Funded - How They Raised Millions

In this episode of the Back Channel, we explore the importance of addressing competition during investor meetings. 

Drawing on an analogy from the hosts undergrad economics class, he emphasizes the significance of positioning oneself confidently alongside competitors and calmly articulating one's unique value proposition. 

Rather than avoiding the conversation, address the competition with calm confidence, focusing on your strengths ...

There's a quote from Abraham Lincoln that always really speaks to me: "Give me 6 hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first 4 sharpening my axe." 

It's become a mantra of sorts for me, especially when it comes to fundraising. I share it with all of the founders I work with because it encapsulates a fundamental truth: the preparation before the task is key.

In my experience, the ease of a fundraising journey is directly prop...

In this episode of The Backchannel, host Jason Yeh delves into the world of junior VCs and their path to becoming venture capitalists. 

Drawing from his own experience at Greycroft and the hiring processes, he emphasizes the significance of technical backgrounds, industry connections, and experience in fields like consulting or banking. 

Venture capital firms prioritize hiring from networks with access to potential deals and founders...

Dilution is one of those things that a lot of founders seem to 'lightly' understand.

That's why in today's episode, Jason breaks down a step-by-step example of how dilution actually works.

Discover the significance of understanding dilution and its impact on ownership over your company.

See you next week on The Backchannel!

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Bootstrapping and raising venture capital are two different beasts. Bootstrapping gives you control, but growth is slower. Venture capital speeds things up, but you have to give up some control. 

There is, however, one thing they both have in common: each requires a leap of faith.

Today's guest is pretty unique. She's someone who's gotten to experience building both types of companies - one bootstrapped, one venture backed.

That guest...

A lot of people tend to forget that the pre-seed round in venture capital is still relatively new.

In today's episode, we talk about how the pre-seed round came about, and how it's changed since moving farther away from the bull markets back in 2020 and 2021. 

One of those changes being the need for investors to see traction earlier and earlier before investing.

Make sure to watch the full episode to hear all the insights around pre...

Have you ever heard of the quote "The safest way to get what you want is to deserve what you want"?

It was said by the legendary investor Charlie Munger, and in todays episode we're going to talk about how you can apply that same understanding to fundraising as a startup founder.

Get ready to listen along and ask yourself to answer hard truths about yourself and your company. 

See you next week on The Backchannel!

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If you'r...

Most of us have heard the saying "good things don't come easy", and I'd be willing to argue that the majority of people agree with that statement on some level. 

But sometimes, good things do come easy and THEN they get harder. And it's in those pivotal moments where you really get to see what you're capable of. 

That was the case for today's guest Mohak Nahta - founder and CEO of Atlys - a company he started as a side project to sol...

Hello & welcome back to The Backchannel! 

Today, we're diving into a topic that's often overshadowed in the frenzy of fundraising: whether or not to announce your round.

Drawing from the hosts own experiences and observations, he'll guide you through some of the complexities involved in making this decision. 

Join us as we dissect the strategic implications and weigh the pros and cons, offering practical insights for founders charting...

The truth is - most first-time fundraisers underestimate all that goes into fundraising and the support you need to make it through.

In this episode, Jason touches on 7 different emotional and tactical forms of support every founder should be aware of before jumping into a fundraise.

Make sure to watch the full episode so you don't miss any!

See you next week on The Backchannel.

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If you're looking for more fundraising conte...

There is one thing that almost every single entrepreneur has in common - the drive to change the world in some way, shape, or form.

For today's guest, she spent years of her career working for organizations like Doctors Without Borders and the United Nations, living overseas and funding entrepreneurs who were trying to make a difference in their communities.

Stacy Edgar is the co-founder and CEO of Ventuer, a company revolutionizing ...

In this episode of The Backchannel, the host delves into the intricacies of lead investors versus co-leads, breaking down the key distinctions and red flags to watch out for. 

Learn why securing a dedicated lead investor holds paramount importance in navigating the complexities of fundraising, and gain valuable insights into the potential pitfalls of co-lead arrangements. 

Tune in for an informative exploration of investment dynamics...

Join us in this episode for an insightful discussion on pattern recognition in venture capital and its impact on underrepresented founders. 

The host dives into the power dynamics of pattern matching, exploring how VCs use this tool to make investment decisions while shedding light on its potential biases. 

From the imprecision of pattern recognition to strategies for overcoming its limitations, this episode offers practical insights...

While most kids were occupied with typical childhood activities, today's guest was already knee-deep in the world of technology. From coding PHP to deconstructing old computers with his pops, his early passion for innovation set the stage for an extraordinary entrepreneurial journey.

Fast forward to the present, Igor Marinelli stands as the visionary co-founder of Tractian, a cutting-edge machine intelligence company that has gained...

In this episode, the host tackles a common yet often misunderstood slide in pitch decks: the "use of funds" slide. 

Many founders include it because they've heard it's necessary, but often it ends up being a vague waste of space. 

Instead, use this slide strategically to outline where you are today, your future goals, and how the allocated funds will be specifically utilized. 

By anchoring it in concrete objectives and clear allocatio...

In this episode of the Back Channel, Jason shares a fresh approach to email communication that's both personal and impactful.

Learn how to craft emails with a punchy, genuine tone while including a business-focused appendix for all the important details.

Say goodbye to lengthy, synthetic emails and hello to increased response rates. 

Listen and discover the power of the email appendix and revolutionize your communication style!

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In the last two decades, the startup industry has seen remarkable transformations, from the emergence of angel investors and venture capital firms to the rise of SaaS, cryptocurrencies, and the global diversification of the field.

But what's even more exciting is the increasing presence of female founders, who, despite facing challenges, are making significant strides in entrepreneurship.

Today, we're chatting with Joanna Strober, a ...

In this episode of The Back Channel, we delve into a crucial post-fundraising topic: choosing service providers for your startup.

While it may seem mundane, the decision-making process can greatly impact your business. 

Key takeaways include filtering for providers with startup expertise, considering the additional value they offer beyond their core services, and trusting your instincts about the working relationship.

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If ...

Join Jason Yeh on The Back Channel as he demystifies thesis-driven firms. They may not be as rigid as you think! 

Ever wondered why these firms love their theses? It's not just about focus; it's also a way to say "no" graciously when a deal doesn't spark joy. 

Plus, it can also be used for flexibility! Some startups may not seem thesis-fit, but if you dig deeper, they'll find intriguing connections to make the deal work.

Don't be afra...