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 – How Startups Can Make Better Forecasts
01/02/2026
Startup Funding Espresso – How Startups Can Make Better Forecasts
How Startups Can Make Better Forecasts Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. Forecasting is a key skill founders need for raising funding. Investors want to know the founders' expectations for the business with the funds raised. Here are some key steps to make better forecasts: Start with a baseline. If the startup has revenue, then use that as the starting point. If the startup is pre-revenue, then look to similar startups to set a baseline. Determine the drivers behind the revenue. This could be leads generated, clients viewing a demonstration, or other. Determine how much can be done with the team proposed. Focus on the customers signed up rather than a percentage of the available market. Use the sales cycle for the product to determine lead times. The more you know about your customer buying cycles, the more accurate your forecasts. This is called a bottom-up analysis. For predicting explosive growth, look for trends in the market that can drive hyper sales growth. Look to other startups for their sales forecast to calibrate your own. Consider these points in making better forecasts. 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 info@tencapital.group Please , share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of .
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Startup Funding Espresso – How To Build an Elevator Pitch
01/01/2026
Startup Funding Espresso – How To Build an Elevator Pitch
How To Build an Elevator Pitch Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. The elevator pitch is the short form of your startup pitch. It introduces the deal to an investor and gives the key highlights. The goal is not to tell them everything but rather to intrigue them to learn more about it. Here’s how to build an elevator pitch: State in five words or fewer what the startup does. Show two examples of the impact of the startup using numbers. This could be exploding revenue, such as “We’re seeing 50% month over month growth.” It could have an impact on the community, such as “We help feed 5000 children a week.” State the goal of the startup, such as “We’re looking to reach a break-even in 4 months.” Choose three words that best describe your startup and work them into the pitch. Choose three phrases that best describe your startup and build them into the pitch. The keywords will help the audience understand the context. The catch phrases will help the audience understand what the startup does. Consider these steps in building your elevator 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 info@tencapital.group Please , share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of .
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Startup Funding Espresso – The Nuances of Pitching
12/31/2025
Startup Funding Espresso – The Nuances of Pitching
The Nuances of Pitching Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. In pitching investors, there are key nuances that can make or break the pitch. Here is a list of nuances to consider when pitching: Use the pitch to build a collaboration. Funding is a part of it, but not the only thing. Start your pitch with your core value proposition. State in plain language what your company does. If you have revenue numbers, build the pitch around them. Showcase the growth story with a graph showing a curve going up and to the right at 45 degrees. If you don’t have revenue, then build the pitch around the key insight you have into solving the problem. Don’t avoid the risk factors. Instead, focus on how you are mitigating those factors. Don’t avoid the competition. Instead, show how the competition validates the market. Show how this raise will set up the business for the next round and is a part of an overall strategy. Consider these nuances in building 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 info@tencapital.group Please , share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of .
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Startup Funding Espresso – Key Skills for a Startup Founder To Have
12/30/2025
Startup Funding Espresso – Key Skills for a Startup Founder To Have
Key Skills for a Startup Founder To Have Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. Successful startup founders share several key skills. Here are the key skills for a startup founder to have: They have access to the networks that are vital to their startup success. This includes investor networks for funding and customer networks for buying the product. They are flexible. They can pivot the business when the market changes or they discover a better one. They are persistent. They stick with it during the down times as well as the up times. They take calculated risks. They understand the downside cost as well as the potential upside reward. They know their numbers. They know their key numbers that are critical, such as cash runway. They have focus. They know what the must-dos are and focus on them. They constantly learn. They are always learning new things and find it a part of the startup life. Consider these skills in a startup founder before investing. 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 info@tencapital.group Please , share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of .
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Startup Funding Espresso – Launching a Startup in a New Domain
12/29/2025
Startup Funding Espresso – Launching a Startup in a New Domain
Launching a Startup in a New Domain Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. Markets shift and change, creating new startup opportunities. Founders seek new markets in which to launch a startup. For those launching a startup in a new domain, here are some key steps: Read several books describing the domain and how it works. Talk to domain experts in the space to learn the details of the market. Look for unmet needs that must be addressed. Identify experts in the domain who can advise you. Ask one or two to be a mentor. Create several ideas for a business and test them out. Try dressing up the solution as a ready-to-buy product and see what reaction you get. When you find several people ready to pay for your solution, sign up three of them as anchor customers. Use the revenue from these customers to fund the initial product. Experiment with entering the market at different places in the value chain. Look for the position that provides the most revenue and costs the least for the value offered. New markets provide new opportunities to launch a business. Consider these steps for launching a startup in a new domain. 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 info@tencapital.group Please , share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of .
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Startup Funding Espresso – Revenue Solves All Problems
12/26/2025
Startup Funding Espresso – Revenue Solves All Problems
Revenue Solves All Problems Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. In a startup, revenue solves all problems. Funding can help, but only for so long. As long as you have cash, you can run the startup. When you run out of money, then it’s over. Revenue can fix any problem. If you need more sales support, you can hire them. If you need to fix a product, you can bring in a developer to do the job. If you need more leads, you can hire a marketer. Funding can solve many problems, but it’s limited. There’s only so much funding a founder can raise. Funding only goes so far before it runs out. Funding jump-starts the business, but revenue carries it the distance. Develop your long-term plans around revenue generation. Use funding to fill the gaps. Whatever you do, make sure you don’t run out of cash. 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 info@tencapital.group Please , share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of .
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Startup Funding Espresso – Signs of a Good Founder
12/25/2025
Startup Funding Espresso – Signs of a Good Founder
Signs of a Good Founder Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. Anyone can be a founder of a startup. Here are signs of a good one: They have an innovative mindset. They look for how to innovate on the product, the business model, and more. They are self-aware. They know their strengths and weaknesses. They have a vision for their business. They know where they want to go with it. They have passion. They exhibit this in their work, communication, and time spent. They are resilient. They can endure setbacks and carry on. They can plan and forecast. They know how to set plans for the company and forecast the numbers. They have good communication skills. They can communicate well both verbally and in writing. They can make decisions. They know how to decide and carry through. Look for these attributes in a founder. 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 info@tencapital.group Please , share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of .
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Startup Funding Espresso – How To Find a Cofounder
12/24/2025
Startup Funding Espresso – How To Find a Cofounder
How To Find a Cofounder Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. A founding team includes someone who is building it and someone who is selling it. It’s important that the startup has two founders. Here are some steps to find a cofounder for your startup. Figure out which role the founder is taking and look for a cofounder to fill the other. The key to finding and recruiting the co-founder is to show how the business will be successful. This typically starts with a customer or market ready to pay for the product to be produced. Show the key insight you have into the market and how you can use it to create a successful business. Validate with customers who are ready to buy the product and place them on a waitlist. Sign up customers who are ready to pay and provide the service manually till you have an automated solution. Gain agreement on the goals of the company for the coming three years. Negotiate compensation based on what each founder is bringing to the table. Use the negotiation process to test out the other’s skills. Go on joint sales calls to see how each performs. Work on the product development to see what progress can be made. Consider these steps in finding a cofounder. 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 info@tencapital.group Please , share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of .
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Startup Funding Espresso – Key Attributes of a Good Angel Investor
12/23/2025
Startup Funding Espresso – Key Attributes of a Good Angel Investor
Key Attributes of a Good Angel Investor Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. Anyone with an accredited investor status can become an angel investor. Here’s a list of key attributes of a good one: They know their industry well and how to invest in it. They know people and can size up a founder to determine if they are a fit for a successful startup. They have actually run a startup before and know what it takes to launch and build a successful one. They take an active role in the startup and help the founders along the way. They add value to the startup. They also add value to other angel investors through coaching and mentoring. They look for startups to fund and not to provide consulting. They know how to screen through a volume of deals to find the viable ones quickly. They provide quality feedback to the founder, raising funding. They know how to perform diligence and where to focus the time spent on it. They reserve funds for a follow-on round. Look for these qualities in an angel investor. 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 info@tencapital.group Please , share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of .
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Startup Funding Espresso – How To Calculate Warrant Coverage
12/22/2025
Startup Funding Espresso – How To Calculate Warrant Coverage
How To Calculate Warrant Coverage Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. A warrant is the right to buy a company’s stock at a specific price or range over a certain time period. The warrant acts like an option, but it issues stock, which dilutes the cap table. Founders raising funding offer warrants to incentivize investors to fund the company. Warrant coverage is the number of warrants an investor receives based on the size of their investment. It’s typically stated as a percentage such as 5% or 10%. Here’s how to calculate warrant coverage: Take the number of shares at a specific price per share as the initial investment. Take the number of shares to be provided as warrants. Divide the number of warrants by the number of shares of the initial investment to reach a warrant coverage amount. Here’s an example. The founder offers 50,000 additional shares to those who invest in 500,000 shares at $3 per share. The warrant coverage is 50,000 divided by 500,000 at $3 per share, generating a 10% warrant coverage. Consider these calculations in offering warrants in 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 info@tencapital.group Please , share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of .
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Startup Funding Espresso – The Downside of VC Funding
12/19/2025
Startup Funding Espresso – The Downside of VC Funding
The Downside of VC Funding Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. Venture capital can enable a startup to reach the next level through funding. There are downsides to VC funding. Here’s a list: The founders' ownership goes down by 20-25% on each fundraising round. The VC model promotes growth over all other strategies. Taking VC money means taking the VC’s business model, which is to give the Limited Partner a return in 3 to 7 years. VCs will want the founders to take a minimal salary so as to apply as much capital as possible to growing the business. The VC is concerned primarily with paying back the Limited Partners in their fund. This means the VC is less likely to support initiatives that are impact-related or others that are important to the founder. Some VCs provide funding but little else, such as coaching or a network. The VC will bring their view of how to grow the business, which may not align with the founder’s vision. VCs take board seats, which come with a certain level of control. For some startups, angel money may be a better option. Consider these points before taking VC funding. 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 info@tencapital.group Please , share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of .
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Investor Connect 858: Navigating Regulated Software and AI Integration with Darcy Bachert
12/19/2025
Investor Connect 858: Navigating Regulated Software and AI Integration with Darcy Bachert
In this episode of Investor Connect, host Hall Martin welcomes Darcy Bachert, Founder and CEO of Prolucid Technologies. Darcy shares the journey of Prolucid Technologies, a software engineering firm that specializes in designing and developing mission-critical systems for highly regulated industries such as med tech, nuclear, and industrial applications. Darcy explains how the company pivoted from industrial automation to focusing on more stable industries during the Great Recession and highlights the importance of quality, cybersecurity, and compliance in their operations. He also discusses the challenge investors face in understanding the longer timelines and higher costs associated with bringing regulated software products to market and explains the pros and cons of investing in such technologies. Hall and Darcy delve into the increasing role of AI in med tech, particularly in enhancing diagnostic processes and speeding up clinical decision-making, with Darcy mentioning Prolucid' role in transforming prototypes into production-ready systems. They also touch on the importance of advanced data analytics and ongoing monitoring in reshaping product value and post-market support. The conversation further explores the strengths and weaknesses of startups versus large strategics in the innovation landscape of regulated software products, and how choosing the right engineering partner is essential for success. Darcy offers practical advice on identifying credible partners and warning signs to watch out for, emphasizing the need for engagement and quality management systems. Visit Prolucid Technologies at Reach out to at www.linkedin.com/in/darcybachert/, darcy.bachert@prolucid.ca _______________________________________________________ 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 info@tencapital.group Please , share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of .
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Startup Funding Espresso – The Failure Rate for Startups
12/18/2025
Startup Funding Espresso – The Failure Rate for Startups
The Failure Rate for Startups Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. The failure rate for startups is high at almost 90%. Here’s a list of reasons why startups fail: The founders underestimate how long it will take to gain traction in the market. The startup runs out of cash. The product fails to find product-market fit. The competition wins the market. There are regulatory challenges that cannot be overcome. The team was not up to the challenge. The timing of the startup was off. The founders failed to focus on productive tasks. Some startups take on too much debt too soon. The startup is building a product for an undefined market. Half of all startups fail in the first five years. Twenty percent of startups fail in the first year. Less than 10% of founders build a successful startup. Startups are challenging for many reasons. The failure rate is high. Consider these risks in launching 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 info@tencapital.group Please , share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of .
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Startup Funding Espresso – Six Months To Build, Six Months To Sell
12/17/2025
Startup Funding Espresso – Six Months To Build, Six Months To Sell
Six Months To Build, Six Months To Sell Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. Building a minimum viable product or MVP is a key step in a startup launch. After some market research, there’s an ideation step on what to build. The rule of MVPs is that it should take no longer than six months to build and no longer than six months to sell. If you can’t build it in six months, then you are scoping the solution too broadly. It’s best to reduce the features and functionality so you can go to market sooner. It’s the customer interactions that count, not the number of features in the MVP. If you can’t sell what you built in six months, then you built the wrong thing. The key here is to sell it first, then build it. Show the concept to potential customers and take pre-orders for it with some money down. This will most likely be at a greatly discounted price. Instead of focusing on the revenue, look for what the customer finds most valuable about the product. Customers may say one thing, but paying money indicates what they really want. Consider these steps in building your MVP. 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 info@tencapital.group Please , share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of .
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Startup Funding Espresso – Founder Dilution
12/16/2025
Startup Funding Espresso – Founder Dilution
Founder Dilution Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. Founders raising funding incur dilution. Their ownership stake goes down as they raise more funding. Founders start with 100% ownership. Each round of funding dilutes them by 25% or more. On average, founders own 60% after the pre-seed and seed rounds. After a Series A, they own 45%. After a Series B, they own 26%. After a Series C, they own 25% After a Series D, they own 11% There are often two to three founders in a startup, so they split this amount. Investors should consider the impact of dilution on the founder’s ownership stake. If they own too little of the company, they may not find the incentive to carry it to an exit. Founders should consider funding strategies that are more capital-efficient. For example, after one round of funding, the company could grow based on revenue and profits alone. This may take longer, but it will reduce the dilution. 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 info@tencapital.group Please , share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of .
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Startup Funding Espresso – Sizing Your VC Fund
12/15/2025
Startup Funding Espresso – Sizing Your VC Fund
Sizing Your VC Fund Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. In raising a VC fund, the size of the fund is a key component. Here are the factors that impact the size: The stage of startup. The later the stage, the larger the fund size. Sectors targeted. Some sectors, such as life science, will require larger check sizes. Percent ownership The larger the target ownership, the larger the fund size. Target number of investments. The earlier the stage, the larger the number of investments to be made. Follow-on funding. Funds that follow on will need to raise more capital. Size of team. The larger the team, the greater the fund size. Consider these factors in the size of your 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 info@tencapital.group Please , share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of .
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Startup Funding Espresso – How Investors Provide Mentorship at Scale
12/12/2025
Startup Funding Espresso – How Investors Provide Mentorship at Scale
How Investors Provide Mentorship at Scale Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. Startups seek out investors not only for funding but also mentorship. Most pitch sessions are valuable not because they raised funding, but because they provided feedback to the founder. The challenge for investors providing feedback is that it most often comes in a one-on-one format. For investors to be effective across a large number of startups, mentorship must scale. Here are some ways to scale mentorship for startups: Record the sessions, including the pitch and the feedback, and post them online for other startups to watch. Capture the founder’s questions along with written feedback and post online. Provide feedback in large group settings so other founders can benefit from it. Capture pitches and feedback in online webinars and then post the results online. Take the feedback from the above and compile it into an online training course. Provide the training to groups of startups in accelerators and incubators. Provide the training at startup events with large numbers of startups in attendance. Capture the questions and answers into an online blog post. Consider these steps in scaling your mentorship to the startup community. 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 info@tencapital.group Please , share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of .
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Investor Connect 857: Family Office Roundtable - May 2025 Part 02
12/12/2025
Investor Connect 857: Family Office Roundtable - May 2025 Part 02
In this episode of Investor Connect, host Hall T. Martin speaks with the CEO of World Tree, who highlights the company's mission to commercialize the fastest-growing hardwood species, the Paulownia tree, also known as the Empress Splendor tree. This species is non-invasive, nitrogen-fixing, and capable of regenerating from its stump, providing renewable lumber over 50 years. Key points include the increasing demand for lumber and the company's pioneering efforts in North America, where they cultivate and harvest these trees primarily in the southeastern U.S., Costa Rica, and Mexico. The CEO explains how World Tree addresses deforestation and carbon capture, while also tapping into high-value markets like furniture, cabinetry, and musical instruments, underscoring the significant revenue potential and market demand for sustainable hardwood products. They delve into the company's financials, detailing a robust $17 million retail market funding to establish 7,000 acres and over $300 million worth of lumber currently in growth. The episode also covers World Tree's expansion plans, including partnerships with institutional investors like Shell and Nestle, and ambitious goals to scale operations to 60,000 acres, which could significantly impact carbon offset and produce renewable, high-quality lumber. Potential investors are encouraged to explore opportunities with World Tree as they forecast substantial returns and explore nature-based project investments. Tune in to learn more about how World Tree is poised to shape the future of sustainable forestry. ________________________________________________________________________ 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 info@tencapital.group Please , share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of .
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Startup Funding Espresso – How To Analyze AI Startups
12/11/2025
Startup Funding Espresso – How To Analyze AI Startups
How To Analyze AI Startups Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. Artificial intelligence-based startups continue to grow and increase. Investors funding AI companies should look for the following: Market size. New markets can be difficult to measure. For brand new categories, calculate the number of users in the market and how much they will spend on an AI solution. For existing categories, calculate the current number of users in the market and how much they will pay additionally for the AI component. Value add. How much value does AI add to the product? Does it increase the revenue substantially or only marginally? Does it give access to new users and applications or only increase functionality to existing users? Moat. How much of a competitive advantage does AI bring against the competition? If it’s only a small modification to an existing LLM, then it can be easily copied. If it has been trained on a unique data set then it will have a greater advantage over competitors. Distribution. How well does the startup run a go-to-market strategy? A fast penetration of the market will be a great advantage over those who take time. Consider these factors in analyzing an AI 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 info@tencapital.group Please , share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of .
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Startup Funding Espresso – The Importance of Unit Economics
12/10/2025
Startup Funding Espresso – The Importance of Unit Economics
The Importance of Unit Economics Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. The unit economics of a startup determine its success. The stronger the unit economic case, the higher the margins, the faster the company grows. In analyzing a startup, measure the unit economics regarding customer acquisition cost and lifetime value. Calculate it at the unit level to understand the health of the business. Many venture-funded startups appear to be growing well, but this is often from infusions of capital from investors rather than growth from the customers. The unit economics show how the startup is doing regardless of the funding. It also works with early-stage startups where the top-line revenue is low. By looking at the systems behind the startup, such as sales, service, and support, one can see if the basic systems are working. The margin on each sale, the cost to acquire a customer, and the lifetime value give an accurate accounting of the business. If these numbers look good, then the startup may be a candidate for investment. Consider the use of unit economics in your startup diligence. 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 info@tencapital.group Please , share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of .
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Startup Funding Espresso – What Is a Fund of Funds
12/09/2025
Startup Funding Espresso – What Is a Fund of Funds
What Is a Fund of Funds Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. Unlike most venture capital funds that invest in startups, a fund of funds invests in other funds that invest in startups. Instead of investing in multiple funds, an investor can gain diversification by investing in a fund of funds. As with all good VC funds, there’s limited availability for investors to join. The standard return on a fund of funds investment is 10X. There’s competition among the limited partners to get in. There are challenges with a fund of funds. To reach diversification, most funds will need substantial resources to fund it. The management fees can be expensive. Some funds have mediocre managers and the resulting returns to show it. As with all venture funds, the money is locked up for six to ten years. Also, the power law still applies. Only a small number of the investments in the fund will pay out to cover the overall expense. Consider a VC fund of funds for your portfolio. 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 info@tencapital.group Please , share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of .
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Startup Funding Espresso – The Fallacy of Stealth Mode
12/08/2025
Startup Funding Espresso – The Fallacy of Stealth Mode
The Fallacy of Stealth Mode Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. Startups often choose to stay in stealth mode in the early days to protect their idea. In most cases, stealth mode doesn’t help the startup and can actually hurt it. Here’s the downside of going into stealth mode: It’s difficult for others to help the startup because they don’t know what is going on. It’s harder to hire for the startup because it’s a secret. You can't tell customers about it because you may reveal too much. It’s difficult to talk to investors because the startup wants everyone to sign an NDA. Startups that commit fraud are often in stealth mode to hide their activities. Instead of going into stealth mode, be open about what you are doing. Refrain from explaining to everyone how you are doing it. This gives exposure to the startup for investors and customers. Consider keeping certain functions as a trade secret. Investors will appreciate the fact that you have intellectual property in the form of a trade secret. They will be less impressed by your stealth mode. 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 info@tencapital.group Please , share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of .
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Startup Funding Espresso – How Limited Partners Select VC Funds
12/05/2025
Startup Funding Espresso – How Limited Partners Select VC Funds
How Limited Partners Select VC Funds Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. Limited partners consist of pension funds, university endowments, family offices, and high-net-worth individuals. Here’s how LPs select VC funds for investment. Track record. The VC must have a track record in the form of an IRR, TVPI, or MOIC metric. Ability to deploy capital. The VC must be able to allocate capital fairly quickly, as it takes time for the investment to mature. Ability to source deals. The VC must be able to find quality deals on a consistent basis. This often means running an accelerator program, venture studio model, or other activity to bring startups into their sphere of influence. Ability to win deals. There’s competition for the good deals. The VC fund must be able to compete against other funds for the best ones. A fund model that is viable. This means the fund invests the right amount into each deal to create a strong portfolio, but it is also manageable in number. Consider these criteria for your 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 info@tencapital.group Please , share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of .
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Investor Connect 856: Bridging the Gap: AI Startup Strategies with Sanjay Kalluvilayil of Stonehaas Advisors
12/05/2025
Investor Connect 856: Bridging the Gap: AI Startup Strategies with Sanjay Kalluvilayil of Stonehaas Advisors
In this edition of Investor Connect, Hall Martin sits down with Sanjay Kalluvilayil, founder and CEO of Stonehaas Advisors and host of The AI Space Podcast. Sanjay discusses his extensive consulting experience and how he now uses it to support AI startups. By offering both advisory services and fractional CXO support, Sanjay helps AI founders define their target markets, secure their first clients, and eventually scale their operations. The conversation emphasizes the importance of developing a go-to-market strategy, building for valuation, and optimizing business processes for both large corporations and nimble startups alike. Sanjay elaborates on the challenges AI startups face, sharing anecdotes from his work with founders who have successfully navigated the startup landscape. He highlights crucial aspects such as identifying ideal customer profiles (ICP), refining messaging and offer structures, and employing both outbound and inbound lead generation techniques. Additionally, Sanjay touches on using AI and automation tools to streamline operations and compress sales cycles, stressing the importance of not only efficiency but also meaningful human oversight in AI implementations. The episode wraps up with discussions on the relevance of community service in leadership, the evolving hiring profiles for AI companies, and the metrics and investor expectations unique to AI startups. Sanjay also offers advice on figuring out revenue generation and retaining flagship customers before seeking external funding. For more insights into navigating the AI space and building a sustainable AI business, tune in to this informative episode. Visit Stonehaas Advisors at Reach out to at , and on _________________________________________________________ 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 info@tencapital.group Please , share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of .
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Startup Funding Espresso – How To Learn To Pitch
12/04/2025
Startup Funding Espresso – How To Learn To Pitch
How To Learn To Pitch Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. Pitching is a key skill in startup fundraising. Here are some key steps to learn how to pitch: Consider taking classes and tutorials. There are many tools now available online. Consider signing up for a Toastmasters class. This gives you the opportunity to speak to a group and then gain feedback. The best way to learn how to pitch is to practice often. Practice both by yourself and with others to gain their assessment. Also, it helps to listen to other pitches. One can learn a great deal about pitching just by listening to good and bad ones. After each pitch, make a list of what was good and how it could be improved. Finally, the best way to master a subject is to teach it. In medical school, they have a motto: see one, do one, teach one. The repetition and having to explain it to others drive the development of the skill. Consider these steps in learning how to 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 info@tencapital.group Please , share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of .
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Startup Funding Espresso – Stick With It
12/03/2025
Startup Funding Espresso – Stick With It
Stick With It Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. Launching a startup is hard work. The hours are long, and there are many obstacles to overcome. The key to a successful startup is not funding from investors, but rather founders who stick with it. Losing faith in the business is the first step toward shutting down. To avoid this, consider the following: Find a source of revenue to keep the lights on. Even if this means moving into consulting, training, or other ancillary services. Have a backup plan if the proposed product doesn’t work. Keep costs low and manageable in the early stages of the business until the product gains traction. Have a scaled-back version of the startup ready in case the unexpected happens. Don’t be afraid to pivot the business to something else in case the technology or market proves to be unviable. During difficult times, narrow the focus of the solution to meet just a few customers. It’s better to have a small number using your product than a large number ignoring it. The business can live to see another day as long as the founding team stays with the 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 info@tencapital.group Please , share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of .
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Startup Funding Espresso – Core Skills for Startup Founders
12/02/2025
Startup Funding Espresso – Core Skills for Startup Founders
Core Skills for Startup Founders Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. Startup founders are successful because they execute. Many founders have ideas, but the execution separates the winners from the losers. Here are the core skills of a startup founder: They pick an idea and drive it all the way through to successful completion. They launch the startup and then proceed to stand up the business. They raise the funding to grow it. They build a team and galvanize them into action. They create products to sell. They close customers to buy. They make the hard decisions and tradeoffs that come with a new business venture. They actively run the business to achieve a successful outcome. They deal with the customers, vendors, partners, and other players. They drive the business forward to an outcome. In short, they execute at each step. In funding a startup founder, look at their ability to execute rather than ideate. 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 info@tencapital.group Please , share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of .
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Startup Funding Espresso – What Makes for a Great Angel Investor
12/01/2025
Startup Funding Espresso – What Makes for a Great Angel Investor
What Makes for a Great Angel Investor Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. What makes for a great angel investor is a great fit for the startup. An angel is a great fit for the startup if they meet the following criteria: They have knowledge of your industry and can explain the insights into how it works. They have run or invested in startups similar to yours, so they know the pitfalls and the challenges already. They know people in the industry they can ask to be team and board members. They know the investors in the industry and can reach out to them with their connections. They know the customers in the industry and how to approach them. They know the product landscape and can define a path to a successful product design. They know the developers in the industry and can help attract them to the startup. They know the regulators in the industry and how to work with them. They know the potential partners in the industry and can open a dialogue with them. In short, a great angel investor is one who knows your startup’s industry very well and connects you with it. 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 info@tencapital.group Please , share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of .
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Startup Funding Espresso – What Are FormDs?
11/28/2025
Startup Funding Espresso – What Are FormDs?
What Are FormDs? Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. In the startup funding world, there’s an SEC registration called a FormD. A FormD is an SEC filing for those who raised funding under Regulation D rules. It’s a public notice indicating an investment has been made. For companies receiving the funding, it lists the names or entities that made the investment. It must be filed within 15 days of the funding. For most startups, this is the date of final closing. FormDs are a good resource to track funding events. While there is some basic information about the company in a RegD, investors can find more information about it on online sites. This came out of the Securities Act of 1934, which sought to provide more information to investors about a private company Investments using Reg D require the investor to be accredited. This limits the investment to those who have sufficient funds to cover potential losses. Consider FormDs in your startup research. 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 info@tencapital.group Please , share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of .
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Investor Connect 855: Exploring Crypto's Future with Devin Baker of Comma Partners
11/28/2025
Investor Connect 855: Exploring Crypto's Future with Devin Baker of Comma Partners
In this episode of Investor Connect, Hall Martin welcomes Devin Baker, a writer, investor, and the founder of Comma Partners. Devin shares his journey into the world of crypto starting from 2020, his fascination with blockchain technology, and why he believes it's a transformative force similar to the internet. He discusses the foundation and vision of Comma Partners, a fund investing in crypto, and how he perceives the intersection of community, technology, capital, and culture within the crypto realm. Devin elaborates on the evolving role of crypto as both a financial and cultural asset class, providing insights into prediction markets and the broader impacts of blockchain technology on coordination and efficiency in various sectors. He also touches on the significant regulatory changes occurring in the space, the growth of stablecoins, and the potential for a fully crypto economy facilitated by demographic shifts and a massive upcoming wealth transfer from boomers to millennials. The episode wraps up with reflections on the necessary improvements in the crypto space to ensure its safe and productive growth. Reach out to at , and on _______________________________________________________ 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 info@tencapital.group Please , share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of .
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