Gaurav Bajaj

UAE-based workforce management platform Cercli (YC S23) raises $4 million in seed funding round. The round was led by Silicon Valley-based Afore Capital with participation from COTU Ventures, Y Combinator, Rebel Fund, among others. Founded by Akeed Azmi and David Reche, Cercli is a payroll and employee data platform that allows businesses in the MENA region to hire, manage and pay their global workforce. Check the full story on Forbes Middle East #funding #HRtech #fintech #menastartups #forbesmiddleeast #startups

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And this time, it's VIRITECH on the Crowdcube platform. Will I make an #investment? https://lnkd.in/eFvUnmjM Well - again - no :( This is #deeptech. And deeptech requires a few additional considerations. Watch the video to see what I thought at least. But what went wrong is pretty simple. Despite two super reputable and ultra-impressive-sounding founders, I couldn't work out if I could get a return on my investment. Not because my computer/calculator decided to take early retirement—no, no, but because the founders were not transparent with the terms. Yet again - and I urge Crowdcube to advise all projects to consider this - always put the terms of the investment front and center! Be proud of them. Investors should feel it is a privilege to invest in a hot #startup. Sure - in the 'cooling-off' period that happens at the end of each #crowdfund, you get to see the official documents, which will likely detail the terms. But that's only helpful if you already knew you were going to #invest. When you're 'browsing' a #crowdfunding site, the terms should be up front and centre otherwise, like I have just done, the #investor will move on. If I missed it, which I checked again afterwards, then I'm an idiot! But in general, I hope this video helps #founders and investors alike create and review crowdfunding projects. Big love,

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In the last few months I have published the #FounderPlaybook2024 series; Practical advices to founders, covering all steps of the entrepreneurial journey. The series eBook is now available now to download at https://lnkd.in/dUDcrD6Z Here is the list of lessons included: 1. Reporting SAAS KPIs: CEO Do's and Don'ts 2. Sailing Your Startup Through Stormy Waters 3. Managing Your Board: Streamlining Productive Meetings 4. 10 Things I Wish I Had Known Before I Became An Entrepreneur 5. Investor Approach: Do’s & Don’ts 6 Five Things Entrepreneurs Must Know About an Investor Contract 7. Dead Meat on the Cap Table 8. Seven Things that All Great CEOs Do 9. Seven Things to Do When You Get an Acquisition Proposal 10. Exit Insights: 8 Lessons Learned From Entrepreneurial Journeys Enjoy! Glilot Capital Partners

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This is another startup funding round guide offers a clear roadmap from Pre-Seed to Series C and beyond, highlighting the key milestones and necessary proof points at each stage. Recommendation: Use this chart to understand what investors expect at each funding stage. Ensure you meet these milestones to increase your chances of securing investment. Focus on demonstrating clear progress, scalability, and market fit to attract and retain investor interest. Downbload good quality PDF version here https://lnkd.in/g9BV4CTT

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🌍 Project mBridge: Central Banks are officially advancing with Cross-Border CBDCs 🌐 Is it good or bad? 👇 Big developments are underway in the world of digital finance with the progress of Project mBridge, a cross-border Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) initiative. As detailed in a recent Forbes article, this project has huge plans and aims to revolutionize international transactions by enhancing speed, reducing costs, and improving transparency. 🌍 Global Collaboration for a Seamless Financial Future Project mBridge represents a collaborative effort among multiple central banks, including those of Hong Kong, Thailand, the UAE, and China. This partnership is exploring the potential of CBDCs to streamline cross-border payments, which have traditionally been slow and costly. By leveraging blockchain technology, mBridge aims to create a more efficient and secure framework for international transactions. 💡 The Potential Impact on Global Trade The successful implementation of Project mBridge could transform global trade and finance. By reducing transaction times and costs, businesses could operate more efficiently, ultimately benefiting economies worldwide. The project's emphasis on transparency also ensures that transactions are more secure and less susceptible to fraud. 📊 Innovations in Digital Currency This initiative is not just about improving existing systems but also about setting the stage for future innovations in digital currency. The insights gained from Project mBridge will likely inform the development of other CBDC projects globally, contributing to a more connected and efficient financial system. 🔗 Read More For a deeper dive into Project mBridge and its implications for the future of cross-border payments, check out the full Forbes article: https://lnkd.in/ebNpKNUs #DigitalFinance #CBDC #Blockchain #CrossBorderPayments #FinancialInnovation #GlobalTrade

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A Special Call for Founders/CEOs of Early-Stage Startups Meet Octopus AI (https://app.myoctopus.ai). Are you managing your finances in QBO? Wasting time collecting financial data? Finding it hard to calculate your KPIs? Waiting days to get answers? Octopus.ai is designed with you in mind! What’s in it: 1. Connects directly to your financial data sources. 2. Calculates your company's most relevant and up-to-date financial KPIs. 3. Monitors your company's performance and financial health. 4. A smart agent is available 24/7, allowing you to query your data and get insights in seconds. Try out our demo account and see the potential benefits for yourself: https://app.myoctopus.ai Octopus AI is moving fast, constantly looking to improve and adapt to better serve your needs. Your feedback is invaluable—and we know how to show our appreciation! Please feel free to reach out directly with your thoughts or if you have any questions. Best regards, Eran

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