Kevin McKeand

Poor attention to detail in the early stages of your startup can cost you tens of millions of dollars at exit, or the deal itself. Acquirers price in the risks you leave for them to remediate. The theme of John A Barrett‘s conversation with #PoweredbyBessel startups, “From the Eyes of an Acquirer,” addressed this and more. According to John, from his experience in M&A and integrating medical device acquisitions, here are some of the key places you should think like an acquirer: ➢ Risk management ➢ Traceability matrix ➢ Usability Another gem: ask yourself, “How will the acquirer sell my product?” Do your own diligence on fit to the product portfolio and call point—especially when earnouts are involved!   Thanks, John, for sharing your insights with our Powered by Bessel accelerator program! #medicaldevice #startups Hatch Fairhope

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💡 Founders, are you prepared to tackle loan covenants? If your startup is going to take on debt, understanding financial covenants is essential. They are the rules of the game, and knowing them can keep your startup safe from default. Explore our article for valuable insights. Check the link in the original Kruze Consulting post.

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🌱 Seed & Pre-Seed Venture Benchmarks: Navigating SAFE and Priced Rounds 👉  Startups often navigate through different types of fundraising rounds—SAFE and Priced. The mix can lead to confusion in terms of valuation, dilution, and capital raised. Recent data from Carta highlights some clear differences between these rounds, and here’s what you need to know. ✅ Key Takeaways: 👉 Gap in Valuation: SAFE rounds at Seed stage reach a median valuation of $18M, while Priced Seed rounds come in at $13.7M. Why the gap? SAFE rounds often offer faster, simpler deals but can sometimes lead to a higher cap, potentially setting higher valuation expectations for future rounds. 👉 Dilution Differences: Dilution ranges vary significantly, with SAFE Seed rounds ranging from 17%-20% compared to 20.7% for Priced Seed rounds. Lower dilution in SAFE rounds may attract founders looking to retain control, but it’s essential to balance this against potential investor expectations down the line. 👉 Post-Seed Bridge Round Gaps: At the bridge round, the SAFE vs. Priced valuation gap is even wider, with SAFE Bridge rounds at $21M vs. Priced at $17M. Actionable Insights for Founders & Investors: 📣  For Founders: Consider your long-term strategy. SAFE rounds can help you raise quickly without setting a fixed valuation, but Priced rounds might offer more predictability as you move forward. 📣  For Investors: Be mindful of these valuation gaps. Higher SAFE valuations can affect future funding dynamics, especially when transitioning into Priced rounds. 💡  Conclusion: Understanding these nuances can guide better decision-making and align growth expectations. For more startup data and insights, explore . @Carta’s resources. 📊 -------------- ✅ 👉 Fundraising? Try KAARIA 🚀 Industry-leading valuation methodologies. 🚀 Reliable market data with PitchBook 🚀 Simple & transparent startup valuation 🚀 Accessible for founders and investors 🚀 Free Trial available here: https://lnkd.in/gvwD7SrF #valuations #startups #fundraising #founders #Startup #innovation #entrepreneurship #kaaria #sustainability #kaariastartupvaluation #investing #networking #venturecapital #kaariagetfunded #exits #valuations #startups #fundraising #founders #Startup #innovation #entrepreneurship #kaaria #sustainability #kaariastartupvaluation #investing #networking #venturecapital #kaariagetfunded #exits #StartupFunding #VentureCapital #SAFEvsPricedRounds #Valuation #Dilution #Startups ---------- Thanks Credit & Kudos to Peter Walker over at Carta

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"PE and VC are just different flavours of the same thing." Dead wrong. And dangerous thinking for founder Here's why: → PE typically buys majority stakes in mature companies. → VC takes minority stakes in high-growth startups. PE wants steady cash flow. VC bets on exponential growth. PE uses leverage. VC relies on equity. PE often replaces management. VC backs founding teams. PE aims for 3x returns in 5-7 years. VC targets 10x+ in 10 years. Founders: Know the difference. It impacts everything: → Who you pitch. → How you grow. → When you exit. Know the difference PE vs VC. Your startup's future depends on it.

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EIN-Based Business Credit: The System Is Rigged, But Here's How to Play It! In this article, we explore the irony of how a seemingly opaque business credit system can be deciphered, revealing how you can know your approval status and funding amount before applying. By diving into the secrets lenders don't openly share, you'll gain a competitive edge in navigating the very system designed to keep you in the dark. Discover how to access the same information lenders use, putting you in control of your financial future. Read More: https://lnkd.in/eR7uySSe #BusinessCredit, #EINFunding, #CreditApprovalSecrets, #SmallBusinessTips, #LenderInsights

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The SaaS funding landscape has dramatically shifted since the 2021 boom. Dive into key insights Sam Blond and Jason M. Lemkin SaaStr session talking about these changes and more. ➡️ 2021 Boom: Unprecedented growth and easy funding led to market saturation and inflated valuations. ➡️ Junk Unicorns: Many 2021 unicorns are now struggling with sustainability and market fit. ➡️ New Expectations: Investors are now focused on profitability and sustainable growth. ➡️ Strategic Adjustments: Emphasize core metrics, operational efficiency, and a clear path to profitability. For more insights, check out the full session on SaaStr’s YouTube channel. Link in comments! #SaaS #Startup #BusinessGrowth #SaaStr

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After their most recent fundraise in March, Carputty CEO Joshua Tatum weighs in on venture debt in 2024 🗞 "Especially as a fintech with lending products, the ideal capital structure calls for a mix of equity and debt. Venture capital is funding our operational growth. Venture debt, on the other hand, is essential for us to fund our loans. The combination of the two is essential to keep the train moving steadily." Read full article ⬇ #venturecapital #startups #venturedebt #ceo #portfolio

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📝 Fundraising Playbook for 2024: The fundraising landscape has shifted. Here's what's working now: Key metrics investors are scrutinizing: Burn multiple (revenue growth/cash burn) Gross margins Customer acquisition costs Net dollar retention Growth must be strong (but that is assumed if you are raising from venture capital) Preparation essentials: Have 18-24 months runway before starting the process Build relationships early - start warm intros 3 months before raising Know your unit economics cold Understand how you differentiate from competitors What fundraising trends are you seeing? #StartupFunding #VentureCapital #Entrepreneurship

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OPEN DEALS Homepage for Founders and Investors - Irvine, CA - A platform for investors to meet founders and for founders to grow their businesses with access to high-value community members, vendors, securitization tools, and capital. (Seed) _______________________ Looking to invest? Let us know if you want a warm intro —> [email protected] Raising for your startup? Send us your Open Round —> [email protected] #opendeals #startupinvestment #venturecapital #angelinvesting #seedround #investorplatform #foundercommunity #capitalraising #startupnetwork #investmentopportunity #seedfunding

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💡 "A business bank account is more than just a place to store your business funds; it's an essential tool to support your venture's growth." Choosing the right banking partner can make all the difference in your startup's success. So, we've explored the best banks for startups this year, focusing on low fees, innovative features, and exceptional customer support. But why is having a dedicated business bank account so crucial? Here are some key benefits: ✅ Separate personal and business expenses to protect your personal assets ✅ Boost credibility with customers, suppliers, and investors ✅ Simplify accounting, taxes, and financial reporting ✅ Build business credit for future growth opportunities ✅ Access valuable features like corporate cards, money management tools, and seamless integrations Read our full review here: https://lnkd.in/dqscdr7m Mercury Lili Relay Novo Brex Chase North One What features do you consider most important when choosing a banking partner for your startup? 🏦 Let us know in the comments! #businessbanking #startupbanks #entrepreneurship #finance #financialmanagement #startupgrowth #fintech #neobanks *Disclaimer: Please note that many of the banks we reviewed are neobanks, which are not banks themselves but work with FDIC-insured partners.

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I think our pricing is pretty unique in the industry. We give a Schedule A, which is in essence wholesale payments rates based on the combined volumes of Moov’s customer base. The client then has full pricing control to the end user on what the markup looks like. For example, a RTP credit might be 25 cents wholesale. If our client’s SMB went directly to their bank, they're probably going to get charged 45 cents to $1 dollar for that. So our client should take it to market at 65 cents for an RTP. We then rev share that markup 50/50. Where they need to, the partner has the pricing power to go as low as 25 cents to win a strategic account because they have our wholesale rates. We trust them to grow their business the right way, and with a revenue share structure, our interests are always aligned. What’s perhaps more unique is that we also remove any pricing friction in our sales process: If the client doesn’t want to have any commitment with us, that’s fine, it’s just a 50/50 revenue split. For companies with more volume, if they want a higher revenue split, they commit to a certain minimum net revenue. The higher the commitment, the better the split. Simple. Fair. Mutual Value Creation.

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In our newest blog post, Nine Four Ventures General Partner Kurt Ramirez shares some of his thoughts on the current environment of startup shutdowns and valuation resets, and if these are natural consequences of an earlier period of frothy investment and easy money. Some key points are around how:  ·        Startup failures are common and expected, especially after a period of high funding.  ·        The recent increase in shutdowns should be viewed relative to the outsized number of startups funded in the boom years of 2020 and 2021 and reaching their make-or-break moment now.  ·        Some of these startups may have been funded based on unrealistic expectations of future growth, leading to valuation drops. Read the full post on our site, Substack, or by clicking below to learn more. Please reach out with any questions or comments on trends, companies, or anything else. https://lnkd.in/dZm6vfis Cc Jeffrey Elowe, Kurt Ramirez, Paul La Londe, Sophia Ghadamian Kier, Avi Pradhan #VentureCapital #Startup #Valuation #Tech

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From $0 rev Easily monetize SaaS payments with Tilled Founder & CEO, Caleb Avery Are you leaving money on the table with your SaaS payments? Tilled Founder & CEO, Caleb Avery, shares how his company helps businesses monetize their payments in the latest episode of Fintech Confidential's 1:1 interview series. He, discusses with host Tedd Huff how his company helps businesses monetize their SaaS payments. Tilled offers a turnkey solution for embedded payments and also provides a more comprehensive offering, including integrated lending. Caleb Avery shares how Tilled has helped businesses who were previously making $0 in revenue on their payments generate more income, and explains how his company can assist in the sales and go-to-market aspects of the payment process. Don't miss this informative interview! #FintechConfidential #Tilled #SaaSpayments #embeddedpayments #integratedlending #monetization #revenue #paymentsprocessing #paymenttechnology #paymentprocessing #paymentsolutions #businessgrowth #gotomarket #interviewseries #entrepreneurship #FintechPodcast #startupadvice #innovation #techindustry #businessstrategies #financialtechnology #podcastinterview #saas

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From $0 rev Easily monetize SaaS payments with Tilled Founder & CEO, Caleb Avery Are you leaving money on the table with your SaaS payments? Tilled Founder & CEO, Caleb Avery, shares how his company helps businesses monetize their payments in the latest episode of Fintech Confidential's 1:1 interview series. He, discusses with host Tedd Huff how his company helps businesses monetize their SaaS payments. Tilled offers a turnkey solution for embedded payments and also provides a more comprehensive offering, including integrated lending. Caleb Avery shares how Tilled has helped businesses who were previously making $0 in revenue on their payments generate more income, and explains how his company can assist in the sales and go-to-market aspects of the payment process. Don't miss this informative interview! #FintechConfidential #Tilled #SaaSpayments #embeddedpayments #integratedlending #monetization #revenue #paymentsprocessing #paymenttechnology #paymentprocessing #paymentsolutions #businessgrowth #gotomarket #interviewseries #entrepreneurship #FintechPodcast #startupadvice #innovation #techindustry #businessstrategies #financialtechnology #podcastinterview #saas

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Venture capital had a challenging start to 2024. The latest "Venture Capital Q1 2024: Preqin Quarterly Update" shows weak exit activity and fundraising struggles, with 235 exits totaling $14.6bn in Q1. Although there were some successful IPOs, fundraising remains difficult, with VC funds raising $20.7bn in the first quarter. Get insights into the state of venture capital, including deal activity, regional trends, and why investors are making smaller commitments. Download the full report for more details: https://okt.to/oK2XLN #VentureCapital #InvestmentTrends #Q12024Update #MarketInsights

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🚀 Founders, do you know what’s on your cap table? 📊 Understanding your Cap Table is critical for managing ownership stakes, equity distribution, and future fundraising rounds. Whether you're just starting out or scaling fast, having a clear picture of your company's equity structure is non-negotiable! In my latest article, I break down everything you need to know about cap tables: ✅ How to structure your cap table ✅ Key considerations for dilution ✅ How to navigate funding rounds ✅ Common challenges and mistakes to avoid and much more! Read now and take control of your company’s equity roadmap! 💼💡 https://lnkd.in/gGZJWqGG #CapTable #Startups #Founders #EquityManagement #Entrepreneurship #StartupLife #VC #Fundraising #BusinessGrowth #Investors #StartupFounders #GrowthMindset #BusinessTips #ScalingUp #Leadership #StartupJourney #EntrepreneurLife #InvestorRelations #FounderTips #VentureCapital #PrivateEquity

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Venture Capital Mx - Ximple "We realized that many women in direct sales didn’t have access to the credit and financial tools they needed to grow their businesses. Traditional banks weren’t serving them, and we saw a clear opportunity to step in and fill that void." - Daniel Sujo Ximple is a fintech platform focused on providing financial solutions to entrepreneurial women engaged in direct sales across Mexico. With 90% of their customer base, or "allies," being women, these individuals are highly entrepreneurial, hardworking, and empowered, focused on building better lives for their families. In this feature, Daniel shares Ximple's vision, the importance of community and customer feedback in driving referrals for organic growth, and why he believes building trust with their customers (allies) is key to their success. (Link to full article feature in the comments) #startups #venturecapital Juan Pablo Salem João Vitor Soares Ramos Rodrigo Aparicio Schlesinger

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