Raising Funding in Downtimes

Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing.

Fundraising goes through the same cycles as the stock market,

When the stock market is going up it’s easier to raise funding.

When it’s going down it’s harder.

Raising funding in down times requires more creativity.

Here are some ideas on how to raise funding in a down market:

Use more grant funding to fill in the gaps.

The grant funding from the government continues regardless of the market.

Consider crowdfunding.

For smaller amounts of funding, this can help.

Use revenue-based funding for a portion of the raise.

These funds must be paid back but are non-dilutive to the cap table.

Consider low-end angel funding in which accredited investors write $25K checks.

For the right valuation, angel investors will come into the deal.

In addition to these funding options, consider customer funding.

This requires building custom projects for specific customers but if done right can continue to build out the platform and pay the bills.

On the strategic side, shift from a high burn rate to a low burn rate and grow organically for a while.

Thank you for joining us for the Startup Funding Espresso where we help startups and investors connect for funding.

Let’s go startup something today.

_______________________________________________________

For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at: http://investorconnect.org

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Show How Your Valuation Is Already Achieved

Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing.

Valuation is a key factor in a startup's fundraising.

Most startups show an aspirational valuation and then spend the pitch trying to convince investors it’s appropriate.

Most use their forecasted revenues to justify their valuation.

Forecasts hold little value to the investor and often leave them unconvinced about the proposed valuation.

Instead of using revenue, articulate the values already in the business.

Highlight the intellectual property and its value by showing comparables with other companies.

Show recent exits in which the IP was a central part of the valuation.

Show the other assets in the business, such as the team and their track record.

Call out the customers that you have already won.

Show the product and what has been built so far, and highlight the revenue generation underway.

In raising funding, show that your valuation has already been achieved.

Make the case by showing specific values already in the business that add up to the proposed valuation.

Futures hold little value to the investor.

Focus on what’s in the business today.

Thank you for joining us for the Startup Funding Espresso where we help startups and investors connect for funding.

Let’s go startup something today.

_______________________________________________________

For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at: http://investorconnect.org

Check out our other podcasts here: https://investorconnect.org/
For Investors check out: https://tencapital.group/investor-landing/
For Startups check out: https://tencapital.group/company-landing/
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The Four Phases of a Pitch

Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing.

The successful startup pitch goes through four phases.

Start by capturing their imagination.

This could be a bold statement, such as we can solve cancer within ten years.

This sets the context for the problem to be solved.

Next, show your solution and how it will achieve the goal just set forth.

Show how the solution works at a high level.

Highlight the value proposition you have.

Next, make the case that shows how your business will be successful.

This includes the team and what they bring to the table.

Highlight the current traction.

This shows product and market validation -- the product works and customers will pay for it.

Finally, give the investor a call to action.

Instead of asking for the funding today, encourage them to learn more about the business.

This is basically asking for the next meeting.

Invite them to join the conversation.

There’s a natural arc to good pitches that takes the investor through your story.

Consider how to implement these four phases in your startup pitch.

Thank you for joining us for the Startup Funding Espresso where we help startups and investors connect for funding.

Let’s go startup something today.

_______________________________________________________

For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at: http://investorconnect.org

Check out our other podcasts here: https://investorconnect.org/
For Investors check out: https://tencapital.group/investor-landing/
For Startups check out: https://tencapital.group/company-landing/
For eGuides check out: https://tencapital.group/education/
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In this episode of Investor Connect, we sit down with Ram Kolluri, Founder and Chief Investment Strategist at Expo-Wealth based in Austin, Texas. Ram shares his insights on navigating today’s wealth management landscape and how he's helping high-net-worth individuals access institutional-grade strategies. We talk about balancing traditional portfolio construction with exposure to private markets, and how families are increasingly looking for both performance and purpose. As Ram puts it, it’s not just about doing well — it's about doing good while doing it.

Ram dives into how Expo-Wealth approaches alternative investments like venture capital and private equity, especially in a world where clients demand real-time access, personalized dashboards, and responsiveness at the speed of a text message. He also discusses the evolution of investor education and how overcoming the fear of illiquidity is more about trust, communication, and introducing alternatives gradually. As the next generation steps up to manage family assets, Ram sees a growing appetite for impact, AI-driven opportunities, and proven sponsors with deep track records. The firm’s role, he says, is part educator, part fiduciary, and sometimes even part psychologist.

Looking ahead, we explore where the wealth management space is going — from the massive $50–60 trillion wealth transfer ahead to the increasing demand for transparency, digital integration, and high-touch relationships. Ram also hints at the next chapter for Expo-Wealth: blending high-caliber investment access with seamless technology and client empowerment.

Visit Expo-Wealth at expo-wealth.com/

Reach out to at rkolluri@expo-wealth.com , www.linkedin.com/in/ram-kolluri-7535396/ , and on 6099154338

Thank you for joining us for the Startup Funding Espresso where we help startups and investors connect for funding.

Let’s go startup something today.

_______________________________________________________

For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at: http://investorconnect.org

Check out our other podcasts here: https://investorconnect.org/
For Investors check out: https://tencapital.group/investor-landing/
For Startups check out: https://tencapital.group/company-landing/
For eGuides check out: https://tencapital.group/education/
For upcoming Events, check out https://tencapital.group/events/

For Feedback please contact info@tencapital.group

Please follow, share, and leave a review.

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Researching Investors for Your Fundraise

Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing.

Before launching your fundraiser campaign, make sure to research your investor prospects.

Start with those who invest in your startup stage and sector.

It’s pointless to reach out to investors who have an investment thesis completely out of scope for your startup.

Once you have the investors who invest in your sector and stage, drill down to those who invest in your type of business.

Healthcare, for example, is a broad sector with many subsectors and applications.

Look for those who fund your type of business.

Next, check their geographical preference.

Some investors only invest in their local region, while others invest nationally.

Next, look for the right point of contact.

Who is the one most likely to have an interest in your deal?

VC funds often have multiple general partners.

Look for the right partner who is the best point of contact.

In the initial call, make it a two-way conversation.

Ask questions about what the investor looks for in a startup, as well as answer their questions.

This demonstrates you are working with them to make sure this is a good fit.

Consider these points in researching and contacting investors for your fundraising.

Thank you for joining us for the Startup Funding Espresso where we help startups and investors connect for funding.

Let’s go startup something today.

_______________________________________________________

For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at: http://investorconnect.org

Check out our other podcasts here: https://investorconnect.org/
For Investors check out: https://tencapital.group/investor-landing/
For Startups check out: https://tencapital.group/company-landing/
For eGuides check out: https://tencapital.group/education/
For upcoming Events, check out https://tencapital.group/events/

For Feedback please contact info@tencapital.group

Please follow, share, and leave a review.

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How a VC Fund May Shut Down Early

Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing.

Venture Capital funds typically run on ten-year cycles.

There are some conditions in which the VC fund may shut down early.

Here’s a list of reasons:

Key persons -- the Limited Partners invested in a fund that has a certain number of key persons.

If the number falls off, then the fund may suspend activities until a replacement is found.

The fund managers are found to be liable for fraud or gross negligence.

In this case, the fund may shut down and return the funds to the Limited Partners.

In other cases, the fund may replace the managers and continue on.

Limited Partners want to shut down the fund -- the market may have changed, or the investment thesis may no longer be viable.

In this case, the Limited Partners could demand their funds returned.

Alternatively, the Limited Partners could vote to fund a new investment thesis.

The VC fund managers may be found to have a conflict of interest.

The Limited Partners could demand the return of their uninvested capital.

Consider these points in running or investing in a VC fund.

Thank you for joining us for the Startup Funding Espresso where we help startups and investors connect for funding.

Let’s go startup something today.

_______________________________________________________

For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at: http://investorconnect.org

Check out our other podcasts here: https://investorconnect.org/
For Investors check out: https://tencapital.group/investor-landing/
For Startups check out: https://tencapital.group/company-landing/
For eGuides check out: https://tencapital.group/education/
For upcoming Events, check out https://tencapital.group/events/

For Feedback please contact info@tencapital.group

Please follow, share, and leave a review.

Music courtesy of Bensound.