Feel the Boot

Non-Dilutive Fundraising 💰 SBIR Grants for InnovationGet cash for your startup without giving up ownership.Government grants can fund your development from idea to MVP and beyond. Read the transcript: https://ftb.bz/89BWatch the Video: https://ftb.bz/89V Subscribe to Boot Prints: https://ftb.bz/JoinGet FTB Merch: https://ftb.bz/merchJoin the Founders Alliance: https://ftb.bz/Alliance  In this interview, Caroline Arzoo, Director of Partnerships at OmniSync, and I discusses the different options for funding a startup. She emphasizes that federal grants and contracts can be a great alternative to conventional angel and VC investment. However, she notes that the application process can be difficult, with over 80% of people who apply for federal funding on their own getting rejected for non-compliance. To help founders access non-dilutive funding, OmniSync has created an AI-powered platform that simplifies the process of finding and applying for federal funding. In addition to federal grants and contracts, Caroline also suggests considering crowdfunding and pitch competitions as creative funding avenues.  She highlights the importance of community, transparency, and being open to change in order to navigate the complexities of growing a startup. We also also touch on the emotional toll of the founder journey and the importance of building a support system. Caroline Arzoo Bio:Caroline Arzoo is a passionate advocate of innovation, supporting early-stage founders through her community-building work at OmniSync Inc and as a mentor for Founder Institute. A graduate of UC Santa Barbara’s Technology Management program, Caroline has supported hundreds of early-stage startups in accessing non-dilutive capital from the federal Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program. In addition to her work supporting founders, Caroline also works to empower and build innovation ecosystems, partnering with universities, small business development centers, accelerators, and more to support their entrepreneurial initiatives. Find her on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolinearzoo/ Check out OmniSync’s grant application tools at https://www.turbosbir.com/

Your earliest investors are probably unsophisticated.You must help them understand how startup investing works. When you are at the idea stage, almost no angel or VC investors will back you, but people who know and care about you might.Unfortunately, this is usually all new and very confusing to them.You must ensure they understand what they are doing and paint a realistic picture of the possible outcomes.This video is for you, the founder. It explains your options for structuring the deal and how to communicate with them about this opportunity.I created another video to share with your potential investors that tells them what they need to know. https://ftb.bz/friends-and-family-explainer Read this as a blog: https://ftb.bz/88BWatch the video: https://ftb.bz/88V

💸Get Angel Investor Dealflow You need to look at a lot of startups to find good investmentsLearn several ways to uncover quality startups  Our Angel Investing 101 series teaches new Angel Investors how to invest in startups.This episode focuses on Angel Investor dealflow. You need to source a lot of potential deals to identify those few worthy of investment. Where to list yourself as an angel investors:https://LinkedIn.com/ https://signal.nfx.com/https://www.angellist.com/https://www.crunchbase.com/hub/angel-investors Syndicate sites:https://AngelList.com https://TheSyndicate.com Crowd Funding Sites:https://Wefunder.comhttps://Republic.comhttps://Seedinvest.comhttps://Fundable.comhttps://StartEngine.comhttps://MicroVentures.com Read the blog version: https://ftb.bz/87BWatch the video: https://ftb.bz/87V Get access to Boot Prints & Office Hours: https://ftb.bz/JoinFeel the Boot Merch: https://ftb.bz/Merch

Who decides what between the board and shareholders?How to handle the BoD and Shareholder meetings as a founder. Read the blog: https://ftb.bz/86BWatch the Video: https://ftb.bz/86V Get access to office hours and Boot Prints: https://ftb.bz/Join In this episode, I explain the board of directors and shareholders roles and responsibilities.Some votes require both groups to approve. Others are specific to the BoD or shareholders.Running shareholder and board meetings as a startup is easier than you think.Having those meetings is essential, even if you are the only participant!

VCs destroy more startups than they make unicornsLearn how to identify and avoid that trap The reason is the “marginal dollar problem”Understanding that will help you choose whether to accept venture capital investment with open eyes. Read the blog: https://ftb.bz/85BWatch the video: https://ftb.bz/85V Join Boot Prints for access to free office hours: https://ftb.bz/JoinMeet other founders in the Founders Alliance: https://ftb.bz/Alliance

How to Start Angel Investing 💰What you need to know to start investing in early-stage startup companiesBest practices for new angel investors This is the second in a series of videos on angel investing.It explains the best way to begin as a new angel investor, and some critical pitfalls to avoid. Read the blog: https://ftb.bz/84BWatch the Video https://ftb.bz/84V  Subscribe to Boot Prints https://ftb.bz/joinHere’s the episode on dangerous investment terms https://youtu.be/LCCXSS2ubn8Merch! https://ftb.bz/merch

Angel Investing 101 💰What is angel investing?How to invest in pre-IPO companies Angel investors put their own money into early-stage startup companies.This is the first in a series of episodes on becoming an effective angel investor / venture capitalist Read the article: https://ftb.bz/83BWatch the Video: https://ftb.bz/83VSignup for the mailing list and office hours: https://ftb.bz/join

📉Startup Funding in a Bear MarketAdapt your fundraising strategy to succeed in a downturnRaise angel investment and venture capital in challenging times When the economy is rough, investors become cautious.Learn how to position your company to survive these times and appeal to angel and VC investors. Read the article https://ftb.bz/82BWatch the Video https://ftb.bz/82V Founders Alliance https://ftb.bz/AllianceMailing list for office hours https://ftb.bz/join

My worst day as a founder 😭 how we pivoted, survived, and eventually thrivedStartup Stories: angel investor quits, acquisition falls through, & personal tragedyWhat to expect as a founder.Creating and growing a company can be an incredible experience, but you will have days that seriously suck. You will probably experience situations that challenge your determination to carry on.Because I frequently talk about how challenging launching a startup can be, I want to share my worst day as a founder. I hope it helps prepare you for some of the trials you will experience on your journey.Read the article https://ftb.bz/81BWatch the video https://ftb.bz/81VFounders Alliance https://ftb.bz/AllianceMailing list for office hours https://ftb.bz/join

Fire the Founder? 🔥 Take the initiative and replace yourself as CEOStartup typically outgrow their founding CEOIt’s better find your replacement then be replaced My board of directors wanted to replace me as CEO. This episode explains how I handled that with fantastic results.If you recruit the new CEO, you can find someone you want to work with, and who will respect you.They can help drive the company’s success and give you the exit you want. Read the article https://ftb.bz/80B Watch the video https://ftb.bz/80V Founders Alliance https://ftb.bz/AllianceMailing list for office hours https://ftb.bz/join