Feel the Boot

Virality is the holy grail of business growth strategies. In this installment I explain the three kinds of virality and how you can leverage them in your startup. Investors love viral business models, but are also skeptical of the claim. Through early testing and clear analysis, you can show why your company has the potential for viral hyper-growth.Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jyxTtZ6Gl0wBlog: https://www.feeltheboot.com/blog/virality

If you are launching a blockchain based company, I have some specific advice for you. Right now, I see many times more blockchain and Initial Coin Offering pitches than anything else. And most of them are bad. This creates additional hurdles that I want to help you navigate. The tsunami of blockchain pitches causes investors to set the bar very high. At the same time, the entrepreneurs are making a lot of unforced errors. Learn what these other founders are doing wrong and how you can deliver a pitch that will stand out and interest investors.Video: https://youtu.be/jOAcvAyttJYBlog: https://feeltheboot.com/blog/blockchain-pitching-mistakes

Your business is your baby. You don’t want anyone to take it. But holding on too tight could smother it. Understanding the dynamics of power and control in a startup will allow you to grow and succeed. 51% ownership is less important than you might think and the contortions required to hold that number can scare off the investors you need.Video: https://bit.ly/51percent-videoBlog: https://bit.ly/51percent-blog

Founders and entrepreneurs need to understand the inner workings of stock options. Otherwise they can waste equity, disappoint key employees, and dilute their ownership. In this episode I cover: Why you should issue options How to create an option plan Setting up the initial option pool Negotiating changes to the option pool How many options to grant an employee How to vest optionsVideo: http://bit.ly/stock-options-explained-videoBlog: http://bit.ly/stock-options-bloghttps://tools.ltse.com/sizing-the-option-pool-whats-normal-95e0f2bc0b88https://gust.com/launch/blog/how-much-equity-should-you-offer-your-startup-team-membershttps://firstround.com/review/The-Right-Way-to-Grant-Equity-to-Your-Employees/

Many times, when giving out stock options, I found that the recipient did not understand them. Options are one of the most important employee motivators and a big part of their compensation, and confusion substantially reduces their effectiveness. This episode is devoted to educating employee about the options they receive and helping founders explain them to their teams.Video: http://bit.ly/options-explained-videoBlog: http://bit.ly/options-explained-blog

Founders are confused about all the different terms used for funding, and what they all mean. Are they ready for a seed round and what does it take to get an A round? Learn what each kind of investment round means, what to expect, and what investors will expect from the business. Making the right ask to the right people at the right time is one of the keys to startup fundraising.Video: https://bit.ly/investment-rounds-explained-videoBlog: https://bit.ly/investment-rounds-explained

Media and popular culture focuses excess attention on flashy “big ideas”, but it is excellent “execution” that separates the massive successes from the failures. Too many founders focus on finding that perfect idea, rather than making a great business out of a good idea. Investors need to know how you are going to grow. Focus on the things that you are going to do more than on the big picture.Video: http://bit.ly/execution-over-ideas-videoBlog: http://bit.ly/execution-over-ideas

Trying and failing to raise funds for your startup business? In this episode I answer a viewer question asking for suggestions. Learn what it takes to get funding from early stage investors.Video: http://bit.ly/finding-investors-vidBlog: http://bit.ly/finding-investorsLinks mentioned in the podcast:The Angel Capital Association https://www.angelcapitalassociation.orgBlog on Why Angel Investors need high returns https://www.feeltheboot.com/blog/greedy-angel-investorsTwo lists of Community Development Financial Institutions https://fitsmallbusiness.com/community-development-financial-institutions-cdfi-list/ https://about.bankofamerica.com/en-us/partnering-locally/cdfi-list.htmlMy previous video on how to build a presentation: https://www.feeltheboot.com/blog/2019/4/1/bad-presentations-can-scuttle-your-startup-make-yours-soar

Your investor pitch may be failing because you are using the wrong deck! I have seen many otherwise good investment pitches fall flat because the speaker used a deck that was not optimized for the environment. Sometimes you will pitch in person, and sometimes your deck will be read alone. In this episode I cover how to triumph in both scenarios.Blog: https://www.feeltheboot.com/blog/startups-need-two-pitchdecksVideo: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d-QhA47gWmg

Asking for an NDA up-front can kill your chances for investment. Non-disclosure agreements have their place but they can stop a conversation with angels or VCs before it starts. Handle this situation correctly and you will have nothing to fear.Blog: https://www.feeltheboot.com/blog/no-nda-before-pitchVideo: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZyI34GCDUj4