Adam Martel

✨ Breaking: BFM Fund Announces New Fund.- BFM Fund A seed-stage fund focusing on founders who are Black, Indigenous, and people of color, promoting diversity in venture capital. https://www.bfm.fund Please share to let other #Founders know For the ❤️ of Startups #Fusion42 #Startups#Venturecapital

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NY Climate Tech Founders! 1) YES PLEASE save the date to join us at #techweek (6/3!), and 2) YES PLEASE share your top NY resources to complete our NY INSIDER GUIDE, in collab with NYCEDC!

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Excited to join Blackout Tuesday # 18 at LocalGlobe this coming Tuesday centered around the theme: 'Increasing Venture-backed Black Founders: Journey from Seed to Series A and Beyond'. This event will focus on the challenges Black founders face when scaling startups and provide insights on navigating growth stages from Pre-seed to Series A. After a panel of founders sharing their experiences, the breakout session will dive into practical strategies for scaling. ✏ Register here: https://lnkd.in/eHZpMDN2 Launched in 2020, Blackout Tuesday aims to: 1. Increase Black representation in VCs 2. Boost venture funding for Black founders 3. Elevate Black employees in venture-backed companies 4. Support Black GPs 5. Increase Black or Black-aligned LP representation Balderton Capital Phoenix Court Blackout Tuesday

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Big Opportunities for Emerging Venture Funds The venture capital world is changing fast. Emerging fund managers face tough competition, opening up some great opportunities. Highlights: - More Competition: With over 10,000 funds, emerging managers must stand out. - Smart Strategies: Many are cutting their fund targets and teaming up with big firms to stay in the game. - Niche Focus: Specializing in specific sectors can give emerging funds a big advantage. - Strong Networks: Building relationships with larger VCs is crucial for finding great deals and growing. Even with the challenges, emerging managers can thrive by being innovative and leveraging their unique strengths. This could reshape the venture capital scene for the better. #VentureCapital #EmergingFunds #Investment #Startups #Entrepreneurship #Funding #Opportunity

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Last week, I had the pleasure of moderating a discussion on navigating FOAK in climate tech at the Greentown Labs Summit in Boston (which had >600 people!!). Here’s a quick rundown of what was shared by Katherine St. James of Spring Lane Capital, Paris Smalls, PhD of Eden GeoPower, and Hannah Friedman of Planeteer Capital: 🌱 What is the definition of FOAK? We discussed how the term can be controversial - it's almost too general because it doesn't identify what kind of "First" FOAK refers to - first team project? First geography? First of a technology in a sector? First time for the integration of a system? It's also too specific because it has the word "first" in it, which can be anathema to later stage / project finance investors. 💰 Partnerships for Funding FOAK Projects We discussed how important it is to build a blended capital stack & use off-balance sheet capital for a project so you're not using the most expensive equity dollars to fund an infrastructure project with low-ish IRR. We also talked through being creative about using corporate partners to provide in-kind services or ink some agreement (at least an LOI) to attract this funding. 🏛 Role of Government We talked about how government capital is seen by investors & how it can be catalytic for FOAK. Government capital can provide validation that a startup has passed a rigorous diligence process by a third party - and incentives like grants or credits can help improve returns for the first project- but it's important to be doing this in conjunction with getting customer validation and to be able to present line of sight to competitive economics without concessionary capital. 👥 Advice for FOAK startups The panelists offered some very specific pieces of advice for startups going through FOAK: how to get creative with things like revenue sharing agreements or convertible notes, getting smart with project development early on (like with DeveloperU), being careful about using FOAK too liberally with certain investor groups, getting the right commercialization / FOAK talent in and around you early Huge thanks to the panelists and the team at Greentown Labs (Jill Kirkpatrick, Julia Travaglini, Aisling Carlson, etc you rocked it!!) for hosting this discussion on bridging the FOAK gap. Also immensely enjoyed the rest of the agenda. Check out the full recap & videos here: https://lnkd.in/d9ApYe9Y #ClimateTech #FOAK #ClimateFinance #ProjectDevelopment #GreenTech #CleanEnergy

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Two announcements re: our upcoming first-of-its-kind-event: a) 70+ Attendees are registered! b) The upcoming SiliconXL LaunchAthon is perfect for Job Seekers, Software Engineers and Boston-based Startups For more info or to register, visit ---> https://lnkd.in/efPxJ6Fk www - launchathons - com/boston The upcoming SiliconXL LaunchAthon is designed to provide job seekers with an immersive, hands-on experience that goes beyond traditional training. Through targeted AI coding workshops, attendees will dive deep into advanced AI tools and coding platforms, equipping them with practical skills that employers actively seek. These workshops allow job seekers to build real-world projects in collaboration with industry mentors, creating tangible portfolio pieces that showcase their abilities and problem-solving prowess. For those looking to enter the tech field, our LaunchAthon is an invaluable opportunity to gain relevant, hands-on experience that will make them stand out in a competitive job market. Furthermore, the collaborative environment encourages networking with potential employers and peers, giving job seekers a head start on forming connections that may lead to employment opportunities. For software engineers already in the workforce, our LaunchAthon’s workshops provide a vital opportunity to upskill and explore emerging technologies that might not be part of their current roles. The hands-on experience in AI-powered coding workshops offers a practical way to stay updated with industry trends, experiment with new tools, and learn innovative problem-solving techniques. These workshops encourage engineers to think outside their regular scope of work, sparking creativity and enhancing their adaptability to new challenges. Attending the SiliconXL LaunchAthon can add value not only to their current skill set but also to their role within their organization, as they bring back fresh insights and advanced knowledge that can be applied immediately to drive innovation in their day-to-day work. or startup entrepreneurs, the upcoming LaunchAthon offers an unparalleled opportunity to bring their ideas to life through hands-on experience with cutting-edge AI tools and collaborative workshops. Entrepreneurs will benefit from an environment where they can test, validate, and iterate on their concepts with the guidance of industry mentors and experienced tech professionals. These sessions are designed to accelerate the development process, providing valuable insights into product design, rapid prototyping, and market alignment. Beyond just building, entrepreneurs will also network with potential co-founders, partners, and investors, creating connections that can support their startup’s growth. LaunchAthon is more than an event; it’s a launchpad for entrepreneurial visionaries looking to create impactful, scalable tech solutions in a high-energy, supportive setting.

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Wonderful article about Emily Knight and the whole The Engine Accelerator team on the amazing work their doing changing the world with #ToughTech!

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HUGE opportunity

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🌟I had a talk with my fellow #nurse innovator at HLTH USA event. He told me that he was going to win this event, and that's exactly what he did!!!🏆 I am immensely happy for him and celebrate his success.🎊👏 If you are in a #hospital or clinical setting you need Hilario Castillo innovation in your life. His innovative syringe cuts down needle stick by 100% and save your medical facility millions of dollars in needle wasting, plus increase patient comfort. When #nurses innovate we solve real problems!!💎 #nurseonlinkedin #healthcareonlinkedin #healthtech #startup #biotech

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🗽🌳 Exciting News for NYC Tech Community! 🚀 Join us for an invigorating Venture Walk & Talk, proudly part of NY Tech Week! Scheduled for June 4th from 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM at the scenic Maine Monument in Central Park, this unique event is hosted by Founders Committee Ventures. 🌟 Why Join Us? Imagine a relaxed stroll through the beautiful pathways of Central Park, where you can disconnect from the digital world and engage with NYC’s finest founders, angel investors, and venture capitalists. This is more than just a walk; it’s an opportunity to forge meaningful connections, share innovative ideas, and enjoy the great outdoors—all within the heart of Manhattan. ✨ Event Highlights: - Network with industry leaders and peers - Brainstorm new ideas in a refreshing setting - Enjoy the vibrant atmosphere of Central Park Whether you’re looking to collaborate on new projects, explore potential investments, or simply enjoy a break from the office routine, the Venture Walk & Talk is the perfect occasion. 👉 Registration is open but spots are limited and approval is required. Don’t miss out on this chance to be part of something special during #TechWeek. Lace up your walking shoes, grab a coffee, and let’s make strides together in the tech ecosystem! 🔗 https://lu.ma/wj9o67iy See you there for a breath of fresh innovation! #NYTechWeek #TechNetworking #StartupLife #VentureCapital

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Last week Boston Founders Forum held its latest meetup event at WeWork downtown which included a fireside chat with Reshma Shetty, Co-Founder of Ginkgo Bioworks, Inc. Hosted and moderated by BFF #founders Eleni Vorvis and Christopher Harris, they did a deep dive into Reshma’s journey from MIT to founding one of the leading #biotech companies to come out of the #Boston #startup ecosystem. Some of the finer points of the discussion included -         What’s Reshma’s story? How she, and w/4 cofounders from MIT got started. -         A Turning point: One of their trusted consultants said ‘just start’, you don’t need funding, so the co-founders went out, got a sidegigs and started Gingko. -         How did the cofounders decide on the roles? Everyone kind of fell into their roles naturally, sort of made it up as they went. -         How did the initial success happen? Hypothesis testing the product and services until they got traction, then came Sam Altman to get them into Y Combinator. -         Small startup to publicly traded company. What were some lessons Reshma learned that still ring true today? -         Be ready for the next challenge and always have a mindset to learn. -         The challenges being a female founder & CEO and what it takes to overcome them. -         Perception of founders who are parents and setting the boundaries for work versus family. -         Have the accolades changed things much? No. As a founder keep your eyes off the hype and keep an eye on making good decisions for the business. Bonus point during the Audience Q&A Bootstrapping vs accelerator? There is no right answer, it will depend a lot on where a startup is in their lifecycle. Gingko took the gamble on joining Y combinator and won. After the Fireside chat Chris had some further announcements including another upcoming social event at Citizen M (TBD) as well as expansion of Boston Founder Forum into NYC. Congrats on the further growth of the BFF community.

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Today kicks off #ToughTech Week in Boston - five days of events showcasing the best of VCs and founders changing the world through science and technology! Come check it out if you are in town. #deeptech #dualuse #venturecapital

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🎙️ On the latest episode of Embracing Erosion, Devon was joined by Alex Pattis, General Partner at Riverside Ventures and founding team member of Hampton. Alex is also the co-founder of Last Money In Media, a leading VC newsletter that explores Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) within the Venture Capital ecosystem. As a prominent advocate for the SPV investment format over the traditional VC fund model, Alex brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the table. This episode dives deep into: 🌟 How to scale a company from concept to a 9-figure exit 🔄 Breaking away from the traditional consulting model and applying product approaches ⏩ The importance of iterating quickly and often with messaging 💸📈 Key signals to watch when investing in startups Don't miss this insightful conversation. Listen now 👉 https://lnkd.in/gEKv5ghE #VentureCapital #SPVs #StartupInvesting #ProductMarketing

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🚨 NEW! Fundraising Playbook: 10 Steps to Fundraising Success In partnership with our friends at Forecastr, we are excited to share a new FREE resource for founders who are looking to step up their fundraising game. The 10 steps outlined in this Fundraising Playbook will guide you through the entire process, from building an investor pipeline to crafting your pitch and closing the deal. These are the same steps Forecastr has successfully implemented to raise 4 consecutive oversubscribed funding rounds, even through some of the most challenging fundraising conditions ever. These tried and true fundraising tips and strategies have also been implemented by numerous clients that Forecastr works with to successfully raise capital from investors. To receive a FREE copy simply reply "FNF" in the comments.

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Prime Coalition has long taken a different tack to climate finance compared to its for-profit brethren. It makes the usual venture-style investments in startups through Azolla Ventures and also helps philanthropists direct their money to climate-related projects that it deems high impact. Trellis Climate follows the latter model with a focus on middle stages, where capital has grown scarce. #climatetech #climateVC #climatefinance

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Namit Chugh of W Health Ventures breaks down the distinctions between accelerators and venture capital model. If you are a founder starting your journey, learn how the two models shape up startup growth strategies and investment avenues. Catch the full episode on our Youtube channel, if you haven’t already https://lnkd.in/gB2q_iWp #venturestudio #vc #healthcare #accelerators #founder #YouTube #episode #podcast

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Massachusetts in 2024 is home to the most climate tech startups per capita in the country. They thrive at institutions like MIT and Greentown Labs, turning big ideas into tangible solutions. But we struggle to keep them here. States from coast to coast are wooing away entrepreneurs and employers. These places facilitate demonstration programs, connect companies to trained workers, and provide access to real estate for manufacturing. The Mass Leads Act rebalances these incentives, directing capital investments and tax benefits that keep these innovators in Boston for the long term and encourages others to join them. #climatetech #climateVC #venturecapital

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