This Week in Startups

Ask an Angel with Zach Coelius: practical advice for founders and investors in a downturn | E1512

Jul 20, 2022

Zach Coelius, an angel investor, shares invaluable insights for both founders and investors. He discusses the challenges and adaptations of remote work, emphasizing productivity and global talent recruitment. Zach dives into navigating economic downturns and how SaaS spending is evolving. He also advises on cautious investment strategies, steering clear of high-risk startups without strong founder connections. The conversation wraps up with audience questions, tackling competition and the importance of transparent communication in the startup ecosystem.

01:40:10

Creator website

Episode guests

Zach Coelius

AI Chapters

Episode notes

Intro

2min

Navigating Remote Work in Startups

9min

Revolutionizing Remote Work

5min

Navigating Health Concerns and Best Practices in Remote Work

3min

Innovative Tools and Strategies for Startups

9min

Navigating Economic Shifts: Lessons from Fiscal Stimulus and Future Strategies

2min

Cautious Investment Strategies and Sustainable Business Models

5min

Navigating Startup Funding Challenges

20min

Authenticating the Luxury Market with Tech

15min

10.

Founders, Investors, and the Importance of Communication

26min

11.

Navigating Market Challenges: Investment Strategies for Resourceful Founders

5min

Molly had a big board meeting today, so we had our guy Zach Coelius join for another version of Ask an Angel (1:32). Zach and Jason share their thoughts on remote work (4:40), the downturn (22:10), and then they answer audience questions (41:22). It’s a solid episode for founders and investors!

(0:00) Jason intro’s today’s Ask an Angel episode with Zach Coelius

(1:32) Ask an Angel with Zach Coelius

(4:40) Zach’s thoughts on remote work

(13:19) Squarespace - Use offer code TWIST to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain at https://Squarespace.com/TWIST

(14:37) Managing a company post-COVID

(17:00) Who shines in the remote work era?

(20:51) Notion - Get $250 off by using code TWIST at https://notion.so

(22:10) The downturn: will people cancel or review their SaaS bills?

(26:09) How many of Zach’s founders have prepped for the downturn?

(30:50) Odoo - Get your first app free and a $1000 credit at https://odoo.com/twist

(32:02) Don’t try to invest in pre-product market fit companies when you’re first starting out (unless you know the founder’s awesome)

(41:22) Q&A: How do you think about competition in the same market in the early stages?

(46:43) What are the top buzzwords you’re staying away from as investors right now?

(59:00) Would you invest in SF?

(1:04:00) How much dilution after seed rounds turns into a red flag?

(1:06:14) Should the equity grant occur during financings or the board meeting?

(1:09:15) What does Zach focus on in terms of diligence?

(1:19:30) As a founder, when should you provide pro rata to angels and when not?

(1:25:10) Have you ever advised a founder to leave the CEO role?

(1:32:29) How long do you think the down market is going to be and what’s your strategy?

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