The Funding Blueprint: Unlocking Startup Success StartHub

Learn how executive coaches can boost a startup’s chances for success and provide founders with a tangible return on investment.

In this deep dive around executive coaching, Co Ventures’ Maxine Minter discusses the transformative power of executive coaching for startup founders. She highlights the distinction between coaching and advising before covering a range of topics, including the personal growth work that helps founders understand their own mental models and behaviors, the impact of executive coaching on a CEO's ability to transition from product development to company scaling, delegation techniques and avoiding the pitfalls of over-delegation or abdication, and the tailored approach needed for leadership development and organizational growth.

Plus: the nuanced needs of executive coaching as a company matures, the transition from one coach to another as the startup scales, and the challenges of measuring the return on investment in executive coaching. She also discusses the economic evaluation of coaching engagements, the increased motivation and optimism in executives working with coaches, and the significance of addressing imposter syndrome in leadership roles.

Maxine Minter is the Founder and General Partner of Co Ventures, and leads Australia's first pre-seed fund and its premier solo female GP-led fund. She has a rich background in angel investing, company building, and executive coaching, and focuses on elevating Australian startups to the global stage from inception. Maxine also founded Co Lab, a platform matching startup founders and CEOs with top executive coaches, and co-hosts First Cheque, a podcast featuring conversations with seasoned investors. Her work bridges the gap between Australian startups and international investors. Maxine operates between San Francisco and Sydney.. You can connect with Maxine on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/maxine-minter-06011951/ 

Listen to Maxine’s podcast, First Cheque, at https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/first-cheque/id1710054580 

Learn more about Co Ventures at https://www.coventures.vc/

Learn more about Co Lab at https://www.the-colab.co/

Check out “Trillion Dollar Coach: The Leadership Playbook of Silicon Valley's Bill Campbell” at https://amzn.to/3xZAUuO 

In this episode, you’ll learn about: startup coaching, executive coaching, startup success, leadership coaching, business scaling, Series B funding, seed funding, startup growth, startup founders, CEO coaching, strategic leadership, company scaling, management principles, startup ecosystem, startup advice, executive coach value, founder to CEO transition, startup investment, startup strategies, venture capital, startup advisors, startup efficiency, startup systems, executive team building, C-suite management, startup expansion, value creation, coaching investment, startup outcomes, tailored coaching techniques, leadership positions, global startup community, Australian startups, and executive coach matching.

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The Funding Blueprint was created by award-winning podcaster Cody Gough. This is Cody’s final episode as producer and host of the show, but you can connect with Cody on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/codygough/ or follow him on X (formerly Twitter) at https://twitter.com/ProducerCody.

Music track: "Cinematic Funk"

Source: https://www.lokhmatovmusic.com/ 

Free Background Music by Yevhen Lokhmatov

If you're impressed by the incredible editing in this episode, then get in touch with our tremendous editor Sean Petell for your sound design or audio/video production needs. Special thanks to Sean for making this episode look and sound so good! You can reach Sean at https://seanpetell.com/

Learn about 3 key intangibles that could make you and your startup stand out to venture capitalists when seeking funding.

Playfair’s Andrew Sheffield discusses the intricacies of pre-seed funding for startups, including essential intangibles for securing funding, the importance of pace in business development, and the necessity for a strong founder-VC relationship. He discusses the allure of investing in technology-focused companies, the patience required in venture capital, and post-investment strategies for scaling up startups, with specific listener takeaways such as the importance of technological defensibility, the typical 10-year investment horizon for VCs, and the need for startups to craft compelling narratives for future fundraising. Plus: parallels between poker playing and venture capitalism, strategic hiring decisions for scaling startups, and tactical advice for founders on validating their business assumptions.

Andrew Sheffield is a VC at Playfair, which is a generalist VC fund with a contrarian approach to pre-seed technology investing. Playfair invests across the UK and Europe with an intentionally high conviction, low volume approach: making 6-8 investments a year and preserving time, capital and resources to help companies post-investment. At Playfair, Andrew meets with founders, researches their markets, and helps Playfair’s portfolio build out the beginnings of independent sales teams. Prior to Wayfair, Andrew spent a year as a full-time professional poker player. Andrew and Playfair are based in London. You can connect with Andrew on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-sheffield-264360134/ 

Learn more about Playfair at https://playfair.vc/ 

Learn about Recycleye at https://recycleye.com/

In this episode, you’ll learn about: pre-seed funding, startup scaling, venture capital, early-stage investment, securing capital, startup success, business growth, technology startups, investment strategies, startup advice, founder-VC relationship, professional poker playing, entrepreneurial insights, startup journey, scaling ventures, market leaders, tech startups, business development, investment game, founder tips, startup investment, sales strategy, venture capital success, risk management, job titles in startups, UK market investment, business assumptions, sales teams, startup growth, startup validation, poker and investing, strategic decision-making, pre-seed startups, startup acceleration, technology defensibility, hardware startups, software startups, VC investment horizon, and sustainable technology.

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Follow The Funding Blueprint, hosted by award-winning podcaster Cody Gough, on YouTube or your favorite podcast app, to be notified about new episodes for free every week. And get involved in the conversation by joining StartHub's community of engaged startup founders, VC investors, and other entrepreneurs on Discord: https://discord.gg/4MjDJS8wsR 

Music track: "Cinematic Funk"

Source: https://www.lokhmatovmusic.com/ 

Free Background Music by Yevhen Lokhmatov

If you're impressed by the incredible editing in this episode, then get in touch with our tremendous editor Sean Petell for your sound design or audio/video production needs. Special thanks to Sean for making this episode look and sound so good! You can reach Sean at https://seanpetell.com/

Learn about how to effectively manage cash flow and strategic steps you can take at different stages of your cash runway.

Investor Laura McCoolidge Nguyen discusses the intricate balance of cash management for startups, particularly in the EdTech sector. She delves into the strategies founders should adopt when faced with dwindling cash reserves, outlines a step-by-step game plan for startups at various stages of their cash runway, and touches on the need for considering acqui-hiring plans and minimizing founder salaries. She also discusses the broader challenges and opportunities in the EdTech industry in 2024, skepticism around the effectiveness of technology in education, the potential of AI and personalized learning, and strategies for EdTech startups to navigate these issues.

Laura McCoolidge Nguyen is Vice President of Strategic Investments at Strada Education Foundation. Strada, as a foundation, aims to create clearer and more purposeful pathways from education to careers for adult learners, and utilizes tools such as policy, advocacy, grant making and strategic investments to further this mission. Laura specifically focuses on funding seed to Series B stage companies whose products are strategically aligned to Strada’s impact mission. And she is based in Miami. You can connect with Laura on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/laura-mccoolidge/ 

Learn more about Strata Education Foundation at https://stradaeducation.org/ 

Learn about Rise Education at https://riseeducation.com/

Learn about Interplay Learning at https://www.interplaylearning.com/ 

In this episode, you’ll learn about: EdTech startups, startup cash management, education technology companies, startup survival, strategic financial planning, cash flow challenges, investor relations, cost reduction strategies, innovative solutions in education, higher education issues, startup fundraising, educational innovation, sustaining startups, EdTech market trends, cash reserves in startups, startup finance, education industry transformation, skilled trades training, co-founder relationships, startup longevity, education sector challenges, startup investment opportunities, EdTech entrepreneurs, education startup survival, managing startup finances, educational institution budgets, personalized learning in education, strategic investments in education, technology adoption in schools, startup sales cycles, education workforce development, alternative education pathways, seed to Series B funding, startup cost cutting, startup growth strategies, EdTech company valuation, startup investor updates, education sales strategies, and founder passion in startups.

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Follow The Funding Blueprint, hosted by award-winning podcaster Cody Gough, on YouTube or your favorite podcast app, to be notified about new episodes for free every week. And get involved in the conversation by joining StartHub's community of engaged startup founders, VC investors, and other entrepreneurs on Discord: https://discord.gg/4MjDJS8wsR 

Music track: "Cinematic Funk"

Source: https://www.lokhmatovmusic.com/ 

Free Background Music by Yevhen Lokhmatov

If you're impressed by the incredible editing in this episode, then get in touch with our tremendous editor Sean Petell for your sound design or audio/video production needs. Special thanks to Sean for making this episode look and sound so good! You can reach Sean at https://seanpetell.com/ 

Explore the pivotal shift in a founder’s journey from working on a side hustle to running a startup full-time – and how to sustain it.

Investor Adrian Petersen delves into the core elements of startup resilience and growth, elaborating on the essential stages of transitioning from a side hustle to a full-scale startup, the art of validating business ideas, and the significant role of venture capital in nurturing this growth. He also dissects often-misunderstood narratives around startup success and shares the investor's perspective on early-stage startups, the value of a partnership approach, and the need for founders to critically evaluate the commitment of years to their ventures. Plus: the dynamics of investor-founder relationships, building community and strategic partnerships, and actionable strategies for non-technical founders. 

Adrian Petersen is a co-founder at AfterWork Ventures and is based in Sydney. AfterWork is a community-powered, industry agnostic VC fund investing in Australian and New Zealand based startups that have revenue ambitions of at least $100 million. You can connect with Adrian on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/adrianpetersen93/ 

Learn more about AfterWork at https://www.afterwork.vc/ 

In this episode, you’ll learn about: startup myths, myths about startups, entrepreneurship, venture capital, investors, startup founders, startup growth, founder resilience, early-stage ventures, startup ecosystem, business scaling, funding, side hustles, startup success, venture capital funding, startup journeys, non-technical founders, startup growth, startup funding, investor-founder relationships, startup validation, startup resilience, startup advice, venture capitalist insights, startup partnerships, startup community, business models, investor synergy, venture capital initiatives, grit in startups, startup investments, venture insight, navigating entrepreneurship, and startup validation strategies.

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Follow The Funding Blueprint, hosted by award-winning podcaster Cody Gough, on YouTube or your favorite podcast app, to be notified about new episodes for free every week. And get involved in the conversation by joining StartHub's community of engaged startup founders, VC investors, and other entrepreneurs on Discord: https://discord.gg/4MjDJS8wsR 

Music track: "Cinematic Funk"

Source: https://www.lokhmatovmusic.com/ 

Free Background Music by Yevhen Lokhmatov

If you're impressed by the incredible editing in this episode, then get in touch with our tremendous editor Sean Petell for your sound design or audio/video production needs. Special thanks to Sean for making this episode look and sound so good! You can reach Sean at https://seanpetell.com/ 

Explore strategies for startups to achieve success while making a social impact and learn to balance growth with purpose.

Investor Tasha Seitz discusses the fusion of profitability and social impact in startups, the importance of balancing financial returns with social contributions, the intricacies of impact measurement in startup funding, and the three dimensions of impact assessment. She also explores the essential role of adaptability and foresight for startups, particularly through the lens of market trends and regulatory landscapes. Plus: strategies for attracting talent, the need for flexibility in business models, the significance of entrepreneurial support systems, and investment opportunities in startups driving positive change in society and the environment, including specific examples in healthcare, affordable housing, and environmental sustainability.

Tasha Seitz has been making and managing technology venture investments for over two decades. She’s a Partner and member of the Investment Committee at Impact Engine, where she’s responsible for sourcing and diligence of early and growth stage companies. Prior to Impact Engine, she was a partner with JK&B Capital, a technology VC firm with $1.1 billion dollars under management, where she was responsible for identifying, evaluating, and making investments in early stage start-up software companies. Her post-investment responsibilities included serving on boards of directors, managing growth, coaching and hiring management teams, and managing investments through exit. She is also an Adjunct Professor of Social Impact at the Kellogg School of Management in Chicago, where she is based. You can connect with Tasha Seitz on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/tashaseitz/ 

Learn more about Impact Engine at https://www.theimpactengine.com/ 

In this episode, you’ll learn about: startup success, social impact, profit with purpose, social innovation, business ventures, sustainable success, startup growth, social good, social impact measurement, affordable housing, impact investment, startup resilience, market trends, regulatory landscapes, adaptability in business, innovative startups, visionary entrepreneurs, positive impact, community support, investment opportunities, technology venture investments, co-living spaces, property owners revenue, measuring impact, ESG metrics, crisis management, WeWork challenges, startup funding, PadSplit, economic opportunities, health equity, environmental sustainability, startup survival, and startup adaptability.

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Follow The Funding Blueprint, hosted by award-winning podcaster Cody Gough, on YouTube or your favorite podcast app, to be notified about new episodes for free every week. And get involved in the conversation by joining StartHub's community of engaged startup founders, VC investors, and other entrepreneurs on Discord: https://discord.gg/4MjDJS8wsR 

Music track: "Cinematic Funk"

Source: https://www.lokhmatovmusic.com/ 

Free Background Music by Yevhen Lokhmatov

If you're impressed by the incredible editing in this episode, then get in touch with our tremendous editor Sean Petell for your sound design or audio/video production needs. Special thanks to Sean for making this episode look and sound so good! You can reach Sean at https://seanpetell.com/

Investor Don Burton explains how to get funded by focusing on impact, innovation, and the 'five Ps' he uses to evaluate investments.

And, learn what problems are the best EdTech companies really trying to solve? Don Burton explains what he’s seeing in the EdTech sector and discusses the significance of a startup's potential to effect change, the passion of its founders, and the innovation behind groundbreaking ideas. He also delves into the 'five Ps' framework used to evaluate investments, the timing of investing in emerging technologies like the metaverse and Web3, the rise of alternative learning pathways that offer practical, industry-focused education, the evolution of educational technology from mere digitization to transformative innovations, the importance of liberal arts and soft skills in a well-rounded education, and the radical rethinking needed in the education system. Plus: the potential of “micro schools” to empower parents and localize education, the challenges EdTech startups face when implementing new strategies, and the role of investment in these ventures.

Don Burton has had an extensive career at the cutting edge of education innovation and technology — launching, scaling, and exiting companies. Don is currently a co-founder and managing partner at LearnStart, a leading edge VC fund focused exclusively on education, learning, and talent, and is based in New York. You can connect with Don on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/burtondon/ 

Learn more about LearnStart at https://www.learnstart.vc/ 

Learn about Degreed: The Learning and Upskilling Platform at https://degreed.com/ 

Learn more about CreativeUp at https://creatorup.com/

Learn more about Prenda (“microschools made easy”) at https://www.prenda.com/ 

Read more of Don’s thoughts on his Medium page at https://medium.com/@dcburton 

In this episode, you’ll learn about: EdTech, US education, venture capital, educational technology, future of learning, digital education, innovation in education, transformative education, startup investments, alternative learning pathways, Metaverse in education, Web3, practical education, computer science education, generative AI, authentic assessment, critical thinking skills, problem-solving in education, industry-focused education, educational investments, success in EdTech, EdTech startups, skill alignment, creator up, on-the-job training, digital media production education, soft skills development, liberal arts in education, micro schools, education reform, flipped classroom, educational models, and venture insights.

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Follow The Funding Blueprint, hosted by award-winning podcaster Cody Gough, on YouTube or your favorite podcast app, to be notified about new episodes for free every week. And get involved in the conversation by joining StartHub's community of engaged startup founders, VC investors, and other entrepreneurs on Discord: https://discord.gg/4MjDJS8wsR 

Music track: "Cinematic Funk"

Source: https://www.lokhmatovmusic.com/ 

Free Background Music by Yevhen Lokhmatov

If you're impressed by the incredible editing in this episode, then get in touch with our tremendous editor Sean Petell for your sound design or audio/video production needs. Special thanks to Sean for making this episode look and sound so good! You can reach Sean at https://seanpetell.com/