Feel the Boot

📉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

Cofounder Vesting 😭 Handling founder shares when things go wrongStock vesting can save you in multi-cofounder startupsInvestors may require founder vesting before investing This episode looks at the issue of founder vesting through the lens of a fictitious company founded by Iron Man, The Hulk, Thor and Loki. Read the article https://ftb.bz/79BWatch the video https://ftb.bz/79VFounders Alliance https://ftb.bz/AllianceMailing list for office hours https://ftb.bz/join

Term Sheet Red Flags ☠️ Venture CapitalAbusive terms cause dilution, loss of control, & sabotage future dealsLearn what they mean and when to push back Read the article https://ftb.bz/78BWatch the video https://ftb.bz/78VFounders Alliance https://ftb.bz/AllianceMailing list for office hours https://ftb.bz/join Article on pre-revenue startup valuations: https://ftb.bz/66BArticle on why high valuations can be bad: https://ftb.bz/70B Here are the standard term sheets I mentioned:Y Combinator https://ftb.bz/Y-Com-TSNational Venture Capital Association https://ftb.bz/NVCA-TSAngel Capital Association https://ftb.bz/ACA-TS

Have you ever tried to deliver a pitch deck or other presentation, and the technology just won’t cooperate? Either your computer won’t talk to their projector, or there is some issue with the PowerPoint.How can you handle these situations in a way that leaves you looking as good or better than you would have if everything had gone perfectly?Video: https://ftb.bz/77VArticle: https://ftb.bz/77BJoin: https://ftb.bz/Join

Get more from your investor updatesWhat to include and an easy template Get the template here: https://ftb.bz/investor-update-template  Watch the Video: https://ftb.bz/76V Get the podcast: https://ftb.bz/PodcastVisit the website: https://ftb.bz/Join the mailing list: https://ftb.bz/Join A regular investor update email is the best way to keep existing and prospective investors in the loop on your startup’s progress.Use it to ask for investments, introductions, advice, assistance, and more.In this episode I share how to craft an update that people will read and will keep them engaged and supportive.  Lance Cottrell has been an active startup advisor and startup mentor for over a decade.He has helped countless startups navigate the key decisions of their journey, like when to take venture capital investment and negotiating term sheets.He works with many companies in accelerators like Y Combinator and Founder Institute.He provides help with startup funding including raising venture capital and angel investment.He can help you achieve liquidity for your company at a high valuation.Feel the Boot is a startup vlog of tips and advice for early-stage founders.

Low on cash with no imminent funding?Here’s how to keep your startup alive Read this as a blog: https://ftb.bz/75BWatch the Video: https://ftb.bz/75V Visit the website: https://ftb.bz/Join the mailing list: https://ftb.bz/Join When things get tough and cash is short, you need to manage your startup cash flow to survive. If things are particularly difficult, you might be forced to pivot or sell the company. Lance Cottrell has been an active startup advisor and startup mentor for over a decade.He has helped countless startups navigate the key decisions of their journey, like when to take venture capital investment and negotiating term sheets.He works with many companies in accelerators like Y Combinator and Founder Institute.He provides help with startup funding including raising venture capital and angel investment.He can help you achieve liquidity for your company at a high valuation.Feel the Boot is a startup vlog of tips and advice for early-stage founders.

What is a Cap Table? 🧐 Tracking VC Investments and stock option grantsUnderstand startup capitalization, preferred stock, and angel investmentsTrack ownership, options, SAFE, Convertible Notes, and dilution. Startup equity and cap tables can be confusing to many founders.The CEO needs to understand startup equity well enough to talk to their lawyers and negotiate with investors. This episode will teach you all you need to know. Subscribe to Boot Prints: https://ftb.bz/SubscribeJoin Founders Alliance: https://ftb.bz/JoinRead this: https://ftb.bz/74B Get the video: https://ftb.bz/74V Lance Cottrell has been an active startup advisor and startup mentor for over a decade.He has helped countless startups navigate the key decisions of their journey, like when to take venture capital investment and negotiating a termsheet.His advice and mentoring can supplement or replace startup accelerators or startup incubators like Y Combinator.He provides help with startup funding including raising venture capital and angel investment.He can help you achieve liquidity for your company at a high valuation.Feel the Boot is a startup vlog of tips and advice for early-stage founders.

Startup Survival 🤕 Quit, Pivot, or PersevereWhen your startup hits hard times what should you do?Make this high stakes decision with confidence When your startup is in a dark place with no path forward, what should you do?This episode explores how to analyze your options objectively to choose the best option for you and your startup. Subscribe to Boot Prints: https://ftb.bz/SubscribeJoin Founders Alliance: https://ftb.bz/JoinRead this: https://ftb.bz/73BWatch the Video: https://ftb.bz/73V  Lance Cottrell has been an active startup advisor and startup mentor for over a decade.He has helped countless startups navigate the key decisions of their journey, like when to close their startup vs. persevere or pivot.His advice and mentoring can supplement or replace startup accelerators or startup incubators like Y Combinator.He provides help with startup funding including raising venture capital and angel investment.He can help you achieve liquidity for your company at a high valuation.Feel the Boot is a startup vlog of tips and advice for early-stage founders.