Monthly Archives: September 2016

MintShow featured at TechCrunch Disrupt SF!

MintShow featured at TechCrunch Disrupt SF!

There is nothing more rewarding than being truly connected with a client’s vision and passion.
MintShow is the first social network that helps people maintain an uplifted state of mind by providing a community that’s dedicated to positivity and inspiration.

The Startup Garage has had the pleasure of working with MintShow and the company’s inspiring leadership team.

MintShow CEO, Michael Parker, was interviewed at TechCrunch Disrupt SF to talk more about his vision and the beta launch of Mint Show. Check out his interview and get inspired! The MintShow app is also available for download on their site.

TechCrunch Disrupt is the world’s leading authority in debuting revolutionary startups, introducing game-changing technologies and discussing what’s top of mind for the tech industry’s key innovators.

5 Financial Tips For Startups from the 2016 Hera Venture Summit

5 Financial Tips For Startups from the 2016 Hera Venture Summit

The Startup Garage had the opportunity to be a partner of the 2016 Hera Venture Summit. The Hera Venture Summit, hosted by Hera Hub, Hera Labs, and Hera Fund, brought together experts from both sides of the investment table to share best practices, essential tips and lessons learned. The event focused on equipping and connecting female founders and female funders. The TSG team was able to meet and collaborate with so many passionate women founders, funders and advocates.

As part of the event programming, TSG provided the following top 5 financial tips for Startups.

1. Develop feasible 5-year growth projections. It is important to set realistic projections that align with your addressable market size and key growth drivers to create an attractive, yet realistic, investor story. This also includes ensuring expense assumptions support your growth, especially when it comes to personnel and marketing related expenses.

2. Identify the KPIs and measurable milestones that matter. Developing key performance indicators are essential for internal strategy to help measure progress and identify productivity opportunities to help grow a profitable business. You also want to ensure you are measuring the metrics investors care about.

3. Review your accounting books and identify potential investor red flags. It is critical that you have your books in order so they don’t create additional risk in the eyes of an advisor. Ensure your books have the correct account classifications and that assets and expenses reflect proper accounting treatment.

4. Ask for the right amount of capital at the right time. It is important to ensure that your financial projections reflect the requested capital investment and that the timing of request aligns with your needs.

5. Find the right investor match. When searching for potential investors, entrepreneurs are eager to hear a “yes” and receive investment capital. Conducting due diligence on your potential investor will help create an effective, sustainable relationship for both parties.

We are looking forward to what the 2017 Hera Venture Summit has in store. Mark your calendars and see you next year!
Stay tuned for for more Startup tips from our blog and newsletter and request a free consultation below if you are ready to talk to our team.

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Top 5 Startup Tips from the 2016 SDVG Venture Summit

Top 5 Startup Tips from the 2016 SDVG Venture Summit

 

Last week, The Startup Garage had the pleasure of attending the fourteenth annual Venture Summit in San Diego, hosted by the San Diego Venture Group (SDVG). The event brought together more than 35 of San Diego’s ‘coolest companies’ as well as venture capitalist firms. The diverse audience included attendees from tech, software, consumer goods, life sciences, health, and other industries.

An array of valuable information was shared over the course of the event. Here are some of our favorite business tips for Startups shared during the Venture Summit:

1. Tell your story in a clear, concise, and passionate manner. Entrepreneurs are often so ingrained in their business that when they pitch their vision to potential investors, their message seems robotic and potentially unclear. It is crucial to investors that you tell your story with both passion and direction. Investors understand that your company is your baby, that you’ve invested an excruciating amount of effort, time, and finances to see it succeed. Be excited to share your baby with investors and really show them how passionate you are.

2. Target your story to your audience. The ability to tell your story effectively does not come easy. It is highly recommended to practice with as many investors that are willing to listen. From that practice, you develop a keen sense of understanding of their perspective and you will be better suited to modify your story to fit your target audience.

3. Keep your story organic and fluid. The ability to flex your pitch on the spot demonstrates mastery and confidence. Practice makes perfect. Practice your story alterations to yourself in the mirror to keep your story fluid and relevant. Being able to tailor your presentation based on your audience will allow you to connect more effectively with investors.

4. San Diego is a booming start-up community, leverage your “neighbor”. With the rising living costs in places like San Francisco, companies and employees alike are searching for other areas where exciting growth opportunity exists, and San Diego is rapidly become a top hub for Startups. We’ve witnessed a growing number of industries and companies calling San Diego home; CourseKey, CureMatch, eSUB, and Freetz to name a few. The blend of technology, sunny weather, and beautiful beaches has attracted entrepreneurs from all over the world, and will continue to do so for the coming years – so start building your network today.

5. Ask for constructive feedback. Oftentimes, entrepreneurs receive a “No” from investors, and are afraid to ask them for feedback. Don’t be afraid of asking them for a few words of advice or why they decided not to invest in your company. A simply phone call can go a long way in helping you develop the perfect pitch and, ultimately, finding the best investor for your company.

In a given year, a venture capitalist firm comes across 1,000 potential deals, 50 of which undergo the due diligence process, and only 1 of the 1,000 is invested in. Having the right tools, team and support system is critical.