In this conversation, Sasha Orloff sits down with Steve McLaughlin, CEO and Managing Partner of FT Partners. Steve provides an insider’s look into the high-stakes world of capital raising and dealmaking for high-growth private companies. From being Goldman Sachs’ Former Head of Fintech to founding FT Partners, a global fintech investment firm, McLaughlin shares his strategies for crafting compelling narratives that unlock massive fundraising rounds - like the $33 billion valuation for Revolut and a $100 million plus raise for Sam Altman’s Worldcoin. They dive deep into storytelling, the importance of product over marketing spend, founder red flags, and much more.
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LINKS:
https://ftpartners.com/
X/SOCIAL:
@sashaorloff (Sasha)
@FTPartners (Steve)
TIMESTAMPS:
(00:00:00) The art of storytelling in high-growth company valuations
(00:01:31) A capital whisperer's journey
(00:02:26) Inside FTPartners: Shaping the fintech universe
(00:04:33) The intricacies of capital raising and M&A
(00:07:39) Crafting the perfect capital raise story
(00:14:13) The complex world of investor networks
(00:16:41) Maximizing value beyond valuation
(00:19:05) A deep dive into successful storytelling and strategic selling
(00:22:57) The philosophy of business growth and valuation
(00:23:33) Understanding the founder's journey and ambitions
(00:24:32) The role of investment bankers in raising capital
(00:25:46) The importance of choosing the right banker
(00:28:17) Revolut's success story: A case study
(00:36:07) Strategic advice on growth vs. profitability
(00:39:01) Reflecting on capital raising experiences and red flags
(00:41:06) The evolution of FT Partners
(00:46:12) Closing thoughts and acknowledgements
"Tech Finance" with Sasha Orloff: B2B Fintech | AI | Finance Tech