Ed Schaffer

Having a Cars and Capital event tomorrow in Southern California with Oren Klaff. If you want to join message me. https://lnkd.in/gDQ4D39u Oren Klaff Bridger Pennington #InvestorEvent #FamilyOffice #InvestmentOpportunity #CarlsbadEvent #PrivateEquity #WealthManagement #InvestmentConference #CapitalRaising #NetworkingEvent #IndustryLeaders #FinancialGrowth #InvestorsMeetup #WealthBuilding #BusinessGrowth #InvestmentForum

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VC Market Update: Riding Out the Post-Boom Bumps. 2021's high-flying valuations and growth have given way to a more complex reality. With longer private timelines, tough exit markets, and capital tightness, startups face unique challenges—but also fresh opportunities. For those navigating today’s VC landscape, strategic planning is key. Whether it's balancing growth with capital efficiency or exploring secondaries smartly, there’s a path forward. And with boosts from AI and future rate cuts, brighter days could be ahead!

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Want to make your business more attractive to buyers? Focus on one thing: Recurring Revenue. Recurring revenue isn’t just another income stream—it’s the backbone of long-term success. According to a Forbes study, businesses with strong recurring revenue, especially SaaS companies, are seeing 3x higher valuations compared to those dependent on one-off sales. As discussed in the Forbes Tech Council, despite the SaaS development challenges in 2024, companies focusing on subscription models and long-term contracts are leading the way. Here’s why: Stable Cash Flow: Recurring revenue gives you consistent income, which translates to peace of mind. Enhanced Valuation: Buyers love businesses with predictable revenue—they see lower risk. Customer Retention: Strong recurring revenue often reflects deeper customer loyalty and long-term relationships. Curious about how recurring revenue can boost your business’s value? Let’s chat. 👉 https://lnkd.in/gDct67gU #BusinessGrowth #RecurringRevenue #SaaS #Valuation #FinancialSuccess #Forbes #PGAdvisors #ForbesTechCouncil #ProfitandGrowth

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My colleagues at BIP Capital work hard to meet the private market investing needs of HNWIs and the RIAs who serve them. The potential for compounding returns is a critical consideration, so we've put together a short, straightforward explanation of what they are and how they work. We also want to help our clients understand how evergreen funds like the BIP Ventures Evergreen BDC encourage compounding returns. Because they offer patient capital and reinvestment opportunities, evergreen funds can move high-performing portfolio startups to optimal outcomes. That's good for investors who are willing to take a longer view. If you want to get the inside knowledge on this important topic, check out our "Expert Guide to Compounding Returns with Evergreen Funds." https://lnkd.in/efXAbibV BONUS: If you're an RIA, join us for a brief informational session tomorrow (June 11th) at 2:00 pm EST. You'll get useful information from some of the most seasoned, intelligent authorities in private market investing. Mark Flickinger Phil Davidson #CompoundingReturns #EvergreenFunds #WealthManagement #LongTermInvestment #PrivateEquity #HNWIs #FamilyOffices #RIAs #BIPCapital #BIPVentures 📣 BTW, webinar seats close EOD today, so grab yours now. (Shhhhh.... if you miss it, DM me and I'll be glad to help you out.) https://hubs.ly/Q02B7zL40

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Q3 is out and Q4 is in!  This is a great read about Base10's strategic switch showcasing how Carta is simplifying fund administration for emerging managers, which is especially important now rolling into the year-end busy season. 

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May is when many private companies finalize mid-year comp plans 💵 Need a reliable 409A valuation? Or has it been over a year since your last? We've got you covered! Scalar's 409A valuations keep you compliant, protect employees from tax penalties, and come with a team that supports you all the way through an audit. https://lnkd.in/gs_CtPNS

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We're absolutely thrilled to announce a monumental milestone for Flo Health Inc.! After years of dedication to women's health, Flo, a long-standing member of the Target Global family, has secured over $200 million in Series C funding led by General Atlantic.This incredible investment propels Flo's valuation beyond $1 billion, officially making it a unicorn – a rare and remarkable feat in the femtech space. This accomplishment isn't just about numbers. It's a testament to the power of prioritizing women's health. Flo has seen phenomenal growth over eight years, becoming the #1 downloaded app in the Health & Fitness category. Today, Flo empowers nearly 70 million monthly active users (MAUs) and boasts close to 5 million paid subscribers. Notably, 1 in 4 US women trust Flo, solidifying its position as a leader in the global movement for women's health. But this is just the beginning! This investment fuels Flo's mission to revolutionize female healthcare experiences worldwide. By directing resources towards areas of critical yet unmet needs (which, let's be honest, encompasses a vast majority of women's health!), Flo will continue to be a driving force for positive change. Congratulations Dmitry Gurski,Yuri Gurski, and the entire Flo Health Inc. team! More in the Financial Times here ---->https://lnkd.in/dJZdajM4

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Series A or B wondering when to bring in a VP of Finance or CFO? It’s a crucial decision that can shape the future of your company. At this stage, financial leadership is not just about managing numbers but also scaling processes, securing funding, and driving strategic growth. My colleague Paul breaks down key signs that it’s time to hire and indicators for choosing between VP of Finance and a CFO #FinanceLeadership #CFO #StartupGrowth #SeriesA #SeriesB #NextGenLeadership

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All VCs are founder friendly – we all collectively understand that without founders, we don’t have a reason to exist. However, being founder friendly means a lot of different things. We at Touring Capital take pride in being the first call when founders need a second pair of eyes as they view us as non-judgmental board members who can problem solve together. We also look out for founders by preserving founder dilution and raising the right amount of capital needed for the business. We don’t force founders to take a specific amount of capital because of our fund size. In fact, capital efficient founders self-select us as we work with them to minimize dilution and preserve optionality. If they want to go all the way and build a massive business with a view to a public market exit, then more power to them. We have backed founders like Eric S. Yuan at Zoom and Johan Brand, FRSA at Kahoot! which were able to go public with significant founder ownership. However, if our founders decide to team up with a larger company earlier in their journey, they still own a large chunk of the company and are rewarded with a lifechanging financial outcome. Founders like Ankur Singla and Tasso Roumeliotis decided to partner with larger companies in their first forays and are now back in the game with their next acts, Exaforce and Numa respectively (and we are lucky to back them the second time around). It’s all about providing optionality for founders, not about our check size. Here's to a true partnership with the next generation of visionary founders at Touring Capital. Samir Kumar Priya Saiprasad Evan Wijaya

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𝗖𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗩𝗖 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹𝘀! As #platform roles continue to grow in #VC, providing critical value in areas like #talent, #ESG, #PR, #Marketing, and founder #community building, it’s essential to understand how these roles are evolving. The VC Platform, the largest global network for platform professionals, is running its annual #CompensationSurvey. This is your chance to contribute valuable insights into the compensation landscape for platform roles. 👉 https://lnkd.in/eFyk9Mmj Results will be shared later this year by Joshua Goodfield and 💫 Dan Holahan

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Thanks for the shout out Kevin Siskar! This is a great article with important #fundraising market insights for #founders https://lnkd.in/gebrKu66

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118 VCs (one hundred eighteen!) are gathering in San Diego next week - to meet with 30 SD startups. But it's so MUCH bigger than just those 30 co's. It brings VCs back - when they see quality companies. It helps those who are next-in-line and adjacent. It enables us to send deal flow all year 'round. It attracts talent and other companies. It inspires entrepreneurship. Connect is working for SD. Together, we're building the best damn innovation ecosystem on the planet. Year over year. Five.Ten.Thirty.

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BluWave has a deep bench of 800+ interim CFOs that allow us to quickly and expertly connect private equity firms and their portfolio companies to the exact-fit interim CFOs they need.    In one case study example, a PE firm came to us in need of a stopgap interim CFO for their automotive operations portfolio company. Here's the details of how we helped:   The Situation - Needing to make a leadership change in their portfolio company, a PE firm came to us in urgent need of an interim CFO who could focus on the portco's cash flow and working capital optimization while the search for a permanent CFO was underway. Given the protfolio company's industry, the PE firm not only needed an interim CFO with financial acumen, but one with the ability to handle a complex operational landscape and turnaround skills.   How BluWave Helped - Thanks to BluWave's deep network of exact-fit interim CFOs, we quickly connected them with a select few interim CFOs with the exact experience they were looking for.    The Outcome - The client selected their preferred interim CFO from our presented options. Their leadership marked a significant turning point for the automotive manufacturer, helping them tighten cash flow, meet reporting requirements and guide them through a crucial transition period.   When you need an exact-fit, PE-grade interim CFO, contact BluWave and we'll be ready to support.   #interimCFO #interimchieffinancialofficer

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In a recent article published by InBusinessPHX, I share my perspective on venture capital fundraising. Here are a few takeaways: - Founders need to be smart with valuation, as their last round won’t necessarily dictate a valuation increase — even if they hit milestones... Find smart capital at a fair value and focus on execution. - Defining the market is extremely important. Don't overstate the true market that's being addressed. - Once terms are accepted and is capital deployed, the most important element in a great founder/VC relationship is communication. Many founders are worried that this new level of accountability will stifle growth. In actuality, it can help propel it further — and faster. #VentureCapital #Startups #Investing #SolycoCapital https://lnkd.in/dAkJk-gY

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At Costanoa Ventures, we pride ourselves on identifying and supporting exceptional founders poised to create impactful, lasting change. Hona is a shining example, driven by a trio of extremely talented founders: Manny Griffiths, Joshua Christensen, and Matt McClellan. They each bring unique, differentiated expertise to the table, and Amy Cheetham and I are extremely excited to partner with them. There are approximately 450,000 law firms in the United States, with half of those firms being B2C - think personal injury, mass tort, or immigration law as opposed to BigLaw. One of the reasons we love how Hona is tackling this market is their focus on B2C law firms and product excellence - B2B firms are historically difficult to sell brand new software products into, but B2C firms are completely different buyers. Oftentimes there's just a handful of lawyers and paralegals in a partnership, and any piece of technology they can use to give them an edge would be valuable. 44% of negative Google reviews on law firms directly reference poor communication as the reason for a negative experience, and the number 1 reason for Attorney Bar complaints in the U.S. is "lack of communication". On the lawyer's side, attorneys, paralegals and legal assistants spend an average of 7.4 hours per week on unnecessary updates, redundant communication, and activities that aren't directly contributing towards getting a client's case solved. Manny and the team at Hona are working to change all of that. Hona delivers a tightly-integrated communications platform to help facilitate better communication between law firms and their clients. During legal proceedings, client communications tend to be a large resource-stressor for law firms. Clients will frequently call firms for case updates, legal explanations, or general administrative questions that tend to eat away at firm resources without providing any additional progress toward case resolution. Hona exists to ease that burden - it’s a platform that allows law firms to efficiently communicate with their clients over text, easily build customizable web pages and embed videos, and share information on case status and basic legal process education. This crucial communication processes allow attorneys to focus on their job – moving cases forward, while keeping their clients informed and educated. If you're a lawyer dealing with these problems - don't hesitate to reach out to us or the Hona team! It's a privilege to work with Hona on this journey. The company has been growing at a rapid pace, and they're delivering meaningful technology to help people get through legal proceedings in a much more fluid, transparent, and easy process. Manny, Joshua, and Matt are exceptional founders whose combined skills and dedication to continuous learning position them perfectly to lead Hona to success. They're just getting started, and we can't wait to see what they'll achieve.

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What if I told you that the key to successful investing lies not just in the numbers, but in the relationships you build? Last week, I had the honor of being a panelist at the 2024 Avestor Fund Managers Retreat in the Pacific Northwest, surrounded by over 60 savvy fund managers dedicated to mastering the art of wealth creation. This experience reminded me of how important strong connections are in real estate investing.. The discussions we had about creating generational wealth, sticking to the fundamentals, importance of due diligence & looking under the covers,  were not just theoretical but they were actionable strategies learnt through experience... If you manage debt funds or syndications, here are some tips: 👉 Build Strong Relationships 👉Share Knowledge  👉Stay Informed 👉Join Communities 👉Evaluate Your Strategies So, ask yourself: Are you leveraging the right tools and relationships to maximize your investment potential?

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Acquisitions are an exciting, often nerve-wracking step in a business's journey. They signal growth, success, and the promise of something greater but also demand preparation. Signs You Might Be Ready: 1️⃣🟢 Strong Financial Records: One of the most telling signs that you're ready for acquisition is having organized, reliable financial records. A potential buyer will want to see a clear picture of your company's financial health, including revenue, expenses, liabilities, and profitability. If discrepancies exist between your accounting records and operational contracts, you may need assistance to get your books in order. Missing stock option entries, unrecorded leases, or misplaced contracts can be significant red flags during the acquisition process. 2️⃣🟢 Sufficient Data Room: Another indicator of readiness is having a well-constructed data room. A data room contains all relevant documents that a prospective buyer might want to review, such as contracts, financial statements, tax returns, and corporate records. Ensuring all contracts are appropriately manifested and all liabilities are accounted for is crucial. Buyers may use any lack of documentation against you during negotiations. 3️⃣🟢 Aligned Departments: Often, when businesses are running at full speed, internal miscommunication can occur, especially between sales, executives, and accounting. If your sales team has closed deals or executives have made compensation promises that aren't communicated to accounting, your financial records could be incomplete. Aligning these departments is critical to presenting a united and accurate financial story to potential buyers. Steps to Prepare for Acquisition: 1️⃣🛠️ Identify Gaps: Start by identifying gaps in your financial records or processes that might impact your valuation. This can include everything from discrepancies in revenue recognition to improperly amortized loans. Addressing these gaps is essential for ensuring your financials are rock solid and won't cause issues during negotiations. 2️⃣🛠️ Clean Up Liabilities: Make sure any accruals, such as lease liabilities or employee benefits, are fully recognized in your financials. Buyers often scrutinize liabilities, and anything that isn't properly documented could become a point of contention. The goal is to leave no surprises for potential buyers. 3️⃣🛠️ Document Everything: Proper documentation is critical. Make sure every contract, lease, guarantee, and compensation promise is accurately recorded and included in the data room. Buyers are thorough in their due diligence, and missing information can make them question the integrity of your business. Acquisition preparation is about more than having strong sales or a promising product. It requires airtight financial records, complete documentation, and a thorough understanding of your business's agreements and implied risks. Address these areas before acquisition discussions to ensure the best outcome.

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💰 Women-Led VC Funds: Navigating 2024 Fundraising Landscape 💰 According to Venture Capital Journal, despite a strong start, women-led VC funds are feeling the impact of the industry-wide fundraising slowdown. As of November 30, 2024, women-led VC funds have raised $2.54 billion, which represents a 25% decrease from 2023's total of $3.43 billion. In comparison, global venture fundraising is down 13% YoY. While the numbers reflect challenges, there's still potential for growth: • Several funds typically file updates in December • These late submissions could help narrow the gap Let's continue supporting diversity in VC and monitor these trends as we approach year-end. #VentureCapital #WomenInVC #FundingTrends2024 La Creme de la STEM ™ - female founders support system Noshin Ahmed Lori Rodriguez Emilie Vallauri Craig Zapatka

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💰 Founders, are you wasting time and resources pitching to the wrong investors? 💰 In this podcast excerpt, David Forsberg, CFA from Ascent Energy Ventures shares a crucial piece of advice: Make sure your startup is truly venture-backable before you start seeking funding. 🎯 I've advised hundreds of startups that have raised billions in VC and venture debt funding, and I've seen firsthand the pressures founders face when growing their companies. 🌱 Listen to the full podcast for more game-changing insights. Link in the original Kruze Consulting post. 🎧 #startups #venturecapital #funding #entrepreneurship

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