Investor Connect Podcast
Hall T Martin interviews angel and venture capital investors on how they invest and talks with CEOs who discuss their sector and what to look for. Hall T Martin also leads the Startup Funding Espresso series in which you can learn about startup funding and investing in the time it takes to have an espresso. https://investorconnect.org/
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Startup Funding Espresso – Raising an Inside Round
07/16/2025
Startup Funding Espresso – Raising an Inside Round
Raising an Inside Round Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. Most startup fundraisers seek capital from outside investors who are new to the round. This brings new investors into the cap table. There are rounds in which the existing investors fund the startup. This is often done for bridge rounds. Instead of raising the next major round, the startup raises additional capital to prepare for the next major round. This often happens between the seed and Series A, which is a bigger step compared to other rounds. An inside round often occurs around an important milestone, such as reaching cash flow positive or achieving a specific metric. They are often smaller fundraisers in terms of amount. They focus on existing investors. The goal is often a key metric needed to raise the next round. They are often priced at the same valuation as the last one. It’s easier to raise a small amount from the existing investors than from outside investors. Inside rounds are common and don’t necessarily indicate the startup is in trouble. Consider an inside round for your startup. Thank you for joining us for the Startup Funding Espresso where we help startups and investors connect for funding. Let’s go startup something today. _______________________________________________________ For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at: Check out our other podcasts here: For Investors check out: For Startups check out: For eGuides check out: For upcoming Events, check out For Feedback please contact [email protected] Please , share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of .
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Startup Funding Espresso – Using Rule 701 To Issue Equity to Employees
07/15/2025
Startup Funding Espresso – Using Rule 701 To Issue Equity to Employees
Using Rule 701 To Issue Equity to Employees Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. In a startup, it’s helpful to compensate employees with company stock. Most companies use stock options. Rule 701 gives the startup the ability to issue equity to its employees. This works even if they are not accredited investors. The limit is $10M or 15% of the outstanding shares in a 12-month period. Once you set the 12-month period, it must remain fixed. Rule 701 provides an alternative to the traditional stock option plan. It’s more flexible than an options plan and can be used to create more specific compensation plans. Founders often align the 701 disclosure with the fiscal year of the company. The shares are restricted stock, which means they must be registered with the SEC before one can trade them. Consider Rule 701 for your stock compensation plan. Thank you for joining us for the Startup Funding Espresso where we help startups and investors connect for funding. Let’s go startup something today. _______________________________________________________ For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at: Check out our other podcasts here: For Investors check out: For Startups check out: For eGuides check out: For upcoming Events, check out For Feedback please contact [email protected] Please , share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of .
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Startup Funding Espresso – Create a Sense of Urgency
07/14/2025
Startup Funding Espresso – Create a Sense of Urgency
Create a Sense of Urgency Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. In running a fundraiser, it’s important to build a sense of urgency into the campaign. Here are some key steps to create that sense of urgency: Break your fundraising into smaller rounds or tranches. Demonstrate this by showing the fundraising plan that has more funding to come, but at a higher valuation. This lets you run deadlines at the end of each round, creating urgency with investors. Show how other investors are joining the round. Show the interest and committed investors, as well as the funds invested. Call out milestone events such as finding a lead investor, closing the round, or hitting the 50% mark of the fundraise. Start canvassing investors before you begin the fundraise to educate potential investors on the campaign. This moves investors down the path by learning the details of the business. Provide regular updates to the investor on your progress. Show how now is the right time to invest. Use these tools to create a sense of urgency for your fundraiser. Thank you for joining us for the Startup Funding Espresso where we help startups and investors connect for funding. Let’s go startup something today. _______________________________________________________ For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at: Check out our other podcasts here: For Investors check out: For Startups check out: For eGuides check out: For upcoming Events, check out For Feedback please contact [email protected] Please , share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of .
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Startup Funding Espresso – The Role of AI and Data in Fundraising
07/11/2025
Startup Funding Espresso – The Role of AI and Data in Fundraising
The Role of AI and Data in Fundraising Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. Startup fundraising begins with family and friends and then expands to the founders' network. In that part of the fundraising, founders will engage those they know well. Half the reason these investors join the round is to help the founder. After this group is exhausted, the founder draws the circle wider and starts to encounter investors they don’t know. These investors will be more difficult to close because they don’t have a relationship with the founder already. They will make an investment decision based solely on the merits of the business. For this stage, founders will need to use AI and data tools to identify the most viable investors for their deals. Founders will need to find those investors who fit their deals based on revenue, sector, and stage. AI and data analytics are key tools to use in this part of the fundraising. AI can search large amounts of data to identify the right investors to pursue. The funds flowing through the industry are moving every day. It’s important to have the latest data on who has dry powder and who may be looking to invest. Consider the use of AI and data analytics for your startup fundraising. Thank you for joining us for the Startup Funding Espresso where we help startups and investors connect for funding. Let’s go startup something today. _______________________________________________________ For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at: Check out our other podcasts here: For Investors check out: For Startups check out: For eGuides check out: For upcoming Events, check out For Feedback please contact [email protected] Please , share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of .
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Investor Connect 835: Family Office Roundtable - April 2025 Part 03
07/11/2025
Investor Connect 835: Family Office Roundtable - April 2025 Part 03
On this episode of Investor Connect, we are joined by Ron from South Highland Ventures for an enlightening presentation on search funds, touted as the best-performing asset class in the world. Ron dives deep into the 40-year-old model initially developed by Stanford and Harvard, highlighting its relevance and success today in addressing the $10 trillion succession challenge faced by businesses globally. He emphasizes the robust returns and lower risks associated with search funds compared to traditional venture capital or private equity, detailing how they capitalize on small, stable companies with strong profit margins that lack succession planning but have immense growth potential. Ron also shares insights into the distinctive features of South Highland Ventures and its collaboration with Nova Stone Capital Advisors in building a streamlined deal flow machine, underscoring the firm's innovative and scalable approach to search fund investments. For more updates and information, connect with Ron through the contact details provided, and join us next time on Investor Connect. Thank you for joining us for the Startup Funding Espresso where we help startups and investors connect for funding. Let’s go startup something today. _______________________________________________________ For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at: Check out our other podcasts here: For Investors check out: For Startups check out: For eGuides check out: For upcoming Events, check out For Feedback please contact [email protected] Please , share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of
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Startup Funding Espresso – Bring Three Stats for Your Startup Fundraising
07/10/2025
Startup Funding Espresso – Bring Three Stats for Your Startup Fundraising
Bring Three Stats for Your Startup Fundraising Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. In raising funding, it’s important to showcase the key numbers behind your business. Here are three statistics for your startup fundraise: Revenue traction -- show what traction you have so far including the dollar amount and the growth rate. Customers need to know where you are on the revenue-generating path and how fast it’s going. A 50% annual growth rate is the minimum for a venture investment. Customer pain point -- show how much the problem you are solving is currently costing the customer or the economy. This number needs to be big and in most cases growing. Customer ROI -- show what value in numbers your customer receives from your product. This could include both productivity improvements and cost reductions. A good rule of thumb is you want this to be a 10X increase. The key numbers reflect the problem, the solution, and the startup's effectiveness. Show these three numbers in your startup fundraising. Thank you for joining us for the Startup Funding Espresso where we help startups and investors connect for funding. Let’s go startup something today. _______________________________________________________ For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at: Check out our other podcasts here: For Investors check out: For Startups check out: For eGuides check out: For upcoming Events, check out For Feedback please contact [email protected] Please , share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of .
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Startup Funding Espresso – Bring Three Stats for Your LP Fundraise
07/09/2025
Startup Funding Espresso – Bring Three Stats for Your LP Fundraise
Bring Three Stats for Your LP Fundraise Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. Raising funds from Limited Partners requires a track record, an investment thesis, and a competitive advantage. It’s important to show you have a track record of successfully deploying capital. Investors want to know what you will be investing in, and is that space growing. Finally, they will look for your competitive advantage in finding and closing deals. In raising funds from Limited Partners, add these three statistics to your pitch: Track record -- have your IRR, MOIC, or TVPI numbers available to show. This is most often an IRR number or MOIC. If you haven’t deployed funds and don’t have a track record, it’s best to build one before launching a fund. Target market growth rate -- show the growth rate in the market sector you are targeting. Investors invest in growth, so look for a growth sector in your target market. Competitive advantage -- investors want to know what you have that they don’t in deploying capital. This could be a network of CEOs who bring you deals and help you diligence them. Call out the number of people in that network and something about them, such as their geographic location or their market sector. Use these three numbers to anchor your pitch. Thank you for joining us for the Startup Funding Espresso where we help startups and investors connect for funding. Let’s go startup something today. _______________________________________________________ For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at: Check out our other podcasts here: For Investors check out: For Startups check out: For eGuides check out: For upcoming Events, check out For Feedback please contact [email protected] Please , share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of .
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Startup Funding Espresso – Raising Funding in Downtimes
07/08/2025
Startup Funding Espresso – Raising Funding in Downtimes
Raising Funding in Downtimes Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. Fundraising goes through the same cycles as the stock market, When the stock market is going up it’s easier to raise funding. When it’s going down it’s harder. Raising funding in down times requires more creativity. Here are some ideas on how to raise funding in a down market: Use more grant funding to fill in the gaps. The grant funding from the government continues regardless of the market. Consider crowdfunding. For smaller amounts of funding, this can help. Use revenue-based funding for a portion of the raise. These funds must be paid back but are non-dilutive to the cap table. Consider low-end angel funding in which accredited investors write $25K checks. For the right valuation, angel investors will come into the deal. In addition to these funding options, consider customer funding. This requires building custom projects for specific customers but if done right can continue to build out the platform and pay the bills. On the strategic side, shift from a high burn rate to a low burn rate and grow organically for a while. Thank you for joining us for the Startup Funding Espresso where we help startups and investors connect for funding. Let’s go startup something today. _______________________________________________________ For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at: Check out our other podcasts here: For Investors check out: For Startups check out: For eGuides check out: For upcoming Events, check out For Feedback please contact [email protected] Please , share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of .
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Startup Funding Espresso – Show How Your Valuation Is Already Achieved
07/07/2025
Startup Funding Espresso – Show How Your Valuation Is Already Achieved
Show How Your Valuation Is Already Achieved Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. Valuation is a key factor in a startup's fundraising. Most startups show an aspirational valuation and then spend the pitch trying to convince investors it’s appropriate. Most use their forecasted revenues to justify their valuation. Forecasts hold little value to the investor and often leave them unconvinced about the proposed valuation. Instead of using revenue, articulate the values already in the business. Highlight the intellectual property and its value by showing comparables with other companies. Show recent exits in which the IP was a central part of the valuation. Show the other assets in the business, such as the team and their track record. Call out the customers that you have already won. Show the product and what has been built so far, and highlight the revenue generation underway. In raising funding, show that your valuation has already been achieved. Make the case by showing specific values already in the business that add up to the proposed valuation. Futures hold little value to the investor. Focus on what’s in the business today. Thank you for joining us for the Startup Funding Espresso where we help startups and investors connect for funding. Let’s go startup something today. _______________________________________________________ For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at: Check out our other podcasts here: For Investors check out: For Startups check out: For eGuides check out: For upcoming Events, check out For Feedback please contact [email protected] Please , share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of .
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Startup Funding Espresso – The Four Phases of a Pitch
07/04/2025
Startup Funding Espresso – The Four Phases of a Pitch
The Four Phases of a Pitch Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. The successful startup pitch goes through four phases. Start by capturing their imagination. This could be a bold statement, such as we can solve cancer within ten years. This sets the context for the problem to be solved. Next, show your solution and how it will achieve the goal just set forth. Show how the solution works at a high level. Highlight the value proposition you have. Next, make the case that shows how your business will be successful. This includes the team and what they bring to the table. Highlight the current traction. This shows product and market validation -- the product works and customers will pay for it. Finally, give the investor a call to action. Instead of asking for the funding today, encourage them to learn more about the business. This is basically asking for the next meeting. Invite them to join the conversation. There’s a natural arc to good pitches that takes the investor through your story. Consider how to implement these four phases in your startup pitch. Thank you for joining us for the Startup Funding Espresso where we help startups and investors connect for funding. Let’s go startup something today. _______________________________________________________ For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at: Check out our other podcasts here: For Investors check out: For Startups check out: For eGuides check out: For upcoming Events, check out For Feedback please contact [email protected] Please , share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of .
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Investor Connect 834: Democratizing Institutional Strategies with Ram Kolluri of Expo-Wealth
07/04/2025
Investor Connect 834: Democratizing Institutional Strategies with Ram Kolluri of Expo-Wealth
In this episode of Investor Connect, we sit down with Ram Kolluri, Founder and Chief Investment Strategist at Expo-Wealth based in Austin, Texas. Ram shares his insights on navigating today’s wealth management landscape and how he's helping high-net-worth individuals access institutional-grade strategies. We talk about balancing traditional portfolio construction with exposure to private markets, and how families are increasingly looking for both performance and purpose. As Ram puts it, it’s not just about doing well — it's about doing good while doing it. Ram dives into how Expo-Wealth approaches alternative investments like venture capital and private equity, especially in a world where clients demand real-time access, personalized dashboards, and responsiveness at the speed of a text message. He also discusses the evolution of investor education and how overcoming the fear of illiquidity is more about trust, communication, and introducing alternatives gradually. As the next generation steps up to manage family assets, Ram sees a growing appetite for impact, AI-driven opportunities, and proven sponsors with deep track records. The firm’s role, he says, is part educator, part fiduciary, and sometimes even part psychologist. Looking ahead, we explore where the wealth management space is going — from the massive $50–60 trillion wealth transfer ahead to the increasing demand for transparency, digital integration, and high-touch relationships. Ram also hints at the next chapter for Expo-Wealth: blending high-caliber investment access with seamless technology and client empowerment. Visit Expo-Wealth at Reach out to at , , and on 6099154338 Thank you for joining us for the Startup Funding Espresso where we help startups and investors connect for funding. Let’s go startup something today. _______________________________________________________ For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at: Check out our other podcasts here: For Investors check out: For Startups check out: For eGuides check out: For upcoming Events, check out For Feedback please contact [email protected] Please , share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of .
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Startup Funding Espresso – Researching Investors for Your Fundraise
07/03/2025
Startup Funding Espresso – Researching Investors for Your Fundraise
Researching Investors for Your Fundraise Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. Before launching your fundraiser campaign, make sure to research your investor prospects. Start with those who invest in your startup stage and sector. It’s pointless to reach out to investors who have an investment thesis completely out of scope for your startup. Once you have the investors who invest in your sector and stage, drill down to those who invest in your type of business. Healthcare, for example, is a broad sector with many subsectors and applications. Look for those who fund your type of business. Next, check their geographical preference. Some investors only invest in their local region, while others invest nationally. Next, look for the right point of contact. Who is the one most likely to have an interest in your deal? VC funds often have multiple general partners. Look for the right partner who is the best point of contact. In the initial call, make it a two-way conversation. Ask questions about what the investor looks for in a startup, as well as answer their questions. This demonstrates you are working with them to make sure this is a good fit. Consider these points in researching and contacting investors for your fundraising. Thank you for joining us for the Startup Funding Espresso where we help startups and investors connect for funding. Let’s go startup something today. _______________________________________________________ For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at: Check out our other podcasts here: For Investors check out: For Startups check out: For eGuides check out: For upcoming Events, check out For Feedback please contact [email protected] Please , share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of .
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Startup Funding Espresso – Fundraising Tips
07/02/2025
Startup Funding Espresso – Fundraising Tips
Fundraising Tips Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. Most founders are raising funding for the first time. They often miss the nuances that come from experience. For the second go-around, founders are often much smarter about the process. Here are some fundraising tips from those who have done it: Start your outreach to investors six months in advance of actually raising funding. Put your investor network on alert that you will be raising funding in the near future. This makes it easier to set up pitches when the campaign kicks off. Practice your pitch with existing investors well before you approach the most important ones. Make sure you have practiced it and had enough questions from the initial investors to work out the kinks. Show investor validation of your fundraise. Make clear that other investors are reviewing the deal, and some have already come in. This signals there is competition for the round. Choose investors based on their fit to your business first, and valuation and terms second. The valuation and terms are short-term negotiating points. A good investor-founder fit will be a factor throughout the life of the company. Consider these tips in your upcoming fundraiser. Thank you for joining us for the Startup Funding Espresso where we help startups and investors connect for funding. Let’s go startup something today. _______________________________________________________ For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at: Check out our other podcasts here: For Investors check out: For Startups check out: For eGuides check out: For upcoming Events, check out For Feedback please contact [email protected] Please , share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of .
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Startup Funding Espresso – Conversion of a Convertible Note
07/01/2025
Startup Funding Espresso – Conversion of a Convertible Note
Conversion of a Convertible Note Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. There are three ways a Convertible Note converts to equity. The note matures and converts to equity on the maturity date. The startup raises a follow-on funding round in equity that counts as qualified funding. The startup sells the business. In each case, the note converts to equity. If the convertible note does not have a maturity date, then it can stay in debt for the life of the note. This may be a problem for the startup as the investor could demand their funds back. Most convertible notes have an interest rate, so that would be an additional amount on the demand. In signing a convertible note, check to see if all the conversion provisions are clearly laid out. If there’s no maturity date, then ask to put one in. These are most often at year 3 or 5. Convertible notes make for a great way to start a fundraiser. Make sure you know the potential outcomes for the convertible note you are signing. Thank you for joining us for the Startup Funding Espresso where we help startups and investors connect for funding. Let’s go startup something today. _______________________________________________________ For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at: Check out our other podcasts here: For Investors check out: For Startups check out: For eGuides check out: For upcoming Events, check out For Feedback please contact [email protected] Please , share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of .
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Startup Funding Espresso – How a VC Fund May Shut Down Early
06/30/2025
Startup Funding Espresso – How a VC Fund May Shut Down Early
How a VC Fund May Shut Down Early Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. Venture Capital funds typically run on ten-year cycles. There are some conditions in which the VC fund may shut down early. Here’s a list of reasons: Key persons -- the Limited Partners invested in a fund that has a certain number of key persons. If the number falls off, then the fund may suspend activities until a replacement is found. The fund managers are found to be liable for fraud or gross negligence. In this case, the fund may shut down and return the funds to the Limited Partners. In other cases, the fund may replace the managers and continue on. Limited Partners want to shut down the fund -- the market may have changed, or the investment thesis may no longer be viable. In this case, the Limited Partners could demand their funds returned. Alternatively, the Limited Partners could vote to fund a new investment thesis. The VC fund managers may be found to have a conflict of interest. The Limited Partners could demand the return of their uninvested capital. Consider these points in running or investing in a VC fund. Thank you for joining us for the Startup Funding Espresso where we help startups and investors connect for funding. Let’s go startup something today. _______________________________________________________ For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at: Check out our other podcasts here: For Investors check out: For Startups check out: For eGuides check out: For upcoming Events, check out For Feedback please contact [email protected] Please , share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of .
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Startup Funding Espresso – Lifecycle of the VC Fund
06/27/2025
Startup Funding Espresso – Lifecycle of the VC Fund
Lifecycle of the VC Fund Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. Venture Capital funds typically run on ten-year cycles. At a high level, the VC fund takes in capital from the Limited Partners and deploys the first half of the funds in years 1 to 3. The follow-on rounds are deployed in years 4 to 5. The fund collects returns in years 6 to 10. There may be early failures, in which case the allocated funds for the follow-on round are still available. The funds not yet deployed or allocated are called ‘dry powder’. This is the amount of funds available to deploy for new companies. Investments made during the latter half of the fund are made in later-stage companies, which can achieve an exit faster. Some portfolio companies fail to exit during the ten-year window. The team must decide whether to delay the exit to gain a larger return or sell the company to remove it from the books. During the latter half of the life cycle, the VC team helps the companies grow and then achieve an exit. This is where the VC’s network comes in. A good fit for a VC is a company in which they can help find additional team members as well as follow-on funding. Consider the life cycle of the VC fund and how it impacts the time spent by the VC team. Thank you for joining us for the Startup Funding Espresso where we help startups and investors connect for funding. Let’s go startup something today. _______________________________________________________ For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at: Check out our other podcasts here: For Investors check out: For Startups check out: For eGuides check out: For upcoming Events, check out For Feedback please contact [email protected] Please , share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of .
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Investor Connect 833: Family Office Roundtable - April 2025 Part 02
06/27/2025
Investor Connect 833: Family Office Roundtable - April 2025 Part 02
, and to explore funding opportunities with 10 Capital, visit . Thank you for joining us for the Startup Funding Espresso where we help startups and investors connect for funding. Let’s go startup something today. _______________________________________________________For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at: Check out our other podcasts here: For Investors check out: For Startups check out: For eGuides check out: For upcoming Events, check out For Feedback please contact [email protected] Please , share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of .
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Startup Funding Espresso – How To Answer “What’s Your Timeline?”
06/26/2025
Startup Funding Espresso – How To Answer “What’s Your Timeline?”
How To Answer “What’s Your Timeline?” Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. Investors often ask startups raising funding, “What’s your timeline?” They want to know if the process is so far along that it’s too late for them to join. They have limited resources and can’t afford to chase a deal that will close before they can complete it. Investors are also looking for an indication of interest from other investors. The founder's answer to the question must address these concerns. Here’s an example response: We have meetings lined up for the next three weeks. We’re seeing investors go into diligence. We have more investors showing interest. So we hope to wrap up in the next six to eight weeks. This shows the prospective investor that there’s interest in the deal. The team has a process for finding investors, pitching them, and closing the investment. Six to eight weeks is an ideal time for closing, as it gives the investor enough time to run diligence. More than eight weeks means the investor can procrastinate. Less than six weeks, and the investor may not have enough time to run their own process. Show prospective investors that others are interested in the deal and there’s still time to get in. Thank you for joining us for the Startup Funding Espresso where we help startups and investors connect for funding. Let’s go startup something today. _______________________________________________________ For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at: Check out our other podcasts here: For Investors check out: For Startups check out: For eGuides check out: For upcoming Events, check out For Feedback please contact [email protected] Please , share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of .
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Startup Funding Espresso – How To Optimize for Efficiency
06/25/2025
Startup Funding Espresso – How To Optimize for Efficiency
How To Optimize for Efficiency Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. In startup fundraising, capital efficiency is a key criteria for investors. They look to see how efficiently the startup uses capital. This most often shows up in revenue per employee, cash burn rates, and use of funds. To achieve higher capital efficiency, focus on setting up systems within the business. Systems always achieve a higher productivity rate. Design the work to create a flow process. Some startups design the work to be resource-efficient. In this case, each resource, such as a team member, is at full capacity. The better process is to design the system to provide flow efficiency. That means the system is optimized for the flow of work rather than the use of each team member. Determine the core work that must be done and design the team to work in an efficient flow. Consider the flow of operations in your startup and set up the system so the work gets done in the most efficient manner. Thank you for joining us for the Startup Funding Espresso where we help startups and investors connect for funding. Let’s go startup something today. _______________________________________________________ For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at: Check out our other podcasts here: For Investors check out: For Startups check out: For eGuides check out: For upcoming Events, check out For Feedback please contact [email protected] Please , share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of .
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Startup Funding Espresso – Choosing an AI Model for Your Startup
06/24/2025
Startup Funding Espresso – Choosing an AI Model for Your Startup
Choosing an AI Model for Your Startup Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. Artificial intelligence, or AI, is becoming a standard part of every startup's business. It can be used to improve the startup's operations. And it can also be used to enhance the startup’s product line. The startup must choose an AI model that fits their needs. There are large AI models and there are small AI models. Large models are provided by deep-pocketed companies with a considerable investment of resources into it. Large models work well for those who don’t want to build their own. This avoids having to hire a team of people to build out the model. Small models are developed in-house and work well for those who want to build their own. Small models give the startup more control over their data and can be tuned to their requirements. Those in vertical niches find small models ideal for their application. For business operations, most startups adopt a large model as they look primarily for operational efficiency. For product lines, some will choose the small model as it fits better their product and customer application. Consider how you will use small and large AI models in your startup. Thank you for joining us for the Startup Funding Espresso where we help startups and investors connect for funding. Let’s go startup something today. _______________________________________________________ For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at: Check out our other podcasts here: For Investors check out: For Startups check out: For eGuides check out: For upcoming Events, check out For Feedback please contact [email protected] Please , share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of .
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Startup Funding Espresso – The Burn Multiple
06/23/2025
Startup Funding Espresso – The Burn Multiple
The Burn Multiple Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. The burn rate is a key metric for high-growth startups. This is the amount of cash being spent over and above the cash revenue taken in. The Burn Multiple is the amount of cash being burned divided by the net revenue. This metric indicates how fast the money is being spent compared to the growth rate. For startups that are in high-growth mode, this metric ranges from 1 to 5X. The lower the multiple, the more efficient the business. In diligencing a startup, calculate the Burn Multiple to check the capital efficiency. Most healthy startups run in the 1x to 2x range. Anything below 1x is outstanding. Anything above 2x is in the questionable zone. Anything above 3x is in the danger zone. The Burn Multiple by itself doesn’t give the full story. But it does indicate the capital efficiency of the business or the lack thereof. Calculate the Burn Multiple for your business. Thank you for joining us for the Startup Funding Espresso where we help startups and investors connect for funding. Let’s go startup something today. _______________________________________________________ For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at: Check out our other podcasts here: For Investors check out: For Startups check out: For eGuides check out: For upcoming Events, check out For Feedback please contact [email protected] Please , share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of .
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Startup Funding Espresso – The Benefit of Investing in Tranches
06/20/2025
Startup Funding Espresso – The Benefit of Investing in Tranches
The Benefit of Investing in Tranches Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. Tranching the investment means breaking it down into tranches or rounds. Tranche comes from the French word meaning slice. Investors find it advantageous to break their investment into rounds. In the angel world, many investors break their allocation to a startup into two rounds. The first round goes in at the beginning of the investor engagement. If all goes well, then the investor puts in the second round. If things don’t go well, then most likely they skip the second round of investment. This reduces the investor's risk in the deal. It can also optimize the investor's return. The startup goes through ups and downs. During the down cycles, investors with dry powder can find more favorable terms. It’s a good idea to save some of the allocation for an opportunity that provides better terms for the investor. As an investor, consider how to tranche your investment into the startup to balance risk and reward. Thank you for joining us for the Startup Funding Espresso where we help startups and investors connect for funding. Let’s go startup something today. _______________________________________________________ For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at: Check out our other podcasts here: For Investors check out: For Startups check out: For eGuides check out: For upcoming Events, check out For Feedback please contact [email protected] Please , share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of .
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Investor Connect 832: Family Office Roundtable - April 2025 Part 01
06/20/2025
Investor Connect 832: Family Office Roundtable - April 2025 Part 01
On this episode of Investor Connect, Hall welcomes Lance Tkach, Co-Founder of Printed Technologies. Located in Dallas, Texas, Printed Technologies is leading the charge to revolutionize the home construction industry through the integration of automation, AI, and large-scale 3D printing. With the U.S. facing a shortage of over 7 million affordable homes and traditional construction lagging behind in innovation, Printed Technologies is tackling this crisis by bringing precision manufacturing techniques to the job site—cutting costs, reducing build times, and improving sustainability. Printed isn’t just building homes; they’re designing and manufacturing the machines that will enable builders across the country to adopt 3D-printed construction at scale. Their homes are fire-, mold-, termite-, and storm-resistant, and their vertical integration with All Metals Fabricating gives them a significant edge in cost control and production capacity. With a pipeline of $2.5 million in early sales activity and proprietary patents secured, Printed Technologies is not just solving a market problem—it’s transforming an industry. Their mission is simple yet powerful: to make home ownership more accessible while creating a scalable, high-growth business built for the future. Thank you for joining us for the Startup Funding Espresso where we help startups and investors connect for funding. Let’s go startup something today. _______________________________________________________ For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at: Check out our other podcasts here: For Investors check out: For Startups check out: For eGuides check out: For upcoming Events, check out For Feedback please contact [email protected] Please , share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of .
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Startup Funding Espresso – Aviate, Navigate, Communicate
06/19/2025
Startup Funding Espresso – Aviate, Navigate, Communicate
Aviate, Navigate, Communicate Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. In flying an aircraft, there’s a saying regarding priorities: “Aviate, Navigate, Communicate.” First, fly the plane. Second, navigate to where you want to go. Third, communicate with others. This prioritizes the pilot’s activities. This applies to founders. In the startup world, the founder must Operate, Direct, Communicate. The founder must first and foremost keep the startup running. Then the founder must maintain the direction to go in. Finally, the founder must communicate with others. Fundraising is an important activity, but it rests on the foundation of the startup running well. Before launching a fundraiser campaign, make sure the operations are in place and can run without the founder for the most part. Also, make sure the business is on track for the direction in which to go. This will free up the founder to run the fundraising campaign, which includes communication with others. Operate, Direct, Communicate Thank you for joining us for the Startup Funding Espresso where we help startups and investors connect for funding. Let’s go startup something today. _______________________________________________________ For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at: Check out our other podcasts here: For Investors check out: For Startups check out: For eGuides check out: For upcoming Events, check out For Feedback please contact [email protected] Please , share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of .
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Startup Funding Espresso – Sell Your Business Instead of Shutting It Down
06/18/2025
Startup Funding Espresso – Sell Your Business Instead of Shutting It Down
Sell Your Business Instead of Shutting It Down Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. Many startups fail to achieve product-market fit or breakout growth. Founders who decide to move on most often shut down the business. Instead of shutting it down, consider selling your startup. If you have a functioning team, then look to competitors who may want an acquihire. The team itself can be sold to another company as a working business unit with its own technology base already in place. This provides ongoing employment for the team members. Review the customer list to see which other businesses may be interested in taking over the customer base. Look at other data elements to determine potential value. It’s possible another company will buy out the startup for its data generation value. Consider the industry the startup is in. There may be companies that want to enter that industry and are looking for a way in. Most of these options will not bring an outsized return to the founders and their investors. However, it does give the founders a win. In their next startup, they can say they launched a business and sold it for a gain. This puts the startup into the win column. Thank you for joining us for the Startup Funding Espresso where we help startups and investors connect for funding. Let’s go startup something today. _______________________________________________________ For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at: Check out our other podcasts here: For Investors check out: For Startups check out: For eGuides check out: For upcoming Events, check out For Feedback please contact [email protected] Please , share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of .
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Startup Funding Espresso – State the Purpose Behind the Startup
06/17/2025
Startup Funding Espresso – State the Purpose Behind the Startup
State the Purpose Behind the Startup Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. In pitching, start with the Why of the business. Why does this business exist? It’s important to state up front the purpose. This is different from the problem to be solved. The purpose is similar to the problem but different. It goes to the heart of why the business exists. It shows the overall purpose of the business and what role it takes. To find the purpose of the business, look at the problem to be solved and find the process that’s driving it. For example, a company that makes an app that crowdsources funds for small businesses is solving the problem of growing businesses through funding. The process behind the app is that fundraising takes time and can be difficult. The purpose is to accelerate small business growth by speeding up the funding process. The pitch should start with the purpose, then explain the specific problem to be solved. Follow up with the solution the company offers. The purpose connects the startup to a greater cause. Businesses with a why are stronger and last longer than those that are just making money. Start the pitch with its purpose. Thank you for joining us for the Startup Funding Espresso where we help startups and investors connect for funding. Let’s go startup something today. _______________________________________________________ For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at: Check out our other podcasts here: For Investors check out: For Startups check out: For eGuides check out: For upcoming Events, check out For Feedback please contact [email protected] Please , share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of .
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Startup Funding Espresso – The Downside of SAFE Notes
06/16/2025
Startup Funding Espresso – The Downside of SAFE Notes
The Downside of SAFE Notes Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. SAFE Notes were designed to simplify the investment process. By removing many of the terms found in equity agreements, SAFE Notes reduce the complexity of startup fundraising. SAFE notes are similar to a warrant as they give the holder the right to buy shares in the future. There are drawbacks to SAFE Notes as follows: There’s no debt component that can be used for payback. SAFE notes require the holder to have a C-Corporation. The SAFE note is listed on the Cap table like an option. There’s no maturity date on SAFE Notes, so there’s no trigger to convert equity. There’s no interest rate. Over time, this can add additional value to the investor. Many SAFE notes don’t have a valuation cap, which can reduce the value to the holder. The presence of additional SAFE notes can reduce the return through dilution. For early-stage funding, SAFE notes are simple to use, but they don’t always convert to equity the way investors thought they would. Be sure to understand the SAFE note structure before using it for an investment. Thank you for joining us for the Startup Funding Espresso where we help startups and investors connect for funding. Let’s go startup something today. _______________________________________________________ For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at: Check out our other podcasts here: For Investors check out: For Startups check out: For eGuides check out: For upcoming Events, check out For Feedback please contact [email protected] Please , share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of .
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Startup Funding Espresso – How To Raise a First-Time VC Fund
06/13/2025
Startup Funding Espresso – How To Raise a First-Time VC Fund
How To Raise a First-Time VC Fund Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. Raising a first-time venture capital fund is hard work. Here are some key steps in raising a VC fund for the first time. Build a track record of successful investing by joining an angel network and making small but profitable investments. Share the deal flow with prospective Limited Partners so they learn your investment thesis. Show the deal flow on a regular basis so they understand the consistency of your network. Share your due diligence with those investors so they see the quality of work you do. Perform market research on an area of interest and share the results with the prospective Limited Partners. Build an investment thesis for how to invest in the area of interest. Showcase the investment thesis in your investing so the Limited Partners understand your methodology. Present a few successful investments to the Limited Partners. By showing them your market research, investment thesis, and track record, the Limited Partners can better understand the value of your work. Ask for an initial investment from the Limited Partners to continue the process already underway. Consider these steps for raising a first-time VC fund. Thank you for joining us for the Startup Funding Espresso where we help startups and investors connect for funding. Let’s go startup something today. _______________________________________________________ For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at: Check out our other podcasts here: For Investors check out: For Startups check out: For eGuides check out: For upcoming Events, check out For Feedback please contact [email protected] Please , share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of .
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Investor Connect 831: Family Office Roundtable - March 2025 Part 04
06/13/2025
Investor Connect 831: Family Office Roundtable - March 2025 Part 04
In this episode of Investor Connect, we engage with Nathan Monty, co-founder and CEO of Enamel Pure, a company pioneering advancements in dental hygiene through novel laser technology. Nathan walks us through the development of their innovative product, 'Loon,' which uses a laser for non-contact teeth cleaning, hardening, and whitening, paired with advanced imaging to produce an annual oral health report. He emphasizes the inefficiencies and pain points in traditional dental cleaning methods and explains how Enamel Pure's technology not only improves the patient experience but also significantly enhances diagnostic accuracy with AI-driven analysis from a rich dataset of dental images. The episode covers the company's business model, partnerships with major distributors like Henry Schein and Benko, and their robust intellectual property portfolio. Nathan also discusses their go-to-market strategy and plans for future AI integrations, aiming to create the most comprehensive dental health database. Finally, he shares insights into their successful FDA clearance and ongoing fundraising efforts to expand production and distribution, providing a comprehensive look at Enamel Pure's promising future in modernizing dental care. Thank you for joining us for the Startup Funding Espresso where we help startups and investors connect for funding. Let’s go startup something today. ________________________________________________________________________ For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at: Check out our other podcasts here: For Investors check out: For Startups check out: For eGuides check out: For upcoming Events, check out For Feedback please contact [email protected] Please , share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of .
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Startup Funding Espresso – Fundraising Hones the Founder's Skills
06/12/2025
Startup Funding Espresso – Fundraising Hones the Founder's Skills
Fundraising Hones the Founder's Skills Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. Fundraising brings not only capital to the startup, but it also hones the founder’s skills. Here are the skills the founder will improve: Relationship building -- the founder learns how to build a relationship. Networking -- the founder learns how to grow a network and use it to connect with others. Public speaking -- the founder learns how to read the room, adjust the presentation on the fly, and pitch to an audience. Financing -- the founder learns how to read financial statements, financial contracts called terms sheets, as well as cap tables. Board management -- the founder learns how to manage a board and report to those who oversee the business. Evaluate people - the founder learns how to evaluate people to determine what they bring to the company. This is most often done with investors. Delegation -- the founder learns how to delegate, which comes down to what to outsource and what must be done by the founder. Look at how you can build your skills during the fundraising process. Thank you for joining us for the Startup Funding Espresso where we help startups and investors connect for funding. Let’s go startup something today. _______________________________________________________ For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at: Check out our other podcasts here: For Investors check out: For Startups check out: For eGuides check out: For upcoming Events, check out For Feedback please contact [email protected] Please , share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of .
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