Shutting Down a Startup 2

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

Not all startups succeed.

For those that don't, there may come a time to shut it down.

Here are some key points to consider in shutting down a startup:

Before announcing the shutdown, collect all accounts receivable.

Sell any inventory left on hand.

Notify investors first so they are aware.

Notify employees and give them their last pay date.

Notify your customers of the transition to a new service or program.

Liquidate all assets.

Pay taxes and payroll withholding.

Pay off outstanding debt as much as possible.

File IRS forms related to employment tax.

Close the bank account.

Dispose of any remaining assets.

This may include patents, trademarks, and other intellectual property, as well as physical assets.

Finally, dissolve the legal entity.

The shutdown process can take some time as each of the steps above requires time to complete.

Consider these steps in shutting down a startup.

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 speaks with Henning Schwinum, the co-founder and managing partner of Vendux, a company specializing in connecting businesses with fractional, interim, and full-time sales leaders. Henning shares his journey from a 25-year career in global sales and leadership roles to identifying a gap in the market for senior sales leadership in fast-growing companies that aren't ready for a full-time executive. This led to the creation of Vendux, a specialized marketplace for fractional sales leaders. Henning explains the concept of 'sales leadership capital' and the importance of investing in the talent, processes, and technology needed to build a successful sales function. He also discusses the 'perfect match system,' a proprietary technology used by Vendex to match businesses with the right sales leaders based on detailed criteria.

The conversation delves into the state of fractional sales leadership, touching upon trends, compensation, and the growing acceptance of fractional roles across various industries. Henning highlights the benefits of fractional executives in de-risking go-to-market strategies for startups and scaling efforts that are often out of reach for small sales teams. The discussion includes real-world examples, emphasizing the impact of fractional sales leaders on pipeline quality, win rates, and accelerated growth. Henning also shares his insights on the evolving ecosystem supporting fractional executives, which includes agencies, marketplaces, and education platforms.

As the episode wraps up, Henning offers advice for founders considering the fractional route, emphasizing the importance of finding the right match for specific problems and growth stages. He also highlights the role of the Fractional Leadership Alliance, an industry association that amplifies the voice of the fractional executive community.

Visit Vendux at www.vendux.org/

Reach out to at www.linkedin.com/company/vendux-sales-leadership-capital/ , and on henning.schwinum@vendux.org

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

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Best Practices for Launching a Startup

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

Many founders have unrealistic expectations and misguided notions about how startups work.

Here's a list of best practices to consider for launching a startup:

Don't bank on the idea alone.

Startups need more than a great idea; they need execution.

Launch as soon as you can.

Delaying the launch means delaying customer interaction, which is the key driver in the early days.

Build momentum into the business.

Investors will look for momentum and traction to fund the deal.

Choose painkiller solutions over vitamin solutions.

Pick a problem that customers consider a painkiller, as it will be easier to sell.

Generate revenue and happy users.

This will give you momentum in the fundraising process.

Strive for product market fit.

This is a demand outstripping the supply.

Consider these points in launching your startup.

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 Value of LTV:CAC

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

The Lifetime Value to Cost of Customer Acquisition ratio is called LTV:CAC and is a useful ratio in determining the health of a startup.

To calculate the Lifetime value, take the monthly revenue and divide by the churn rate.

To calculate the Cost of Customer Acquisition, take the number of new customers for a month and divide by the cost of sales and marketing for that month.

Compare the LTV to CAC to determine the ratio.

The ratio must be at least 3:1 to prove the business viable.

The higher the LTV:CAC, the higher the gross margins and profit margins.

This provides a greater reinvestment rate into the business.

Investors place a higher valuation on startups with higher LTV:CAC ratios.

SaaS businesses often have a 5:1 LTV:CAC, which comes from the recurring revenue.

SaaS businesses at the Series A level often have a 7:1 LTV:CAC.

The higher the multiple, the higher the growth rate for the company.

Check the LTV:CAC rate of a startup to determine its growth prospects.

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/
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When To Sell Your Business

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

Startup founders receive buyout offers throughout the life of the business.

Even in the early days of the startup, they have the opportunity to sell the company.

At each round of funding, the founder has the choice to raise more funding or sell it.

Here's a list of reasons to sell the business:

The founder no longer wants to run or own the business.

The business no longer appears to have a future due to changes in the market or competition.

The offer is outsized in valuation due to unusual circumstances.

There's a strategic reason for selling the business that furthers the founders and investors goals.

The founder should consult the investors before selling.

In some cases, it may be better to shut down the business rather than sell it.

Selling the business takes time and preparation to do it properly.

Consider these points in deciding to sell your 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/
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For Feedback please contact info@tencapital.group

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The Challenge of Regulation

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

Regulation by the government of an industry is meant to protect customers and provide a level playing field for the companies.

The downside to regulation is that it inhibits innovation.

It often favors the incumbents in an industry and makes it difficult for startups to succeed.

It makes market entry for new players more expensive.

The existing players form advocacy groups that lobby the government for their point of view.

Regulation often snuffs out competition for the existing players.

It keeps costs high, which limits the number of users in the space.

It prevents new innovations that the incumbents may not want to adopt since it would come at a high cost.

Some industries move abroad to find acceptance for the new technology, citing the challenges in the US.

In short, regulation drives the cost up and the innovation down.

As an investor in startups, consider the regulatory environment before investing in a particular industry.

Understand the impact of regulation on the startup's growth prospects.

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.

_________________________________________________________

Thank you for joining your host Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing.

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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Music courtesy of Bensound.

How To Monitor Your Sales Forecast

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

Forecasting revenue is an important skill because investors want visibility into it.

To forecast better, use the Trailing Four Months model.

In this model, calculate the growth rate by taking the average of the growth rate over the last four months.

Use this growth rate to forecast the remainder of the year.

Do the same for burn rate.

Set up a spreadsheet that calculates this automatically at the end of each month.

This will give you an ongoing estimate for the year.

It compares sales and burn.

This takes the guesswork out of forecasting and gives the investors a data-driven forecast.

Knowing where the company stands is important in making decisions.

Share this model with investors so they can track your progress.

Monitor your sales forecast with the trailing four-month model to understand where the company stands.

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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In this episode of Investor Connect, Hall T. Martin welcomes Mike Sloan, the founder and CEO of Simple Labs. Mike introduces the audience to Cogni, a ground-breaking device designed to address some of the major challenges in the wine and spirits industry, such as product loss due to evaporation and spoilage. With real-time monitoring, Cogni provides distilleries and wineries valuable insights, allowing them to better manage their product quality and significantly increase their return on investment.

Mike emphasizes the importance of continuous barrel monitoring and how Cogni's integration of ML and AI technologies offers unprecedented data visibility and efficiency. Already conducting beta tests and receiving positive industry feedback, Simple Labs aims to launch in the bourbon and wine markets, with expansion plans to service a global market.

With strong financials, a dedicated team, and a pipeline of potential clients, Simple Labs is poised to disrupt and innovate within this traditional sector. Tune in to learn more about Mike's journey, the technology behind Cogni, and the promising future of Simple Labs in optimizing the wine and spirits production process.

_________________________________________________________

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/
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For Feedback please contact info@tencapital.group

Please follow, share, and leave a review.

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