Slauson & Co.

OUR SLAUSON STORY. Allow us to re-introduce ourselves, share a bit about where we’ve been, where we’re going and who’s on the journey alongside us. Grateful for the company we keep. ♻️ https://lnkd.in/gkywW5b8

“We’re already seeing the IPO market begin to open back up, with the recent success of ServiceTitan’s public offering. Wins like this send a strong signal to others— that it’s time to join the party.” In this video, our managing partner Austin Clements shares what he’s looking forward to in 2025. Watch the full clip and check out his predictions featured in TechCrunch here: https://lnkd.in/gWMUMq5M

“I think crowdfunding is actually an incredible way to fund and grow your business if you are good at marketing and building community. BIG IF.” At our past Slauson Spaces panel, Bags Co-founder and CEO Daniel Taylor shared his insight on how founders can leverage crowdfunding as an alternative source of capital. Key Insights: ⚔️ Crowdfunding is a Double-Edged Sword “75%-85% of all businesses that run a crowdfunding campaign don't reach their target because they expect the platforms to drive the traffic, and the platforms all expect you to drive that traffic.” 🤝🏽 Types of Crowdfunding founders can leverage: 💰Equity Crowdfunding: Raise funds by offering equity in your company. 💰Debt Crowdfunding: Secure loans from a community of backers. 💰Pre-Selling Products: Offer your products in advance to fund production. 📝 Tips for Founders to Maximize Successful Crowdfunding: 1️⃣ Build a Pre-Existing Community: Ensure you have a loyal and engaged community before launching your campaign. This foundation is crucial for driving the momentum you need to reach your campaign goals. 2️⃣ Develop a Plan: Create a marketing strategy to promote your campaign across various channels. Utilize social media, email marketing, and partnerships to maximize reach. 3️⃣ Set Realistic Goals: Understand the funding requirements for your next milestones and set achievable targets. Overambitious goals can lead to disappointment and loss of credibility. 4️⃣ Communicate: Keep your backers informed throughout the campaign. Transparency and regular updates can foster trust and encourage more support. 📺 Ready to Dive Deeper? Check out our Slauson Spaces recordings on YouTube: https://lnkd.in/gwEwGX59 💬 Have Questions or Topic Suggestions? Drop them in the comments below! Hosted monthly by Jesús Salas and Waverly Middleton, Slauson Spaces is designed to help founders demystify the startup landscape and get expert insights.

The recent wildfires have devastated Los Angeles, displacing families, small businesses, and communities across Pacific Palisades, Altadena, Malibu, and more. For those asking how you can help, the LA Tech community has come together to create “The LA Tech Community Cares Fund”. Here’s how your donation can make a direct impact: 💛 Contributions will go to individuals, families, and small businesses with the fewest resources to recover. 🔎 In partnership with GoFundMe, direct donations will be given after extensive vetting and determination of need. Let’s help rebuild our community. Donate here: 👉🏽 https://lnkd.in/gWzdN39u

CALLING ALL STARTUP COACHES We are looking for mission-aligned startup experts to support our early-stage founders with strategic & tactical business coaching and mentorship for our upcoming Friends & Family 2025 Cohort. Coaches will virtually support weekly program sessions over a 6 month period beginning in March. Application closes February 5th. ♻️ Learn more + apply here: https://lnkd.in/gsKMWmpw 

In 2025, I’m optimistic about what’s on the horizon for tech and venture capital. Why? Three letters: IPO. We’re already seeing the IPO market begin to open back up, with the recent success of ServiceTitan’s public offering. Wins like this send a strong signal to others— that it’s time to join the party. Here’s why this matters: When IPO and M&A activity picks up, it brings much-needed liquidity to LPs who have been backing venture funds. This creates a ripple effect: more liquidity fuels new funds, which in turn means more investments into fresh ideas and founders. I believe deal activity will stabilize and pick up in 2025, especially toward the end of the year. I’m excited to see this momentum build and to watch even more entrepreneurs turn their bold ideas into reality. What are your predictions for the year ahead?

Slauson Spaces is back this month on Wednesday, January 22nd. Join us for an in-depth session on Pitch Deck Essentials and how to craft a compelling story for investors. We’ll dive into the critical slides every pitch deck needs, how to structure them for maximum impact, and the best practices that can help you stand out to investors. If you're a founder preparing to raise capital, this event is for you. ♻️ Limited capacity available, but a waitlist will be offered once spots are filled. Register for the session here: https://lu.ma/hhkizr9t 

As wildfires continue to affect our hometown of Los Angeles, our hearts go out to everyone impacted. To those who have been impacted, we’re thinking of you and our city during this difficult time. Here are resources to support those affected, offer help, or stay informed: ❤️🩹 Support & Resources - Comprehensive Resources from dot.LA: https://lnkd.in/g3rhmpYC  - LA Wildfire Resource Center: https://lnkd.in/gF7REvJd - LA Fire Mutual Aid Resources: https://lnkd.in/gMKXpRSM  - GoFundMe Verified Wildfire Relief Fundraisers: https://lnkd.in/evTKDNPU  - Brands Offering Free Products & Services: https://lnkd.in/getn73Vr 🏘️ Community-Specific Assistance - Directory for Displaced Black Families: https://lnkd.in/gYjQsMTC  - Mutual Aid for Displaced Latine Families: https://lnkd.in/gch46zfM 🫱🏼🫲🏽 More Ways to Help - Support Firefighters: Donate to LAFD Foundation: https://lnkd.in/gExRm4TN  - How to Help Incarcerated Firefighters: https://lnkd.in/ghxEgmaj   - Volunteer Opportunities: https://lnkd.in/gzU6givV (check each organization’s Instagram for the most up-to-date information)  - Foster dogs displaced by the fires: https://lnkd.in/e48s4JGg 🆘 Stay Informed - Real-time wildfire tracking and updates: https://watchduty.org/  - Latest fire status and safety guidelines: https://www.lafd.org/ Stay safe, LA. ♻️

Venture capital is a notoriously hard industry to break into, and it wasn’t easy for me either.  In 2009, when I decided that VC was my path, I was unwavering in that commitment, even when people warned me how difficult it would be. And they were right, I graduated from business school in 2013 with no job lined up, but I didn’t let that stop me. I attended every event I could, worked with startups, and built relationships in the tech ecosystem. Eventually, I was referred to a role at TenOneTen Ventures, and that’s how I got my start. That experience taught me the importance of relationships in venture capital. It’s a small, fragmented industry where who you know can be just as important as what you know. That’s why I’m passionate about creating access points for others through organizations like HBCUvc.  Some of my proudest work was joining HBCUvc as a board member and helping the org build pathways for underrepresented talent to enter this industry. From internships to networking opportunities, these programs aren’t just about exposure— they’re about helping students and aspiring VCs position themselves as serious candidates in an industry where job openings are rarely posted publicly. For anyone considering a career in venture capital, this is a great opportunity. HBCUvc is currently accepting applications for its internship, and I can’t emphasize enough how transformative this program can be in helping you launch your career.  If you’re passionate about creating change in your community and beyond through venture capital, I encourage you to apply. Applications close this Sunday: https://lnkd.in/geibdgvU

Hype doesn’t close deals. Fundamentals do. In our past Slauson Spaces session, we shared key tips for founders navigating their next round. From building a strong investor process to avoiding common pitfalls, here’s what you need to know: 🔑 Focus on business fundamentals, not market hype. - Raise around a business inflection point. This could be a product launch, a distribution milestone, or a new hire - Prepare a prioritized list of investors and materials / data room 💰 How much should you raise? - Map out the milestones you want to hit with this round (e.g., revenue targets, growth metrics) - Carefully calculate runway by factoring in burn rate and monthly revenue to ensure you're raising enough without diluting too much 🎯 Your pitch needs to inspire confidence. Investors need to believe: - You can hire world-class talent - You understand a unique problem (that the majority of people don’t) - You can build a product (fast) - People want to use and pay for what you build - You can run a business - You’re excited about working with them 🚩 Watch for these common pitfalls: - Complex cap tables  - Partnering with legal teams with minimal startup experience - Misreading the broader investing climate or creating false urgency 📺 Interested in learning more? Watch the full Slauson Spaces video on YouTube: https://lnkd.in/geJNjekK 💬 Have Questions or Topic Suggestions? Drop them in the comments below! Hosted monthly by Jesús Salas and Waverly Middleton, Slauson Spaces is designed to help founders demystify the startup landscape and get expert insights.