Category Startup Tips
How much capital should you raise?
When you are going out to fundraise you need to decide how much capital to raise. A typical answer we hear, looks something like this: We need to build X features in our product, and we need to hire Y people to make it happen. So our burn would be Z and we need a […]
Don’t take intros from investors who aren’t investing in you
Somewhere in fundraising universe: Investor A: I can’t get there. Really love what you are doing though. Super happy to introduce you to other potential investors B, C, and D. Founder: Awesome! YES! Please! This happens again and again. Investors pass but offer to introduce the founder to another investor instead. This is, generally speaking, […]
Q&A with Impact Health – Buy Health Insurance Online
I am running a series of posts on my blog called 8 questions for a Techstars Company. In this post we are talking to Christine Carrillo, co-founder and CEO of Impact health, Techstars ’15 company from Los Angeles. 1. What is Impact Health in 140 characters? Impact Health helps consumers select and buy optimal health […]
Q&A with Homemade – tools for home cooks to sell on mobile
I am running a series of posts on my blog called 8 questions for a Techstars Company. In this post we are talking to Nick Devane, co-founder and CEO of Homemade, Techstars ’15 company from New York. 1. What is Homemade in 140 characters? Homemade is an easy way for cooks to sell food from […]
Why sending Decks to Investors before the first meeting is generally a bad idea and what to do about it
A typical exchange between founder and investor: Founder: Hi! Would LOVE to meet you and talk to you about what we are doing. Investor: Do you have a deck? Founder: Sure, here it is. When can we meet? 1-2 week(s) later….. Investor: Sorry doesn’t look like I could help OR WORSE I am pretty busy […]
Q&A with Gorgias – helpdesk automation software
I am starting a series of posts on my blog called 8 questions for a Techstars Company. In this series I will be profiling the founders in the current Techstars classes as well as alumni. The intend of the series is to shine the spotlight on the Techstars founders, and provide insights for founders who […]
What Techstars Founders Learned from Seth Godin
We are incredibly fortunate to have stellar guests & speakers at Techstars. This past week Seth Godin, best selling author and marketing guru, gave a talk that founders been raving about since. Seth is magical. He is incredibly insightful. He is thought provoking. He is funny. He makes things simple. He breaks through the clutter. […]
How to introduce your startup in an email
We encourage Techstars companies to perfect the way the introduce themselves. An introduction is a first touch point. Make it simple, clear and awesome. To start with, master the etiquette of forwardable email. Get it right. Make subject line clear and searchable. Don’t call it Intro. Call it: Intro TO FROM, where to is the […]
What is the CORE of your startup?
In my yoga classes teachers spend a lot of time on the core exercises. If you do any competitive sports your coach works obsessively on your core. Strong core is needed for overall body strength and resilience. It makes sense, because, by definition, the core is at the center. Same is true about startups. The […]
7 Sources of Startup Seed Capital – from friends & family to billion dollar funds
When thinking about financing your startup, it is important understand different types of potential investors. Not every wallet is right for you. Figuring out who to raise money from and why will save you time and yield better results. 1. Friends and Family Often times the first check comes from a family member, or a […]
