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VC might be on the road to recovery—but staffing is not source: https://lnkd.in/eJw4ZAn5 PitchBook Andrew Woodman ⚫ VC Investor Headcount Lags Market Recovery: Despite the broader market recovery, the staffing levels of venture capital (VC) firms have not kept pace. ⚫ Slow Hiring Trends: VC firms have been slow in ramping up their hiring compared to the rebound seen in deal-making activity and fundraising. ⚫ Impact of Remote Work: The shift towards remote work has influenced hiring decisions, with some firms taking longer to adapt their hiring strategies post-pandemic. #VentureCapital #Investing #Fintech #Startup #AI

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Interested in seeing how publicly traded SaaS companies are performing, including how much equity dilution they may be contending with? 👀 Thanks to Blossom Street Ventures, we have put together the "SaaS Benchmarks Report" to give you insight on everything from YoY Growth, to Founder Ownership, and VC Ownership (video below) 📊 Unlock the report here: https://lnkd.in/geXKHpqK 🔓

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All these terms are ones SaaS founders should familiarize themselves with when it comes to discussing warrants in negotiations with potential investor partners. #NegotiationTalk #InvestmentTerms #FinanceEducation https://lnkd.in/gWep3ETC

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In conjunction with Cooley's Q1 2024 Venture Financing Report, we sat down with Chris Ahn of Haun Ventures to get his take on the state of venture capital investing, including insights on: 💥 The significance of up rounds representing 65% of deals. 💥 His approach to risk management and mitigation strategies when investing. 💥 The most effective monetization models for community-based ventures. Read the full conversation on #CooleyGO with the link below. #CooleyGO #venturecapital #VC #investing

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"Use your financial model as an operating plan not just a financial plan." We were nodding our heads in agreement during our recent chat with one of our VC partners, Phil Boyer from Crosslink Capital. Check out the full convo to hear more about what VCs care about leading up to a successful fundraise ➡ https://lnkd.in/gKhKrP58

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I believe two of the big winners over the next 10 years in the SMB category will be PE who are rolling up the businesses and GenAI powered software that makes running these businesses significantly more turnkey and/or profitable. Thanks for having me on Jay Kapoor. If you want spicy takes fast forward to 25 min mark. If you want to get deep in market analysis buckle in for the whole thing. https://lnkd.in/d8M7Jyrx

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🌟 Looking to secure first-round funding? Check out these essential tips to perfect your pitch from the team at Ascend Venture Capital. From finding the right investor to crafting a compelling story and nailing down financial details, these insights will help you stand out and succeed in your fundraising efforts 🚀 #StartupFunding #InvestorPitch #VentureCapital

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Is your startup is considering a Series A round? Our founder Jeff Burkland explores the 7️⃣ critical factors to consider to ensure the best possible outcome. Burkland helps startups navigate critical fundraising milestones with expert guidance and strategic financial planning. Get in touch to learn more about how we can support your startup’s next investment round. https://lnkd.in/gQnCTaf3 #startups #venturecapital #seriesA #startupfinance

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Big things on the horizon, we are motivated and blessed to be at the dawn of a new age for the internet. Read more about our journey below or listen to the podcast: https://lnkd.in/eJeNhvVa

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Great analysis by the AGC team on SaaS public company comps. It's worth a look as we recalibrate mid-way through earnings season. The analysis aligns with the broader Nasdaq equity performance, where the Mag 7 (or fab 4 now :-)) have shown more resilience than the rest of the market. #AGC #SaaS #EarningsSeason #Nasdaq #EquityPerformance

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SaaS founders are increasingly being directed by investors to defer hiring salespeople and close their first deals themselves. While this demonstrates commitment, drive and fiscal stewardship, it often overlooks a critical element - expertise in penetrating large enterprises effectively. Founders are visionaries, experts in innovation, not necessarily in the nuanced art of enterprise sales. This gap can be the difference between a deal that closes and several that stall indefinitely. An Enterprise SaaS Deal Coach possesses deep insights and a proven track record in navigating the complexities of enterprises, helping founders: 💡 Have conversations that matter, centered on business outcomes vs. product jargon. 💪 Empower customer champions to sell internally, using the language of the C-Suite. 🤯 Align stakeholders to manage the impact of disrupting the status quo. 🔮 Identify blind spots and prepare contingency plans in anticipation of roadblocks and gatekeepers. 💵 Negotiate the right deals the right way. 🙌 Close more, higher value deals, faster. ⭐️ Establish a sound foundation to onboard sales teams at the right time. Now is the time for SaaS founders to close initial deals quickly, while setting a trajectory for sustained growth and liquidity. #SaaS #Founder #EnterpriseSoftware

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A topic that comes up often with companies we work with is how they think about the (Return on Investment) ROI of group travel for offsites and retreats. I’m excited to share thoughts in partnership with the Chief of Staff network tomorrow at 12 pm EST. You san RSVP here: https://lu.ma/kstmwma6 Before considering the ROI, we should consider the investment itself. 1. Prior to COVID, companies paid for rent (duh). Many companies paid $1.5-2.5K+ per employee per month per rent - Companies didn’t have a choice on whether or not to pay for rent - A right of passage for startups used to be raising a seed round, and taking out an expensive lease - In cities like SF and NY, rent is expensive: $80-100 per sq ft. - Based on avg. sq ft per employee, and other expenses like snacks, security, etc. spend on rent adds up! 2. With distributed work, companies have to spend less on rent (sometimes a LOT less) - Some remote companies are spending nothing or very little on rent - Even for in-person companies, because employees aren’t coming in every day the sq footage needs are down - The price of commercial real estate has also fallen considerably - For example, all we spend on rent at Marco for a few WeWork subscriptions for certain team members 3. Companies are now spending more on T&E (offsites and onsites) - Spend on rent is lower, but spending on T&E has gone up - More employees are distributed, but the need for in-person connection hasn’t gone away - Many companies are now investing in gatherings 2-4x per year - On the whole, companies should be saving money between rent and T&E 4. With much lower spending on rent, and higher spending on group travel, on the whole companies should be saving a LOT I’ll break this math down, and show how we’ve seen companies measure the impact of gatherings like offsites tomorrow! #employeeexperience #offsites #futureofwork

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Charles Hudson is hands-down one of the sharpest minds in early-stage investing. As the Founder and Managing Partner at Precursor Ventures, Charles has backed over 375 companies and supported more than 400 founders. → His portfolio includes hits like Clearco, Juniper Square, and Carrot → He's helped founders raise over $175 million across four funds → He's an active leader in the VC community, serving as the 2023-2024 Chair of the NVCA Board of Directors But even with all of his successes and accolades, what really sets Charles apart is his founder-first philosophy. He's not looking for "coachable" founders who hang on his every word. He wants founders who are decisive, independent thinkers. He believes his job is to give founders what they need, not impose his own agenda. Charles is the kind of investor every founder wants in their corner. One who shows up, follows through, and builds genuine relationships over time. And on this week’s episode of Minimum Viable Podcast, he's sharing his insights on what makes for a truly productive founder-investor partnership. Founders, this is a conversation you’ll want to hear. — What's the #1 quality you look for in an investor? Tune in to the full episode when it drops this Wednesday to hear much more from Charles and learn how to make the most of your investor relationships.

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As a startup founder, scaling your business is hard enough without the added pressure of a high-interest rate environment. While the challenges are significant, there is an upside. 🔺 Burkland Fractional CFO Daniel Rosenbaum outlines the strategies founders can use to turn high interest rates into an advantage, earning returns that extend your runway and support sustainable growth. https://lnkd.in/g5WmcaNw #TreasuryManagement #startups #CashRunway #StartupFinance

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After their most recent fundraise in March, Carputty CEO Joshua Tatum weighs in on venture debt in 2024 🗞 "Especially as a fintech with lending products, the ideal capital structure calls for a mix of equity and debt. Venture capital is funding our operational growth. Venture debt, on the other hand, is essential for us to fund our loans. The combination of the two is essential to keep the train moving steadily." Read full article ⬇ #venturecapital #startups #venturedebt #ceo #portfolio

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Venture Capital 101: Your Gateway to High-Risk, High-Return Investments - Welcome to our blog post on venture capital! For aspiring investors looking to step into the world of high-risk, high-return investments, venture capital offers an exciting gateway. In this article, we'll explore the fundamentals of venture capital, its potential rewards, as well as key considerations for those interested in this dynamic investment landscape. Venture capital refers to the funding provided to early-stage, high-potential, and growth companies in exchange for equity ownership. Through venture capital, investors can engage with innovative startups and emerging businesses, playing a pivotal role in fueling their growth and success. It's a space characterized by risk, but also one that promises substantial rewards for those willing to embrace the journey. One of the most striking aspects of venture capital is the potential for massive returns. Successful investments in the right startups can yield exponential gains, making it an appealing option for those with an appetite for risk and a keen eye for spotting disruptive innovation. However, it's essential for investors to approach venture capital with a thorough understanding of the inherent risks and the necessity for strategic decision-making. Furthermore, venture capital offers the opportunity to be part of groundbreaking innovations and disruptive technologies that can shape the future. The ability to contribute to the growth and success of dynamic, forward-thinking companies is a compelling aspect that draws many investors to venture capital. While the potential for high returns and involvement in cutting-edge ventures make venture capital an attractive prospect, it's crucial to acknowledge the associated risks. Startups, by their nature, face a high risk of failure, and not all ventures will deliver the anticipated returns. Understanding the investment landscape, maintaining a diversified portfolio, and conducting thorough due diligence are essential practices for navigating the world of venture capital. As with any investment endeavor, venture capital demands a strategic approach and a willingness to embrace the uncertainties that come with investing in early-stage ventures. For those seeking to engage in this dynamic space, recognizing the potential for high-risk, high-return investments is just the beginning. With careful consideration and a thoughtful approach, venture capital can serve as a compelling gateway to a world of innovation and significant investment opportunities. May 02, 2024 at 04:33PM

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🎧 Tune in to the latest Wharton Fintech episode to hear all about Plaid's journey and how we're building faster, safer, and more seamless financial experiences.

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📊 Founders, don't miss out on understanding your authorized shares. It’s not just about legal limits, but about saving significant tax dollars! 🎥 Check out the video and see how choosing the right method to calculate Delaware franchise taxes can benefit your startup. Link to the article in the original Kruze Consulting post. #Startups #VC #Finance #Taxes

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Excited to share that I've been admitted into the Operators Guild, an application-based, members-only community of founders, entrepreneurs, operations, and finance leaders in high-growth, VC-backed companies. 🛡 🚀 The Operators Guild – or the "OG" as they affectionately call themselves – spans almost 900 members across 25+ cities, including some of the best company builders in tech. I joined OG because how they defined "Operator" really, really resonated. "What we do goes far beyond our titles. We are multidisciplinary, cross-functional, untethered to any one department. Business first, function second. Specialists in being generalists. Together, we build the fastest-growing and most innovative companies in the world." I suppose it's because I've sometimes felt guilty that I couldn't easily hyper-specialize like others seemed to. Like there was something fundamentally wrong that I couldn't decide on one narrow lane and commit to loving it forever. Classic square peg, round hole. The OG framing empowered me to think of my breadth as an advantage, with depth in my "zones of genius" creating incredible leverage. I now believe this combination is crucial for successfully bringing transformative products to market and building winning companies. I am fully diving in, folks: I'll be attending the Operators Guild Summit on May 15-17 in Denver. It's the "only un-conference in the world for operators." To my fellow OGs, I look forward to meeting you there. Big thanks to Casey Woo and the OG team for onboarding me into this amazing community, and Russell S. for helping my candidacy. Y'all have been inspiring. If you are an "operator" or "company builder" who connected with any of this, check out the Operators Guild. You won't regret it.

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