Insights & Perspectives
Startup Founder? 15 Steps to Upgrade Your Deck.
We have just finished reviewing a large number of startup pitch decks. Founders from across the ecosystem, at various stages, preparing for fundraising. Some early-stage, some early growth-stage. Some first-time founders, others serial entrepreneurs. It was a...
Who Attends the Fund Manager Masterclass?
This year we will pass 2.000 participants in the Fund Manager! Masterclass. Since launch, participants from 50+ countries have mastered new elements of the venture capital fund journey with the Masterclass. But who are they, and who joins the Fund Manager!...
Entrepreneurial Finance Readiness Level
Entrepreneurial Finance Readiness Level (TRL, but for founders raising capital) Most startups are familiar with the technical readiness of their product, commonly referred to as ‘TRL’ or Technology Readiness Level. But what about ‘investor readiness level’. What would...
Going to Web Summit? Here Are the 15 Questions You Need to Prepare For the Investors You Meet.
Did you know, pitching might not be your secret weapon after all. Instead, pitch less , and ask your investors better questions. This article is part two in our three part-series helping startup founders prepare for major startup- and investor conferences. Read also...
Meeting the Investors? Here’s what they’ll ask
Going to an investor conference this month? Here are the 15 questions you should know cold — to nail your conversations and leave a lasting impression. This article is part two in our three part-series helping startup founders prepare for major startup- and investor...
The Founder’s Web Summit Checklist: 10 Things You Need to Prepare
Hey, founders. If you're heading to Web Summit — or any other major startup and investor conference — you probably need to prepare a little bit. That's okay. That's exactly why we put together this 10-item checklist. A lot of founders zero in on the pitch deck, and...
Four Steps to Building a World Class Angel Network
It started in 2012 with five words: "I have someone you should meet." That introduction led to one of my earliest angel investments — a Norwegian drilling technology company that would eventually IPO, jump from 1 to 60 per share, and remind me that angel investing is...
The Good, the Bad, the Ugly of a GP Data Room
What separates a first-time fund manager who closes institutional capital from one who never gets a second meeting? Often, it's not the strategy. It's the data room. Most emerging managers obsess over their pitch. The deck. The narrative. The 45-minute meeting. And...
Ready to raise capital? Here’s your materials checklist
Startup founder, looking to raise investor capital? Working on your pitch deck? Building out your data room? Currently in one of our Investor Readiness programs? This one is for you. In recent weeks, we have worked with 400+ founders from pre-seed to Series B. A...