It’s too early to tell if the SVB collapse ushers in a new era of venture capital, but based on anecdotal evidence, off-the-record discussions, and chats with colleagues, we’re doing business as usual. seems to be back in business – funding for profitable startups is a concern.
It’s not a scientific sampling, but I noticed several investors on Twitter this week indicating interest in talking to founders who are still in the idea stage.
I hesitate to share my hot takes, but here’s one: the VC community is happy to write small checks to pre-revenue startups because the contagion is contained, but the series Are you above A? More or less.
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Before Silicon Valley Bank collapsed, I asked seven VCs which startups they were currently interested in backing, how they prefer to approach, and if they could share tips for first-time founders. I asked how it was.
As long as this recession lasts, this investor Q&A will be our monthly TC+ column. If you’re a recently laid-off employee thinking about going independent, an employee who has previously acquired her H-1B, or are looking for tips and advice to help you connect with early-stage investors, Please read and share. .
Investors interested in being featured in a future column should send an email to guestcolumns@techcrunch.com with the subject line “How to Pitch”.
Many thanks to everyone who took the time to answer these questions in detail. There’s a lot of tactical advice here, and more to come.
Those who attended were:
- Brian Brackeen, General Partner, Lightship Capital
- Masha Bucher, Founder and General Partner, Day One Ventures
- Rebecca Liu-Doyle, Managing Director, Insight Partners
- Clelia Warburg Peters, Managing Partner, Era Ventures
- Nick Adams, Managing Partner and Co-Founder, Differential Ventures
- Lisa Lambert, Founder and President of National Grid Partners
- Hustle Fund co-founder and general partner Elizabeth Yin said:
Have a nice weekend
Walter Thompson
Editorial Manager, TechCrunch+
@yourprotagonist
Best Practices for Changing Times: How Founders Should Leverage AI and ML in 2023
Image credit: Getty Images
There aren’t many articles promoting basic best practices. Suggestions like “listen to your customers” and “make data-driven decisions” are too general and difficult to implement.
But now that AI-driven solutions are providing search results, writing poetry, and generating illustrations on demand, startups need a plan for creating customized user experiences. said Ab Gaur, Founder and CEO of Verticurl.
“While excessive or useless customer data can clog content pipelines, the right information can drive hyper-personalization at scale,” he writes.
Zero-Based Budgeting: A Proven Framework for Extending Runways
Image credit: Getty Images
In this environment, it’s important to put all your money to good use, but pulling too far in the wrong place can sap the momentum of your entire organization.
More startups are turning to zero-based budgeting instead of just shaving a little off the top. It’s a proactive tactic where founders go back to the drawing board each budget period and “make sure everything is relevant and cost effective.” Healy Jones of FP&A analyst writes.
“The best founders are looking for a framework to strategically lean while making their startup value drivers work.”
Five Strategies for Biotech Startups to Survive a Market Downturn
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Spinning up a biotech company is a big undertaking. The investment required to build a team, secure research funding, and ensure regulatory compliance can be staggering compared to a SaaS startup.
Dr. James Coates, “a venture capitalist who specializes in early-stage life sciences companies,” says modern biotech founders need to go beyond their investor networks to find additional funding.
In his latest TC+ post, he shares five action items that “will help your biotech startup weather the cooling funding climate.”
Pitch Material Teardown: StudentFinance’s $41M Series A Material
Image credit: student finance
Last month, we reported that European fintech startup StudentFinance won a $41 million Series A to expand its services to fund education through Income Share Agreements (ISAs).
Haje Jan Kamps reviewed the company’s Series A deck this week, minus an edit for the “Sensitive Earnings, Costs and Unit Economics Slides.”
- cover
- Mission
- chance
- problem
- Resolution
- Value proposition part 1
- Value proposition part 2
- type of business
- technology
- index
- Roadmap (denoted as “expansion”)
- Geographic expansion (denoted as “expansion”)
- History and trajectory of growth (referred to as “expansion”)
- team
- contact
Dear Sophie: How can I return to the US as a Founder?
Image credit: Bryce Durbin/TechCrunch
Dear Sophie
I lived and worked in the US for 1 year in L-1B, then switched to H-1B for 2.5 years before returning to India (where I am a citizen) and founding a startup.
Now I want to go back to the US and raise funds for my startup. What are my options for returning to the US as a founder?
— Fast-Moving Founder
‘Trust is Hard to Earn’: SVB Shutdown Could Disproportionately Affect Black Founders
Image credit: Bryce Durbin
A federal takeover of Silicon Valley Bank means former customers can access their funds, but some black tech founders fear its closure will sharpen their woes. I’m here.
SVB’s startup-focused approach has been a popular choice for many black founders because it lowered the barrier to banking, reports Dominic-Madori Davis.
“Silicon Valley Bank wanted to push the envelope and see what was possible, including investing in the Black Fund,” said Brian Blackine, co-founder of Lightship Capital. “I haven’t seen any commitments from other banks.”
