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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This show is produced by Turpentine: a network of podcasts, newsletters, and more, covering technology, business, and culture — all from the perspective of industry insiders and experts. We’re launching new shows every week, and we’re looking for industry-leading sponsors — if you think that might be you and your company, email us at erik@turpentine.co.

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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