Investor Connect Podcast

Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. After an investor expresses interest in funding your deal, the first question to ask is, "What is your diligence process?" While most diligence processes follow the same format of document review and analysis with follow-up questions, each investor has their own start time, timefram...

Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. In raising funding just as in running your business, investors look to see if you own it. Do you own the challenging problems, or do you avoid them? Do you own the core business, or do you delegate it to someone else? Do you abide by the contracts you sign, or do you try and duck ou...

In this episode, Hall welcomes Bob Morse, Founding Managing Partner at Strattam Capital. Strattam Capital invests in founder-led independent B2B software and technology companies outside of Silicon Valley. They believe in aligning with founders and CEOs before signing, via their 5-Point Plan process to allow execution with purpose, excitement, and efficiency. Headquartered in Austin, TX, with root...

Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. In launching your startup, look for a trigger that indicates when to start a fundraise campaign. Common triggers include: Closing a lighthouse customer account or achieving a revenue target. Signing up a new team member or advisor. Finishing a beta version of your software or an MVP...

In today's show, you'll hear investor perspectives on the COVID-19 impact on the healthcare market. This is Investor Perspectives, I'm the host of Investor Connect, Hall T Martin, where we connect startups and investors for funding. It's the time of COVID-19. Healthcare is currently undergoing tremendous change across the U.S. The lockdown has put the spotlight on the healthcare system as an essen...

Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. In pitching your deal to an investor, it helps to know your investor first. What type of investor are they -- angel, family office, high net worth, or venture capital? What is their investment thesis? Are they swinging for the fences, or do they want to make a series of doubles and...

In this episode, Hall welcomes Bryan Hancock, Founder of RealStarter. Founded in 2014, RealStarter is a real estate crowdfunding platform focused on Texas-based projects, but open to investors all over the U.S. Bryan has participated in real estate ventures for over 14 years, including 7 years as a developer of over 50 Austin urban infill projects with Inner 10 Development. Bryan's track record in...

Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. In raising funding, the challenge for each round of the raise is different. At the seed round, the challenge is to convince the investor you can sell the product. At this stage, investors look for evidence that you can build and sell the product to customers. Customer interactions a...

In today's show, you'll hear investor perspectives on the COVID-19 impact on the healthcare market. This is Investor Perspectives, I'm the host of Investor Connect, Hall T Martin, where we connect startups and investors for funding. It's the time of COVID-19. Healthcare is currently undergoing tremendous change across the U.S. The lockdown has put the spotlight on the healthcare system as an essen...

Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. Negotiating the valuation of a startup between the CEO and the investors is a major step in funding. An equity terms sheet requires coming to an agreement on the valuation which determines how much ownership is given to the investor. Both startup and investor must now 'climb the val...

In this episode, Hall welcomes John B. Strong, an Albuquerque angel investor. John B. Strong is known throughout the technology industry as a passionate leader, entrepreneur, and innovator and admired for his exacting tactical execution to get startup companies up and running. He's currently the Chief Executive Officer at Adaptive Medias, Inc., one of the first companies to offer a mobile video pl...

Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. Humility plays an important role in your fundraise. Startups demonstrating arrogance and hubris are discounted quickly by investors. It's not only a sign of disrespect but also a sign of disregard for the future. Who knows what tomorrow will bring and who you will need? Both startup...

In this episode, Hall welcomes back Matthew Le Merle, Co-founder and Managing Partner of Fifth Era and Keiretsu Capital to discuss early-stage investing and "The Intelligent Investor: Silicon Valley", a book Matthew and his wife Alison Davis have just authored. Matthew is a manager of Blockchain Coinvestors, the world's leading blockchain venture fund of funds and Chairman of CAH and Securitize (E...

Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. I talk with entrepreneurs every day about their fundraise. The most common question from the early-stage startup is, "Am I fundable?" The first question to ask is, "Do you have a growth story?" Are things clicking forward on sales, team, and product development? I believe the prospe...

Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. In meeting with a prospective investor, come prepared to discuss the following: Sales -- ALWAYS have something to say about customer interactions. Even at the pre-revenue stage, talk about prospective customers and their reaction to your product idea. If you have existing customers,...

In this episode, Hall welcomes Bernard Vogel, Co-founder and Managing Partner at Endeavour Vision. Endeavour Vision is a leading private equity firm exclusively investing in medical technology. This singular focus requires deep sector knowledge and experience, so their team is made up of industry veterans and investment professionals who are experts in the medtech sector. Their specialties include...

Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. In startup fundraising, there's money and then there's smart money. Smart money is an investor that can help your business beyond the dollars applied. A few questions will help identify smart money:1. Can the investor help you in your specific industry segment?2. Can the investor he...

In this episode, Hall welcomes Brandon Knicely, CEO of Xcite. Recently headquartered in Austin, Texas, Xcite is a gamified engagement platform in pro sports and conferences that engages and monetizes online events. They are the only enterprise-class platform empowering both mobile apps and within a browser experience. It is a big data platform with AI for real-time audience intelligence. Xcite is...

Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. In the movie The Godfather, Marlon Brando plays Don Corleon, the leader of the Corleon family. At one point someone asks him why he made a certain decision. The Godfather replied, "Everything is personal." In fundraising, 'everything is personal.' You must build a relationship with...

In this episode, Hall welcomes Greg Spillane, CEO of Fancy. Fancy is inspiration made shoppable. They are a highly-curated, discovery-based, social marketplace consisting only of verified sellers. Users come to Fancy to discover, share, and shop the best fashion, accessories, skin care, decor and more from emerging brands across the globe. No other platform offers the combination of content, comme...

Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. In closing an investor, you'll need to provide basic documents about the business to prospective investors for their due diligence. There are several key documents you need for your diligence box or what some call a data room. These include: Income statements, balance sheets, cash f...

In today's show, you'll hear investor perspectives on the COVID-19 impact on the healthcare market. This is Investor Perspectives, I'm the host of Investor Connect, Hall T Martin, where we connect startups and investors for funding. It's the time of COVID-19. Healthcare is currently undergoing tremendous change across the U.S. The lockdown has put the spotlight on the healthcare system as an essen...

Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. Pitching a startup with complex technology or product can be challenging. This is especially important for those in the healthcare space explaining a new technology to those outside of healthcare. So how do you describe the complex to the novice in a fundraise pitch? Know your audie...

In this episode, Hall welcomes Larry Uhl, a Vice Chairman of the Pasadena Angels. The Pasadena Angels were founded in 2000 and are one of the longest-running angel investing groups in Southern California. Their mission is to create a unique investment community of successful business and professional leaders helping to identify promising start-up ventures and providing the capital and counsel nece...

Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. There's an old saying: If you tell me, it's an essay. If you show me, it's a story. In raising funding you have to show, not just tell. Forecasting alone doesn't close the round. You must demonstrate progress towards it. Never show up to an investor meeting or call without something...