What Are FormDs?

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

In the startup funding world, there's an SEC registration called a FormD.

A FormD is an SEC filing for those who raised funding under Regulation D rules.

It's a public notice indicating an investment has been made.

For companies receiving the funding, it lists the names or entities that made the investment.

It must be filed within 15 days of the funding.

For most startups, this is the date of final closing.

FormDs are a good resource to track funding events.

While there is some basic information about the company in a RegD, investors can find more information about it on online sites.

This came out of the Securities Act of 1934, which sought to provide more information to investors about a private company

Investments using Reg D require the investor to be accredited.

This limits the investment to those who have sufficient funds to cover potential losses.

Consider FormDs in your startup research.

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 Martin welcomes Devin Baker, a writer, investor, and the founder of Comma Partners. Devin shares his journey into the world of crypto starting from 2020, his fascination with blockchain technology, and why he believes it's a transformative force similar to the internet.

He discusses the foundation and vision of Comma Partners, a fund investing in crypto, and how he perceives the intersection of community, technology, capital, and culture within the crypto realm. Devin elaborates on the evolving role of crypto as both a financial and cultural asset class, providing insights into prediction markets and the broader impacts of blockchain technology on coordination and efficiency in various sectors.

He also touches on the significant regulatory changes occurring in the space, the growth of stablecoins, and the potential for a fully crypto economy facilitated by demographic shifts and a massive upcoming wealth transfer from boomers to millennials. The episode wraps up with reflections on the necessary improvements in the crypto space to ensure its safe and productive growth.

Reach out to at devin@comma.org, and on x.com/devbakes

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

Check out our other podcasts here: https://investorconnect.org/
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How To Fund an Angel Network

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

Running an angel network requires a source of revenue just like a startup.

Here are some ways to fund an angel network:

Charge membership dues.

This is the most common form of revenue for an angel group.

Charging the members generates more participation.

This helps generate more funding for the startups.

Charge sponsors.

This can be a good way to supplement the income of the group.

Sponsors can provide additional services, such as legal and financial.

Too many sponsors can distract from the process.

Grants.

City and state grants are good for launching an angel network.

Grants are one-time payments, so it's difficult to sustain a group on it.

Entrepreneur application fees.

Charging the startups to pay to apply can generate substantial revenue.

This reduces weak deals and those that are too early for the group.

Angel groups don't need a great deal of income to sustain operations.

Most are set up as not-for-profit entities.

Consider these sources of revenue for your angel group.

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/

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How To Get a Meeting With an Investor

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

In raising funding, startup founders must identify and contact many investors.

Here are some key steps to getting a meeting with an investor.

Research the target investor to identify what they are interested in.

This could be a specific industry or sector.

For general investors, focus on the top three sectors in favor at the time.

Find a connection between the investor's target sector and your startup.

Pull together research from your startup to show the current state of the industry.

Perform additional research to show trends, including what is coming up and what is going away.

Identify those companies that are doing well and those that are declining.

Show the why behind the change.

Investors look for research to inform their decisions.

Approach them to share your research results with information they can use in their investment decisions.

Offer to share your research with no ask.

This starts the relationship and lets you build on it.

Once established, you can pitch your deal as the investor knows and has the context of the sector.

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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Investors Vary in Quality for the Startup

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

Investors vary in the quality of the startup.

There are some investors who bring gravitas to the deal that attracts other investors.

Other investors are good, solid players in the market and can add value to the startup.

Then there are the average Joe investors who are nice guys and easy to talk to.

Finally, there are the wanna be investors who hang around the edges looking to see what other investors do.

In raising funding, practice your pitch with family and friends first.

Don't practice on investors from whom you actually want to raise funding.

Once ready, start with the top-tier investors.

If one of them says no, it won't seem out of place, as they say no a lot.

Having engaged them in the fundraising process will help, as it shows other investors you are a valid startup to consider.

Continue to work your way through the list of investors from the good, solid ones to the Average Joes, and finally the wanna bees.

Plan your fundraising to start with the ones who can add the most value to your startup and work your way down the list.

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

Please follow, share, and leave a review.

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Key Qualities of a Startup Founder

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

The quality of the team, in particular the startup founder, is one of the most important factors of startup success.

Here are some key qualities to look for in a founder.

Integrity is the most important quality, as this must be someone you can trust.

Passion for solving the problem is a key factor in the success of the business, which often hinges on a resolve to find a solution.

Experience is a key factor as launching and running a successful startup requires it for success.

Domain knowledge is another factor to look for. How well do they know the space?

Basic business skills, including sales, marketing, and finance, are needed.

Leadership skills are important as well as they must galvanize their team to reach the goal.

Vision for the business and where it will go is an important quality. Without it, the startup can wander.

Emotional intelligence is a key factor as well as those who can empathize with others often find the path to success.

In funding a startup, look for these qualities in the startup founder.

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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How To Prepare for a Valuation Negotiation

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

Valuation is a negotiation, not a formula.

Before negotiating valuation with the investor, prepare for the discussion.

Consider these points of preparation:

Know the current market and what other companies are selling for.

This is known as comps or comparables.

Have two to three examples of other company exits.

Know what other startups are proposing for their valuation.

Investors will have seen numerous valuations prior to yours, so it's best to know how you will compare.

Decide on your floor valuation below which you will not go.

This helps set the decision to walk away when the time comes.

Determine your ideal valuation.

This is not necessarily the highest valuation but rather the one that fits your overall valuation trajectory for the startup.

It's best to map out your valuation from launch to exit so you know where you are trying to go.

Finally, prepare to negotiate in good faith with all investors.

Avoid the games and work to identify and articulate the values in the business.

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

Please follow, share, and leave a review.

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In this episode of Investor Connect, Hall Martin speaks with Dan Delmar, founder and president of Virtual Angels Network. Dan sheds light on the fully virtual national angel investor network that connects early-stage startups with investors across North America. With over a decade of experience in the innovation ecosystem, Dan draws from his background with the Harvard Business School Alumni Angels of New York and discusses the inspiration behind establishing Virtual Angels Network during the pandemic. Highlights include the organization's emphasis on good financial terms, the secret sauce of their successful deal flow vetting process, and trends in online angel group syndication.

Dan also offers valuable advice for founders pitching virtually and insights into the growth trajectory of virtual investing over the next five years. For those interested in connecting with Virtual Angels Network as an investor or entrepreneur, Dan provides his contact details and application instructions.

Visit Virtual Angels Network at virtualangels.net/

Reach out to at dan@virtualangels.net , and on www.linkedin.com/in/dandelmar/

_________________________________________________________

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.