Investor Connect Podcast

Mistakes VCs Make

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

Venture capitalists make mistakes just like every other investor.

Here’s a list of mistakes VCs make:

Not investing consistently through the market's ups and downs.

Valuations are better in down markets, and good deals are...

The Dark Side of Venture Capital

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

While venture capital brings many benefits to the startup ecosystem, it also has drawbacks.

Here’s a list to consider:

The venture model generates a high number of startup failures.

By pushing the business t...

In this episode of Investor Connect, host Hall Martin sits down with Earle Hager, Managing Partner of The Neutrino Donut, a consulting firm specialized in transforming scientific research into commercial solutions. Earle shares his extensive experience in technology evaluation, market planning, and commercialization strategies, highlighting his work with startups, universities, and government-funded projects supported by SBIR/STTR ...

The Introductory Version of the Pitch Deck

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

For the first pitch to an investor, build an introductory pitch deck.

The introductory version of the pitch deck simplifies your deal into its most basic presentation.

The pitch deck should focus on one problem...

The Role of Venture Capital

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

Venture capital brings innovation and growth to many industries.

The VC model provides funding to startups to innovate and provide new products and business models.

VC funding seeks out innovative ideas that are scalable.

Key Factors Investors Use To Evaluate a Startup

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

Investors review the startup founder’s pitch to determine if it's worth pursuing or not.

Most startup pitches follow the same model of problem, solution, and how it works.

The team, traction, competitive a...

How To Organize Your Pitch

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

The pitch deck is the key communication tool in startup fundraising.

Here are the key steps on  how to organize your pitch:

Start with a one-liner on your business.

State what the business does in a short and conc...

Start With a Fractional CTO

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

In launching a startup, the watchword is minimal.

Minimum fund raise, minimum team, minimum viable product.

The CTO is a key component of the startup team.

Start with a fractional CTO rather than a full-time hire...

On this episode of Investor Connect, Hall welcomes Ivor Stratford, co-founder and CEO of Morpheus Group, a leading consultancy specializing in talent solutions and executive recruitment. Located in London, Morpheus Group works with organizations across the globe, particularly in the U.S., to help founders and executives align their culture, values, and growth strategy with the right talent. With a ...

The Benefit of Short-Term Returns

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

In startup investing, many investors swing for the fences.  

The goal is to make each investment a homerun.

In most cases, home runs will take a substantial amount of time to complete.

There are benefits to...

When the Investor Won’t Sign an NDA

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

During the diligence phase, startups may ask investors to sign an NDA.

If the information is truly confidential and proprietary, then it may make sense to ask for it.

Some investors may choose not to sign an NDA.

It’s Not Your Fault, but It Is Your Responsibility

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

In fundraising, the ultimate responsibility lies with the CEO.

The CEO must know their numbers, how their operations work, and exactly how the product performs. 

From time to time, there will be problem...

Always Have a Customer Update

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 show progress with customers.

In each interaction with an investor, bring up new information about a customer.

Investors care less about how the product works and more about how the cus...

Ideal Size of a Due Diligence Team

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

Due diligence works best when it’s a shared endeavor.

It can take a substantial amount of time to diligence a startup.

The ideal size of a due diligence team is six people.

Here are the key roles and respo...

In this episode of Investor Connect, host Hall Martin engages with Ron Ondechek Jr., a seasoned investment executive and the founding managing director of South Highland Ventures LLC.

With over 15 years of experience and a track record of leading more than 100 transactions totaling over 1 billion dollars, Ron shares insights on South Highland Ventures' investment mandate, deal sourcing, and diligence processes. He discusses the fir...

Good Design Techniques for the Pitch Deck

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

The pitch deck is the primary tool in fundraising.

It’s important to develop a pitch deck that’s clear and engaging.

Here are some key techniques to improve the design of your pitch deck:

Use graphs...

How To Invest 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 recurring revenue business that focuses on a specific application or a narrow vertical sector.

By narrowing the scope of the target application, the startup can focus its efforts more effectively on solving the probl...

Advisor Shares

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

Startup founders can find additional support through advisors.

Advisors are typically experienced operators who previously ran a startup and now provide coaching and consulting services.

The startup brings in an advisor to coach on areas ...

Impact of VC on the Entrepreneur Ecosystem

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

Venture capital plays a key role in entrepreneur ecosystems.

The VC sits at the nexus of startups, innovation, and entrepreneurship.

While not all startups receive VC funding, most startups seek investment from...