Andrew Ashur

Hello, fellow entrepreneurs and startup supporters! 🚀 If you've successfully raised funds for your startup, I want to hear your story! How did you make it happen? Please share your experiences in the comments or send me a message. Your insights could help other entrepreneurs navigate the fundraising journey. I am looking forward to learning from all of you! 😄 #startupfundraising #entrepreneurship #investortips

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🤔 Why invest heavily in tools when your product's market acceptance is uncertain? Leverage 3D printing to produce parts and test market fit first. Enjoy cost efficiency, faster prototyping, and flexibility in design adjustments. Validate your product idea before committing to expensive tooling! Reach us at proto@cubein.io for more information. #3dprinting #MarketFit #Prototyping #Innovation #Startups #LeanManufacturing #Cubein

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✈️ If you are working in aerospace engineering and looking for ways to streamline DO-254 certification, don't miss this joint webinar hosted by experts from MathWorks and ConsuNova. Discover a powerful workflow that maximizes reusability and efficiency, ensuring the production of DO-254 compliant hardware. Register here: https://spr.ly/6042gPThM

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A pro VDR is a fundraising MUST! and here's 5 reasons why: First of all, a VDR (virtual data room) is an online platform where you save all the due diligence documents for potential investors to examine. 📃 Think Google Docs, SharePoint, etc... I've seen a lot of founders put this off until investors start asking for it... No bueno! 💀❌ A professional VDR that's already in place will show potential investors: 1. You are professional ✅ 2. You are proactive. ✅ 3. You are organized. ✅ 4. You know what you are doing. ✅ 5. They can TRUST you with their hard-earned cash. ✅ ⁉ Have you ever made a VDR before? 📢 Comment "funding" to hear more from me about raising money for your startup. 💵 -------------------------------------------------------------------- 🔁 Repost to your network if you enjoyed it and follow Travis James Mathers, for more about fundraising, entrepreneurship, high performance, and reaching your full potential. #business #entrepreneurship #fundraising #coaching

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I receive 30 start-up pitches a week, one of the most common pitfalls I see is… … having a solution to something that is not really a problem.  Just because something exists doesn't mean it's a problem worth solving. Offer a 10x better solution to an actual problem in people’s life. Brilliant Basics: The goal of all goals is to fund your business with customer money, not investors.  This goal is sometimes lost in the fundraising fog. Product Market Fit doesn’t end with a great product and sales team.  It begins and ends with people willing to give you money for it. As world-class entrepreneur and 4-time founder, Bill Smith, once told me, when someone pulls out their credit card to pay for something, you got a business. The questions to solve after that are market size, profitability and persistence/longevity. All too often founders weight “wooing” VCs and a beautiful story pitch to get funding, and too little on achieving customer traction and “first logos”. In early stage fundraising, one of the biggest differentiators to getting funded is proving “first customers” and traction.  No matter how beautiful the slide deck and vision/mission, there is nothing more beautiful than a chart of prospective customers lining up to give you money and a testimonial page of happy ones. Follow me for more Brilliant Basics I’ve learned the hard way (as an operator) and the amazing way (Operators Guild) – https://hubs.la/Q02q1ty40 #operators #guild #brilliant #basics

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Looking to leap into the exciting realm of Additive Manufacturing? Our blog has got your back with the ultimate guide on what to consider when selecting the perfect FDM printer for your needs >> https://okt.to/siuAqC Don't settle for a 3D Printer that doesn’t meet your needs. Elevate your creations with the power of Stratasys FDM printers! #AdditiveManufacturing #3DPrinting #Innovation #addstratasys #MakeAdditiveWorkForYou

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Big announcement 🎉🎉 NX CAM has been voted as the #1 #CAMsoftware by the part #manufacturing community on G2, the leading software peer-review site. What makes #NXCAM stand out? Here are just a few reasons: 1. Automated CNC feature recognition 2. Intuitive & user-friendly interface 3. Faster job set-ups See first-hand insights and read reviews from our users -> https://sie.ag/azErY

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Fascinating findings from the Wohlers Report 2024 on Metal Additive Manufacturing! 📈 The report highlights a significant increase of 24.4% in 2023 for metal AM system shipments, indicating a thriving metal additive manufacturing industry. The industry itself has flourished, reaching a value of $20.035 billion, reflecting a growth of 11.1%. Experts anticipate that this promising trajectory will continue due to several factors, including: ✔ An expanding scope of applications for metal AM. ✔ Reduction in costs associated with metal AM. ✔ Introduction of novel materials. ✔ Streamlined design certification processes. ✔ Advancements in metal AM machinery. Photo Credits : Wohlers Associates, Powered by ASTM International #metaladditivemanufacturing #additivemanufacturing #wohlersreport #manufacturing #3dprinting

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When I first heard of Airbnb as a kid, I was told the story of guys who had this vision of a world where people would let strangers into their homes in exchange for money. That the founders had a clear vision of what Airbnb became. The Brian Chesky talk I attended at Y Combinator was so relieving as an entrepreneur. Airbnb’s story is anything but straightforward. The team underwent numerous iterations of their business, at one point even pivoting to a cereal company, and back to real-estate rentals again. As Paul Graham says, the best entrepreneurs don’t stick to a vision forever. They talk to their users, every day, they listen to their biggest issues, and continually refine their product.  This is not about luck or the stubborn pursue of a magic vision, but about persistent iteration on user feedback, that eventually leads to a valuable product. This is what we are about at Fileforge. Engaging with our users, listening closely to their needs ensuring we not only meet but exceed their expectations.

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Check out this interview with Daniel Wiegand (Lilium Chief Engineer) for some interesting insights on this revolutionary electric jet. Thanks to CNBC Tech: The Edge #eVTOL #engineering #engineeringmanagement #aerospaceengineering #aerospace

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Tears, triumph, repeat… (And 5 ways I keep my sanity in the startup grind.) I once attended a conference where a serial entrepreneur shared a truthful moment: 😅 “You haven’t really built a company from scratch if you haven’t cried.” The investors laughed, and the founders in the room smiled and nodded knowingly. This statement resonated deeply with me because, I’ve been there myself. 😢 Being a founder is incredibly hard and often lonely. Here’s 5 things I do to help combat the hard moments: 1. Have an Awesome, Badass Partner: I can’t imagine walking the entrepreneurial journey alone. Knowing that Mikkel Sørensen and I had each other’s backs was the only reason we were able to persevere at times. 2. Schedule Breaks: I make it a priority to schedule breaks. I used to feel guilty if I was relaxing instead of working, but taking breaks is essential for mental health and productivity. If you’ve never tried an NSDR, try it today at 2:00 pm. Trust me. 3. Non-Negotiable Workout Routine: Morning workouts have become a non-negotiable part of my routine. Getting moving first thing in the morning helps set a positive tone for the day. Importantly, I do not open my email until I start work. It doesn’t need to be a 2 hour workout – just get your blood pumping and endorphins blasting for the day. 4. Create an “Awesome List”: I created an Awesome List in my journal capturing successes, good moments, and other wins in life. Going through this list reminds me of my self-worth and why I started. 5. Re-evaluate Metrics: I regularly re-evaluate metrics to focus on what I can control. This helps me stay grounded and maintain a sense of progress even during challenging times. These strategies have been crucial in helping me navigate the emotional rollercoaster of building a startup. 🤔 What strategies do you use to cope with the challenges of being a founder? 📢 Comment or DM me "funding" to hear more from me about raising money for your startup. I'm here to serve! 🔁 Repost to your network if you enjoyed it and follow Travis James Mathers, for more about fundraising, entrepreneurship, high performance, and reaching your full potential. #business #entrepreneurship #fundraising #coaching

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To my linked in circle: message me if you are going to NI Connect and would like a demo of our AEDIS system!

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Learn more about Siemens Xcelerator for Startups on the hashtag #NextGenerationDesign podcast. This engineering and simulation bundle comes in three tiers and includes software from the entire Siemens Xcelerator software portfolio, including award-winning NX CAD. Watch the episode on YouTube: ➡️ https://sie.ag/58dHuY hashtag #NXMakesItReal #nxresellercoimbatore #nxresellerchennai #nxresellerbangalore #nxusers #nxcad #siemensnx #automotive #innovation #engineering #startupindia

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At deltaflare, we prioritise innovation and integrity in technology. The quick-sale business model you advocate risks eroding trust in B2B environments, where stability and reliability are key. This approach can also negatively impact the broader startup ecosystem, as clients hesitate to invest in companies they see as temporary. We aim to build lasting relationships by delivering secure, impactful technology solutions to critical national infrastructure. Money has never been our primary driver; it is simply a metric that reflects how well we are achieving our core values of creating secure, accessible and innovative technologies that positively serves the world. True innovation arises from a commitment to excellence, raising standards, and a deep desire to solve meaningful problems; not from the superficial disruption of pricing models or the creation of derivative products. We challenge the prevailing startup narrative that glorifies quick exits. I'd welcome the chance to discuss these issues further on your podcast.

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Interesting common reality for founders: If you made your first million, you’ve probably also spent your first million. It takes money to make money. If you are building a $10 million dollar operation you will potentially spend the first million before earning it. Never assume a founder who drove their company value into the millions just has cash burning a hole in their pockets. Always remember that revenue does not mean profit. Many companies go deep into debt for years before seeing any profit. If debt, spending a lot and all those sorts of things sound awful - perhaps entrepreneurship isn’t the path for you. Sometimes folks never reach profit because of having too much fear of spending when necessary to reach profit. Always remember: - time is money - food is money - help is money - equipment is money - office space is money You generally won’t even earn six figures without taking on some degree of calculated risk. Just because someone is a millionaire doesn’t mean they have $1 million chillin’ in their bank account to just spend. If you wish to be an entrepreneur or solopreneur, be ready to spend time understanding how to spend money to make money. Get out there and make your vision a reality. Do your own financial math and doors magically open left and right. Kick the “fear of spending to earn” to the curb. Go spend money to make money. Get that cheddar 💰🧀💰 #dare2try

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I designed Peak OS for venture-backed companies after working with hundreds of them over the past 20 years. VC-backed teams are different, period. They need an operating system designed specifically for them. You can read about why (and get a step by step instruction manual to get started with Peak OS) in my bestselling book, Peak Teams. Check it out on Amazon and Audible. #venturebacked #vcbacked #venturecapital #leadership #ceo #founder #operatingsystem #peakOS

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Crowdfunding is arguably one of the most challenging yet creative avenues for startup financing. Unlike traditional fundraising, which often involves persuading a limited circle of investors, crowdfunding requires captivating the imaginations of thousands, demanding an exceptional blend of strategy and creativity. Here’s what it typically involves: 👉 Paid Media: Leveraging advertising to capture attention. 👉 Public Relations: Crafting a compelling narrative in the media. 👉Email & SMS Marketing: Engaging potential backers directly and personally. 👉Continuous Content Creation: Keeping the audience engaged with regular updates. 👉Story Building: Weaving an enticing story that resonates with a diverse audience. 👉Community Building: Fostering an environment where supporters feel valued and connected. 👉Achieving Milestones: Demonstrating progress to inspire confidence and further investment. These efforts require not just creativity but relentless adaptation and a commitment to continuous technological or product development. Importantly, maintaining a healthy marketing spend—around 10-12% of the total funds raised—is crucial to keep the momentum without overstretching resources. For Doroni Aerospace, crowdfunding has been a transformative journey, evolving from a garage project to a leader in the eVTOL space in the US market. Our previous seed campaigns have collectively raised $6 million from 2,200 investors, each of whom has played a part in our success and in broadcasting our vision to the world. As we gear up for our most ambitious goal yet—a $30 million raise—we recognize the importance of expertise in scaling our efforts. This is why we are thrilled to announce our partnership with Sarah Hardwick, a seasoned crowdfunding virtuoso known for her monumental success with Aptera Motors, where she raised over $100 million. Sarah's journey from the founder and CEO of Zenzi Communications to the CMO at Aptera Motors, and now the head of The Crowd, her advisory firm, underscores her mastery in harnessing community power and innovative marketing strategies for groundbreaking results. With Sarah's expertise, we are more equipped than ever to undertake this significant phase of our growth. Our mission to revolutionize mobility remains steadfast, and with the support of our community and investors, we are setting the stage for a future where flying cars are not just a dream, but a reality. Welcome to the team, Sarah. Let's do this!

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