Key Components of a Fundraising Strategy

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

Before launching a fundraiser, the founder should first develop a fundraising strategy.

This is the plan for how to prepare and then launch a fundraiser campaign.

Here are the key components of a fundraising strategy:

Identify the problem to solve and ensure it is a substantial problem that will attract investor attention.

Build a solution to show that it works, and customers will pay for it.

This could be a minimum viable product.

Make a list of family, friends, and other personal connections who can provide funding.

The early stage of funding is the hard part and should be done by those who know you.

For the rest of the raise, you'll need to show traction, a growth story, and a key insight that drives your business.

Traction is revenue that is growing.

A growth story shows how your product fits the market and how customers are engaging with it.

The key insight is your knowledge of the problem and how to solve it with a unique solution.

The unique solution is your value proposition.

Investors look for a competitive advantage, and having a key insight helps.

Consider these elements in building your fundraising strategy.

Thank you for joining us for the Startup Funding Espresso where we help startups and investors connect for funding.

Let's go startup something today.

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In this episode of Investor Connect, Hall T. Martin engages in a compelling conversation with Courtland Imel, a regulatory executive consultant and founder of Ceutical Labs. With over 24 years of experience in FDA compliance, Courtland shares his journey of aiding companies in remaining compliant and the industry's shift towards individualized medicine in the pharmaceutical and biotech sectors.

The discussion also touches on the implications of innovations in medical devices, the use of AI in development, and the regulatory challenges faced by AI-based medical devices. Courtland emphasizes the importance of having a narrow scope for AI-specific devices to gain regulatory approval and highlights the significant strides Ceutical Labs is making with 25 new products under development. He also shares investment insights, strategically focusing on the right talent, partnerships, and financial backing that are essential for scaling biotech startups. Lastly, the episode delves into the shifting landscapes of biotech hubs, the benefits of operating in Texas, and the future growth opportunities for Ceutical Labs.

Visit Ceutical Labs at ceuticallabs.com/

Reach out to at cimel@ceuticallabs.com, and on /www.linkedin.com/company/ceutical-laboratories-inc-/

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For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at: http://investorconnect.org

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How To Raise Funding for an Idea

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

Startup investors look for revenue traction and momentum in the deal.

Those with an idea only can struggle to raise funding, but it can be done.

Here are some key points to consider:

Focus on the team, the problem, and the size of the market.

Show the strength of the team.

The most compelling indicator is the previous startup experience and exits of the team.

Highlight the key insight the team has regarding the problem.

Show overwhelming evidence that the team can build and sell the product.

Show how compelling the problem is with dollar figures and the number of people impacted.

Show how other startups are doing well in the sector.

This validates that there's a market and others are having success.

Show the strong relationships and partnerships the team has with key players in the market.

Highlight the immediate opportunities available to the team.

Without revenue traction, it's difficult for the investor to know the product will work and the customer will buy it.

Raising on an idea alone works best when the target market segment is hot and everyone knows it.

Thank you for joining us for the Startup Funding Espresso where we help startups and investors connect for funding.

Let's go startup something today.

_________________________________________________________

For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at: http://investorconnect.org

Check out our other podcasts here: https://investorconnect.org/
For Investors check out: https://tencapital.group/investor-landing/
For Startups check out: https://tencapital.group/company-landing/
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The Least Talked About Part of Fundraising – Relationship Building

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

In startup fundraising, the discussion focuses on what the investor is looking for.

This often comes down to a strong team, traction with the customer, a product with a moat, and momentum in the deal.

A key component in raising funding is building a relationship with the investor.

There are some startups with enough traction and momentum that carry the startup through the fundraising process.

Most startups don't have such traction to win investor interest right out of the gate.

It's important the founder builds a relationship with the investor.

The founder does this by reaching out on a regular basis first through email and then through phone calls to update the investor and get feedback.

After an introductory meeting, this should be done every one to two weeks.

Email is great for sending information, but not so much for building a relationship.

A discussion by phone or online will build the relationship.

The key test to know if you have a relationship with the investor is the ability to make a phone call and have the investor answer it.

If you can do that, then you have built a relationship with the investor.

If you cannot, then you don't yet have a relationship with the investor.

It takes seven touches to close a sale, so it takes seven touches to close an investor.

Thank you for joining us for the Startup Funding Espresso where we help startups and investors connect for funding.

Let's go startup something today.

_________________________________________________________

For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at: http://investorconnect.org

Check out our other podcasts here: https://investorconnect.org/
For Investors check out: https://tencapital.group/investor-landing/
For Startups check out: https://tencapital.group/company-landing/
For eGuides check out: https://tencapital.group/education/
For upcoming Events, check out https://tencapital.group/events/

For Feedback please contact info@tencapital.group

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What Investors Are Looking for in Your Startup

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

Investors funding startups look for key factors that point to the success of the business.

Here’s a list of key points the investor looks for in the startup:

Successful track record of the team.

Exits by the team are the most substantial proof.

Key experiences of the team in solving the problem at hand.

Strong relationships with key players in the market.

Focused strategy for going to market.

Strong communication skills by the CEO.

Evidence of success with traction.

Scalability of the business model.

Some fit with the investor's skills and interests.

Market validation is shown by customers paying for the product.

Product validation is shown by the product working.

Evidence of momentum in the business.

A moat of some kind around the business.

The more elements you have in the deal, the more likely you are to raise funding.

Make sure you include these points in your pitch to the investor.

Thank you for joining us for the Startup Funding Espresso where we help startups and investors connect for funding.

Let’s go startup something today.

_________________________________________________________

For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at: http://investorconnect.org

Check out our other podcasts here: https://investorconnect.org/
For Investors check out: https://tencapital.group/investor-landing/
For Startups check out: https://tencapital.group/company-landing/
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Sales for a Biotherapeutic Startup

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

In a tech startup, the customer is the one who buys the product.

In a biotherapeutic startup, the customer is the pharma company that will buy the company.

While almost all tech startups launch a product and sell it to the user, the biotherapeutic startup rarely launches the startup to sell the product.

The cost to launch a biotherapeutic company is very high, given the cost of deploying the sales force and producing the product.

The biotherapeutic startup spends its time identifying the right pharma company.

This includes a review of their product line, intellectual property portfolio, and position in their sector.

The CEO of the biotherapeutic spends time with potential acquirers of the startup to learn more about their priorities.

The CEO looks for a candidate pharma company that does not already have the same IP as the startup.

Biotherapeutics, in most cases, are looking for IP that fills a gap in their patent portfolio.

In launching a biotherapeutic startup, identify the ideal customer profile and then match to the existing pharma companies on the market.

Thank you for joining us for the Startup Funding Espresso where we help startups and investors connect for funding.

Let’s go startup something today.

_________________________________________________________

For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at: http://investorconnect.org

Check out our other podcasts here: https://investorconnect.org/
For Investors check out: https://tencapital.group/investor-landing/
For Startups check out: https://tencapital.group/company-landing/
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For Feedback please contact info@tencapital.group

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Tools for Fundraising

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

Before launching a fundraising campaign, set up the tools you’ll need.

Here’s a list of key tools to support fundraising:

Database.

Create a list of prospective investors with name, email, phone number, and how you know them.

This could be a simple spreadsheet list or a full-blown database.

Set up a CRM system for outreach to the investors.

This could be a simple mailer tool or a fully developed CRM.

Set up an online video conference tool for holding calls with investors.

Most introductory meetings are held online.

Add a transcription tool for capturing the content of each pitch with an investor.

This will help you review the pitch and follow-up questions afterwards.

Set up a project management tool to coordinate support activities.

It’s often the case that you will engage others to help you find investors and set up meetings.

A project management tool can help with coordinating the effort.

Install an online calendar for scheduling meetings and follow-ups.

Set up software for building the pitch deck.

Build a system to keep track of the many variations of the deck you will create.

Fundraising is a sales process with a specific set of tools for one outcome -- to raise funding.

Prepare your tools before launching your fundraising campaign

Thank you for joining us for the Startup Funding Espresso where we help startups and investors connect for funding.

Let’s go startup something today.

_________________________________________________________

For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at: http://investorconnect.org

Check out our other podcasts here: https://investorconnect.org/
For Investors check out: https://tencapital.group/investor-landing/
For Startups check out: https://tencapital.group/company-landing/
For eGuides check out: https://tencapital.group/education/
For upcoming Events, check out https://tencapital.group/events/

For Feedback please contact info@tencapital.group

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In this episode of Investor Connect, Hall Martin chats with Tim Raines, founder and CEO of Rare Innovation, a boutique consultancy that serves as an outsourced executive team for deep tech startups. Tim shares his extensive experience in science and technology commercialization, helping startups transition from research phases to market-ready products. With expertise in creating go-to-market strategies, product development, and compelling pitch decks, Tim has been pivotal in assisting startups to secure funding and achieve market traction.

He discusses the importance of founders making the first sale, early market validation, and adapting communication for various stakeholders, from investors to end-users. Tim also underscores the importance of partnerships and strategic collaborations in navigating limited-resource environments and ensuring successful product commercialization. For founders and investors interested in deep tech, Tim offers valuable insights into the current trends and pitfalls in the ecosystem.

Visit Rare Innovation at rareinnovation.com/

Reach out to at tim@rareinnovation.com

_______________________________________________________

For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at: http://investorconnect.org

Check out our other podcasts here: https://investorconnect.org/
For Investors check out: https://tencapital.group/investor-landing/
For Startups check out: https://tencapital.group/company-landing/
For eGuides check out: https:/_/tencapital.group/education/
For upcoming Events, check out https://tencapital.group/events/

For Feedback please contact info@tencapital.group

Please follow, share, and leave a review.

Music courtesy of Bensound.