7 sources of funding to build your startup that don’t require venture capital's impossible promises of exponential growth and billion dollar exits| Pitching Angels
Please reconsider your plans to fund your business with venture capital. For startups that aren’t moonshots, venture capital is a one-way ticket to failure. Other ways of funding a business have a much higher chance of success.| Pitching Angels
The fund will invest between $100,000 and $500,000 as its initial ticket size in 30 companies and reserve half of its fund size for follow-on rounds.| TechCabal
AI’s growing dominance in the world, whether it be reshaping industries’ workflows or influencing investor portfolios, is redefining how society and economies evolve. Of course, the hype and buzz around AI has been and is hard to ignore, but the question is, does this hype often overshadow the real challenges and limitations of AI? According […] The post AI’s dual nature: Genuine innovation amid localised bubbles appeared first on AI News.| AI News
The best seed VCs bet on the team everytime.| An Operator's Blog
This story can play out in many ways.| An Operator's Blog
1. The Nastiest Fight in Fintech Just Got Nastier Inc. Published: August 20, 2025 Summary: Fintech unicorn Deel has achieved a legal victory in its ongoing battle with rival Rippling. The conflict, described as one of the most intense in fintech, escalated with accusations of corporate espionage. Deel's recent court success in Florida is seen as a pivotal moment, affecting both companies' strategies moving forward. The dispute highlights the aggressive competition within the fintech sector, w...| AllBusiness.com
Key Insights at a Glance SAFEs and convertible notes deliver capital fast, skipping valuation disputes and sidestepping the drag of priced rounds. That simplicity tempts founders, but it carries hidden costs. These terms reshape ownership, reallocate governance power, and trigger dilution shocks that surface in later rounds. This analysis distinguishes SAFEs from notes, exposes the […] The post Negotiating SAFEs and Convertible Notes with Long-Term Control in Mind first appeared on Traverse...| Traverse Legal
Build a venture fund structure that earns investor trust, streamlines compliance, and accelerates fundraising from seed through institutional capital.| Traverse Legal | Traverse Legal, PLC - Traverse Legal
With a pledge to spend big on agtech, FCC chief executive Justine Hendricks hopes to give Canada’s food sector a jolt| The Logic
John Doran, who led TCV's European investments, has relocated to the Bay Area to bolster the $22 billion growth equity fund’s team.| Iain Martin
Relying on comps makes VCs miss outliers. Use first‑principles valuation and multi‑method triangulation to improve returns and back innovation.| Equidam
Rodada Série B foi liderada pela Tidemark, de Dave Yuan, em movimento que marca o primeiro aporte do fundo em startup da América Latina; objetivo é se tornar one-stop-shop para viagens de empresas| Bloomberg Línea Brasil
Your valuation isn’t your value. This blog breaks down the myth of “perfect” first round valuation with real-world examples, investor insights, and what founders should prioritize instead. The post What’s the Right First Round Valuation Today? appeared first on Valor Ventures.| Valor Ventures
Revenue per person (RPP) startup benchmarks and more. Valor’s Lisa Calhoun shares how courageous founders use RPP, burn ratio, and the magic number to win. The post How A VC Really Thinks About RPP appeared first on Valor Ventures.| Valor Ventures
The line between a 4 × and a 15 × ARR exit is rarely technology. It’s preparation. Half of all VC‑backed SaaS acquisitions close before a Series A. That’s... The post How Founders Can Be Acquisition Ready From Day One appeared first on Valor Ventures.| Valor Ventures
Pushed by artificial intelligence, the next era of venture capital is almost here. It may be the best yet. Here’s how it's shaping up. The post AI and the Emerging New Era in Venture Capital appeared first on Valor Ventures.| Valor Ventures
Valor’s Q1 2025 snapshot of Southern AI startups reveals a fast-maturing ecosystem, with specialized innovation, early enterprise traction, and strong regional growth. Hot takes inside on trust, jobs, SaaS, and where AI is winning now. The post AI Startups in the South – Q1 2025 Report appeared first on Valor Ventures.| Valor Ventures
Discover why Autonoma, backed by Valor Ventures, leads in autonomous vehicle innovation through groundbreaking simulation technology, tackling critical edge cases and driving rapid growth in multiple sectors. The post Why Autonoma Races Ahead in the Autonomy Revolution appeared first on Valor Ventures.| Valor Ventures
Valor Ventures celebrates a remarkable year as portfolio companies receive prestigious national and global awards for AI and SaaS innovation. The post Valor Ventures’ Portfolio Companies Garner Prestigious National and International Awards appeared first on Valor Ventures.| Valor Ventures
Valor Ventures announces the close of Valor Fund 3, a $27M commitment to backing the best B2B AI and SaaS startups in the South at the seed stage. With new and returning investors, the fund has already led four AI-driven investments. The post Valor Ventures Closes $27M Fund 3, 28% Larger Than Prior Fund appeared first on Valor Ventures.| Valor Ventures
Discover what VCs really mean when they ask about your Ideal Customer Profile (ICP). Learn how focusing on a clear, actionable ICP can drive your first $10M in sales, simplify scaling, and align with investor expectations. Tips, examples, and strategies for founders. The post Defining the Seed Stage Startup’s ICP appeared first on Valor Ventures.| Valor Ventures
Nick Smith, founder of Sailes, transforms sales prospecting with AI for enterprise clients. The post From Kansas City to Closing Giants: How Sailes Is Winning the Sales Game appeared first on Valor Ventures.| Valor Ventures
Speaking with Valor partners, NCR Voyix CEO David Wilkinson reveals how practical AI solutions shape enterprise innovation and growth. The post NCR Voyix CEO David Wilkinson on Enterprise AI appeared first on Valor Ventures.| Valor Ventures
Peter Walker, head of insights at Carta, reveals the South's potential as a rising star in the venture capital space at Valor's LP meeting. Discover how the region's lower costs and thriving startup scene are attracting investors seeking high-growth opportunities. Learn about seed-stage dynamics, valuation trends, and the importance of understanding dilution for maximizing returns. The post Southern Exposure: Carta’s Peter Walker Shares Positive Value Trends in Venture Capital Unique to the...| Valor Ventures
With the incoming administration under Trump, the federal climate in the near term appears to be a wind at the back of tech forward growth in this region. Here are three trends to pay attention to. The post How the New Administration Bolsters VC in the South appeared first on Valor Ventures.| Valor Ventures
The South's growing number of successful venture capital backed exits and the gap in per capita seed stage VC point to significant opportunities. The post Seed Venture Capital in the South MidYear Update appeared first on Valor Ventures.| Valor Ventures
In 2023, Valor reviewed 2,000 startups for potential seed lead rounds. With 50 weeks in the “working year,” that’s 40 a week, at a pace of 8 a day. At... The post AI and Venture Capital: Meet Vic, Valor’s Infinite Analyst appeared first on Valor Ventures.| Valor Ventures
Sign up for insider access and early notice for Valor events, conferences and grants. The post Valor Insiders Community | Join Us appeared first on Valor Ventures.| Valor Ventures
Annually in June, Valor surveys our portfolio company founders on how we are doing as their first VC. We do this anonymously, using out investment management platform build on Salesforce,... The post 2023 Valor Founder Survey Highlights Local Connections, Partners Network appeared first on Valor Ventures.| Valor Ventures
Which region produces the best value for your next venture capital dollar? The last four years of exits clarify a surprising trend. Learn more in this numbers-driven report with key charts and graphs around the latest regional exits, venture capital deal production and capital availability in the new cycle. The post 2023 Seed Stage Venture Capital Outlook appeared first on Valor Ventures.| Valor Ventures
In this 20 page white paper, learn the latest information about the surging Atlanta venture capital ecosystem. Atlanta is the fastest growing city in the fastest growing US venture ecosystem. In Q2, the South was the only region that increased its allocation of VC. Learn which organizations are catalyzing this growth and gain understanding of how you can best participate in one of the strongest ecosystems for new wealth creation in the country. The post Capitalizing the Atlanta Tech Ecosystem...| Valor Ventures
Did we come back from summer to the end of venture capital? It can seem that way from the headlines. I’m going to review the current state of venture capital... The post Venture capital 2022 reset or renaissance? appeared first on Valor Ventures.| Valor Ventures
At Valor, there two numbers that have a big influence on the valuations we set at seed: historic revenue growth and new revenue acceleration. Why do they matter so much?... The post How Founders Get Top Valuations At Seed appeared first on Valor Ventures.| Valor Ventures
Valor Venture Capital Founder Survey 2022 This June, Valor sent out our annual founder survey. We ask portfolio company leaders how we make a difference. Founders talk a lot about... The post How Founders Rate Valor (Survey Results) appeared first on Valor Ventures.| Valor Ventures
Valor's recent quarterly letter shared our perspective on 3 ways the war in Ukraine is impacting venture capital. The post 3 Ways the War in Ukraine Impacts Venture Capital appeared first on Valor Ventures.| Valor Ventures
Kauffman Fellows is more than a network—it’s a global force in venture capital. With a 5.8x average realized multiple and over $8.5 trillion in exits, Fellows redefine industry standards. In this blog, Lisa Calhoun shares her journey—from hesitation to joining Class 23, investing in herself, and unlocking a mid-life renaissance that reshaped her approach to venture capital. The post Should I apply to the Kauffman Fellows Program? A Personal Note appeared first on Valor Ventures.| Valor Ventures
Where do you find the best investments in seed venture capital now? This is a burning question for investors who appreciate the seed stage, which has some unique benefits:... The post Seed Valuations – Which U.S. Region Is Best? appeared first on Valor Ventures.| Valor Ventures
ESG in venture capital stands reduces volatility, improves performance, and creates wealth for a broader swath of Americans. However, VC as an asset class lags others in implementing these best practices. Learn more about how Valor is leading change. The post Setting the Pace of ESG in Venture Capital appeared first on Valor Ventures.| Valor Ventures
What’s next for the South? The South is the ultimate region for venture capital now and in the near future. Valor is building on a vision for wealth building that... The post The Next Hot Startup Hub By The Numbers appeared first on Valor Ventures.| Valor Ventures
Get our investment team's insights for what's hot and what's not in early-stage venture capital for 2022. The post 2022 Venture Capital Trends appeared first on Valor Ventures.| Valor Ventures
After 25 years of startup-board experience with successes such as Lancope (acquired by Cisco), Relatient (acquired by PE firm) and InTouchHealth (acquired by Teladoc), I’ve learned what it takes for startups to build and utilize a great board. The post Building Effective Startup Boards appeared first on Valor Ventures.| Valor Ventures
It's the best time to be in Atlanta venture capital in my lifetime. Learn what we're investing in as we go into 2021 with conviction and courage. The post 2021 Atlanta Venture Capital–Looking Ahead appeared first on Valor Ventures.| Valor Ventures
Are venture capital markups really a driver of multiples on your invested capital? Get the inside scoop from associates Rodney Morris and Austin Meacham in this video of a recent research seminar. The post VIDEO: Venture Capital Markups and Multiples appeared first on Valor Ventures.| Valor Ventures
Curious about what separates top funding rounds from so-so? It's all in these six simple startup metrics. The post 6 Startup Metrics to Raise A Seed Round appeared first on Valor Ventures.| Valor Ventures
What’s the best way to get seed-stage startup valuations? It’s a difficult question, and one with many answers. This post will provide a guide to 3 different types of valuation... The post 3 Methods for Seed-Stage Startup Valuations appeared first on Valor Ventures.| Valor Ventures
In this video investor seminar, learn how venture capital is adapting to COVID-19. Research from CBI Insights, McKinsey, and Pitchbook alongside grassroots perspective from Valor. The post COVID-19 And The Reinvention of Venture Capital appeared first on Valor Ventures.| Valor Ventures
Research based on a data set of 100 West Coast and 100 Southeast startups shows that markups are not a strong proxy for venture capital returns. The post Are markups a good proxy for venture capital investment returns? appeared first on Valor Ventures.| Valor Ventures
Now is the right time to make inclusion a core part of your investing approach. Here are some resources to help. The post Resources for Inclusive Investing appeared first on Valor Ventures.| Valor Ventures
Research by Valor Ventures discusses the economic and employment opportunities of closing the Southeastern seed fundind gap.| Valor Ventures
Raising venture capital is notoriously difficult, especially for early-stage startups. Even in boom times, the odds of securing investment are […] The post How a Startup Valuation Can Boost Your Fundraising Success appeared first on Equidam.| Equidam
The post The Logic of the VC Method for Startup Valuation appeared first on Equidam.| Equidam
The post Practical Valaution Frameworks for Emerging Managers appeared first on Equidam.| Equidam
This Forbes list highlights 25 venture-backed companies likely to become unicorns. Learn more about the founders and investors behind these fast-growing tech startups.| Amy Feldman
OpenAI is exploring a secondary stock sale that would value the ChatGPT maker at $500 billion, a massive jump from its $300 billion valuation just months ago.| Maginative
Figma’s first conference, Config 2020. Note: On September 16, 2022, I wrote a post about Figma after the announcement of a $20B acquisition offer from Adobe. As it turns out, that acquisition…| Psychohistory
Banco de investimento amplia tamanho de aportes em um número reduzido de startups por meio do seu programa boostlab, contam os executivos João Sá e Gabriela Lima à Bloomberg Línea| Bloomberg Línea Brasil
Biotech was starting to show signs of recovery after years of investor pullback—until new tariffs and economic uncertainty sent fresh shockwaves through an already fragile market.| BioSpace
Software developers are often frustrated by obscure pricing plans for the AI coding tools they use. With $27 million in new funding, Cline is developing tools to help them manage their AI bills.| Forbes
Fast-growing Figma's internet software has more than 13 million users, and the customer list includes Google, Microsoft and Netflix.| CNBC
AI accounted for nearly two-thirds of all fundraising deal value in the first half of 2025, with the bulk of those dollars concentrated in a few companies.| CNBC
The deal, backed by Founders Fund and Khosla Ventures, comes as the startup announced it is buying up the remains of rival Windsurf.| Richard Nieva
Learn how Deep Science Ventures’ zero-data approach tackles biotech’s early funding challenges to speed innovation and reduce risk.| Labiotech.eu
Founders with great businesses are often frustrated that they can’t raise money. Here’s why. I’ve been having coffee with lots of frustrated founders (my students and others) bemoaning most VCs won’t even meet with them unless they have AI in their fundraising pitch. And the AI startups they see are getting valuations that appear nonsensical. […]| Steve Blank
Ilya Strebulaev at the Stanford Graduate School of Business and Director of the Stanford Venture Capital Initiative just came out with a book that should be on your reading list – The Venture Mindset. The books premise is that Venture Capitalists (who were responsible for the launch of one-fifth of the 300 largest U.S. public […]| Steve Blank
Natasha Tiku, Washington Post: Influential tech investor and Trump adviser Marc Andreessen recently said universities will “pay the price” for promoting diversity and allegedly discriminating against supporters of President Donald Trump, according to messages he sent to a group chat with White House officials and technology leaders reviewed by The Washington Post. The messages the […]| pxlnv.com
Congratulations to Remote.com for achieving 🦄 status in their $150M Series B led by Accel with participation from Sequoia, General Catalyst, Index Ventures, Two Sigma and more.| Shane Mac
Stockholm-based Lovable hit over $100 million in annualized revenue in just eight months by using AI to enable millions of non-coders to instantly turn their ideas into websites, apps and online side hustles.| Forbes
There’s nothing as romantic as a wedding. There’s also nothing that turns off potential investors as fast as a wedded couple. Here’s why, and how to attract investors anyway if you’re a…| Pitching Angels
Neuralink labeled itself in April as a "small disadvantaged business" in a federal filing with the U.S. Small Business Administration.| CNBC
The former Coatue and Benchmark investor is back with a new $175 million fund to back a new generation of artificial intelligence startups like Perplexity and Harvey AI.| Forbes
Kudos to ffVC portfolio company Movable Ink and CEO Vivek Sharma! STG, a software-focused private equity firm, has announced they’re acquiring Movable Ink. My old firm, ffVC, invested when Movable Ink was a seed-stage company. Movable Ink has grown to 600 employees, and won more than 100 new enterprise customers in the last year across If this was helpful to you, please sign up for my newsletter.| David Teten
Today, let’s look at two Pitchbook reports — the US VC-Backed M&A Outlook for second quarter 2025 and the 2025 US Venture Capital Outlook: Midyear Update. [Pitchbook; Pitchbook, PDF, archive; P…| Pivot to AI
The state of the capital markets is baffling with conflicting signals issued every day. The stock market is ripping, but 1Q25 GDP growth was just revised downward from a -0.2% to -0.5%. At first glance last week’s unemployment data looked … Continue reading →| On the Flying Bridge
EQT Shakes Up Venture Team As It Heads To New York| Iain Martin
The startup, which sources say is raising at a $1.1 billion valuation, helps developers at companies like Klarna and Rippling use off-the-shelf AI models to create new applications.| Forbes
There is much hand wringing in the startup ecosystem about various forms of signaling between the seed and A rounds. Conventional wisdom, and advice, abounds: entrepreneurs should never include a venture firm in their seed round because it’ll scare other … The post We’re Overthinking Seed Round Signaling Effects appeared first on For Entrepreneurs.| For Entrepreneurs Blog
The company, which builds customer service AI agents, is raising fresh funding as it continues to help businesses shave millions in labor costs.| Forbes
California’s life sciences jobs led the nation last year, according to a new California Life Sciences (CLS) report. However, employment growth slowed and could continue slowing. CLS President and CEO Mike Guerra discusses the critical factors influencing California’s success.| BioSpace
A deal with incubator HKSTP aims to get startups “big-bank ready” – and to make HSBC start-up ready.| Digital Finance
South African energy startup OAE has secured USD 1.8 M in seed to expand its AI-driven platform that enables electricity trading & distribution| WeeTracker
Founders spend months — sometimes years — chasing that perfect idea. The one they believe will change everything. And once they think they’ve found it, they hold it close to the chest. Too close. They don’t want to tell anyone. Someone might steal it. But according to Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI and former Y| Tech Startups - Startups and Technology news
Only eight years after launching, Riad Chikhani’s Gamurs start-up now reaches 55 million people monthly and has banked $18.5 million from renowned US sports tech investors.| Australian Financial Review
I just spoke at the Venture Intelligence Day 2025 NYC on How Private Equity and VC Investors Accelerate Portfolio Company Success, based on my Journal of| David Teten
Omead Afshar, Tesla's head of manufacturing and operations, has been fired from the company by CEO Elon Musk after declining car sales.| CNBC
Cutting losses is one of the hardest decisions in startups, investing, and leadership—but it’s also what separates winners from those stuck in the sunk cost trap. Here's why mastering this mindset is essential.| An Operator's Blog
Tesla reported weaker-than-expected earnings and revenue for the quarter that ended in December.| CNBC
In 2025, leveraged buyouts (LBOs) have become the lifeblood of global food and beverage deal-making. From the UK and US to South Korea and Colombia, coffee shops are being swallowed up by private equity – one leveraged buyout at a time. In the UK, public debt hit 95.8% of GDP in early 2025 – opening the doors for a PE transformation of its coffee landscape. As scale is increasingly trumps artisanship, local cafés and specialty outfits are becoming portfolio assets.| Coffee Intelligence
A Forbes investigation found that Chris Kirchner, of the $240 million Goldman Sachs-backed startup Slync.io, fired executives after they asked questions about the company’s funds. Now, he’s facing a lawsuit for wrongful termination and claims of “fraudulent behavior.”| Forbes
Learn the essential startup valuation methods including DCF, Berkus, Scorecard, and more. Understand why valuations are crucial for fundraising, stock options, and strategic decisions. Get expert insights from Kruze Consulting to navigate the complex process of valuing your startup.| kruzeconsulting.com
Many business owners assume that any lawyer with a general business law background can handle their legal needs, whether it’s drafting contracts or advising on multi-million-dollar acquisitions. However, as companies grow, the differences between business law and corporate law becomes clear. Business law provides the foundation for daily operations; contracts, employment matters, and regulatory compliance. […] The post Structuring Your Company for Success: When to Prioritize Corporate L...| Traverse Legal
Selling your business to a private equity (PE) firm can be a lucrative exit strategy, but it is not just about the purchase price. PE firms conduct extensive financial and legal due diligence, scrutinizing every aspect of your business to assess risks and growth potential. Business owners often focus on valuation and deal terms while […] The post Selling To Private Equity: The Legal And Financial Pitfalls You Can’t Ignore first appeared on Traverse Legal.| Traverse Legal
Many business owners assume that once they receive a strong offer from a private equity (PE) firm, the hardest part is over. In reality, the negotiation process is just beginning, and PE firms are experts at structuring deals in their favor. A high value exit on paper can quickly become a financial and legal minefield […] The post The Private Equity Fine Print: Hidden Legal Risks That Can Cost You Millions first appeared on Traverse Legal.| Traverse Legal
VC4A, Africa’s premier platform connecting entrepreneurs, investors, and mentors, has appointed Yaw Preprah as Lead for Special Projects. In this| The Innovation Spark
Lightrock Capital, the global impact investment platform backed by the Princely Family of Liechtenstein, has appointed Elizabeth Biney-Amissah as a| The Innovation Spark
We finished publishing in OpenVC and here our series on structuring the team and legal infrastructure of a new private equity/VC fund. Thanks so much to my| David Teten
AI researcher Andrew Ng’s AI Fund writes $55,000 checks and selects entrepreneurs to build its startup ideas The post AI Fund Reloads With $190 Million to Get AI Startup Ideas Off the Ground appeared first on HP Tech Ventures.| HP Tech Ventures
Egyptian startup Thndr has raised USD 15.7 M amid growing interest in digital brokerages for the retail masses in underpenetrated markets.| WeeTracker
Mariseth Farms has secured a $560,000 working capital loan from Sahel Capital, through its Social Enterprise Fund for Agriculture in| The Innovation Spark
The biopharma job market likely won’t turn around until 2026, according to two industry experts. Both cited a need for more investment and noted the impact of uncertainty on the industry.| BioSpace