysis For Strategic Planning

How do you perform a SWOT analysis to boost your strategic business planning? SWOT analysis is a foundational pillar of any business. From getting started with an idea through closing your exit, you’ll be using some form of SWOT at almost every turn. It’s expected, and done right is very valuable. How can you use it to aid in strategic planning that will improve everything else you do in your business?

This Entrepreneur Raised $500 Million To Improve Your Driving Behavior

Bill Powers has built companies, ridden them through to exits, and most recently raised half a billion dollars for a minority stake in his own startup. In our interview on the DealMakers podcast, Bill Powers shared his formative experiences, what he has learned about sales that led to a $500k pilot customer, the benefits of not raising money, and the foundation he is passionate about.

How To Do A Market Analysis For Your Business

Are you wondering how to do a market analysis for your business? Market analysis is a key foundational part of starting up and growing a company. If you didn’t go to business school, this might be a new concept for you. That’s okay. It’s a great learning experience that will equip you for success.The big question is, how do you do one? What needs to be in it?

He Sold His First Business For $1.5 Billion And Now Raised $70 Million To Reinvent The Digital Workplace

Steven Kramer is a full-cycle entrepreneur who has built more than one substantial company. In our interview on the DealMakers podcast, Kramer detailed his first startup, the company he built and scaled through a $1.5B exit, reverse takeovers, negotiating tips, and how he picked the investors who helped fund his latest venture with $70M.

How To Calculate Your Business Break-Even Point

How to calculate your business break-even point and what are the steps to get there with your business? This is without a doubt the question that every entrepreneur faces. You are probably aiming for your business to do far better than just break-even, but you have to break through this milestone first. So, how do you get there? What’s the math? How can you speed it up, or get back there?

He Went From Door To Door Salesman To 5x Tech Entrepreneur To Raising Over $100 Million For His Latest Startup

Jeffrey Glass is a founder and investor who has started, built, exited, and invested in multiple companies. He’s gone all the way from selling door-to-door to being on the VC side of the table, and now raising over $100M to build a startup that could soon be a household name. During our interview on the DealMakers Podcast, Jeffrey Glass shared how his early years equipped him for entrepreneurship, how he got started in the business, and the factors which have fueled his incredible success.

New Ideas To Inspire You To Start A Business

Looking for new ideas to inspire you to start a business? Where do you find the inspiration for a great business idea? Where are they hiding? What can you do, and what questions can you ask to discover a successful business idea with the potential to really become a big, profitable, and impactful company? Try these…

He Built A $750 Million Business In 24 Months By Selling Products On Amazon

Carlos Cashman is a real serial entrepreneur with more than half a dozen startups under his belt. His latest venture has already raised a quarter of a billion dollars and is growing fast.In his appearance on the DealMakers podcast, Carlos shared how he got hooked on technology and creating things, the lessons he’s learned through creating businesses, and what he’s up to now.

How To Do Market Research For Your Business

Are you wondering how to do market research for your business? Market research is one of the most important parts of going into business and staying in business. So, what should you be researching? How do you do it?

He Launched His First Startup With $1,000 And Just Raised $70 Million For His Latest Business

Oren Zaslansky has bootstrapped and raised tens of millions of dollars in VC money. Now on his third startup, he’s gained a lot of insight on how to scale and build teams. During our interview on the DealMakers podcast, Zaslansky shared his inspiration to go into entrepreneurship, how he managed to bootstrap his first startup, learning to pitch VCs and the future of shipping.

How Syndicated Rounds Of Funding Work

Are you wondering how syndicated rounds of funding work? Syndicated rounds are more complicated than standard funding rounds because large numbers of investors are expected to cooperate when offering capital. This inevitably leads to startup founders interacting with several investors, which increases the risk of share dilution and disagreement. However, when an entrepreneur negotiates a syndicated round correctly, it can prove lucrative.With this in mind, I’m going to show you how syndicated rounds of funding work and how they are structured.

How To Write A Mission Statement

Are you at the point where you are asking yourself how to write a mission statement that is powerful? A company’s mission statement describes what a business does and what its purpose is. This ranges from practical information to the ethics and values underpinning a company’s decision making. Let’s take a close look at what makes an effective mission statement, why it’s important, and how to construct one.

The Importance Of Board Seats During Fundraising

Are you wondering about the importance of board seats during fundraising? Your company’s Board of Directors will have a huge impact on current and future fundraising goals. If your boardroom is functioning well, then this will be a great advantage. However, even if your boardroom is well-intentioned, it can still have a detrimental influence on fundraising outcomes when not managed correctly.In this article, I’m going to outline why a startup’s boardroom, and who has a seat on it, is critical for successful fundraising.

His Business Got Acquired By Google And Now Raised $100 Million To Revolutionize Banking

Paul Taylor has built, founded, and successfully exited several companies. His newest startup could be his biggest yet. From an early love of math to launching several startups, working at Google, and taking on the banking industry, Paul Taylor has already done a lot, and he isn’t finished yet. He’s been in business through multiple crises already and just closed his latest funding round in the face of the COVD-19 pandemic. In our interview on the DealMakers podcast, we talked about new technology, picking the right factors to launch your own startup on, getting funded, selling your company, and more. Listen to the full podcast episode here.

How To Write A Great Value Proposition

Are you wondering how to write a great value proposition? Keep in mind this is the driving force behind catching the interest of your target demographic. Without a great one, your products will not engage with consumers. Learning how to write a good value proposition is therefore essential.In this article, I’m going to look at how you can transform your brand and the way it is perceived.

His First Business Got Acquired For $200 Million By Sun MicroSystems And His Most Recent Startup Was Sold For $225 Million To Citrix

Peter Yared has been involved in a mind-boggling number of startups. These are just those we know that he has turned into businesses and technologies which have been bought. In our recent interview on the Dealmakers Show Peter Yared shared his early experiences, how he has taken to coding just like any other form of communication, a number of his side projects turned sizable exits, why not to launch a startup in San Francisco, and the waste of being too early with an idea. Plus, what industries are booming in the wake of COVID-19.

How To Raise Startup Capital Through Funding Rounds

Are you wondering how to raise startup capital through funding rounds? How should your startup be planning? Startups need capital. Especially those with big visions and hopes to grow fast and disrupt the world. So, how do you get funded?

How To Create A Target List Of Investors

Are you at the point where you are thinking about fundraising and wondering how to create a target list of investors? There are endless investors, capital, and financing sources out there right now. Fundraising for your startup can be a full-time job at the best of times. So, how do you narrow that down? Who should be on your list to pitch?

What Are Drag-Along Rights?

What are drag-along rights? Drag-along-rights allow majority shareholders to force minority shareholders to sell their stakes in a company. These rights are a provision, usually stipulated as part of a share issue or equity for capital deal. They allow the majority shareholders to control the direction of the company. Because drag-along-rights are used to force through a sale, they can create conflict both within the boardroom and within the ownership of the company. With this in mind, let’s look at simplifying how drag-along-rights work and how they affect startup founders.

He Raised $380 Million To Build A Marketplace App That Is Used By 44 Million People

Nick Huzar is on this second startup. By the time you read this, they’ve probably already closed on more than $300M in funding. This is a startup enjoying great traction right now. One that offers to take you on a fun treasure hunt as a consumer, and to remove friction and create more income as a seller. Nick recently appeared as a guest on the DealMakers podcast, where he shared the ups and downs of starting your own business, the art of startups, what he sees as one of the hottest real estate sectors today, and lessons he’s learned about creating the foundations of a highly successful company.

10 Ways To Negotiate Better As An Entrepreneur

What are some of the ways to negotiate better as an entrepreneur? From even before day one as an entrepreneur you’ll be negotiating. The faster you get better at it, the better your startup will do.

From office space to hiring talent, bringing in cofounders, equipment, deals with suppliers, and sales with early customers, it’s all about negotiating. Obviously, those who are best at it, will have an incredible advantage over the competition. Perhaps one of the most important areas of negotiations for many of today’s startups is going to be in fundraising and with investors. So, how can you negotiate better as an entrepreneur?

He Raised $1 Billion To Help Your Company Navigate The Post Quarantine World

Ariel Cohen’s latest startup has amassed $1 billion in funding to disrupt one of the biggest industries on the planet: corporate travel. A repeat founder and tech entrepreneur, Ariel Cohen has surrounded himself with an amazing team and group of advisors to navigate the virus and help others do the same when it comes to getting back to business and business travel, safely. In our exclusive interview on the Dealmakers Show, Cohen talks about the top tips for weathering the storms of entrepreneurship, as well as why must have a product-market fit for a long term business, and how to create accountability guardrails to make sure you keep it once you’ve got it. He and his team have been through the dot com bust, 9/11, the 2008 financial crisis, and now COVID-19.

How To Find A Lead Investor

Too many entrepreneurs focus on the quantity of capital they can raise rather than the quality of the investors at their disposal. This is no more apparent than when trying to find a lead investor for a start-up. With the right lead investor in place, start-up founders increase their chances of producing a successful end product. In this article, I’m going to describe exactly what a lead investor is, why entrepreneurs should care, and how to find a lead investor that works for you and your business.

This Entrepreneur Started Out Of A Broom Closet And Now Has Sold 7 Businesses For More Than $600 Million

Robin Richards is one of the most prolific, true serial entrepreneurs in modern American history. He has built, scaled, and exited at least half a dozen startups. His exits range from $30M to over $300M. It was a great honor to be graced with his presence on this recent episode of the Dealmakers Podcast. He generously shared how he has set tech IPO records, found ideas for new businesses, the value of good website domain names, the most important lessons he’s learned from each of these ventures, and his new company which has already raised $50M. Plus, the top advice he’d give his younger self before starting a company.

How To Run A Good Fundraising Process

Are you at the point where you are wondering how to run a good fundraising process? How you approach and run your fundraising rounds can make a substantial difference in how smooth and enjoyable the process is, or not. Not to mention whether you actually hit the capital goals you’ve set, and on terms which will set you up for success. So, how can the founders run better campaigns?

He Raised $95 Million For His Cybersecurity Startup During Coronavirus Lockdown

Dean Sysman has been through the full cycle of launching and selling a startup and has raised almost $100M for his next venture, in less than 35 months. During our interview on the Dealmakers show Dean shared his experience fundraising, how VCs really work, what you need to know about cybersecurity, why you shouldn’t launch your own startup, and what really drives him to do it anyway.

How To Capture The Market Size In A Pitch Deck

Are you at the point where you are wondering how to capture the market size in a pitch deck? Market size is one of the most important data points in your pitch deck. This metric alone and how it is presented can be incredibly pivotal when it comes down to getting...

He Climbed Mt. Everest And Then Raised $75 Million To Transform The Oil Industry

Chase Lochmiller has raised close to $100M for his innovative startup that combines AI, and cleaner energy, in one of the biggest industries on our planet. From a deep love of math at a young age to mountaineering and launching a unique startup that solved a decades-old problem, this entrepreneur has learned a lot about the journey and charting your own path. In our interview on the DealMakers Podcast Chase shared how his road to entrepreneurship has developed so far, how travel can give you new perspectives, his insights on startup fundraising, and the roles his company is hiring for now.

Due Diligence: Everything Entrepreneurs Need To Know

Are you wondering what goes into due diligence and also what are all the items that investors or perhaps potential acquirers would want to see as part of your due diligence package? Most entrepreneurs focus so heavily on meeting potential investors that they completely sidestep how to create a due diligence package. If you are pitching your business to investors, you should already have a due diligence package in place. Whether you are preparing for a future investment stage or you’re already immersed in the pitching process, let me take you through how to create a due diligence package during fundraising.

How To Schedule Meetings With Investors

Are you wondering how to schedule meetings with investors? The investor meeting is often the make or break moment for getting your startup funded. How do you get these meetings? How do you ace them? Things have changed a lot over the past year when it comes to startup capital. Here’s what you need to know now…

He Raised $100 Million To Build An Accounting Platform That Has Been Used By 20 Million People

After years of being the poster boy for the anti-VC movement, Mike McDerment has raised millions to provide one of the most important services needed by countless small business owners and other entrepreneurs in the wake of COVID-19. Mike McDerment knows how to run a lean business and face challenging times as an entrepreneur. He bootstrapped his venture for years before accepting institutional capital. His business may be one of the best positioned to survive and thrive during the 2020 pandemic and its aftermath. During our time together on the Dealmakers Show, he talked about surviving 2008, why you should leave room for Q&A when pitching investors, and finding and keeping product-market fit.

Pricing Models Explained

What pricing models are there for startups launching new businesses and products? How should you price your product or service? How do you arrive at that number? What might the challenges be?There are a variety of pricing models and strategies available to entrepreneurs today. We’ll probably see more emerge in the future too. Pricing can be everything in business. You can rise or fail on pricing alone. Early initial pricing can seem like the biggest challenge now. Yet, be cautious about plans to change pricing later. It could bring everything crashing down around you.

His First Business Was Worth $14 Billion And His Second Was Acquired By Salesforce For $2.8 Billion

Stephan Schambach is a true serial entrepreneur. He has started, scaled and exited several ventures. He has raised millions of dollars in the process. He’s managed them through some of the roughest economic periods most of us have seen in our lifetimes. In our time together on the Dealmakers Podcast, we talked about making it through the tough years, when and who to raise funds from, his $100M hobby business, and the post coronavirus business landscape.

What Is Venture Debt?

Are you wondering what is venture debt? Most successful businesses use forms of debt financing to help fund their operations and reach important milestones. Venture debt, also known as “venture lending” is one way of doing this. It’s important as an entrepreneur that you understand what venture debt is and how to use it.In this article, I’m going to explain the types of venture debt you may encounter and what’s usually included in such a deal.

This Entrepreneur Raised $240 Million To Create An Ipad Sized Device That Could Help Fight Coronavirus

Hesaam Esfandyarpour has been blending science and technology to take the world on a massive new leap. Having raised over $200M and spending years on R&D, this founder’s startup could lead to a completely new technological revolution that touches our daily lives in so many ways. During our interview on the Dealmakers Podcast, Hesaam shared his journey across the globe and through learning, to what it takes to build a true world-changing business.

Steps To Starting Your Own Business Quickly

Ready to start up your own business? Here’s how to do it fast… Whether compelled by need or just magnetically drawn by your passion for creating a solution, many people are in a position where they need to start a business today. One of the most pivotal keys to success is getting your own business up and running quickly. Some people spend years in the planning and mulling one idea after the other. They never get off the ground. Or at least miss out on the real opportunity. While there is wisdom in doing things well, there are many businesses which can be launched in just days. You can get going with one product, start selling, and use your profits to grow and expand to realizing your full vision. Here’s how to do it.

This Entrepreneur Raised $60 Million Via Crowdfunding To Transform The Auto Market

Laurin Hahn is creating a new world of mobility. His electric car startup is unique and well-timed to participate in the big changes happening out there. So, far they’ve raised tens of millions of dollars, and have become known for pulling off one of the most successful crowdfunding campaigns so far. During our recent interview on the DealMakers Podcast he shared how he got started, what’s different about his company’s solution, how they pulled together to create wins against the odds, and his top tips for other new founders.