Category: Startups

Startup founders are used to thinking big and building projections of exponential growth based on highly scalable business models. Weekly, monthly, and annual projections are the typical guideposts for determining whether execution is on plan. Unfortunately, the Covid-19 pandemic has caused projections to go out the window.

Today, some much remains uncertain that it is impossible to accurately project what will happen. Startups need a new set of guideposts to determine what is happening and make crucial decisions on what need to be done.

Con esa frase me despedí de una conversación con un founder.  Habíamos empezado a conversar sobre sus últimos resultados y una nueva estrategia que estaba proponiendo para su negocio, dado que no se habían podido lograr los objetivos de crecimiento.  Analizamos otros casos, tocando varios ejemplos de situaciones similares, pero con resultados diferentes sacando conclusiones de cada uno.

Raising money for startups is hard. Harder still if you start in Latin America where there are still only a limited number of funding options. This effects how founders should consider the fundraising process.

Founders can focus on optimizing resources of talent, support, advice, contacts and money, in order to maximize future options. You will eventually reach the milestone you seek, but probably not in the way you thought when you first set out.

When preparing to raise and investment round from venture capital funds it is helpful to prepare materiales ahead of time. Many funds have similar due diligence processes and being organized is a clear signal that you are ready to take on capital. Investors rarely see how founders run the day-to-day operations so how they manage the fundraising process is usually investors only window into how founders execute.

A data room, or shared folders, is a common practice for running a financial transactions to share information. You can control who sees what and when they see it, while at the same time being transparent and efficient.

Startup founders have an uphill climb to acquire new clients and raise money from investors.

If you are a startup founder, in order to achieve your goals, you will have to do other people’s work for them. The good news is that when you do, you will increase your probability of success.

Founders’ ability to put together a team, or armar equipo, is a key factor to startup success. Founders who are able to make key hires show they can inspire and lead with a clear vision.

Startup founders constantly make decisions. Most are small and quick, while some are major and long term. Here are three ways to make better decisions: