A founder’s ‘insight’ is the core ingredient for startup creation. It’s the thing that they know but others don’t yet know. The insight reveals a unique market opportunity that the founder believes they can exploit before others jump in. The startup’s first product embodies this insight. To fund the startup…

The startup world has changed out of all recognition over the past 10 years. The explosive growth in venture capital and the ecosystem that it supports has been a major driving force. Capital deployed globally last year was up more than 10x over what it was a decade earlier. VC…

With increasing competition for capital, founders must take a closer look at investor psychology — Anyone could be forgiven for thinking that we are in a golden era of VC. Every year the amount invested globally reaches new heights. Against all odds, 2020 even exceeded 2019. As private valuations soar, more and more unicorns are created and IPOs provide record returns. VC funds are awash…

A ‘guided fundraise’ can give founders the leg-up they need — The transition from raising private investment to institutional investment can be a huge step for any founder. Whilst the ultimate interests of these different investor types may seem aligned, their mindsets and methods are radically different. For aspiring high growth businesses, the accelerant of institutional capital — most likely from…

Founders who are building future growth stories will be in great demand. — VC as an asset class has outperformed in recent years. Investors (known as Limited Partners or LPs) have been piling in as valuations have moved relentlessly upwards. …

Understanding 1H20 investment patterns will help founders unlock VC war chests — Entrepreneurs have enjoyed one of the most relentless bull markets over the past decade. Putting aside a few momentary setbacks, venture capital deployed into startups has surged. Over $1.5 trillion was invested between 2010 and 2019, with most of that coming in just the past few years. …

Startups that shortcut the initial testing phase risk premature scaling. — For many founders, trying to make sense of the impact of COVID on their companies has been a daunting and unexpected task. The earthquake has hit and the foundations of the business have been tested — in some cases to destruction. As a result, many early-stage companies are in the…

As startups assess their post-Covid purpose, founders need a framework for decision making that will prepare them for the recovery. — The unprecedented nature of the current crisis has created a challenge of unique complexity. Every business has been affected, and so has almost every aspect of normal life.For many startups, especially those that were in touching distance of product/market fit, everything has changed. …

A reality check for early stage businesses currently seeking VC investment — This is a deeply worrying time for founders of early stage businesses. In the face of Covid-19 the funding market is going through a hard reset. As a result, companies looking to undertake financing rounds in the coming months are under intense pressure. …