Investor Connect Podcast

Founder Experience and Traction

Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing.

In raising funding, there are two key drivers to how much a startup can ask for funding.

The first is traction.

The greater the traction, the more the startup can ask in a fundraise.

Traction includes current...

Customize the Pitch for the Investor Type

Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing.

There are many types of investors.

Founders should customize the pitch for the investor type.

Here are some key investor types to consider:

The analytical investor -- this type of investor looks at ...

Build a Relationship With the Investor

Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing.

In raising funding, it’s important to build a relationship with the investor.

Upfront, the investor wants to learn about the business and how it works.

Ultimately, the investor wants to know who they are investing ...

Make Sure the Convertible Note Has a Conversion Point

Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing.

Convertible notes are useful tools for fundraising.

They are easy to set up and often don’t require much legal work.

The best part is they don’t require a valuation to be set.

Instead, a...

Talk to Investors As if They Were Already Partners

Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing.

First-time founders often spend their pitch time selling their product.

This fails as it doesn’t focus on the other elements of the business the investor needs to know, such as the team, the market, the competition,...

In this episode of Investor Connect, Hall Martin speaks with Abdul Golden, an investor, operator, and mentor with a rich background in deep tech and entrepreneurship. Abdul shares the founding story of Shujaa Capital, his venture capital firm focused on democratizing tech investing for diverse and underrepresented founders, especially in undercapitalized regions like Africa. He highlights the undervalued opportunities in these mark...

Key Steps to FDA Approval for a Therapeutic Drug

Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing.

FDA approval is a lengthy and involved process with therapeutic drugs that startups must go through.

Here’s a list of the key steps to achieve FDA approval:

After basic research, the founder applies for a...

Preparing for a Crowdfunding Raise

Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing.

Crowdfunding is a viable method for raising funding for a startup.

Here are some key considerations before pursuing a crowdfunding campaign:

Platform choice.

Look for the appropriate platform for your star...

Key Metrics by Stage

Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing.

Investors use metrics to understand the performance of the startup.

Here’s a list of key metrics by stage:

Pre-seed.  User engagement with the prototype.

Since there’s no revenue-generating product, look at how often an...

How To Make Your Pitch Deck Look Professional

Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing.

There’s a big difference between an average pitch deck and a great one.

The great pitch deck sends the signal that you are an above-average startup.

It shows class and status over other companies raising fun...

The Key Component to Investor Updates

Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing.

Updates to investors throughout the fundraise campaign are a must.

Investors want to know you are making progress.

It’s important to send weekly or monthly updates about progress on sales, team, product, and fundrai...

In this episode of Investor Connect, Hall T. Martin welcomes Anshuman Sinha, a veteran entrepreneur, angel investor, and fundraising strategist who’s making waves in the Southern California startup scene. As co-founder of Startup Steroid and a leader at TiE SoCal Angels, Anshuman shares how these organizations are reshaping early-stage investing through technology...

How To Get Your Investor To Help With Sales

Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing.

Investors can help their funded startup in many ways.

In addition to making introductions to other investors, they can also help with sales.

Here are some key steps on how to get your investor to help your sta...

How To Position Your Bridge Raise

Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing.

In raising funding, bridge rounds fill the gap between the stage raises.

Startups use bridge raises for many reasons, such as preparing for the next round, increasing the runway, or covering a gap left by an unexpected event.

How To Start Angel Investing

Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing.

First-time investors often wonder where to begin in angel investing.

Some join angel groups or syndicate funds.

Others start looking for deals to invest in.

Either way, here are some key steps to start angel inv...

Win, Expand, Extend in Vertical SaaS

Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing.

In a vertical SaaS business model, there’s a strategy for growth called Win, Expand, and Extend.

In this model, the startup wins its initial customer application.

From there, the business expands into other areas of ...

More Control Points in Vertical SaaS

Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing.

Vertical SaaS is a great business model for startups to use.

It focuses the product on one specific sector.

This brings many advantages in funding, competition, application development, and more.

A contr...

On this episode of Investor Connect, we welcome Dr. Guy Cooper, MD, an orthopedic surgeon by training, who discusses his company's breakthrough treatment for bladder cancer, the world's most expensive cancer. Dr. Cooper explains that his company, Combat Medical, is seeking $2.3 million to close a $5 million investment round to further their innovative approach that utilizes heated chemotherapy. This method enhances the drug's effec...

Control Points in Vertical SaaS

Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing.

Vertical SaaS is a great business model for startups to use.

It focuses the product on one specific sector.

This brings many advantages in funding, competition, application development, and more.

A control po...