268: Michael Cardamone — Creative Ways to Fund Your SaaS Company

Jul 14, 2021

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If you are a Founder of a SaaS company then this is an episode you do not want to miss. Today’s guest works directly with SaaS companies and knows the inner workings of how to raise the capital you need in your business.

Michael Cardamone was one of the first 30 employees at Box in a BD role and then later led partnerships at AcademixDirect. After six years of being in operating roles, Michael launched Forum Ventures, a BSB SaaS-Focused Accelerator and Fund based in NYC and Toronto.

Michael is seven years into his company and he’s already on his fourth fund for the accelerator and has worked with over 200 companies. Some of Michael’s entrepreneurs have never even stepped into Silicon Valley and have raised several millions of dollars. The VC landscape is rapidly changing to find companies outside of California and New York.

Michael sees the benefits, too. You want more diversity? Take advantage of the global landscape and hire team members from all over the world to get a different cultural perspective. Countless studies have shown that when a company has more diversity, they are adaptable and more empathic to all different types of users.

One thing that founders don’t think about enough is how will investors value your business? What is their process and how do you fare in that process? A great way to make yourself stand out is to bring data points and market research to the fold to showcase how you’re thinking about your target market differently and the types of risks you foresee in your industry. Investors love to see a bit of legwork being done, even if the memo isn’t all roses and positive.

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