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It's not just about writing checks; it's about winning together. This my investment philosophy when it comes to angel investing, which I shared with Artur Pawelko 🇵🇱 in an episode of his Sidepocket podcast. Despite being a smaller portion of my portfolio, early-state startups are what gets me really excited about investing. Being able to support companies that align with my values and participating in their success with strategic and operational support is extremely rewarding to me. What is your investment philosophy?

One from the Nothing Ventured archives ⏳ Check out this episode where Aarish spoke with Marcus Love, Co-Founder and General Partner at Love Ventures which he founded in 2020 to partner with exceptional founders to help them realise their vision. Love Ventures specialises in FinTech, PropTech, ConsumerTech at Seed to Series A stage and UK only (for now). Here are 3 of the insights from this fantastic episode with the consumate investor: 1️⃣ Personal Branding: Marcus highlighted the power of personal branding in the world of startups and investing. He noted how emerging managers are seeing tremendous success because people identify with the personal brand they've built. It's no longer just about the company brand, but also about the individuals behind it. So, if you're an emerging manager, start building your personal brand and showcase your expertise and track record! 2️⃣ Building the Dream Team: Marcus compared building a fund to building a football or netball team. You need to assemble your A team quickly and strategically. Surround yourself with talented individuals who complement your skills and can help drive your fund's success. As you grow, be open to swapping out weaker team members to ensure you have the strongest lineup possible. 3️⃣ The Power of Hustle: Marcus's number one recommendation for emerging managers? Hustle! You have to want this and be willing to put in the work. Building a fund is no easy feat, but with determination, perseverance, and a thick skin, you can overcome any challenges that come your way. So, embrace the hustle and stay committed to your vision! Subscribe and rate wherever you get your podcasts :) YouTube: https://lnkd.in/drq6Y4mT Spotify: https://lnkd.in/dCzrDScU Apple: https://lnkd.in/dCcbkzHc __________________ Follow Aarish and Nothing Ventured on LinkedIn, ring our bells and all that good stuff or see what else we're up to here 👇🏾 ✍🏾 Sign up to Off Balance newsletter: https://lnkd.in/d95ktRFa 📖 Sign up for early access to the Off Balance Book - 100 lessons from 2 decades as CFO and CEO: https://lnkd.in/dB44-xET #Startups #CFOInsights #VentureCapital #NothingVenturedPodcast #founder #business #finance #investor #vc

I’ve raised over $300m in equity. Our guests on The Founder’s Journey Podcast have cumulatively raised billions. Want the playbook? We deliver it in our latest edition of The Founder’s Journey Podcast Curation. Some key takeaways: 1️⃣ VC Suitability: Venture Capital isn't a one-size-fits-all solution. VC firms look for businesses with the potential for exponential growth and significant returns. Before diving in, ask yourself: Does my business align with this high-growth expectation? 2️⃣ Growth and Margins are Key: To attract VC interest, particularly in sectors like SaaS, startups must demonstrate rapid growth (think 300% in early stages) and maintain strong gross margins (>80%). This signals the potential for reinvestment and profitability. 3️⃣ Networking and Effective Pitching: Your network is your net worth. Developing a solid network and mastering your pitch are foundational. Articulate your business story, value proposition, and be ready to go deep with confidence. 4️⃣ Differentiation Matters: Stand out from the crowd. Showcasing true differentiation and a sustainable market advantage is essential. This means not just being different but offering real, competitive advantages that resonate with clients and sustain growth rates. 5️⃣ Understand the Trade-offs: VC funding comes with intense pressure for rapid growth and efficiency. It's crucial to evaluate if this aligns with your business objectives and personal goals. Sometimes, alternatives like bootstrapping or a slower growth model could be a better fit. Securing venture capital is complex and nuanced. It's not just about getting funding; it's about understanding the implications it has on your business and your role as a founder. 🎧 It’s time to dive deeper on raising VC 💵💵💵. Check out the latest episode of the The Founders Journey Podcast. Link in profile and comments. P.S. 🔥I believe entrepreneurship is the greatest path to economic freedom. I'm here to support founders worldwide in their learning and growth. Join me by sharing this post and following. 🔊P.P.S. Want to share the experiences and lessons learned on your founder’s journey? DM me about joining as a guest on The Founder’s Journey Podcast. *** #FoundersJourney #VentureCapital #StartupFunding #Entrepreneurship #BusinessGrowth #InvestmentStrategies #StartupLife #VCInsights #BusinessStrategy #FoundersAdvice

Unlocking Successful VC Partnerships: Insights from Industry Ventures’ Hans Swildens In the latest episode of the "Driving Alpha" podcast, Steve Brotman, MP at Alpha Partners, had an enlightening conversation with Hans Swildens, CEO and co-founder of Industry Ventures. Hans shared his insights on the key characteristics that define successful VC partnerships. Here are the three main categories of VC fund managers they discussed: 1️⃣ The Spinners from Brand-Name Firms: Experienced professionals from top-tier firms like Sequoia or Kleiner Perkins, who leverage their extensive networks and sector-specific focus to start their own ventures. 2️⃣ The Entrepreneurial Veterans: Successful entrepreneurs who transition into venture capital, investing their own capital and inviting LPs to join their investment journeys. Their deep understanding of the entrepreneurial mindset sets them apart. 3️⃣ The Angel Network Powerhouses: Individuals with strong angel networks from major tech companies like Google or Facebook, who follow engineering talent and provide seed funding to promising new startups. Understanding these categories can help LPs identify the most promising investment opportunities and navigate the dynamic VC landscape. Checkout the full podcast episode here: https://lnkd.in/e2zKq_28 #VentureCapital #Entrepreneurship #AngelInvesting #DrivingAlpha #IndustryVentures #VCPartnerships #InvestmentStrategies #Innovation #StartupSuccess

🎙️ Time to learn 🚀📈 In the latest episode of the We Have a Meeting podcast, James Du Boulay Growth Manager of Fuel Ventures, dropping some serious knowledge on how to secure strategic investors for technology businesses. 💼💰 James emphasises the power of building relationships and delivering compelling opportunities to potential investors. 💪✨ He shares his expert insights on his structured approach to raising funds and staying up-to-date with stock markets and global economics. 📈🌍 Let's face it, folks, the current investment landscape isn't a walk in the park. 🌱💼 James sheds light on the challenges startups face in securing funding and offers valuable advice on crafting the perfect pitch for venture capitalists. 🎯💡 Tune in, take notes, and keep an eye on Fuel Ventures. 🚀💼 #Podcast #InvestmentOpportunities #Entrepreneurship #TechBusiness #FuelVentures #GrowthStrategy

Last week, Frank Kang sat down with Weng Honn Kan to share the story of his journey from entrepreneur to venture capital. Frank’s seen the startup world from both sides—first as a founder, now as a VC—and he’s got a unique perspective on what really matters. Frank dives deep into the highs and lows he’s faced along the way, and how those experiences shape his approach to investing today. He talks about the common pitfalls founders fall into—like chasing metrics over meaningful connections with customers. If you’re curious about what really goes on in the mind of a VC who’s been in the trenches himself, this is one to watch. 📅 Mark your calendar: 7th September 2024, 9 PM (GMT 8). The link to the podcast is in the comments below.

3 reasons founders should be active angel investors: ✅ Broader Perspective: getting an insider's view of a bunch of other startups can be an incredible learning experience that can make you a better founder. ✅ Network Strengthening: there is no better way to build strong relationships with other founders in your community than by putting your money where your mouth is. ✅ Diversification: Most startups fail. Why not give yourself more chances of that big exit by investors in your fellow founders? ...and 2 reasons they shouldn't: ❌ Distraction Potential: angel investing take time. Perhaps you are better off spending that time doing everything you can to make your own startup succeed? ❌ Negative signalling: whether or not you find it distracting, a lot of VCs (and maybe even your employees) won't like to see you investing your time, money, and energy into other people's startups. We talk all about angel investing in today's episode of The Startup Podcast. What do you think? Should founders angel invest?

Regular investor updates do not guarantee a start-up’s success; however, the absence of regular investor updates is a common trait for many failed start-ups. As Jason Calacanis a successful entrepreneur and angel investor in many technology start-ups and co-host of the popular All-In Podcast, wrote: “These updates seem to be hard for one group of people and super easy for others. I know this because as an angel investor, I learned a hard lesson early — you can call it “Jason’s Rule of Start-ups” — it goes like this: If your start-up isn’t sending you monthly updates, it’s going out of business. If you’re not sending the report because you’re ashamed of how bad your start-up is doing, you’re making a big mistake.” Communicate your problems to your angel investors. They get it and they expect it. Welcome to start-up land. It’s hard work and angel investors know that they are there to help a founder through the start-up’s early (and often very hard) years. #startup #founders #investors #angelinvestors #venturecapital https://lnkd.in/gXKsvdYx

Startup Hustle invited Stephen Wolfe onto the podcast to talk about practical funding and founder-market fit. Some key themes from the episode include: - Founder-market fit is crucial to success - Traditional venture capital isn't appropriate for most entrepreneurs (read Greg Head's content about practical founders) - Early growth capital, like Growth Street's, is a sensible path for most founders to raise the proper amount of capital for their opportunity and to get the right kind of help Listen here: https://lnkd.in/gfZNnmAk