Greg Smart’s Post

50 Startup Founders Reveal Why Their Startups Failed: Entrepreneurship isn’t for the faint of heart. Thomas Oppong's Failed Startup Lessons dives deep into why 50 startups didn't make it. Here's the gold every entrepreneur needs: 1️⃣ **Product-Market Fit Matters**: Many startups faltered because they didn't nail this. Iteration and a keen understanding of market needs are non-negotiable. 2️⃣ **Vision Over Features**: Those who failed focused too much on adding features and lost sight of a strong, cohesive vision aligned with customer needs. 3️⃣ **Financial Prudence Is Essential**: Mismanaging funds was a common theme. Success hinges on treating your budget with as much care as your product. 4️⃣ **Persistence and Adaptability**: The difference between success and failure? Often, it's perseverance through challenges and tweaking the business model as needed. PS. check out 🔔 for a winning pitch deck the template created by Silicon Valley legend, Peter Thiel https://lnkd.in/ejp-Bhnu

From Pitch to Funding in 30 Days*: This is How TAS Fast-tracks Your Startup ⏩ Ready to break free from the delays of Startup funding? TAS cuts through the wait, becoming the fastest platform for startup funding. Here's how TAS gets you funded in record time: ⏳ ✅ TAS Startup Wednesdays:  Our curated web event connects you with industry leaders and potential investors. ✅ Fast-Paced Pitching:  Sharpen your presentation in our comprehensive format. ✅ Deep Dives & Investment Decisions: Our Clients with growing interest join a 1-on-1 session with your team for a deeper dive. ✅ Funding Secured in 14 Days:  Once commitments are made, paperwork is initiated and funding happens within 21 days of the 'Startup Wednesday's" pitch call. Ready to take the fast track? ⚡ We are actively seeking innovative ideas. Connect with TAS Now! -  https://lnkd.in/dpw-qciQ *Terms and conditions apply! #Startup #seedfunding #AngelInvestor #Startupfounders #Entrepreneurship #Earlystageinvesting #Startupcommunity #Funding #investment #fastfunding

Ever thought about the perks of having an Equity Pool for our startup? 🌟 From tax benefits for us to building a tight-knit team vibe, there's more to it than meets the eye! Let's talk about how it can help us all out—bringing in funds, setting up smooth transitions, and attracting great talent worldwide. Sound interesting? Learn more in the carousel! - - - - - ❓ Want to Systematically Build Your Startup. Fast? 🚀 We are on a mission to Democratize Entrepreneurship through a Proven Venture Building Process, Toolkit, and Community. Trusted by 20,000 startups worldwide. #StartupEquity #Entrepreneurship #CompanyCulture #TalentAttraction #BusinessGrowth

9 out of 10 startups fail. The following will help you to be within that successful 10%. Jessica Livingston has spent 11 years at YC and witnessed 1000 startups go through the accelerator programs. She has shared some key lessons learned. Since running out of money is the number one issue risking your startup, you need to check if you are "𝗱𝗲𝗳𝗮𝘂𝗹𝘁 𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘃𝗲" or "𝗱𝗲𝗳𝗮𝘂𝗹𝘁 𝗱𝗲𝗮𝗱": • "𝗗𝗲𝗳𝗮𝘂𝗹𝘁 𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘃𝗲" means you'll break even before running out of money - a good position • "𝗗𝗲𝗳𝗮𝘂𝗹𝘁 𝗱𝗲𝗮𝗱" means you'll run out of money before breaking even - a risk for your startup's survival Other key takeaways from Jessica: • Go for conservative spending and hire wisely • Prioritize your product and users above all else • Solve real-world problems, starting with your own • Avoid common traps like excessive networking and premature PR • Showcase your progress to secure investments – investors don’t want potential #like #comment #share Subscribe to my newsletter https://lnkd.in/enVhzUFv #startups #burnrate #runway #failureanalysis #successstrategies

Ready to kickstart your funding journey? Welcome to #FundingFriday! Let's break down the essentials of the first stage of #startupfunding: Pre-Seed Funding. 💡 Pre-seed funding is the earliest stage of funding, where your startup is just an idea, a dream you're ready to bring to life. 👥 Typically, pre-seed funding comes from founders’ own savings, family & friends, and angel investors who believe in the vision. 🔍 Investors at this stage are betting on YOU. They’re looking for passion and dedication, a clear vision, and market potential. 💵 Pre-seed funding amounts can vary, but expect to raise anywhere from $10K to $250K. It’s all about building enough traction to attract the next round of funding. 🔧 Use these funds to develop your MVP (Minimum Viable Product), conduct market research, and cover initial operations. #PreSeedFunding is your first step towards turning your startup dream into reality. Nail this stage, and you’ll be on your way to the big leagues! Ready to take your startup to the next level? Connect with us at Carpe Digits. We are the finance team that grows with you. From seed to series, we've got you covered. Let’s lean in where it counts and go the extra mile to get you where you want to be. #earlystagestartup #startupfounders #entrepreneur #startupfinance #budgeting #cashflow #financialplanning #businessgrowth #startupsuccess #scaleup #startupadvice #financialstrategy #leanstartup #startupjourney #techstartups #vcfunding #seedfunding

In the dynamic landscape of entrepreneurship, securing startup funding is a critical step towards transforming innovative ideas into viable businesses. However, the quest for financial support demands a delicate balance. Entrepreneurs find themselves at a crossroads, compelled to carefully consider the amount they seek from investors. This pivotal decision requires a nuanced understanding of their business needs, market dynamics, and the investors' expectations. We hereby explore the imperative for entrepreneurs to think twice before approaching investors, emphasizing the significance of aligning funding requests with realistic business goals and the long-term sustainability of their ventures. As we delve into this topic, we uncover the intricacies of the funding journey, highlighting the strategic considerations that can shape the trajectory of entrepreneurial success. #entrepreneurship #entrepreneurs #startups #startup #fundingcatalyst #fundingsolutions #funding #decisionmaking #valuation #equitydilution #projections #investorrelations #riskmitigation #negotiation https://lnkd.in/dK7sUv6z

🚀 𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐝-𝐁𝐥𝐨𝐰𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐮𝐩 𝐅𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐬! 🚀Did you know that 1 in 5 startups fail in their first year? 😱 Despite the odds, entrepreneurs are relentless in their pursuit of success. 𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐞𝐲𝐞-𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐬: Startups spend 20 to 40 hours a week solely on raising capital. 92% of startups use cold emailing to find funding, but only 10% of those emails are opened and read. On average, it takes around 18 months for a startup to secure funding. Persistence and innovation are key! 💡 If you're in the startup world, keep pushing forward and remember, every challenge is an opportunity in disguise. 🌟#StartupLife #Entrepreneurship #Funding #Innovation #Persistence

💡 "Starting and Funding a Business: Share Your Experience”! Have you ever wondered how to turn your business idea into a reality? Or struggled to secure funding to take your venture to the next level? 🤔 We want to hear from you! Share your experiences, tips, and lessons on starting and funding a business. What worked for you? What didn't? Let's connect and support each other in the entrepreneurial journey! Comment below with: Your biggest funding challenge Your best advice for securing investment Your favorite resource for startup funding Let's build a community of entrepreneurs who lift each other up! #businessplan #startup #businessfunding #businessidea

More often than not I see startups using phrases like "You can solve your problem with our product." when pitching to investors. But here's the catch—investors in most cases aren't your customers! Their primary interest lies in understanding how will their money grow 📈. Even though explaining the problem, solution and target customers is key, at the same time you have to help investors make it crystal clear how their money will work for them if they invest in your startup. And this is something that I actually see quite rarely even in later stage startup pitches 🤷♀️ The same as I often see startups using the same slide deck when talking to investors and customers (hint - you should have 2 different slide decks). In the visual below you'll find a few tips on investor facing narrative and an example from my work with the amazing Anda Penka from Fermentful. P.s. I plan to take July month rather slow, but am cooking one cool fundraising support activity with Karina Lapina. So keep an eye on upcoming announcements and ping me if you are interested to use "slow months" to boost your pitch and fundraising materials. #StartupAdvice #InvestorPitch #Entrepreneurship #Funding #VC #Startups #BusinessGrowth #PitchPerfect

Are fundraising woes giving you nightmares? Here are some tips to help you get started in your fundraising journey.✨ 1. Arm yourself with confidence! Investors favor leaders who exude confidence. Polish your pitch, rehearse your plan, and own your vision. Remember, confidence is key! 🔑 2. Choose your investors wisely. Research shows startups are twice as likely to succeed when targeting investors with relevant experience. Like finding the perfect compass, aim for investors who've backed similar ventures. 🎯 3. Transparency is your shield. Investors value honesty and transparency, even when discussing challenges. Be authentic about your journey. It builds trust and bridges. 🛡️ 4. Leverage your network. Startups introduced to investors through personal connections have a 16% higher success rate. Connect and collaborate. Some of the best discoveries are made together. 🤝 5. Remember, rejection is just a detour. View it as constructive feedback, and keep moving forward. Resilience is your superpower💪 Found this useful? REPOST ♻️ to help more startup founders embark on their fundraising journey. #startupsuccess #fundingadventure #entrepreneurshipjourney #startups #fundraisingtips #startupfunding #startups #teamflexbox