Shows
$100M Exits with Jason KirbyEP 106: How Sendoso Raised $100M From SoftBank w/ Kris RudeegraapFrom raising $100M from SoftBank to shifting from “growth at all costs” to building a durable business, Kris shares the real story behind scaling Sendoso to over $100M in revenue.In this episode of $100M Exits, Kris walks through what it was actually like pitching Masayoshi Son over Zoom, deploying nine figures into aggressive hiring, then quickly pivoting when the zero-interest-rate era ended. He breaks down the hard decisions around efficiency, acquisitions, AI-driven sales automation, international expansion, and why building a 100-person advisory network became his secret weapon.This isn’t just a fundraising story. It’s a...
2026-02-1954 min
$100M Exits with Jason KirbyEP 105: From CEO to Employee: The Hardest Pivot of a Founder’s CareerFrom building a booming business overseas to being forced to start over, this is the founder journey most people never talk about.James Rose built and scaled an online furniture company during a massive property boom in Eastern Europe—only to see it nearly collapse during the global financial crisis. After years as an entrepreneur, he was forced to swallow his pride, re-enter the job market, and rebuild through sales and leadership roles.In this episode, James shares the unfiltered reality of going from founder to employee—and back again. He breaks down how sales beca...
2026-02-1238 min
$100M Exits with Jason KirbyEP 104: The Psychology Driving Fundraising, VC Decisions, and Founder Failure w/ Aram AttarMost founders fail for psychological reasons—not tactical ones.In this episode of $100M Exits, Jason Kirby sits down with Aram Attar, founder of The VC Factory, to unpack the hidden psychology shaping fundraising outcomes, VC decisions, and why smart founders keep repeating the same mistakes.With 15+ years advising founders, sitting on boards, and training venture capitalists, Aram shares a clear conclusion: most failures aren’t about intelligence, strategy, or effort—they’re about how decisions are made under uncertainty.They explore the difference between trying to win versus trying not to l...
2026-01-2948 min
$100M Exits with Jason KirbyEP 103: Built a $100M Software Business at 22 | Matthew Wyatt, Founder of TechTorqueFrom building a $100M software business to watching it fall apart—here’s what really happened.He built a software company from the ground up and scaled it past $100M in sales.Matthew Whyatt started his first tech business at 22—and learned the hard way what happens when growth, partners, and focus drift off course.In this episode, Matthew breaks down the real story behind scaling fast, losing focus, and the lessons that reshaped how he thinks about sales, leadership, and building sustainable companies. He shares why sales is the lifeblood of every business, how founde...
2026-01-2258 min
$100M Exits with Jason KirbyEP 102: He Raised $76M With No Defense Tech Background | Nelson Mills Founder of VATN SystemsFrom VC intern to $76M raised, here’s how it really happened.He raised $76M in two years—without ever working in defense tech.Nelson Mills, co-founder and CEO of a fast-growing underwater defense startup. Shares how he went from a VC intern to leading a company building autonomous undersea vehicles and why the maritime defense space became the perfect opportunity. He breaks down how he validated the market, assembled a world-class team, and raised more than $76M across multiple rounds. What you’ll learn in this episode:How Nelson raised...
2026-01-1546 min
$100M Exits with Jason KirbyEP 101: Unicorn Founder Raises $8M Using AI (Andrew D’Souza, Clearco & Bordy.ai)Andrew D’Souza, ex-co-founder of Clearco and now Boardy.ai, explains how he went from building a billion-dollar FinTech company to creating an AI “super-connector” that changes how founders meet investors.Andrew breaks down why warm intros no longer work, how Boardy.ai sparked investor interest before he was even fundraising, and why real-time AI conversations may become the future of dealmaking. He also shares ideas on founder psychology, network effects, and the next chapter of AI-driven relationship building.What You’ll Learn in This EpisodeHow Andrew D’Souza...
2025-12-1155 min
Arthur's Round Table-Subscription to Curiosity.From Entrepreneur to Investment Banker: Jason Kirby's JourneyIn this episode, Jason Kirby shares his journey as a serial entrepreneur and investment banker, discussing the lessons learned from his various startups and the challenges faced in the business landscape. He emphasizes the importance of unbiased advice for founders and introduces his company, Thunder, which aims to provide investment banking services tailored for early-stage companies. The conversation also delves into the complexities of family office investments, the impact of AI on business valuations, and the current challenges in the UK business environment.TakeawaysJason Kirby...
2025-12-0949 min
$100M Exits with Jason KirbyEP 100: The Earnout Trap: What This Founder Learned After Selling His CompanyAfter 20 years of steady, bootstrapped growth, Eric Friedman sold his company, eSkill, an online skills testing platform used by employers worldwide.In this episode, Eric breaks down how he built a profitable SaaS business with no outside funding, ran three separate sales processes, and closed a deal with private equity in 2024. He shares what founders should know about earnouts, how to choose the right investment bank, and the red flags he learned to spot during M&A negotiations.If you’re a founder thinking about selling a bootstrapped company, this episode is pa...
2025-12-0444 min
$100M Exits with Jason KirbyEP 99: From Zero to $10B in Secondaries: Greg Brogger 's Journey to a $160M ExitIn this episode, we break down how founders and early employees can get liquidity before an IPO—without selling shares, triggering taxes, or relying on a shaky secondary market. Our guest is Greg Brogger, founder of SharesPost (sold to Forge Global for $160M, later taken public and acquired) and now CEO of Collective Liquidity.Greg is one of the earliest architects of the private stock market, with over $10B+ in transactions. He covers:Why founders often wait too long for personal liquidityThe hidden risks of SPVs and secondary marketplacesHow to diversify equity without paying ca...
2025-11-2759 min
$100M Exits with Jason KirbyEP 98: How Andrew Ackerman Scaled DreamIt Ventures & Made 70+ Startup BetsWhat really happens when a founder crosses the table to become an investor?In this episode, Andrew Ackerman, former Managing Director at DreamIt Ventures and author of The Entrepreneur’s Odyssey, joins Jason to discuss what he has learned backing more than 70 startups across ed-tech, prop-tech, and beyond.Andrew shares how he went from writing angel checks that disappeared to running one of the top accelerators in the U.S. He breaks down what founders get wrong about “value-add” programs, how he built a deal-flow system that attracted over 1,000 startu...
2025-11-2053 min
$100M Exits with Jason KirbyEP 97: From Startup Burnout to $100M Raise: Ron Reiter’s RedemptionHe sold his Adtech company to Oracle after burning out, took it easy, then raised $100M+ for his next venture. Most founders dream of a big exit but few talk about what happens after.Subscribe & get our free investor/buyer list at thunder.vc.Key Takeaways:The emotional and mental cost behind selling Crosswise to Oracle.How burnout nearly ended Ron’s startup journey—and what pulled him back.The surprising truth about life inside a big corporation after acquisition.Why Sentra’s $100M+ raise was mo...
2025-11-1358 min
$100M Exits with Jason KirbyEP 96: Inside the War Room: How to Manage a Company Crisis w/ David MeadvinWhat do you do when your company is on fire, literally or figuratively?What do you do when the deal is days away from closing — and your company’s reputation explodes overnight?In this episode, David Meadvin, CEO of One Strategy Group, breaks down what really happens in the “war room” when crisis hits and how to protect your credibility, investors, and valuation when everything’s on fire.Subscribe & get our free investor/buyer list at thunder.vc.💡 Key Takeaways:Why reputation capital is a real currency during dealmaking.How to recover from a PR disaster before it kills your valuatio...
2025-11-0655 min
$100M Exits with Jason KirbyEP 95: How to Sell Your Startup: The Founder’s M&A PlaybookMost founders sell the wrong way. Here’s how to do it right.📣 Subscribe & get our free investor/buyer list at https://web.thunder.vc/vc-investor-listWhat you’ll learn in this episode:Forget the unicorn dream. This is how real founders achieve life-changing exits. Jason Kirby and Oliver Low — partners at Thunder — break down how to navigate the M&A process from both sides of the table: when to sell, how to structure a deal, and what to avoid when your future is on the line.🔥 3-6...
2025-10-301h 03
The Marinade with Jason EarleKirby Baby | The Marinade Episode 201Kirby Baby is the nom de plume of Kirby Brown, a singer and songwriter who is going through a huge transition with his latest release Inside Man. Inside Man a collection of existential musings with a blend of indie rock that is a huge pivot from the Americana songs Kirby has been known for. This record was the medicine I didn't know I needed and it is an honor to bring you my conversation with Kirby Baby. Listen On: Spotify- https://open.spotify.com/episode/7aDUHCiq15zLGN0V0vK0aq?si=97d98d036b...
2025-10-3054 min
$100M Exits with Jason KirbyEP 92: Why I Left My $500M Startup to Start Again — Shay Levi (Unframe AI)He sold for $500M—then started all over again. Get our free investor/buyer list at thunder.vcWhy Shay Levi left NoName Security after its $500M sale to AkamaiHow he built Unframe AI and raised millions at a massive valuationThe mindset shift from cybersecurity to AI innovationWhat founders get wrong about timing their exitsLessons on capital efficiency and founder evolution after a big win----------------------------------------------------Looking for capital or to sell?...
2025-10-101h 01
$100M Exits with Jason KirbyEP 91: How She Bought Back Her Company From InvestorsMelinda Nicca shares her story of raising capital, building a cash flow machine and buying it back from her investors to give herself independence again. In this episode, Jason Kirby talks with Melinda Nicci, Founder and CEO of Body Collective Group, and she opens up about her path as a health tech entrepreneur. She shares how her women’s wellness platform grew to reach over 6 million users, the highs and lows of fundraising, and the tough negotiations required to regain control of her company through a share repurchase.Mel also talks about navigating investor relationships, launching new pr...
2025-10-0254 min
PuckSportsMike Garafolo BREAKS Abe Lucas extension + George Kirby childish behavior | Daily Puck DropOn today's Daily Puck Drop, Jason "Puck" Puckett is joined by NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo, Brad Adam of ROOT Sports and “KJ-Arent’s” with Mitch Levy, Mitch Unfiltered podcast. Puck opens the show briefly discussing another Mariners loss and George Kirby losing his cool on the mound. Puck than pivots to Mike Garafolo, NFL Network to discuss Mike’s breaking news that Abe Lucas has agreed to a contract extension with Seattle. Puck and Mike also discuss if talks are close with Charles Cross and will they get something done with Ken Walker? Mike also give...
2025-09-041h 13
$100M Exits with Jason KirbyEP 90: Search Funds Demystified: How Jon Staenberg (Agate Hound Fund) Nets 35% Annual ReturnsThis week, I chat with Jon Staenberg founding partner of Agate Hound Fund, to unpack the real mechanics behind venture capital and search funds. From his early days at Microsoft, to founding a search fund that delivers 35% net annual returns, Jon pulls no punches. He warns, “Don’t go into venture until you’ve actually got a skill,” and breaks down the challenges of buying a company. We explore how grit, curiosity, and critical thinking separate founders who retire early from those who build enduring empires, and why the “comprehensiveness of change today is astonishing.” Whether you’re curiou...
2025-06-1943 min
$100M Exits with Jason KirbyEP 89: From Uber to Snap to AI: Ben Chiang on Raising Millions Then vs NowIn this episode of Fundraising Demystified, I sit down with Ben Chiang, the former head of Uber China and founder of Forma (acquired by Snap- yes, from Snapchat), to unpack his journey through hypergrowth, high-stakes fundraising, and strategic exits. Ben shares the realities behind building in chaotic markets, the truth about investor dynamics post-exit, and how founders can stay sane while chasing scale. We dive into the underrated benefits of QSBS (Qualified Small Business Stock), why consumer startups have it tougher than ever, and the unique marketing challenges of building AI products in today’s...
2025-06-1252 min
$100M Exits with Jason KirbyEP 88: How a Broken Leave Policy Led to a $30M HR Tech Startup w/ Jenniffer Henderson (Tilt)60 pitches in 90 days. A Series B term sheet that collapsed. A $15M valuation hit, and she still came out on top.In this episode, Jennifer Henderson, founder of Colorado-based HR tech startup Tilt, breaks down exactly what it took to raise over $30 million in venture capital while balancing motherhood, market crashes, and investor whiplash.Jen shares how Tilt was born out of personal trauma, why she built a leave management platform with empathy at its core, and what every founder, especially women, needs to know before walking into their...
2025-06-0546 min
$100M Exits with Jason KirbyEP 87: Customer Retention Over Acquisition? Travis Steffen, Who’s Done $200M in Deals, Says YesThis week, I talk to Travis Steffen, who has built and sold eight companies. He’s raised over $100M and driven more than $200M in exits.In this episode, we delve into what actually drives startup growth and what quietly undermines it. We also get into how one bad exit almost wrecked him, and what he learned from losing years and seven figures because of one avoidable mistake.If you're a founder, operator, or even just thinking about building, this episode will give you a clearer view of what’s wo...
2025-05-291h 05
EGGS! The PodcastEggs 413: A Founder's Guide to Understanding Venture Capital with Jason KirbySummaryIn this conversation, Jason Kirby, co-founder and CEO of Thunder VC, shares his extensive experience in entrepreneurship and fundraising. He discusses the challenges and realities of startup life, the importance of building relationships with investors, and when founders should consider raising capital. Jason emphasizes the need for founders to reflect on their business goals and the potential impact of venture capital on their companies. This conversation delves into the intricacies of venture capital, focusing on the challenges faced by founders in securing funding, the importance of building relationships with investors, and understanding market dynamics...
2025-05-081h 02
$100M Exits with Jason KirbyEP 84: David Connors Used The Swarm to Raise Millions | Deal Flow, M&A, and Warm IntrosThis week on Fundraising Demystified, I sat down with David Connors, founder of The Swarm, a Go-To-Network platform transforming how founders and investors connect- think LinkedIn but for companies.David shares how he used The Swarm to raise capital for his own startup, how the product helps other founders close rounds, and what he learned from working at Sequoia.Raising capital?Get a list of vetted VCs for FREE here: https://web.thunder.vc/list-of-investors-vcs-for-founders?utm_source=Youtube&utm_medium=Video&utm_campaign=Episode84&utm_id=FundraisingDemystifiedPodcast
2025-05-0839 min
$100M Exits with Jason KirbyEP 83: Jess Loren on Digital Twins & Unconventional Strategies of Raising Capital as Female FounderIn this episode, Jess Loren, founder and CEO of Global Objects, shares her journey on raising capital as a female founder, including turning down a $20M offer and building her business using digital twins technology.Jess dives into how she's building a tech company rooted in culture, purpose, and innovation, while navigating the fundraising landscape as a female CEO. We talk about generative AI in media, managing a startup as a mom, building a tech community, and how to use AI to boost productivity.A great story about leadership...
2025-05-0143 min
$100M Exits with Jason KirbyEP 82: How to Build a Startup Advisors | Barry Stamos of Supernova on Scaling & Managing AdvisorsStartup Advisors can make or break your growth. In this episode, Barry Stamos of Supernova shares how to build a world-class startup advisory board, manage relationships, and scale successfully.With real-world lessons from the Tuft & Needle journey and his advisory platform Supernova, Barry dives deep into sourcing the right advisors, setting success metrics, avoiding red flags, and aligning compensation with performance.—------------------------------------------Raising capital?Get a list of vetted VCs for FREE here: https://web.thunder.vc/list-of-investors-vcs-for-founders?utm_source=Youtube&utm_medium=Video&utm_ca...
2025-04-1742 min
$100M Exits with Jason KirbyEP 81: IPO Market Trends 2025: Best Time to Go Public w/ Peter Goldstein | IPO Valuation & ReadinessThis week, I host IPO market expert Peter Goldstein, who talks about the best time to IPO, how to position for strong IPO performance, what true IPO readiness looks like, and how companies are being valued in 2025.If you're a founder eyeing the public markets, this is your roadmap. We dive into shifting investor sentiment, the surge in the secondary market, and strategic insights on when to go public, build public company credibility, and leverage equity in IPOs to your advantage.______________________________________________________________Raising capital?Get a...
2025-04-1043 min
$100M Exits with Jason KirbyEP 80: JC Glancy’s Unicorn Startup ZenBusiness From Credit Card Debt, Gave Up CEO, Hit $1B ValuationJC Glancy, co-founder of ZenBusiness, shares his remarkable unicorn startup journey, from nearly drowning in credit card debt to building a billion-dollar startup. In a bold and rare move, he gave up the CEO title early on but still led the company to raise a $200M Series C and dominate the legal tech space.This episode dives deep into startup realities: raising venture capital, overcoming failure, building an unbeatable team, outmaneuvering big competitors like LegalZoom, and scaling ZenBusiness through SEO, affiliate marketing, and obsessive customer focus.______________________________________________________________Raising capital?
2025-04-0347 min
$100M Exits with Jason KirbyEP 79: How to Attract Influencers to Promote Your Startup: Celebrity Marketing & Influencer Deals ExplainedIn this episode, Gil Eyal of Stardust Ventures shares expert insights on celebrity marketing and influencer deals for startups. Learn how to pitch your startup to influencers, find the best platforms to connect, and structure celebrity deals, all without breaking the bank. Plus, discover the biggest mistakes startups make with influencer marketing and how to avoid them.----------------------------------------------------Raising capital?Get a list of vetted VCs for FREE here: https://web.thunder.vc/list-of-investors-vcs-for-founders?utm_source=Youtube&utm_medium=Video&utm_campaign=Episode79&utm_id=FundraisingDemystifiedPodcast
2025-03-2746 min
$100M Exits with Jason KirbyEP 78: How to Make a Startup Successful, Founder Mindset & Startup Operations with Adam Spector of ChoreIn this episode, I sit down with Adam Spector, CEO of Chore, to break down founder mindset, startup operations, and how to make a startup successful. Adam shares what separates successful startup founders from those who fail, covering topics like founder time management, startup productivity, outsourcing, and the best outsourcing tools for startups. We also dive into the reality of starting a business, common founder mistakes, and how to scale effectively. If you're a founder, investor, or entrepreneur, this is an episode you don’t want to miss!----------------------------------------------------Raising capital?...
2025-03-2051 min
$100M Exits with Jason KirbyEP 77: How To Spot Massive Early-Stage Startup Trends With Katelyn Donnelly Of Avalanche VCHow do you identify and capitalize on the biggest upcoming trends?Katelyn Donnelly, GP of Avalanche Ventures, unveils her unique investment strategy focusing on "avalanches" – inevitable market trends driven by societal and technological shifts. In this episode, Katelyn shares her insights on what VCs look for in early-stage startups, emphasizing the importance of founders building their life's work and understanding the nuances of early-stage venture capital. ----------------------------------------------------Raising capital?Get a list of vetted VCs for FREE here:https://web.thunder.vc/list-of-investors-vcs-for-founders?utm...
2025-03-1332 min
$100M Exits with Jason KirbyEP 76: What VC Look For in Early Stage Startups with Dave Lambert Right Side Capital ManagementWondering what VCs look for in early-stage startups? In this episode, Dave Lambert, Managing Partner at Right Side Capital Management, shares insights on how to get funding for a tech startup, the importance of technical co-founders, and how to raise pre-seed capital while keeping control of your business.With over 2,000 investments, Dave reveals the fundraising strategies that work in 2025, common mistakes founders make, and why capital efficiency matters more than high valuations. ----------------------------------------------------Raising capital? Get a list of vetted VCs for FREE here: https://web.thu...
2025-03-0651 min
$100M Exits with Jason KirbyEP 75: Raising Capital & Selling a Startup for Millions – Jeremy Parker’s Swag.com StoryJeremy Parker, co-founder of Swag.com discusses his incredible journey of building a successful swag business from scratch and ultimately selling it to Custom Ink. Jeremy shares valuable insights on raising capital, identifying market opportunities, and navigating the acquisition process.------------------------------------------Raising capital? Get a list of vetted VCs for FREE here: https://web.thunder.vc/list-of-investors-vcs-for-founders?utm_source=Youtube&utm_medium=Video&utm_campaign=Episode75&utm_id=FundraisingDemystifiedPodcastGet the latest fundraising insights, news, and tips: https://blog.thunder.vc/fun...
2025-02-2738 min
$100M Exits with Jason KirbyEP 74: Jon Tucker of HelpFlow on AI for business efficiency and Evaluating AI PerformanceAI for Business Efficiency is reshaping how companies operate, and in this episode, Jon Tucker, founder of HelpFlow, shares how AI is transforming customer service, workflow automation, and decision-making. We dive into Evaluating AI Performance, optimizing operations, and leveraging AI to scale businesses while staying competitive.Jon reveals how AI reduces workforce needs, enhances productivity, and even impacts venture capital and startup growth. We also explore Boardy AI, AI-assisted coding, and the rise of Chief AI Officers.-------------------------------Raising capital? Get a list of vetted VCs for FREE h...
2025-02-2035 min
$100M Exits with Jason KirbyEP 73: Fundraising Quadrants Explained: Where Does Your Startup Fit?Not all startups should chase VC money. Some should bootstrap, others should take on debt, and a few are primed for private equity. So how do you know which path is right for you?In this episode,Jason Kirby breaks down theFundraising Quadrants—a framework that helps founders identify where they stand in their startup journey and what type of capital makes the most sense for them. Whether you’re running an AI startup, a SaaS company, or a growing e-commerce brand, this episode will help you avoid common fundraising mistakes and focus on strategies that alig...
2025-02-1321 min
$100M Exits with Jason KirbyEP 71: How Rebel Energy Scaled £1.5M to £100M with Penelope HopePenelope Hope, founder of Rebel Energy, shares her journey of building a renewable energy company from scratch with just £1.5 million raised, scaling it to £100 million in revenue in record time. Rebel Energy's mission to alleviate fuel poverty while delivering renewable energy has set it apart as an innovative force in the UK energy sector.
In this episode, Penelope details her early challenges, fundraising strategies, and insights into scaling a utilities business sustainably and profitably. She also discusses her decision to step back from Rebel Energy and her vision for entrepreneurship in the UK.
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2025-01-3036 min
$100M Exits with Jason KirbyEP 70: From Founder to Philanthropist: $1.3B Deployed by David GoldbergAfter achieving financial success as a founder, David Goldberg shifted his focus to making a global impact. As the founder of Founders Pledge, David has pioneered a transformative approach to philanthropy, enabling entrepreneurs to commit a portion of their exit proceeds to charity. Over the past 10 years, Founders Pledge has deployed $1.3 billion toward impactful causes, making it one of the most innovative nonprofit organizations for founders.
David discusses the philosophy behind Founders Pledge, the challenges of creating a global philanthropic network, and the strategies for ensuring every dollar donated achieves measurable results.
2025-01-2350 min
$100M Exits with Jason KirbyEP 69: Scaling and Selling to Eight-Figure Exits with Carrie Kerpen
From founding one of the earliest social media agencies to crafting an intentional path to a major eight-figure exit, Carrie Kerpen has redefined what it means to be a female entrepreneur in the digital age. In this episode, Carrie shares the transformative strategies she used to scale Likeable Media into a profitable and sellable business.
Carrie reveals her RED (Recurring, Expected, Diversified) revenue framework, discusses the importance of building businesses beyond the founder and provides insights into the challenges women founders face during the acquisition process.
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Raising...
2025-01-1638 min
$100M Exits with Jason KirbyEP 67: From Bootstrapping to $175M Exits with David HauserRaising capital? Get a list of vetted VCs for FREE here: https://web.thunder.vc/list-of-investors-vcs-for-founders
Get the latest fundraising insights, news, and tips: https://blog.thunder.vc/funding-101
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What does it take to build, scale, and sell a business—and then do it all over again? David Hauser, the mastermind behind Grasshopper and Vanilla, has done just that. Starting with his very first pitch to his father for a Dell computer, David went on to raise nine figures for Return Path, bootstrap Grasshopper into a $175M success, and dis...
2024-12-1947 min
$100M Exits with Jason KirbyEP 66: How Patrick Butler Built 3 Wildly Different BusinessesRaising capital? Get a list of vetted VCs for FREE here: https://web.thunder.vc/list-of-investors-vcs-for-founders
Get the latest fundraising insights, news, and tips: https://blog.thunder.vc/funding-101
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What do a career coaching platform, a French-American football team, and a fraud prevention startup have in common? Meet Patrick Butler, the mind behind all three. Talk about a guy who doesn't do boring. One minute he's running a career coaching platform, the next he's starting a football team in Paris, and now he's crushing it with a fraud prevention s...
2024-12-1250 min
$100M Exits with Jason KirbyEP 65: Navigating Debt Financing for Startups with Kyle Rector of BoundlessRaising capital? Get a list of vetted VCs for FREE here: https://web.thunder.vc/list-of-investors-vcs-for-founders
Get the latest fundraising insights, news, and tips: https://blog.thunder.vc/funding-101
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Think debt is a trap? Think again. Learn how the right kind of debt can fuel your growth without sacrificing control of your startup. In this insightful episode, Jason Kirby welcomes Kyle Rector, co-founder and president of Boundless, to shed light on an often-overlooked aspect of startup funding: debt financing. If equity raises are the headlines, debt is the subplot t...
2024-12-0555 min
$100M Exits with Jason KirbyEP 63: Using Donor-Advised Funds to Power Underrepresented Startups with Patrice King-BrickmanRaising capital? Get a list of vetted VCs for FREE here: https://web.thunder.vc/list-of-investors-vcs-for-founders
Get the latest fundraising insights, news, and tips: https://blog.thunder.vc/funding-101
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In this episode of Fundraising Demystified, Jason Kirby sits down with Patrice King-Brickman, the founder and CEO of Inspire Access, to discuss how philanthropic capital can empower underrepresented founders and foster diverse entrepreneurship. Patrice shares her journey from running a family business to founding Inspire Access, a platform that channels donor-advised funds (DAFs) into for-profit ventures with a social mission.
She del...
2024-11-1450 min
$100M Exits with Jason KirbyEP 62: How to Gracefully Exit Your Startup with Simple Closure's Dori Yona
Raising capital? Get a list of vetted VCs for FREE here: https://web.thunder.vc/list-of-investors-vcs-for-founders
Get the latest fundraising insights, news, and tips: https://blog.thunder.vc/funding-101
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In this episode of Fundraising Demystified, Jason Kirby talks with Dori Yona, founder of Simple Closure, about the tough but crucial process of shutting down a startup. Dori shares his journey from building companies to facing the challenges that inspired Simple Closure, a service that helps founders close their businesses smoothly.
Dori o...
2024-11-0753 min
$100M Exits with Jason KirbyEP 61: Interplay's Mark Peter Davis Busts the Biggest VC MythsThis episode is sponsored by ThunderVC, an investment bank for founders by founders.
Raising capital? Get a list of vetted VCs for FREE here: https://web.thunder.vc/list-of-investors-vcs-for-founders
Raising debt? Find the perfect lender in minutes here:https://debt.thunder.vc
Get the latest fundraising insights, news, and tips -https://join.thunder.vc
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In this eye-opening episode of Fundraising Demystified, host Jason Kirby sits down with Mark Peter Davis, Managing Partner at Interplay Ventures, about the realities of venture capital and smart fundraising strategies for founders.
2024-10-3145 min
$100M Exits with Jason KirbyEP 60: From Bootstrapping to Venture Capital to $30M ExitsThis episode is sponsored by ThunderVC, an investment bank for founders by founders.
Raising capital?
Get a list of vetted VCs for FREE here: https://web.thunder.vc/list-of-investors-vcs-for-founders
Raising debt?
Find the perfect lender in minutes here: https://debt.thunder.vc
Get the latest fundraising insights, news, and tips - https://join.thunder.vc
Raising capital?
Get a list of vetted VCs for FREE here: https://web.thunder.vc/list-of-investors-vcs-for-founders
Get the latest fundraising insights, news, and tips: ht...
2024-10-2440 min
$100M Exits with Jason KirbyEP 59: Master the 12-Month Plan That Will Get You Funded FasterGet your free list of AI-matched VCs: https://web.thunder.vc/list-of-invest...
Subscribe to our weekly newsletter: https://join.thunder.vc/
In this episode of Fundraising Demystified, Jason Kirby, a seasoned entrepreneur who has raised over $145 million and completed four exits, breaks down the strategic steps required for a successful 12-month fundraising process.
Whether you’re a first-time founder or an experienced entrepreneur, Jason offers actionable advice on how to build relationships with investors, craft a winning pitch, and navigate the often lengthy due diligence process.
2024-10-1718 min
$100M Exits with Jason KirbyEP 58: From Air Force Mechanic to $25M Fintech Founder with Edrizio De La CruzJoin us as we sit down with Edrizio De La Cruz, founder of Arcus (formerly Regalii), a fintech company that revolutionized bill payments in Latin America.
Get your free list of AI-matched VCs: https://web.thunder.vc/list-of-investors-vcs-for-founders
Subscribe to our weekly newsletter: https://join.thunder.vc/
Edrizio shares his journey from Air Force mechanic to Wall Street, and ultimately to successful tech entrepreneur. He offers candid insights into founding, funding, and selling a startup.A real underdog to man-on-top story.
Edrizio...
2024-10-1044 min
$100M Exits with Jason KirbyEP 57: Mastering the First Investor Call with Jason KirbyIn this special solo episode, Jason Kirby, serial entrepreneur and Managing Director of Thunder.VC, shares his invaluable insights on how to make a lasting impression during your first investor call. With four successful exits and over $135 million in transactions under his belt, Jason reveals the secrets that can make or break your fundraising efforts.
Jason walks through the critical steps founders should take before, during, and after that crucial first investor meeting. He emphasizes the importance of thorough preparation, setting the right tone, and focusing on relationship-building rather than immediate fundraising.
2024-10-0315 min
$100M Exits with Jason KirbyEP 56: Hidden Dangers of SAFE Agreements with Massive VC's Ari NewmanIn this episode, we're joined by Ari Newman, co-founder and managing partner of Massive VC. Ari is a successful exited founder, former partner at Techstars, and experienced board member. His unique hybrid investment model at Massive VC combines committed capital with deal-by-deal flexibility, offering investors unprecedented access and information for seed-plus to growth-stage investments.
Our conversation with Ari covers the potential pitfalls of SAFE agreements and the importance of proper company structure, his journey from founder to investor, and the dynamics of board relationships. Ari shares valuable insights on the crucial role of trust...
2024-09-2647 min
Pitch DeckS6 Ep12 - Jason Kirby - Co-founder and CEO of Thunder VCIn this conversation, Jason Kirby, co-founder and CEO of Thunder VC, shares his insights on the venture capital landscape, the importance of understanding what it means to be a venture-backable business, and the various funding options available to startups. He emphasizes the need for founders to assess their goals, the market potential, and the implications of pursuing venture capital. Jason also discusses the significance of profitability and offers practical advice on crafting an effective pitch deck for angel investors.Keywordsventure capital, startup funding, angel investing, business growth, capital efficiency, pitch deck, entrepreneurship...
2024-09-2435 min
$100M Exits with Jason KirbyEP 55: Why Noah Friedman of Top Shelf Ventures Thinks Alcohol and Vices Are the Next Big ThingIn this episode, we welcome Noah Friedman, a distinguished venture capitalist and general partner at Top Shelf Ventures. Noah shares his fascinating career transition from acting to becoming a successful VC and entrepreneur in the alcohol industry.
Noah provides valuable insights into his experiences founding Top Shelf Ventures, a fund specializing in the alcohol sector, and co-founding Uncharted, an innovative media and events business that facilitates connections between leading founders and investors. He offers expert advice on the challenges of fundraising for a new fund, strategies for cultivating relationships with Limited Partners, and the key criteria he...
2024-09-1944 min
$100M Exits with Jason KirbyEP 54: Mastering AI Startups and Fundraising Tips with Plutoshift's Prateek JoshiIn this episode, we're joined by Prateek Joshi, founder and former CEO of Plutoshift (acquired), machine learning author, and now Venture Capitalist at Moxxie Ventures. Pratik shares his journey from growing up in India to becoming a successful tech entrepreneur and investor in Silicon Valley.
Pratik talks about his experiences writing 13 technical books on AI and machine learning, building and exiting a venture-backed startup, and transitioning to the world of venture capital. He offers valuable insights on fundraising, product development, and what he looks for as an investor in early-stage startups.
2024-08-1544 min
Lust is Boring109. A Priest's Guide To Gender Dysphoria w/Fr. Jeffrey KirbyIn today's episode, Jason Evert interviews Fr. Jeffrey Kirby, a Catholic priest and pastor of Our Lady of Grace Parish in Indian Land, South Carolina, about the pastoral approach to gender dysphoria. Fr. Kirby shares his insights on how priests and the church can compassionately accompany individuals struggling with gender dysphoria, treating everyone as children of God. They discuss important questions such as how to respond when asked to affirm someone's trans identity at church and how to involve individuals who self-identify as trans in church activities. Tune in for an enlightening discussion on this crucial topic.
2024-07-3028 min
$100M Exits with Jason KirbyEP 48: How Alex Pattis Raised $75M in 300 Deals by Launching a SyndicateIn this episode, we're sitting down with Alex Pattis, general partner at Riverside Ventures and author of the newsletter "Last Money In". Alex shares his journey from sales director to launching a syndicate that has completed over 300 deals and deployed $75 million in capital.
Alex provides valuable insights into how syndicates operate, their advantages for both founders and investors, and the common pitfalls to avoid. He also discusses the current trends in the syndicate market and offers advice for founders considering working with syndicates.
Here's what you're in for:
2024-07-0447 min
The Treat Addiction Save Lives PodcastEpisode 22: Dr. Jason Kirby shares his journey from emergency medicine to addiction care, and why fitness matters in recoveryIn this episode, Jason Kirby, DO, MBA, FASAM, shares what led him to the field of addiction medicine and describes a particular turning point in his career path. Dr. Kirby discusses the importance of individualized treatment, the similarities between fitness and recovery communities, and how his interest in human behavior influenced his career journey. He stresses the critical importance of self-care among physicians and other care providers, the benefits of physician health programs, and addressing the four facets of well-being. Dr. Kirby shares his thoughts about the stigma associated with addiction and the critical role education plays in reducing s...
2024-06-2849 min
$100M Exits with Jason KirbyEP 43: Solo Founder Diana Heldfond of Parallel Raises $29 Million in EdtechWe're thrilled to have Diana Heldfond, the solo founder and CEO of Parallel, join us in this episode. Parallel is a cutting-edge virtual care platform focused on aiding children with learning and thinking challenges such as dyslexia and ADHD. Under Diana’s leadership, Parallel has raised over $29 million and now works with numerous school districts across the US, integrating healthcare and education through innovative technology to provide tailored and effective support.
Diana discusses the unique challenges and strategies of fundraising as a solo founder. She talks about how she cultivated early relationships with investors, cr...
2024-05-3048 min
$100M Exits with Jason KirbyEP 42: IPO Expert Peter Goldstein Explains How to Successfully Go PublicIn this episode, we explore the opportunities and strategies of going public with Peter Goldstein, founder and managing director of Emmis Capital and CEO of Exchange Listing. Peter shares his extensive experience as a serial IPO’d entrepreneur in helping companies transition from private to public, detailing the intricacies of capital markets and the opportunities available for micro to small-cap companies looking to enter the IPO arena.
Peter walks us through his journey from starting his first company at 24 to becoming an expert in public offerings. He discusses the challenges and triumphs of navigating th...
2024-05-2349 min
Made It with Connor TomkiesProtect Yourself During M&A with Thunder's Jason KirbyJason Kirby shares hard-earned wisdom with Connor, from exiting his company to Walmart, after a failed acquisition by Samsung. Jason explains key lessons for founders in the acquisition process, like getting your own legal counsel and maintaining multiple options. He also details his new venture Thunder, an investment bank aiming to provide founders with the M&A and fundraising guidance he wished he had.The two discuss the rise of eSports in schools, navigating the stresses of being an acquisition target while running a company, and the importance of surrounding yourself with the right advisors.
2024-05-2048 min
$100M Exits with Jason KirbyEP 40: How Brady Nolan's Cold LinkedIn Message Leads to Best Egg's Acquisition of TillIn this episode, Brady Nolan, co-founder of Till, takes us through his journey from real estate to fintech transforming rent payments, leading to Till's impressive acquisition by Best Egg after raising $16 million. We talked about the early challenges of aligning Till—a startup that innovated how rent is managed with flexible payments—to meet market needs effectively, and the tactics they used to secure early-stage funding.
Brady shares how Till, which started as a simple idea to help renters manage cash flow, grew into a significant player in the FinTech space. He also shares the...
2024-05-0245 min
$100M Exits with Jason KirbyEP 39: Sim Desai is Shaking Up Secondary Markets with $4.25M in Fresh CapitalIn this episode, I talked with Sim Desai, founder and CEO of Hiive, a platform to buy and sell secondary shares that recently raised $4.25 Million. Sim and I give a masterclass on the secondary market. If you’re looking to gain an insight into that world, this episode is for you.
Sim also talks about his switch from a career in private equity brokerage to changing how people trade private company secondary shares with his platform, Hiive. He wants to make trading easier and clearer for everyone by using automation and transparency. Hiive works to...
2024-04-2541 min
$100M Exits with Jason KirbyEP 38: How OpenStock is Revolutionizing Private Stock Liquidity with Alex SimpsonIn this episode, we have Alex Simpson, fintech founder of OpenStock, who shares his story of transitioning from fintech to tackling liquidity problems for investors in private funds. Openstock helps open up liquidity for one of the largest untapped asset classes — private credit, private equity, and real estate funds to make it easier for people to access liquidity from their illiquid investments without selling.
Alex discusses how crucial it is for fund managers to manage their Limited Partners’ expectations around cash flow. He shares that partnering with private equity and credit funds lets OpenStock give...
2024-04-1835 min
$100M Exits with Jason KirbyEP 37: How Sherry Jiang Led Bluejay Finance Through a Major Pivot to SuccessIn this episode, I talked with Sherry Jiang, co-founder and CEO of Peek.Money, where she shares her journey from leaving Google to starting her own company. Blue Jay Finance aims to solve the problem of managing personal finances by providing an intelligent net worth tracker and personalized insights. Sherry explains her decision to take a bold bet on Asia and build her company in Singapore. She first jumped into fintech focusing on stablecoins, even with the ups and downs of the crypto market. When COVID hit, raising money got tough. But Sherry got creative and focused on small...
2024-04-1151 min
$100M Exits with Jason KirbyEP 36: Proof's Thanasis Delistathis Reveals Strategies to $350M in Venture Capital InvestmentsIn this episode, we are joined by Thanasis Delistathis, managing partner and co-founder of Proof, to talk about their groundbreaking insider access strategy in venture capital. Proof partners with early-stage funds to invest in high-potential breakout companies, boasting a track record of success, including the recent acquisition of Jackpocket. With investments totaling approximately $350 million on behalf of Limited Partners (LPs) through managed entities, Proof leads the way in innovative fund management.
Thanasis discusses the origin of the opportunity fund and how it evolved into the Proof strategy. He emphasizes building relationships with early-stage funds...
2024-04-0442 min
$100M Exits with Jason KirbyEP 35: From Pro-E-Gamer to CEO, Nick Cuomo Tells How He Raised 12M Series A for AllStar.gg!In this episode, Nick Cuomo, CEO of AllStar.gg, shares his journey from the e-sports world as a former pro-gamer to founding a gaming technology startup. With a background in graphic design, digital marketing, and SaaS sales, Nick discusses his career path and the evolution of AllStar's mission to empower gamers as creators.
Nick walks us through his fundraising journey, detailing how he attracted investors by optimizing user growth and engagement metrics. He also discusses the importance of building strategic connections and staying adaptable to market shifts, while offering practical advice for maintaining resilience...
2024-03-2845 min
$100M Exits with Jason KirbyEp. 33: How Tyler Denk Built the Newsletter Platform, Beehiiv, to Reach $7M in ARRIn this episode, Tyler Denk, a self-taught software developer turned CEO of beehiiv, a newsletter publishing platform, shares his story on how he built a product from scratch into a multi-million dollar company.
From teaching himself to code to navigating the complexities of startup growth and securing a $12.5M Series A and reaching $7M annual recurring revenue, he's got cheat codes to fundraising for startup founders.
Here's what you're in for:
04:35 - Transition from Morning Brew to Google to beehiiv
17:49 - Raising $2.6...
2024-03-1446 min
$100M Exits with Jason KirbyEp. 32: How Jeremy Vaughan Raised a $3M Seed Round in Cybersecurity for Start Left SecurityIn this episode, Jeremy Vaughan, a finance expert turned cybersecurity innovator and founder of Start Left Security tells how he secured a $3 million seed round, offering invaluable strategies and tips for fellow founders.
His approach, from the initial grind through strategic partnerships to revenue focus, offers a blueprint for strategic fundraising and business growth invaluable to founders at any stage.
HERE ARE SOME KEY POINTS IN THIS EPISODE:
02:42 - How Jeremy built Start Left Security
06:56 - Angel investors, accelerators, and making the right connections.
13: 37...
2024-03-0739 min
Forward ObsessedThe Future Of Venture Funding With Jason KirbyJason Kirby is the Founder of Thunder.VC, an AI-powered investment bank that helps startups navigate the fundraising process. Previously, he was the Co-Founder and President of Liquid Sky, a cloud gaming company acquired by Walmart in 2018, and the President and COO of Generation Esports, an esports platform for schools that raised $11 million in funding.
Throughout the interview, Kirby shares valuable insights and lessons learned, such as the importance of setting deal terms before diving into due diligence, focusing on customer acquisition instead of fundraising, and the challenges of managing investor expectations. He also discusses h...
2024-03-071h 52
$100M Exits with Jason KirbyEp. 31: Immigrant Entrepreneur Raised $12 Million for EdTech Startup: Vlada Lotkina of ClassTagIn this episode, Vlada Lotkina, founder of ClassTag, shares valuable tips for first-time founders and fundraisers on successfully raising funds in a difficult category - education.
She covers strategies for scaling ClassTag's user base to 5 million teachers and parents, convincing investors who initially said no, and selling the company smoothly after raising $12 million in venture capital.
HERE ARE SOME KEY POINTS IN THIS EPISODE:
03:04 - Challenges of scaling an EdTech company
05:37 - Fundraising strategy into raising $12 million in venture capital
17: 10 - Lessons learned in funding options
20:39 - Selling ClassTag
2024-02-2936 min
$100M Exits with Jason KirbyEp. 30: How to Find the Right Chief Technical Officer for Your Startup and How a Service-Based Company Got $3 Million Funding with Frank Licea of Howdy.comIn this episode, Frank Licea talks about his employee-to-entrepreneur journey and the unexpected fundraising success of Howdy.com as a service-oriented company that raised $18 million in funding. He also shares his perspective as a Chief Technical officer and how bootstrapping has helped them create an upper hand during fundraising pitches and negotiations.
HERE ARE SOME KEY POINTS IN THIS EPISODE:
04:50 - The early days: Bootstrapping and growth
09:51 - Y Combinator and strategy shifts
24:06 - Getting seed money and managing investors
29:53 - Life after Y Combinator and revenue talk
2024-02-2248 min
$100M Exits with Jason KirbyEp. 29: Get Funded Fast with Kaustav Das’ Revenue-Based Financing StrategiesGet ready for an episode that's a game-changer for SaaS enthusiasts! Kaustav Das, the visionary CEO and co-founder of Efficient Capital Labs, dishes out the details on revenue-based financing and its magic touch in turbocharging SaaS companies.
Here's what's in store:
The ins and outs of revenue-based financing and how it pumps cash into companies upfront based on their future earnings.
Strategy of widening your capital-raising horizons, avoiding the usual dependence on just a handful of top-notch venture capitalists.
Giving your business a makeover by standing out in...
2024-02-1542 min
$100M Exits with Jason KirbyEp. 28: How Nami Baral Raised $7 Million in 2 Weeks for NiuralBuckle up for this episode – Nami Baral shares her journey from the inner workings of Twitter, to founding Niural. The episode unfolds the drama at Twitter that fueled her decision to chart a new path, exploring the nuances of fundraising, from a million-dollar pre-seed round to a $7 million investment for Niural.
Whether you're a startup rookie or a seasoned pro, Nami's insights on dealing with investors, differentiating investment rounds, and building an enterprise-focused product serve as a gold mine. Tune in to gain invaluable perspectives on the challenges, triumphs, and tough decisions in the sta...
2024-02-0844 min
$100M Exits with Jason KirbyEp. 27: The Secret Weapon to Successful Fundraising: Practical EmpathyIn this episode, we have Paul Kromidas, the mastermind behind Summer, a game-changing vacation home company that's turning heads with over $11 Million raised during their seed round and another $18 Million in series A and a $50M debt facility.
We're talking practical empathy, perfect timing, and a killer structured process. Paul shares his insights and advice for founders on how to craft tailored narratives that speak directly to different investors and the importance of hiring the right experts.
A quick tip: If you're considering debt capital, Paul is the person yo...
2024-02-0148 min
$100M Exits with Jason KirbyEp 26: First-time Founder Ryan Eisenman Raised $20 Million in Series A by Building a Robust NetworkWe've got a visionary on the mic in this episode – none other than Ryan Eisenman, the brains behind Arch to discuss the need for software that helps investors manage their private market investments. We will dive into the uncharted waters of the private market as Ryan walks us through the Arch journey – from garage brainstorm sessions to tackling Series A like a pro. And let me tell you, it's not all rainbows and unicorns in the startup world – Ryan's got the battle scars to prove it.
We'll delve into the fundraising playbook, where Ryan spills...
2024-01-2536 min
$100M Exits with Jason KirbyEP. 25 How Did Ali Ansari Raise $14 Million in Pre-seed through Proper Positioning and TransparencyAli Ansari, founder, CEO, and the brains behind Micro One, shares his experience transitioning from an agency to a tech company and raising pre-seed funding. Join the conversation as Ali dishes on the hurdles of dodging the "staffing agency" label and convincing investors that Micro One is the real deal. Ali emphasizes the importance of building momentum in a capital raise, engaging with investors, dealing with rejection like a pro, and even spicing things up with public exposure and leveraging social media.
Ali spills the deets on productizing, fundraising, and everything in between. Trust u...
2024-01-1838 min
$100M Exits with Jason KirbyEp 24: Unlocking the Power of PR in Fundraising with Jordan Bantista
In this episode, prepare to be inspired as we tap into the expertise of Jordan Bantista, a prominent PR consultant for tech companies, who joins us to share his invaluable insights on navigating the PR landscape for founders. Jordan delves into the art of capturing investor attention before a capital raise, revealing the optimal timing and approach for announcing a capital raise, and underscoring the pivotal role of PR in shaping a company's narrative and distinguishing it from competitors. He also emphasizes the crucial integration of PR into a comprehensive marketing strategy that encompasses advertising and SEO.
Whether you're...
2023-11-1437 min
$100M Exits with Jason KirbyEp 23: How Julia Pimsleur Raised $6 Million in Venture Capital and Empowered Women EntrepreneursIn this episode of Fundraising Demystified, get ready to dive into the entrepreneurial journey of Julia Pimsleur, the founder and CEO of Million Dollar Women. Julia's story is a testament to the power of resilience and determination as she transitioned from being a documentary filmmaker to creating a groundbreaking language-teaching program for children. With no prior business background, she faced numerous challenges and overcame them with the help of mentors, ultimately securing over $6 million in funding for her venture, Little Pim.
Join us as Julia shares her personal experiences and valuable lessons learned along...
2023-11-0736 min
$100M Exits with Jason KirbyEp 22: Zach Bell: Turning a Blank Check into $6 Million Pre-Revenue FundingIn this episode of Fundraising Demystified, we showcase Zach Bell, the co-founder of MyPlace.co, a social network for sharing places and assets with trusted friends. Zach shares his unique story of raising $6 million from freestyle capital as a pre-revenue company, a rare feat in the industry. He discusses how the idea for MyPlace.co started as a side hustle while solving his own problem of renting his place to trusted friends.
Gain invaluable wisdom from Zach as he emphasizes the significance of securing a strong lead investor and maintaining open lines of communication...
2023-11-0739 min
$100M Exits with Jason KirbyEp 21: How Jack Hamrick Raised a $3 Million Seed Round For a Specialty Foods MarketplaceIn this episode of Fundraising Demystified, we delve into the bootstrapping and fundraising journey of Jack Hamrick, founder and CEO of Foraged, a marketplace for wild and specialty foods. Jack's realization of the untapped market for specialty foods and the need to raise awareness led him to embark on a resourceful journey.
Uncover how Jack successfully bootstrapped in the early stages, utilizing a minimal Google ad campaign and off-the-shelf tools to build Foraged’s website. Jack's strategic approach to fundraising shines through as he emphasizes the importance of staying lean, validating ideas with strangers, and...
2023-10-3145 min
$100M Exits with Jason KirbyEp 20: From Survival Mode to Profitable Growth: Bootstrapping Done Differently with Melissa KwanIn this episode of Fundraising Demystified, Melissa Kwan, co-founder and CEO of eWebinar, opens up about the realities of being in survival mode before finding her footing in the business world. She discusses the challenging circumstances that led her to make the bold decision to pivot from a product company to an agency model. Despite financial constraints, Melissa's resilience and determination ultimately paid off as her company discovered the ideal product-market fit, leading to profitability within a year.
Melissa discovered that success is not solely defined by raising external investment, but rather by the...
2023-10-1742 min
$100M Exits with Jason KirbyEp 19: Raising $250 Million Since 1998: Proven Fundraising Tactics and Tips with Nick Desai
In this episode of Fundraising Demystified, we are joined by Nick Desai, CEO of Together by Renee, a cutting-edge AI-driven healthcare app that streamlines health-related tasks while ensuring privacy, and it’s freely accessible. Nick shares his unique perspective as a serial entrepreneur who has successfully raised over $250 million since 1998. He’s raised capital evey year since 1998. He has a wealth of experience to share including being faced with shareholders' best interests and the potential risks of selling to early vs holding on for the bigger exit.
Explore how Nick’s wealth of experience and fu...
2023-10-1048 min
$100M Exits with Jason KirbyEp18: From Failures to $10 Million Revenue: How Lloyed Lobo Started Boast.ai From Bootstrapping, Raised $123 in Equity And DebtIn this episode of Fundraising Demystified, Lloyed Lobo, co-founder of Boast AI, talks about how they achieved success by automating processes to maintain control and minimize dilution. He shares their journey, including two previous failures, and how they automated the government incentive application process, leading to $10 million in revenue and a thriving community of tech CEOs.
He also discusses growth equity, the risks of relying solely on VC funding, generative AI, clickbait, micro-influencers, and the benefits of bootstrapping. He emphasizes the importance of building a community around your audience and defining personal success as...
2023-10-0335 min
$100M Exits with Jason KirbyEp17: From Refugee to Revolutionizing Antibiotic Resistance Detection: The Journey of How Mustafa Al-Adhami Raised $2 Million for Astek DiagnosticsIn this episode of Fundraising Demystified, Mustafa Al-Adhami, co-founder and CEO of Aztek Diagnostics takes us on his incredible journey through the highs and lows of fundraising and building a medical device startup. From a modest beginning as a refugee ten years ago to now being on the cusp of bringing their revolutionary product to market, Mustafa’s story is one of perseverance, learning from mistakes, and taking risks. Join us as we delve into the challenges faced in the healthcare industry, the importance of grants and funding, and the power of staying curious and asking questions.
2023-09-2633 min
$100M Exits with Jason KirbyEp16: Quaid Walker Raises $8M From VCs & Celebrities Like Kevin Hart for Luxury Watch MarketplaceIn this episode of #FundraisingDemystified, Quaid Walker, the CEO and founder of Bezel, a luxury watch marketplace shares insights into their fundraising journey, including raising $8 million in a seed round from investors like Courtside Ventures, Kevin Hart, and Steve Aoki.
He discusses the decision to bring on more strategic partners before raising an A round and the importance of being intentional in their fundraising approach and touches on why they chose to delay announcing their fundraising.
HERE ARE SOME KEY POINTS IN THIS EPISODE
03:13 The intimidating process of buying luxury watches.
05:38 Co...
2023-09-1943 min
$100M Exits with Jason KirbyEp14: Closing a $3.5 Million Series A Funding: How Unit One Pivoted Their Product Strategy Amidst The PandemicIn this episode, Juan Garcia Mansilla, the founder of Unit One, shares his journey from being a product designer in Argentina to successfully closing a $3.5 million Series A round.
Juan's story showcases the resilience and adaptability required to navigate the challenges of entrepreneurship and successfully pivot a business. He shares the process of designing, building, funding, branding, and launching a product. Tune in to hear about the pivot that Juan and his team made along the way.
HERE ARE SOME KEY POINTS IN THIS EPISODE
06:11- Unique sk...
2023-09-0550 min
$100M Exits with Jason KirbyEp - 12 He Raised $20 million For His Startup - Eziah Zaidi, CEO, Mend LabsWelcome to episode 12 of Fundraising Demystified. In this episode, we speak with Eziah Zaidi, the CEO of Mend Labs, a life sciences and digital health company on a mission to improve societal health and healthcare delivery. They've recently raised a $15MM Series A bringing their total capital raised to $20M.
In this episode, we discussed some fascinating topics, including:
1. The mission and vision of Mend Labs: Eziah shares the challenges in healthcare that Mend Labs aims to address. They have developed a technology platform and a behavioral model, along with a food-as-medicine core philosophy, to improve patient outcomes and...
2023-08-2238 min
$100M Exits with Jason KirbyEp - 11 He Raised $16 MILLION for his Startup 💰 - Nik Talreja, CEO, SydecarWelcome to episode 11 of Fundraising Demystified, where we dive into the fascinating journey of Sydecar, a deal execution platform for venture investors, specializing in SPVs and fund management. In this episode, we speak with Nik Talreja, the CEO and co-founder of Sydecar. They've recently raised an $8.3MM Seed round bringing their total capital raised to $16.5M.
Here's a sneak peek into what we discussed:
1. Attracting Investors Who Align with Your Customers: Sydecar focused on finding investors who shared the same vision and target customers, ensuring a strong alignment between their investors and their business.
2. Calculating TAM, SAM, and SOM...
2023-08-1541 min
$100M Exits with Jason KirbyEp - 10 They closed their Series A within 3 MONTHS!! - George Richardson, CEO, AeroCloudWelcome to episode 10 of Fundraising Demystified. In this episode! we had the pleasure of speaking with George Richardson, the CEO of AeroCloud, a cloud-native airport management & passenger processing platform. They've recently raised a $12MM Series A bringing their total capital raised to $16M+.
We talk about how George switched from being a professional race car driver to starting his own company, how they timed the fundraise with only 2-3 months runway left, the fundraising process that helped them book 100 investor meetings & close the round in just 3 months. George is based out of the UK and shares some...
2023-08-0842 min
$100M Exits with Jason KirbyEp - 9 What is Venture-Market Fit? - Jens Neuse, Founder, WunderGraphI'm excited to announce the release of episode 9 of Fundraising Demystified, featuring an insightful conversation with Jens Neuse, co-founder of Wundergraph, a next-generation framework to optimize frontend, backend, & full-stack developer workflow.
They've recently raised a $3MM Seed round. We talk about how founders need to understand the VC game, why cold emails won’t work & why founders should focus on building a brand instead, & why he thinks the pitch deck isn’t as important as most think it should be.
Here's what we discussed:
- The journey of Wundergraph, from a self-taught software engineer to starting a successful company.
- Th...
2023-08-0143 min
$100M Exits with Jason KirbyEp - 8 Should you raise VC or bootstrap? - David Daneshgar, CEO, WhippyI'm excited to announce a brand new episode of Fundraising Demystified. In this episode, we had the pleasure of interviewing David Daneshgar, the co-founder and CEO of Whippy, an all-in-one communication platform for teams.
David shares his journey as a successful founder and provides valuable insights into the world of fundraising & bootstrapping, having taken both approaches to finance his past & present ventures.
So, what did we discuss in this episode? Let me give you a sneak peek:
Topics Discussed:
- David's transition from professional poker player to raising venture capital for his previous startup BloomNation and then...
2023-07-2545 min
$100M Exits with Jason KirbyEp - 7 He raised $4.2 Million for his startup - Brandon Peterson, CEO, GeokeyWe're excited to announce the release of the latest episode of Fundraising Demystified! In this episode, we had the pleasure of speaking with Brandon Peterson, CEO and co-founder of Geokey, about his journey in securing $2.2 million in seed funding.
Here are some of the key topics we discussed:
1. Product Market Validation: Brandon shared his insights on how to validate your product in the market and find the right fit for your business.
2. Pitching Across Different Company Stages: We delved into the nuances of pitching at different stages of your company's growth and how to tailor your pitch accordingly.
3. Beyond...
2023-07-1839 min
$100M Exits with Jason KirbyEp - 6 He raised $21 Million for his startup - Brett Martin, Co-founder, KumospaceIn this episode, we had the pleasure of speaking with Brett Martin, the co-founder of Kumospace, a virtual office for remote and distributed teams. Brett shares his experience of raising a $21 million Series A led by Lightspeed Ventures, highlights the importance of timing your fundraise around an inflection point, and his perspective on fundraising being a VC himself as the founder & GP of Charge Ventures.
Here are the main topics we discussed:
1. The birth of Kumospace during the pandemic: Brett explains how the idea of solving the massive problem around video conferencing came to fruition.
2. The power of product-market...
2023-07-1146 min
$100M Exits with Jason KirbyEp - 5 He raised $2 Million using a picture of a unicorn drawn by his daughter - Martins Lasmanis, CEO, SuplifulWelcome to Episode 5 of Fundraising Demystified. Today we have Martins Lasmanis with us, Martins is a co-founder at Supliful, a platform for brands and influencers to launch their own white-label products and they've recently raised a $2MM Seed round.
Here's what we discussed in this episode:
1. The Importance of Personal Connection: Martins shares an anecdote about how he used his daughter's drawing of a unicorn to spark conversations with venture capitalists. By showcasing a personal and unique aspect of his life, he was able to stand out and generate interest in his pitch.
2. Building a Consumer Packaged Goods Brand...
2023-07-0448 min
$100M Exits with Jason KirbyEp - 4 He raised $48 Million💰 for his estate-planning startup - Daniel Goldstein, COO, Trust & WillI'm excited to announce the latest episode of Fundraising Demystified where we uncover the untold stories of successful founders. In this episode, host Jason Kirby interviews Daniel Goldstein, CEO and co-founder of Trust and Will, a company that is building what you'd imagine as the TurboTax for estate planning.
Here are some key takeaways from the episode:
- Trust and Will is a San Diego-based company that started with Techstars and has grown to help more than half a million families with their estate planning.
- The market opportunity for estate planning is huge, with six to eight million...
2023-06-2745 min
$100M Exits with Jason KirbyEp- 3 Father-Son duo raise $2.5 Million Seed Round solely through warm intros - Romil Verma, CEO, OutdefineAre you a founder struggling to raise capital in the current market? Look no further! In our latest episode of Fundraising Demystified, host Jason Kirby interviews Romil Verma, co-founder and CEO of Outdefine, who shares his experience of raising a $2.5 million seed round solely off of warm introductions.
Here are some of the main topics discussed in the episode:
- The strategic decision to delay the fundraising announcement
- Building a company with his father
- Tips for fundraising success, including the importance of warm...
2023-06-2037 min
$100M Exits with Jason KirbyEp-2 She raised $12 Million in Series A funding - Caitlyn Krebs, Co-founder, Nalu BioWe're excited to announce the latest episode of Fundraising Demystified, where Jason Kirby interviews Caitlin Krebs, co-founder of Nalu Bio, a biotech company working with cannabinoids and chemistry. Caitlin shares her inspiring story of overcoming challenges as a female founder and successfully raising $12 million in Series A financing for her company.
Here are some of the main topics discussed in the episode:
- Challenges faced by female founders in securing funding in the cannabis industry
- Importance of diligence for entrepreneurs in deal-making
- Strategies for juggling work, family, and personal...
2023-06-1340 min
$100M Exits with Jason KirbyEp-1 He raised an oversubscribed Series A of $11 Million - Jeff Beck, Co-founder, AnswersNowWe are excited to announce the release of the latest episode of Fundraising Demystified! In this episode, Jason Kirby talks to Jeff Beck, CEO and co-founder of Answers Now. Jeff, a licensed clinical social worker, shares his experience of raising an oversubscribed Series A of $11 million for his platform that enables support for autism.
Here are the main topics discussed in the episode:
- Jeff's fundraising journey for his healthcare startup
- Tips and tricks for fundraising, including building relationships with VCs as a first-time founder and diligencing potential investors
...
2023-06-1351 min
$100M Exits with Jason KirbyEp-0 Fundraising Demystified: Podcast Introduction by Jason KirbyHey everyone, I'm Jason Kirby, Founder of Thunder & your host for Fundraising: Demystified Podcast where we delve deep into the captivating world of startup fundraising.
In this podcast, we uncover the untold stories of founders who have weathered the highs and lows of raising capital. We go beyond the headlines and Techcrunch funding news articles to explore the uncharted territories of the fundraising landscape.
In each episode, we'll sit down with successful founders from various industries, who have raised substantial capital to bring their visions to life. They'll open up about their personal journeys, revealing...
2023-06-1302 min
Honey, I Blew Up The BusinessS2 E4: Crossing The Rubicon with Jason Kingsley OBEIn this episode of "Honey I Blew Up The Business" Season 2, Jason Kingsley OBE returns for a re-match. Jason is the Owner and CEO of Rebellion, as well as the creator of the YouTube channel Modern History TV (over 750k subs), where he dresses up as a mediaeval knight and rides horses!Dan wanted to get Jason back on the show because he owns the cult comic 2000AD (the home of Judge Dredd), which Dan used to collect in the 1980’s! Learn why having a rebellious stance is good - up to...
2023-04-271h 01
The Intrinsic Value Podcast - The Investor’s Podcast NetworkMI268: From Startup Executive to Angel Investor w/ Jason KirbyRebecca Hotsko interviews Jason Kirby about his experience with start-ups, the challenges he faced and overcame, and the changing landscape of the industry. They also discuss current trends and opportunities in the field, and much more!Jason Kirby is the Cofounder & CEO of Thunder.vc, a tech-enabled investment bank democratizing access to capital for venture backable startups. He also has vast experience in the start up work and was an executive leader of 4 different startups that have been acquired/sold as well as is an angel investor in early stage tech startup companies.
2023-04-1846 min
EGGS! The PodcastEggs 300: Raising venture capital the right way with Jason KirbyWoot woot! Episode 300!!!!
Hey everyone, and welcome back to Eggs! Today’s special guest is Jason Kirby. Jason is the co-founder and CEO at Thunder.vc, a digital broker democratizing access to capital for venture-backable startups.
As a serial entrepreneur, Jason is and has been the executive leader of four different startups that have been acquired or sold and have raised more than a combined $40 million dollars. This experience and his acquired knowledge uniquely qualify him for his present role at Thunder.vc.
You see, Jason is passionate about serving founders and capital allocators. He has been exposed to what it...
2023-03-091h 02
Research Matters PodcastJames Kirby, PhD, and Jeffrey Kim, on incorporating physiological data in psychological researchJames Kirby, Ph.D., is a researcher and senior lecturer at the University of Queensland in Australia, who studies the effects of kindness and compassion. Jeff Kim, a graduate student under Dr. Kirby, joins my discussion with Dr. Kirby on measuring and incorporating physiological data into their research. Today’s conversation is focused on measuring heart rate variability. Like many of us, Dr. Kirby didn’t take any psychology courses that incorporated physiology when he was in school. But when he became acquainted with the work of Stephen Porges, Julian Thayer and others, he was compelled to lear...
2020-11-111h 03