Alexander Ramsay McCaig 🌐

Want to build wealth faster? Skip startups. Buy Boring Old Businesses. Here’s why: 1. They’re already making money. 2. They come with customers, systems, and momentum. 3. They’re undervalued – 2.5x profits is standard. 4. SBA loans or seller financing make them accessible. 5. Easy profit boosters: raise prices or add new products. 6. They’re easier to scale than startups. Startups fail 65% of the time within the first 5 years. But "boring" businesses? They’re built to last. Don’t build from scratch. Buy something proven. If you could buy a "boring" business, what type of business would you buy?

7

2 Comments

Why Buying Your First Business is the hardest & Financing The Fear is Being seen as too risky by lenders and investors. The Solution: Prepare a solid business plan with detailed financial projections. Work with a financial advisor to enhance your credibility. Consider alternative financing options like SBA loans or seller financing.

11

3 Comments

📈🏢 Aby Rosen's RFR Holding is facing a staggering $2.5B debt bill as defaults pile up! 💥 🔎 According to a recent Bisnow article, RFR Holding, a prominent NYC real estate firm, is grappling with mounting debt and defaults. The company, led by billionaire Aby Rosen, has a portfolio of high-profile properties, including the iconic Seagram Building and Lever House. 🏢🏦 📊 The firm's debt load has surged to a whopping $2.5B, with $1.1B in loans maturing this year alone. 💸 The pandemic has hit the commercial real estate market hard, causing defaults to skyrocket. RFR Holding is no exception, with defaults on several properties, including the $200M mortgage on the Seagram Building. 📉 🗣️ "The pandemic has created a perfect storm for commercial real estate," said one industry expert. "Companies like RFR Holding are facing unprecedented challenges as they navigate this difficult time." 🌪️ 🔜 So, what's next for RFR Holding? The company is reportedly exploring options to refinance its debt and avoid further defaults. 💡 With the commercial real estate market showing signs of recovery, there's hope that RFR Holding can weather this storm. 🌞 Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story! 📰🔔 #RFRHolding #CommercialRealEstate #Debt #Defaults #NYCRealEstate

5

How does a brand distinguish itself in an increasingly crowded market? This question was thoughtfully explored in a recent podcast featuring Eric Bandholz, founder of Beardbrand. He emphasizes that success isn't merely about revenue; it's about forging authentic connections with your customers. Bandholz champions storytelling as a vital tool for independent brands, allowing them to resonate deeply with their audience—something big retailers often overlook. Moreover, he shares insights from his journey, highlighting the balance between business growth and maintaining personal freedom. Both ambition and values shape a company's path—harnessing authentic experiences rather than succumbing to growth for growth's sake. Given the current economic climate, understanding these concepts becomes even more crucial for entrepreneurs and investors alike. As we navigate through opportunities and challenges, reflecting on the cultural aspects of business can provide a vital edge. What strategies have you implemented in your business to connect with your audience on a deeper level? #Entrepreneurship #BrandStrategy #CustomerEngagement #Storytelling #FinancialConsulting #Beardbrand https://lnkd.in/gVTF6-_X

2

BTC Nashville 2024 in a word...Enlightening!! If you're an Accredited Investor and recognize the need to participate in bitcoin, but are wary of a direct investment in BTC, SOVRN CAPITAL has launched "Digital Midstream Genesis". LP with all the benefits of RE, Equip Financing and Energy Arbitrage + the upside of bitcoin. SOVRN is making it easy to capitalize on this asset class while still investing in what got you here. DM me for info.

10

2 active fund offerings from the Echelon Fund team who have been killing it ever since their cohort at The Fund School. https://lnkd.in/gVd-dhfY sidecarportfoliofund.com This presentation of Echelon Fund, LLC and Sidecar Portfolio Fund (the “Company”) is for information only and shall not constitute an offer to buy, sell, issue or subscribe for, or the solicitation of an offer to buy, sell or issue, or subscribe for any securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. The information contained herein is subject to change without notice and is based on publicly-available information, internally developed data, third party information and other sources. The third party information has not been independently verified. While the Company may not have verified the third party information, nevertheless, it believes that it obtained the information from reliable sources and has no reason to believe it is not accurate in all material respects.

3

If you missed SEED CRUST: State of the Seed Venture Market event last week, you can download the report and watch the recording. Here's what I expect to see in the coming year as it relates to Seed *phase* venture capital: 🐖 The "pig in the pipe" (the exit backlog) will clear this year, which is great for late stage, but it won't be felt at Seed until next year. 🔁 Which means more of the same this year for Seed: more shut downs 😢, more extension rounds 🌉, more pressure on founders to stretch their existing capital 💸. It also means the bifurcation at Seed will continue through this year. 💫 3-Round Seed is the new normal. Pre-Seed, Seed, Seed 2, call it what you will, Series A isn't coming back down to $20-30m valuations. Mind your dilution to make that work. 📈 Seed 2 valuations will continue to go up over the next year, covering territory in the $20-30m post range that used to be a small Series A. 📉 But there will be less capital available in the Seed phase than in the last three years, and less of that will be deployed into first checks. How did we end up here? Here's the full story: https://lnkd.in/gwuGVSii What do you think? What would you add to this? Check out the recording to hear the full presentation and get Peter Walker's take on it, too. (Thanks for coming Peter!) #venturecapital #vc #fundraising #seed #startups

59

11 Comments

Capital for Early-Stage Businesses Is your business ready to take the next step, but traditional financing options aren't cutting it? For many early-stage companies, bank financing might be out of reach, but growth doesn't have to stall. Eurasian Capital offers tailored early-stage financing solutions designed for businesses with strong potential and a capable management team. Our goal is to support innovative businesses like yours, helping you secure the capital needed to scale quickly while maintaining control. Don't let limited options hold you back. Let's discuss how we can help you grow! 🚀💡 #EarlyStage #StartupGrowth #InnovativeFinancing #BusinessExpansion #Entrepreneurship

5

According to Nicholas Colas, co-founder of DataTrek Research, “the magic number is 90%. When oil prices go up 90% over a 10-to-12-month period, the U.S. has a recession.” Read more here ➡️ https://bit.ly/3Ao7aHp

5

1 Comment

Mastering Investor Management In this episode of Brett's Brain, we share strategies for effectively managing your investor relationships without getting overwhelmed. From creating regular updates to keeping communication clear and transparent, we break down how to categorize your investors into tiers for better management. From the importance of engaging board members proactively, fostering relationships with major investors through one-on-one meetings, and finding efficient ways to communicate with your broader investor base. #startups #entrepreneurship #venturecapital 👉 Watch it here:

5

https://lnkd.in/eGnqfMwF Rosy Soil Raises $3.6M in Seed Funding Rosy Soil, a NYC-based sustainable soil company created to offset the negative environmental impact of producing traditional peat-based potting mixes, raised $3.6M in Seed funding. Backers included Draper Associates, Superorganism, Climate Capital, and Boost VC. Rosy Soil is also backed by Seth Goldman, co-founder of Honest Tea, Brandin Cohen, founder of LiquidIV and Ben Chesler, co-founder of Imperfect Foods. The company intends to use the funds to accelerate its product development efforts, expand its retail presence, and grow its team. Founded by Chad Massura, Rosy Soil is a sustainable soil company dedicated to improving the gardening industry via performing soils. Empowered by biochar, the soils promote plant health, reduce environmental impact and are perfect for a variety of plants including houseplants, cacti, succulents, and seedlings. It is available online, at Target, and at select retailers nationwide.

1

I was honored to partake recently in Investopedia’s vodcast, The Deep Dive, with Jay Hummel. We discussed the benefits of private market investing and how financial advisors can help their clients can get convenient access to these compelling investments. You can check out the vodcast here: https://lnkd.in/g6suMSmk #wealthmanagement #privateequity #privatemarkets #RIAs Disclosures: https://lnkd.in/gpSKg4b7

70

Harnessing Proprietary Information for Strategic Healthcare Investments Healthcare investments offer a unique combination of financial returns and the potential for significant social impact. For family offices and discerning investors, navigating this complex landscape requires more than just capital—it demands strategic insights fueled by proprietary information. The Foundation of Strategic Investment: Proprietary Information In the investment world, knowledge is power. This is particularly true in the healthcare sector, where regulatory landscapes, technological advancements, and policy changes can drastically impact the viability and potential of investment opportunities. Access to proprietary information gives investors a critical edge, enabling them to: - Anticipate Market Movements: With insights into healthcare policies and emerging trends, investors can position their portfolios to capitalize on upcoming shifts in the market. - Enhance Due Diligence: Tailored underwriting and due diligence tools grounded in exclusive data can highlight risks and reveal hidden potentials in investment prospects. - Maximize Value Creation: By understanding the intricacies of the US healthcare economy, investors can devise strategies for long-term value creation, rather than short-term gains. Empowering Family Offices Family offices often seek investments that offer both competitive financial returns and the opportunity to create a positive legacy. By refining investment platforms to address the specific needs of these entities, such as instant diversification and upside capture, they can achieve their financial and legacy-driven goals. These platforms can provide: - Market Insights: Curated intelligence that focuses on the most promising healthcare segments. - Educational Resources: In-depth content to deepen the understanding of healthcare technology trends and investment strategies. Building Relationships and Trust Investing is not just about the numbers; it's also about people. To attract and retain high-potential family office prospects, investment platforms must foster empathy and engagement. This involves: - Offering Exclusive Rights: Providing access to follow-on deals and direct investment opportunities with board or advisory roles. - Understanding Emotions: Addressing fears of missing out on prime opportunities due to geographical limitations and dissatisfaction with average investment options. - Creating Community: Facilitating a network of like-minded investors focused on collaborative, high-impact healthcare investments. Harnessing proprietary information is critical for making strategic healthcare investments that offer significant financial returns and contribute to the betterment of society. If you like to learn more about strategic healthcare investments or discuss your specific investment goals and how proprietary information can be leveraged to achieve them? Please feel free to reach out or leave a comment below.

20

1 Comment

Join SpringTime Ventures (virtually) on Thursday, May 2nd at 11:00am MT // 1:00pm ET as we talk through the current #startup #fundraising market conditions at Seed. There are countless startups grinding it out from Pre-Seed, to Seed, to Seed 2, to Seed 3, to every possible take on "bridge" and "inside" rounds. Why are so many startups circling around, unable to break through to Series A? We call this the Seed Crust. What are the market forces driving this? What are the paths forward for founders? Are there rays of hope breaking through the crust? Join us next week: https://lnkd.in/g9FyiEps

52

17 Comments

#VentureCapital #fundraise #earlystage #startups #enterprisesoftware #AI "The current climate [ Roland Reynolds ] observed, is sharply different than it was a couple years ago. This is a much more challenging #fundraising environment.. to get a flat or slightly larger fund size is a big win.” https://lnkd.in/eJVtZ8Uw Industry Ventures

9

Hey #Founders - have you been contacted by a search fund 💼 📊 about selling your business? Take a beat before providing info and take two beats before signing an LOI 🤔 Search funds just may be the new SPACs. Lots of activity, very few successful capital events, and worse, lots of founders left holding the bag! 📉 😰 Here's a few of the issues: 1. Inexperience: Often first-time buyers and first time CEOs. Both are risk factors for you. 2. Extended Involvement: You may need your help longer than expected, either to preserve part of your $ or keep the company from failing. 3. Cultural Fit: Potential disruptions in company culture which lead to even handholding with former employees. 4. Complex Financing: They don't have $$, so that will complicate, delay or even kill your deal after months of work. Handing the keys to an inexperienced driver can be risky. 🚗 #BusinessSales #entrepreneurs #vistage #ypo #exits

35

1 Comment