The Jockey, Horse, and Race #34

What Makes You Venture Backable? (Horse Betting Edition)

Is your startup a thoroughbred in the making? As an entrepreneur, you're not just the jockey guiding the horse, but also picking the race. In other words, it's about you (the team), your product (the horse), and your chosen market (the race). Here's a quick rundown:

• You, The Jockey: Do you have a track record of success, industry experience, and a problem-solving mission that's personal to you?
• Your Product, The Horse: Is it a unique, defensible idea that's already outpacing the competition and getting rave reviews?
• Your Market, The Race: Is it vast, clearly defined, and itching for your solution?

Have all these boxes been checked? You might just be on the fast track to venture capital. Missing a few? Don't worry, I'm here to help you become the Triple Crown winner of the startup world! Read the full post

Fundraising Demystified Episode #8 is Live!

I'm excited to announce a brand new episode of Fundraising Demystified. In this episode, we had the pleasure of interviewing David Daneshgar, the co-founder and CEO of Whippy, an all-in-one communication platform for teams.

David shares his journey as a successful founder and provides valuable insights into the world of fundraising & bootstrapping, having taken both approaches to finance his past & present ventures.

So, what did we discuss in this episode? Let me give you a sneak peek:

• David's transition from professional poker player to raising venture capital for his previous startup BloomNation and then starting a bootstrap business.
• The challenges faced by BloomNation and the lessons they learned.
• David's exit journey from BloomNation and the recapitalization process they went through.
• The power of bootstrapping and making the right decisions for your business.
• David's role at Whippy and how the platform is revolutionizing communication through automation and AI.
• Tips and advice on raising venture capital and the importance of finding out early if your business idea is viable.

Key Takeaways:

• Quick decision-making skills gained from David's poker background have been instrumental in his entrepreneurial journey.
• Strategic investments can be a viable alternative to traditional fundraising methods.
• Keeping an open mind and exploring different approaches can lead to more opportunities as a founder. Listen Here

Knowing if your pitch deck is a winner or loser is not always clear. The venture community likes to project false positivity and tries not to give direct feedback for fear of founders getting defensive or feeling crushed.

​I feel it's a disservice to founders pouring their heart, blood, sweat, and tears into their businesses not to get direct and constructive feedback.

​That's why I'm hosting a weekly recorded deck roast for founders in the Thunder community.

​Here's how it works:

• ​RSVP for the event and upload your deck if you want it to be considered for the event. I will do as many as I can in a 30-60 minute window every Friday. If I don't get to yours or you're not ready, there's always next week.
• ​Join the live event to participate in the roasts.
• ​Can't make it? No worries, it will be recorded, and the video will be shared with everyone who RSVP'd.

​I can assure you that I will do my best to add value to every deck I review.

​Also, keep an eye out for special guest appearances. They will be a surprise and worth attending to see who we bring in. RSVP Here

What the Experts Have to Say

For Startups, Do You Bet on the Jockey or the Horse?

The discussion of how VCs invest is still up for discussion, but this article discusses the general trend towards the Jockey. Read More

Inside the Mind of a Venture Capitalist

Understanding the VC mindset is the first step to winning their funding. Knowing the parts of the startup they care about will help you build your startup in a way that will attract funding.  Read More

Right Horse, Right Jockey, Right Track

While the Jockey is often seen as the most important, the other elements are also weighed heavily in the investment decision. Knowing how to perform well with the horse and the race is just as important as getting the VC funding. Read More

If you're ready to raise capital, let us know and upgrade to Premium to unlock your targeted investor list of who will have a higher probability of investing. All premium clients receive a complementary consulting session with Jason Kirby, Managing Partner at Thunder. Upgrade Now

Let's stay in touch:

Written by Jason Kirby - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonrkirby
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