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/
Episodes
Advantages of a Venture Studio Model
Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing.
There are several models for running a VC fund.
The venture studio model is one of them.
It brings additional support to the startup.
The venture studio creates a set of startups in a sector with various...
Are You Ready To Be a Public Company?
Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing.
Successful startups have several exit options.
Going public on the exchange is one of them.
Here is the test to know if your startup is ready to be a public company:
Can you provide a 20% annual growth ...
The Challenge of Startup Investing
Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing.
Startup investing is one of the most difficult asset classes to pursue.
Information about the potential of the startup is often scarce and always opaque.
Some information is available, but the early signs provide only ...
In this episode of Investor Connect, Hall T. Martin delves into the intricacies of venture capital in Middle America with Triet Nguyen, a principal at Render Capital. Based in Louisville, Kentucky, Triet discusses Render Capital's focus on high agency founders who are driving essential infrastructure and innovative technologies in often overlooked markets.
Triet elaborates on how Render Capital remains competitive by fostering stro...
Understand Why the Investor Said 'No'
Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing.
In pitching investors, the founder will hear 'no' many times.
Without understanding why, the fundraising process can turn into a slog.
By understanding why the investor said 'no', the founder can turn it into an edu...
Key Factors in Raising a 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, there are key factors that will lead to a successful outcome.
Here's a list of key success factors:
Providing value add to the relationship.
For example, make introductions between two ...
How To Create Momentum in Your VC Fundraise
Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing.
In raising a VC fund, it's important to create momentum in the fundraise.
This helps carry the campaign through the ups and downs that come with fundraising.
Here are a few steps to create momentum:
Read more
Closing a Limited Partner
Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing.
In raising funds, the VC fund manager needs the ability to close Limited Partners.
Here are some closing techniques to consider:
FOMO
The Fear of Missing Out is one of the most often used techniques for closing.
Marketing documents for a VC fund
Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing.
In raising funds from Limited Partners, make sure to prepare the following marketing materials:
Website.
The website should reflect the values of the general partners and details about the fund.
This is the...
In this episode of Investor Connect, Hall Martin speaks with Robert Tucci, Managing Director of Texas Halo Fund. With a career spanning life sciences, technology, and capital, Robert provides insights into the fund's investment thesis, which has evolved since its inception in 2012 as a spin-out from the Houston Angel Network.
The discussion delves into the critical factors that make a deal fundable, highlighting the importance of d...
The Ideal Investor Profile of a VC Fund
Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing.
To find the ideal investors for your VC fund, consider the following:
Value proposition
What is the value proposition of the fund?
Answering this question will narrow the field of investors dramatical...
VC Fund References
Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing.
Limited partners considering an investment in a VC fund should check the references.
Here's a list of references to consider:
Other funds the VC has worked with before.
This could be in the form of a syndicate for funding...
VC Fund Track Record
Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing.
Limited Partners in VC funds look at the team's track record and also that of previous funds.
Here's a list of key metrics to disclose about your track record:
Total Value to Paid in (TVPI)
Compares the value of realiz...
How LPs Test the VC Fund
Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing.
Limited Partners test VC funds before investing.
Here's a list of the criteria LPs use to test the fund:
Does the fund have a track record that is compelling?
Does the fund fit an open slot in the LPs asset allocati...
Types of Limited Partners for a 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, there are several types of limited partners.
Here's a list to consider:
High networth individual
This is a person who has a net worth of over a million dollars available for inve...
In this episode of Investor Connect, Hall Martin speaks with Henning Schwinum, the co-founder and managing partner of Vendux, a company specializing in connecting businesses with fractional, interim, and full-time sales leaders. Henning shares his journey from a 25-year career in global sales and leadership roles to identifying a gap in the market for senior sales leadership in fast-growing companies that aren't ready for a full-ti...
Shutting Down a Startup 2
Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing.
Not all startups succeed.
For those that don't, there may come a time to shut it down.
Here are some key points to consider in shutting down a startup:
Before announcing the shutdown, collect all accounts receivabl...
Best Practices for Launching a Startup
Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing.
Many founders have unrealistic expectations and misguided notions about how startups work.
Here's a list of best practices to consider for launching a startup:
Don't bank on the idea alone.
Startups ne...
The Value of LTV:CAC
Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing.
The Lifetime Value to Cost of Customer Acquisition ratio is called LTV:CAC and is a useful ratio in determining the health of a startup.
To calculate the Lifetime value, take the monthly revenue and divide by the churn rate.
To cal...
When To Sell Your Business
Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing.
Startup founders receive buyout offers throughout the life of the business.
Even in the early days of the startup, they have the opportunity to sell the company.
At each round of funding, the founder has the choice to raise mo...
Popular Podcasts
Two Guys (Bowen Yang and Matt Rogers). Five Rings (you know, from the Olympics logo). One essential podcast for the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics. Bowen Yang (SNL, Wicked) and Matt Rogers (Palm Royale, No Good Deed) of Las Culturistas are back for a second season of Two Guys, Five Rings, a collaboration with NBC Sports and iHeartRadio. In this 15-episode event, Bowen and Matt discuss the top storylines, obsess over Italian culture, and find out what really goes on in the Olympic Village.
Listen to the latest news from the 2026 Winter Olympics.
The 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan Cortina are here and have everyone talking. iHeartPodcasts is buzzing with content in honor of the XXV Winter Olympics We’re bringing you episodes from a variety of iHeartPodcast shows to help you keep up with the action. Follow Milan Cortina Winter Olympics so you don’t miss any coverage of the 2026 Winter Olympics, and if you like what you hear, be sure to follow each Podcast in the feed for more great content from iHeartPodcasts.
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.