Jon Cheney ⏩

Today's Boring Biz (# 102): Children's Entertainment Center - $300K Cashflow - California Note: We do not represent this deal, highlighting for informational purposes only for viewers What does the company do? 1. Indoor playspace and party center 2. Birthday party hosting 3. Established franchise location Investment highlights 1. 17+ years in operation 2. Diverse revenue streams 3. Located in high-traffic shopping mall Investment risks/concerns 1. High local competition 2. Liability and injury insurance 3. Limitations from franchise network #SMB #ETA #finance #Cashflow #investing #search #searchfund #privateequity #microprivateequity #smallbusiness #venturecapital #vc #entrepreneur #business #businessowner #children #entertainment #center #california Disclaimer: Hypothetical and illustrative only. Please do your own research (DYOR) or work with tax and legal professionals before making a decision. This video are intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or tax advice, nor should be construed as an offer to sell, a solicitation of an offer to buy, or a recommendation for any security by SMB PE LLC or any third party.

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Who are the top Utah founders VCs must watch? Vote for them by tagging them below! The Venture Capital Podcast is hosting the VCP 100 event in Utah this June, honoring the top 100 Founders in Utah VCs must watch. After the VCP 100 Utah event, we will be visiting the following cities: - Utah: June - San Diego: August - Atlanta: October - Mumbai: December Participating Utah VCs Include: - University Growth Fund - Album - Coldwater Capital, LLC - Convoi Ventures - Cummings Capital Management - EPIC Ventures - Frame VC - Frazier Group - Grix Venture Capital - Kickstart Fund - Influence VC (Bubba Page) - Mercato - Ollin Ventures - Peak Ventures - Pelion Venture Partners - Peterson Ventures - Pipeline Capital Partners - Prelude (Davis Warnock) - RET Ventures - RevRoad Capital - s20 Capital - SLC Angels - Signal Peak Ventures - Spacestation Investments - SpringTide Ventures - Sorenson Capital - Startup Ignition Ventures - Swell Capital - Tandem Venture Partners - TribeAngels - Utah Innovation Fund - +More 🚀 Nomination Process 🚀 Tag your nominees in this post to cast your vote, and don't hesitate to nominate someone who has already been nominated – each nomination strengthens their position. After the public nomination phase, we'll proceed with a private voting round among the nominees. An independent panel of judges will then review and select the winners. 🚀 Utah Nomination Deadline: May 15 🚀 Don't miss out on this opportunity to acknowledge and support Utah's entrepreneurs. Nominate now and play a role in propelling Utah's innovation to new heights! 🚀 Thanks to Our Sponsors and Industry Partners🚀 Media Partners - TechBuzz.News - Women Tech Council - Silicon Slopes - Utah Business - Forge Utah Foundation Sponsors/Partners - Codebase - University Growth Fund - Fullcast - Goal - Salt Lake Chamber - IsoTalent - Frame VC - Mayer Brown - Method Communications - HULLINGER + PROBST

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Team San Diego! I though you may find this as surprising as I did...we are not alone. Read this quick article from Jon Prentice's (Silicon Valley Bank) interview with with James Newell (Voyager Capital), published in GeekWire on Seattle's innovation ecosystem....they lament the SAME issues as we do in San Diego: * Lack of angel investors, (Especially, it calls out, given the local giant tech co's) * "We need low-conviction check writers." * Lack of "cachet associated with being an angel investor" - We have similar efforts (as described in the article) to drum up angel activity: NuFund Venture Group and, Interlock Capital (read the article and you'll see why the Interlock effort is tops as relates to "paying back into the ecosystem") Connect.org strives to 'connect' innovative companies with investors of all types (angel, VC, PE...) - just see "Innovation Day". Their Springboard program provides another great way for experienced entrepreneurs to give back through mentorship...as for the companies going through Springboard: "Ask for advice, and you often get $$" Your thoughts on the article or San Diego innovation ecosystem? https://lnkd.in/gfwq6mfq

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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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I've found that many here on LinkedIn (truly a fantastic venue) do not realize what many hard working Americans are going through. It's tough, without much light at the end of the tunnel (this is a great article from the Los Angeles Times). There's a reason why positive message posts go viral here on LI, we crave it and we need it. But think about his for a minute, LI only touches a part of our population. There are a lot of people - from all socioeconomic classes - that are not here. Especially those that are really, working all the time and not in front of a computer. These folks, when not working and looking at their phone for a break, are on TikTok - Instagram - YouTube - Meta Facebook watching video shorts of people dancing and animals as well. Or getting all kinds of BS and fake news and memes. The stuff that offers hope are usually BS 🐂 💩 hype driven opportunities that are really just MLM or some other crap. I find it is important to pay attention to everything happening, be aware of what everyone is going through, and see the entire picture. Because that is how you best find opportunity- both financial, and making a positive impact in other's lives, by creating opportunity for them to benefit, and along the way help others as well. “Do well by doing good” as good ole Ben Franklin coined.

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Congrats to these amazing #Colorado Startups! Some fun facts: - In 2023, Colorado’s venture capital scene demonstrated resilience and growth, with $4.3 billion invested across 496 deals despite a national slowdown.  - Colorado's strong network of incubators and accelerators, including Techstars and Boomtown Innovation, provide invaluable mentorship and support, further fueling the region's growth. 1. Opopop - can't wait to try out some of your tasty popcorn flavors! 2. Flatfile - I think every business could benefit from some #data clean-up help. 3. True Anomaly - The Jackal Autonomous Orbital Vehicle (AOV) and the Mosaic intelligent operating system sound like fascinating innovations 4. Strive Health - Kidney conditions? Check them out. 5. revnt - an all-in-one video platform for coaches, webinars + courses. 6. FlightLink - Air pooling platform 7. Leafwire Media - Centralied hub for challenges facing the cannabis business and more 8. Long Play Inc - Wellness brands distributor 9. Bluestaq - data management solutions 10. Quantinuum - Quantum, computing! https://lnkd.in/g4dmXkUM

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Wines and Spirits: Instead of climate change, let’s look at the California business climate at hand. What needs to change? When investors are moving away from from California due to unfriendly, deteriorating business climate, it’s a pretty serious signal that things are heading in the wrong direction. When Kevin O'Leary won’t even invest in a CA startup, it’s past time to pay attention. How are you seeing the State’s market position and how is it impacting your business and future plans? CA wineries are clearly unable to just move to another state, so what are the thoughts around the business climate for those impacted by geography? #wines #wineandspirits #business #vineyards #winery #CPG #trade #investment #VC #entrepreneur

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Reflecting on another fantastic StartupAZ retreat in Flagstaff last month! I’m grateful to be a part of this incredible community that continually supports technology founders in Arizona. StartupAZ is more than just a network; it’s a powerful ecosystem of founders, mentors, and seasoned entrepreneurs who come together to uplift and propel each other forward. The monthly cohort meetings provide the kind of support and mentorship that makes all the difference in launching and scaling a technology company. This organization has been a game-changer for me personally, connecting me with like-minded leaders and providing the resources needed to navigate the challenges of entrepreneurship. Being surrounded by other founders who are as passionate about innovation and growth as I am has been truly inspiring. Below is a video from our retreat, showcasing the spirit and energy of this incredible group of people dedicated to pushing the limits of what’s possible. Seeing how much we’ve grown and the impact we’ve had on Arizona’s tech landscape is both humbling and motivating. If you're a founder in Arizona or someone passionate about the startup ecosystem, I highly encourage you to get involved with StartupAZ. Let’s keep building, growing, and supporting the next wave of innovators right here in Arizona! #StartupAZ #FoundersSupportingFounders #ArizonaTech #Entrepreneurship #StartupCommunity #Innovation

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Seeking Investors or Capital In the past decade, I've built a remarkable investor network of over 43,000 individuals, collectively funding over $100M in deals within our first few years. Here's how it all began. Over ten years ago, I returned to Utah after a successful stint sharing an office with a "Shark" and launching products via TV shows, infomercials, and online platforms alongside athletes, celebs, and influencers. The initial launches were smooth, but scaling became the challenge—each promising deal required significant capital for growth. To bridge this gap, I started hosting "Investor Meetups" in my living room, which quickly outgrew the space and migrated to vibrant coworking venues like Church & State and Silicon Slopes HQ. At one memorable gathering, we were so packed with investors that I resorted to using a tree trunk table for presentations to ensure everyone had a clear view (see pic). Today, we've evolved into hosting two weekly Zoom calls, exploring and financing diverse opportunities in: - Real Estate - Alternative Energy - Fundraising for Funds - Sports and Entertainment (concerts/festivals) - Charities and Philanthropy - Oil and Gas - Tech/AI/Blockchain If you're seeking funding for your venture or project, reach out to me at [email protected]. Rest assured, you won't need to stand on a tree stump—I facilitate Zoom sessions with our investor groups to assist in securing your funding. Let's connect and propel your vision forward. Email me at [email protected] to explore how we can collaborate. *Ps. You won't need a tree stump in our virtual meetings!* 🌳 #InvestmentOpportunities #Funding #Entrepreneurship #VentureCapital #BusinessGrowth

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Today's Boring Biz (#92): Outdoor Adventures Business - $1.7M Revenue - $588K Cashflow - Nevada Note: We do not represent this deal, highlighting for informational purposes only for viewers What does the company do? 1. Outdoor Adventures 2. Rafting + Kayaking Rentals 3. Guided River + Hiking tours Investment highlights 1. Includes FF&E valued at $445K 2. Less 1 Hour From Las Vegas 3. Profitable business Investment risks/concerns 1. Seasonal fluctuations in tour demand 2. Local competitive landscape 3. Regulatory + permit regulations #SMB #ETA #finance #Cashflow #investing #search #searchfund #privateequity #microprivateequity #smallbusiness #venturecapital #vc #entrepreneur #business #businessowner #outdoor #adventures #kayaking #rafting #nevada Disclaimer: Hypothetical and illustrative only. Please do your own research (DYOR) or work with tax and legal professionals before making a decision. This video are intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or tax advice, nor should be construed as an offer to sell, a solicitation of an offer to buy, or a recommendation for any security by SMB PE LLC or any third party.

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### Revving up the real estate scene, eight out of the top 20 most electric vehicle (EV) friendly housing markets are lighting up #California, with San Jose, San Francisco, and Los Angeles leading the charge. But here's a shocker: Salt Lake City, UT, and others are racing ahead, close to the top of the list, showcasing a fascinating trend outside of California. It looks like the electric revolution is here! READ MORE: https://ow.ly/cW9x50SCUw2 #RealEstate #ElectricVehicle #CaliforniaRealEstate #SanJoseRealEstate #SanFranciscoRealEstate #LosAngelesRealEstate #SaltLakeCityRealEstate #EVfriendly #HousingMarket #ElectricRevolution

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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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Talk about focus. How many of us can enjoy the moment but still focus on the tasks at hand?

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Attention Southern California Entrepreneurs and Business Owners 🗣 Unsure what a successful business exit looks like? Learn to Successfully Exit Your Company or Increase Your Wealth Through Acquisition. Teaching Business Owners to Position Their Companies for Successful Exits and Efficiently Growing Through Acquisition is What We Do Best. ✔ Lock in your free conference seat for the M&A Wealth Transfer Conference now by clicking below. ⬇ https://lnkd.in/g_QR3YiW

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"The key to effective partnerships is thinking, 'What's in it for them?'" I loved this quote from Ira Goldfarb, who joined us for our Founders N' Funders Founders Dinner last night at the Alta Club in Salt Lake City. Ira has 40+ years of experience in helping create effective go-to-market strategies for startups. Some of the biggest names in tech bring him in to help solve their go-to-market challenges. We are fortunate to now have Ira as part of the Utah tech / startup ecosystem -- he is a wealth of knowledge, and we all benefited from his wisdom last night, along with the shared insights among a fantastic group of startup founders. 👏 Special shoutout to Timothy Lipton at Momentum Finance for organizing this event and helping us bring together such a powerful group of entrepreneurs. 🍽️Zack Oates🍕 - I am more and more impressed with you as a founder the more I get to know you! Congrats on closing your recent funding round for Ovation that affords you the additional resources to make massive improvements in efficiency for the entire restaurant industry! Marcus D'Ambrosio, founder of Adaract, is on the cutting edge of tech creating robotic innovations that add humanistic elements to robotic machines. Really impressive technical founder with excellent business acumen, who has entrepreneurship in his genes. Matthew Roberts -- It was so good to catch up with you!!! Everywhere I go, I hear people talking about Savvi Legal and PaperOS these days! As an early investor and advisor, I'm a HUGE fan of what Matt and Dan Roberts are building! Love seeing so many investors and funds using them for SPVs and fund admin. But it's even more exciting hearing about what is in the works!!!! 🚀 Nathan Davenport -- Founder of Nebu. I can't wait to get a couple pairs of the outdoor pants. I'll be placing my order this week! I'm always jealous when I see Tim wearing his. 🏔️ Check out https://nebuclothing.com! Eric Lo -- Founder of Krado Inc. is another exceptional founder! Congrats on winning a HUGE contract in the space! I know Tim is a direct investor and I'm an indirect investor in Krado. I love the enormous market potential of what you are doing to disrupt what has been an impenetrable market in the ag space! 🌱 Travis Shreeve, CPA -- Great to finally meet in person! I'm excited to intro you to Dan Tolbert who was involved in The Chosen and worked directly with Angel Studios. The Fablehaven movie series project you are heading up is super intriguing and impressive! 🐉 Jeff Handy -- Congrats again on the somewhat recent funding round for Qualiti. You got a great personal endorsement from Matthew Roberts and several others around the table. I can't wait for the whitewater founder adventures you and Matt were talking about!!! 🛶 Scott Cummings --- So great to see you there! I loved the discussion about your success in relying on fractional resources and experts! Thanks for sharing your insights! #FoundersNFunders

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I recently heard about a group of former solar door knockers in Utah who made the switch to knocking doors for Artificial Turf. The writing is on the wall: Artificial Turf is shaping up to be the next Solar in many ways. Just as Solar helps homeowners save on electricity costs, Turf cuts water bills and reduces lawn maintenance. But Turf offers a MUCH faster payback time. Often, it’s 2-3 times quicker than solar making it a better and more aesthetically pleasing investment for a homeowner The artificial turf industry is experiencing explosive growth, and it’s only gaining momentum. Waterloo Turf is now awarding franchises in Utah. Greater Salt Lake City is an incredible market with enormous potential. If you’re in SLC and considering business ownership, let’s connect.

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Brad Edison Bonham spoke to founders at the RevRoad Revation Summit event this week and shared some tips based on his experience of starting and growing Walker Edison to become one of Utah's most successful consumer product companies ever! In 2021, Blackstone acquired a minority stake in Walker Edison for $300M! 💰 Since then, one of Brad's focuses has been on helping other startup founders. And, he was just recently appointed by Governor Spencer Cox the first Entrepreneur in Residence for the State of Utah. One of the things Brad mentioned as critical for startup founders was to manage their cash flow "two turns ahead". He compared this to one of his passions .... car racing. 🏎️ He said in racing you have to know your moves two turns ahead --- which is similar to managing the cash flow of your company. "Cash is king" 👑 So, you have to know your numbers and manage to a financial plan. For many founders, this is not a natural area of strength, which is one of the things that originally attracted me to Forecastr. As a CEO / Founder, perhaps your biggest responsibility is to not run out of cash. Knowing your cash projections and managing to the company's cash needs is critical. Forecastr helps founders know their numbers and manage their cash flow. This is essential for fundraising, where you need to know how much to raise and investors want to know how you plan to deploy the capital in the most effective way. But, it is also essential for running your business effectively and making strategic decisions that can make or break your company. I've been so impressed with our team at Forecastr in not only helping founders prepare for fundraising, but also helping them become better operators. If you want to set up a time to get a quick demo of how Forecastr helps increase the likelihood of success for startup founders, book a time here: https://hubs.ly/Q02kkjDk0 #CashIsKing #cashflow #startups

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Here's what's happening in the Sacramento real estate market this month: * Median Sale Price: The median sale price is $501,750, slightly down from last month but up 0.9% YoY. This indicates a stable market, great for both buyers and sellers. 📈 * Median List Price: The median list price is $499,000, up 0.8% MoM. Buyers, this suggests it's a good time to enter the market before prices rise further. 🌐 * Price Per Square Foot: The median price per square foot is $333.32, a slight decrease from last month but up 0.46% YoY. This shows that every square foot in Sacramento is gaining value, signaling a quality investment for buyers and great selling potential for homeowners. 🏠💸 * Homes Sold: 346 homes were sold this month, a slight decrease from last month but this indicates a steady demand. 🏘️ * Quick Sales: Homes are spending just 20 days on the market, up 3 days MoM but still relatively quick. Sellers can expect swift transactions, and buyers should be ready to act fast. ⏳ * High Demand: With 50.29% of homes selling above list price, a 8.45% increase MoM, the competition among buyers is fierce, underscoring the urgency to make offers that stand out. ⚡ Whether you're planning to buy or sell, Sacramento's dynamic market offers lucrative opportunities. Act now to take advantage of these trends! [Data Source: Redfin] #ArsalonBadriRealty #SacramentoRealEstate #FiveDiamondRealty #TopDollarHomes #SacramentoProperty #RealEstateExpert

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Utah Tech Week is the most special week in Utah startup, and it's obvious why. We gathered 100 founders & builders to talk about improvements and how to host great events. There's already so much energy! We hope it's obvious the time, thought, and care put into making improvements and making sure the whole community is represented. Some big changes and minor improvements that are happening this year: 1. Less Driving/More Walkability - M - W will be SLC days and centered around downtown and the Gateway. It will be significantly more walkable. Th - S will be Point of the Mountain/Utah County. You can still host whatever you want, whenever you want, just more density now! 2. Better event page - will be more searchable based on location, topic, audience, event type, etc. 3. More Tech in Tech Week - larger focus on not just the business side, but the tech/product side of startups 4. Representation - Your mind might go instinctively to race/gender. Yes, this is part of it, but we want everyone to see themselves represented in Utah Tech Week. Different areas like - industries (biotech, deep tech, hardware, etc.) - functions (developers have been underrepresented) - life stages (students, people returning to the work force, veterans, etc.) Every week for the next 6 weeks we'll do an in-person or virtual event to ansewr questions about hosting! Link in comments for next week's zoom.

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