Thunder VC

Thunder is a platform that matches founders with relevant investors to save both parties time from dealing with cold emails to the wrong people. And It's Free!

[Thunder VC @UseThunder]

Hey #founders, an #IPO or #acquisition might not be in the cards for you, so what is?
Find out in the latest issue of the Fundraising Demystified newsletter here: https://t.co/mvF1xl8tBL

[Jason Kirby @JasonKirby]

Founders: An 18% loan isn’t “pretty good” if the covenants are designed to make you default.

Kaustav Das @efficient_labs said it best:

“It was absolutely impossible for them not to default.”
Learn the real cost of debt.
Ep 29 of Fundraising Demystified- link in comments.

[Shira Rubinoff @Shirastweet]

Great conversation with @davidcohen CEO of @Techstars at the Techstars and @UseThunder event in #nyc

#vc #investor #advisor #author #cybersecurity #artificialintelligence #AI #media #social #influencer #collaboration #networking #founder #exit #newyork #tv #mediapersonality #community

[Jason Kirby @JasonKirby]

#Spotify gave me this cute graphic, and it made me stop and think. I've been hosting the #FundraisingDemystified podcast for a full year now!

Has this podcast been worth it? Should I keep going? What should I do differently?

My unequivocal answer to all those questions is a big fat YES! But I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments.

This #podcast has been a total grind and consumes a ton of my time, but it has opened so many doors and led to so many deals, and it's only been one year. I feel like I won't see the real impact of this podcast until year 2 or 3+.

But here are the few wins that have come from the podcast so far in its first year:

1. Incredible conversations with amazing people that keep me on the bleeding edge of the fundraising and private capital markets. I sometimes forget that I'm hosting a podcast when talking to my guests, and I feel I get to be the student, which is incredibly humbling and powerful at the same time.

2. Old friends are coming out of the woodwork. Due to my persistence on #LinkedIn, friends I haven't engaged with in years are reaching out and wanting to do deals together based on the value of the content I've been putting out.

3. IRL connections. While I'm a minnow in the world of podcasts, I still get recognized at events in #NYC and #London, and it's a great icebreaker with new people when...I'm that guy and say I have a podcast 😅

Let me know, should I keep going? Have you enjoyed an episode? Did you not even know I have a podcast 😖 ?!?!

Huge shout out to my team and contractors that help me keep on schedule! You know who you are, thank you!

[Thunder VC @UseThunder]

#Fundraising in #Canada? Here are Top Seed Stage #VC Firms in Toronto that offer funding, invaluable mentorship, and support💡

Got a favorite #VC that we missed? Let us know or give them a shoutout! At https://t.co/pi5EB386Hh, we help businesses get the capital they need

[Jason Kirby @JasonKirby]

Canada might be 1/10th the size of the US population, but Canadians still deploy capital into startups but at 1/25th the rate of the US. If you're a Canadian founder you should meet some notable Toronto venture capitalists, ready to back your journey!

1. @relayventures
Focus: Pre-Seed and Seed Stage Ventures
Sector: Urbantech, Proptech, Fintech, Sportstech
Top Portcos: Boomerang, Bird, Ecobee

2. @realventures
Focus: Early-Stage Ventures
Sector: Tech Enabled Businesses
Top Portcos: Mejuri, Integrate AI, Unbounce

3. @radicalvcfund
Focus: Early Stage Ventures
Sector: Artificial Intelligence, Disruptive tech
Top Portcos: BirchAI, RoadBotics, Nabla Bio

4. @GoldenVentures
Focus: Seed Ventures
Sector: Agnostic
Top Portcos: ApplyBoard, Yesware, tacked

5. @alatepartners
Sector: Real Estate, PropTech
Top Portcos: Bird, Altrio, PadSplit

6.@iganvc
Focus: Seed Ventures
Sector: Digital Health and MedTech
Top Portcos: Meta, Akira, Think Research

7. @Whitecapvp
Focus: Seed and Series A Ventures
Sector: B2B software and Med Tech
Top Portcos: GoBolt, Real Matters, Clearwater

8. @ripple_ventures
Sector: B2B Software
Top Portcos: Wisely, Artemis, Plannuh

9. @LoyalVc
Sector: Tech Enabled Businesses
Top Portcos: MyTM, ZestIOT, Avant Meats, BetaStore

10. @portageinvest
Focus: Seed to Series C Ventures
Sector: Fintech
Top Portcos: KOHO Financial, Albert, League, Clark

Ready to connect with the perfect investor for your startup?

Drop “LIST” in the comments, and I’ll tailor a personalized investor lineup just for you.

Who’s your favorite VC firm in Toronto? Give them a shoutout in the comments!

At @UseThunder, we specialize in matching your fintech startup with venture capital firms that align with your sector, growth stage, and goals. Let’s find the right partner to fuel your growth!

[Jason Kirby @JasonKirby]

Canada might be 1/10th the size of the US population, but Canadians still deploy capital into startups but at 1/25th the rate of the US. If you're a Canadian founder you should meet some notable Toronto venture capitalists, ready to back your journey!

1. @relayventures
Focus: Pre-Seed and Seed Stage Ventures
Sector: Urbantech, Proptech, Fintech, Sportstech
Top Portcos: Boomerang, Bird, Ecobee

2. @realventures
Focus: Early-Stage Ventures
Sector: Tech Enabled Businesses
Top Portcos: Mejuri, Integrate AI, Unbounce

3. @radicalvcfund
Focus: Early Stage Ventures
Sector: Artificial Intelligence, Disruptive tech
Top Portcos: BirchAI, RoadBotics, Nabla Bio

4. @GoldenVentures
Focus: Seed Ventures
Sector: Agnostic
Top Portcos: ApplyBoard, Yesware, tacked

5. @alatepartners
Sector: Real Estate, PropTech
Top Portcos: Bird, Altrio, PadSplit

6.@iganvc
Focus: Seed Ventures
Sector: Digital Health and MedTech
Top Portcos: Meta, Akira, Think Research

7. @Whitecapvp
Focus: Seed and Series A Ventures
Sector: B2B software and Med Tech
Top Portcos: GoBolt, Real Matters, Clearwater

8. @ripple_ventures
Sector: B2B Software
Top Portcos: Wisely, Artemis, Plannuh

9. @LoyalVc
Sector: Tech Enabled Businesses
Top Portcos: MyTM, ZestIOT, Avant Meats, BetaStore

10. @portageinvest
Focus: Seed to Series C Ventures
Sector: Fintech
Top Portcos: KOHO Financial, Albert, League, Clark

Ready to connect with the perfect investor for your startup?

Drop “LIST” in the comments, and I’ll tailor a personalized investor lineup just for you.

Who’s your favorite VC firm in Toronto? Give them a shoutout in the comments!

At @UseThunder, we specialize in matching your fintech startup with venture capital firms that align with your sector, growth stage, and goals. Let’s find the right partner to fuel your growth!

[Thunder VC @UseThunder]

#Fundraising & looking for VCs investing in Fintech in the USA? Here are 9 #VCs actively investing in startups disrupting the space. Got a favourite #VC that we missed? Let us know or give them a shoutout!

At https://t.co/pi5EB386Hh, we help businesses get the capital they need

[Jason Kirby @JasonKirby]

Based on what I'm seeing in the market, I've compiled a list of my 9 favorite VCs in the USA that specialize in Fintech. Let me know who I should add to this list.

1. @FinVentureCap
Focus: Pre-seed to IPO
Location: San Francisco, CA
Top Portcos: Vestwell, Embed, onfido

2. @fintech_io
Focus: Early-Stage Ventures
Location: New York, New York
Top Portcos: Flutterwave, Vestwell, Antler

3. @PrecursorVC
Focus: Pre-Seed and Seed Ventures
Location: San Francisco, CA
Top Portcos: Pivo, Zeta

4. @firstround
Focus: Early-Stage Ventures
Location: San Francisco, CA
Top Portcos: Ascend, SmartBiz, On Deck Capital

5. @FoundationCap
Focus: Early-Stage Ventures
Location: Palo Alto, CA
Top Portcos: LendingClub, One Finance, Stripe

6. @p72vc
Focus: Seed stage to IPO Ventures
Location: New York, New York
Top Portcos: PayEngine, Tesouro, Vestwell

7. TTV Capital
Focus: Early Stage Ventures
Location: Atlanta, Georgia
Top Portcos: Green Dot Bank, Bill, SmartAsset

8. @CommerceVC
Focus: Early Stage Ventures
Location: San Francisco, CA
Top Portcos: Bill, Marqeta, Socure, Fidel API

9. @BainCapVC
Focus: Early Stage to IPO Ventures
Location: San Francisco, CA
Top Portcos: Ansa, Column Tax, Flywire

Ready to connect with the perfect investor for your fintech startup?

Drop a “LIST” in the comments, and I’ll tailor a personalized investor lineup just for you by leveraging our AI at https://t.co/eAdvod6Vo2

Who did I miss? Or Who’s your favorite fintech VC firm in the USA? Give them a shoutout in the comments!

At https://t.co/eAdvod6Vo2, we help great businesses get the capital they need.

[Thunder VC @UseThunder]

If you're struggling to make a pitch deck that shows what your business is all about and convinces investors to lean in, you need to leverage AI if you don't have access to the experts in real-time.

Check out a summary of top #AI tools for unforgettable #pitchdecks by our MD.

[Jason Kirby @JasonKirby]

👋 Hey founders! We've got a problem with AI.

It's too easy to use and too effective. Why is that bad? Well, the quality of work you put out is going to have to match it, especially if you're trying to pitch AI investors. If you make small errors that AI could easily prevent, you're going to look bad and it's likely to be an automatic pass from a VC.

So if you're struggling to make a pitch deck that shows what your business is all about and convinces investors to lean in, then you need to leverage AI if you don't have access to the experts in real-time.

#OpenAI's latest update, #GPT4o, has an enhanced #GPT store and experience that can save you time by giving you critical feedback in real time. It's surreal

Here are some popular GPTs in the store available now for you to collab.

1. The Pitch Deck Analyzer by Vladislav Tislenko is a tool you don't want to miss. By providing expert feedback, this tool helps you refine your pitch to potential investors by giving you detailed analysis, expert insights and actionable feedback. Remember, your pitch deck is often your first impression. Make it count!

2. The Startup Pitch Deck GPT by Ivan Landabaso can give you personalized feedback on your pitch deck. Once you've uploaded your pitch deck, you'll receive customized advice to refine your presentation and make it more compelling for potential investors. Remember, the goal is to tell a memorable story that resonates with your audience.

3. Get expert insights on all things startups with the Startup Guide by Duygu Dulger, covering everything from business models to VC practice. This tool doesn't just skim the surface; it provides actionable advice that can propel a startup from an idea to a thriving business. Whether you're at the ideation stage or gearing up for your first round of funding, this guide could be your roadmap to success

4. Hone your pitching skills with #VC #GPT, your personal pitch training bot by Piotr Bombol. It offers a unique opportunity to refine your pitch in a safe and supportive environment. Whether you're gearing up for a big meeting or just starting out, VC GPT is like having a personal coach by your side. Remember, a great pitch can make all the difference. With VC GPT, you're not just practicing; you're perfecting your approach to win over investors.

Don't just take my word for it—comment below and let me know which tool you've tried or share which ones I missed.

[Thunder VC @UseThunder]

#Fundraising & looking for investors in #England? Here is a list of active 12 #VCs based in #London. Got a favorite #VC that deserves a shoutout? Let us know in the comments.

At Thunder, we excel in identifying #VC firms that align with your company's sector, stage, & geo

[Jason Kirby @JasonKirby]

Hey Mate! We're continuing our #VC List series but taking you across the pond to London!

I've carefully picked 12 amazing VCs in London, each a leader in their field. If you know any blokes or birds seeking capital? Tag'em in the comments to help them out.

(If you're British and take offense to my attempts to use British slang, tell me in the comments)

1. @seedcamp
Focus: Early-Stage Ventures
Sector: Agnostic
Investment Range: £300,000 - £500,000
Top Portcos: Hopin, Wise, Revolut

2. @passioncapital
Focus: Early-Stage Ventures
Sector: IT,TMT, internet, mobile, infrastructure & SaaS
Investment Range: £150K - £200K
Top Portcos: Xelix, Native, FERTIFA

3. @firestartrco
Focus: Seed stage, Series A
Sector: SaaS/Cloud Infrastructure, Digital Media, Fintech and E-Commerce/Marketplaces.
Investment Range: £500k - £5M
Top Portcos: https://t.co/hAypOD51Jw, Chain, Korbit

4. @firstminutecap
Focus: Seed
Sector: Blockchain, Fintech, Consumer
Investment Range: $1M - $5M
Top Portcos: Heist Studios, Stitch, Talktile

5. @Episode1VC
Focus: Seed Ventures
Sector: B2B software
Investment Range: £500k – £2M
Top Portcos: Docker, Adsum, Carwow

6. @sfccapitaluk
Focus: Early-Stage Ventures
Sector: AI & ML, Entertainment, Fintech, Healthcare, Media, SaaS, Productivity, Cybersecurity, Developer Tools
Investment Range: £100,000 - £300,000
Top Portcos: Bot-Hive, Mayku, Onfido

7. @HoxtonVentures
Focus: Pre-Seed and Seed Ventures
Sector: Agnostic
Investment Range: $500k to $5 million
Top Portcos: Fluent, Baseimmune, Cogna

8. @fuelventures 🚀
Focus: Pre-Seed, Seed
Sector: Marketplaces, Platforms, SaaS
Investment Range: £250k - £3m
Top Portcos: Volt, ContentCal, Heroes

9. @jamjarinvest
Focus: Seed, series A and growth stage
Sector: Consumer
Investment Range: £500k - £3m
Top Portcos: Oatly, Many Pets, Deliveroo

10. @7pcventures
Focus: Pre-Seed, Seed
Sector: Deeptech, Transformative, Frontier technology
Investment Range: £250k - £2m
Top Portcos: Flexport, Archax, Earnr

11. @localglobevc
Focus: Early-Stage and Growth Stage Ventures
Sector: Fintech, Ecommerce, Mobile
Top Portcos: Qogita, Travel Perk, Sylvera

12. @Kindred_VC
Focus: Pre-Seed and Seed Ventures
Sector: B2B Businesses
Investment Range: £250k-£3M
Top Portcos: Lottie, Pollen, Paddle

Ready to connect with the perfect investor for your startup?

Drop a “LIST” in the comments, and we’ll tailor a personalized investor lineup just for you.

Who's your favorite London-based VC firm? Give them a shoutout in the comments!

[Jason Kirby @JasonKirby]

Let me introduce you to Shane Neman's remarkable transition from a DotCom flop to 2 exits, to the full-time investor.

Imagine starting your career with high hopes, only to watch your first tech venture crumble before your eyes among hundreds of others during the DotCom bust.

That's exactly what happened to Shane. But rather than stepping back, he stepped up.

Initially, Shane launched Offyx, a cloud service that was simply ahead of its time.

Despite its innovative approach, the market just wasn't ready, and the venture failed.

But Shane saw this not as a defeat, but as a learning opportunity.

What's really impressive is how Shane used this experience to fuel his next big idea.

He realized that every setback was a lesson in disguise, pushing him to pivot and innovate further.

This resilience led to the creation of JoonBug, blending the digital and physical worlds of event management long before it was a trend.

At a time when most were playing it safe, Shane's bold moves grew JoonBug into a multi-million-dollar enterprise.

His ability to foresee market trends and adapt swiftly was key.

But Shane didn’t stop there. As the effectiveness of traditional marketing waned, he foresaw the potential of SMS marketing and founded EZ Texting, which further established his reputation and led to a lucrative acquisition.

Post-acquisition, Shane shifted his focus from being an entrepreneur to an angel investor, using his keen insight to spot and support game-changing startups, now with an extensive portfolio that includes over 50 startups.

His biggest takeaway? Embrace each failure and pivot as an opportunity to learn and grow.

Shane has a knack for selecting startups that excel and investing in breakthrough companies like Allermi and a humanoid AI that's making waves.

If you’re eager to learn how to catch the eye of investors like Shane and possibly secure funding for your innovative idea, tune in to Episode 41 of #FundraisingDemystified! Link in the comments

[Jason Kirby @JasonKirby]

Wes Anderson is doing pen ads now for @montblanc_world ?

Personally, Isle of Dogs and The Grand Budapest Hotel are my favorite Wes Anderson movies...prove me wrong in the comments.

But doing ads for Montblanc pens and accessories in a classic Wes Anderson style ad format?

It was refreshingly entertaining and had me engaged for the full 3 minutes. It makes me want an overpriced pen... well-done @montblanc_world. I forgot you existed... just like I did with Old Spice products before their viral campaigns on YouTube.

See it for yourself and let me know if you're going to buy overpriced pens.

https://t.co/jcY6hRCI3s

[Thunder VC @UseThunder]

https://t.co/R9g5Iv7VdM

[Thunder VC @UseThunder]

Check out our latest episode on #FundraisingDemystified where we discuss how a cold email on LinkedIn led to the acquisition of #Till by
@MyBestEgg

Full episode link in the comment section!!

[Jason Kirby @JasonKirby]

How did Brady Nolan transform a rent crisis into a successful acquisition story?

Learn from his strategic moves that helped raise millions for his Fintech startup and eventually a successful exit to a larger consumer Fintech company, @MyBestEgg, in a difficult market via a cold LinkedIn message.

Full episode in the comment section!

[Thunder VC @UseThunder]

https://t.co/1OCf8x6KYE

[Thunder VC @UseThunder]

Fundraising? Feeling lost? Here's your roadmap:
1. Map your runway
2. Prioritize investor updates - big players first!
3. Break down #fundraising into manageable steps.
4. Network everywhere! Even at the beach

Check out our podcast for more tips! Link in the comment section

[Jason Kirby @JasonKirby]

Many founders I've spoken with feel overwhelmed and uncertain about starting the fundraising process.

They often don't know where to begin or what steps to take.

Here are some tips to guide you from my conversations with successful founders on fundraising.

First off, have you thought about figuring out how long your current funds will last?

It's like planning a road trip – knowing how much gas you've got can really help you plan when to refuel. That's your runway right there.

A founder I spoke with navigated a market shift by strategically cutting costs and stopping paid marketing to extend the cash runway.

Mapping your runway is a critical step in navigating financial challenges.

The founder I spoke with understood this well. He knew that to steer through tough times, he needed a roadmap.

Also, what if you made fundraising part of your daily grind?

In #fundraising, there's never enough time to do everything in a day.

That's why it's crucial to prioritize tasks. Focus on activities that have the most significant impact first.

I remember this founder who had 30 #investors on board, they focused on keeping the big players in the loop with #Zoom calls, considering they're the most invested.

For the rest, it was all about email updates with an open invite for a chat if needed.

It's like they said, you gotta pick and choose where to invest your time wisely.

Remember, it's about making every minute count.

And hey, breaking things down into bite-sized pieces always helps me.

Instead of staring at this huge task of raising funds, why not tackle little bits at a time?

Update your pitch one day, research some investors the next – keep things manageable, you know?

Smaller steps are key to tackling big projects.

Keep your eyes peeled for chances to meet investors too.

You're already out there hustling, so take advantage of events, workshops, and whatever comes your way. Sometimes, opportunities pop up in the most unexpected places.

A founder I talked to shared how she met with an investor at the beach!

She found out through a friend that there was an angel investor in crypto who was heading to the beach for the weekend.

She decided to tag along and meet the investor there!

No formal meetings, no fancy conferences—just a casual beach hangout turned into a networking opportunity. And you know what? It paid off big time.

The investor ended up putting money into their company and introducing them to four other potential investors.

She shared that with me during our conversation on Episode 37 of the Fundraising Demystified podcast.

Lastly, those lunch breaks or quick coffee runs? Perfect times to network. It's casual and relaxed, and you'd be surprised how a short chat can turn into a lead.

Just some food for thought! Keep at it, and remember, every big journey starts with a single step.

Like stories like these? Be sure to subscribe to #FundraisingDemystified where I cover one topic in detail every Tuesday and release a #podcast on Thursdays.

[Thunder VC @UseThunder]

Check out our latest episode on #FundraisingDemystified where we discuss how a cold email on LinkedIn led to the acquisition of #Till by @MyBestEgg

Here is a full episode
https://t.co/AymKkUM1nE

[Jason Kirby @JasonKirby]

Let me tell you about how Brady Nolan raised $16 million for Till before being acquired by Best Egg.

The twist? A cold LinkedIn message led to their acquisition!

Initially, Brady and his partner jumped in, wanting to solve a real problem they saw in the rental market—rents were skyrocketing, and incomes just couldn’t keep up.

They started with this idea for a rental loan to give renters some breathing room, but that was just the beginning.

What's really impressive is how they secured that early investment.

Brady shared that the initial funding accelerated their journey but also pressured them to constantly validate their worth and revenue for further investments.

They raised equity capital early on to fund their renter credit line despite lacking a proven track record.

They noticed they were speeding through product development, focusing on investor-pleasing metrics rather than customer needs.

This misstep was a wake-up call for them.

They quickly realized they were off course, paused to engage with their customers, and adjusted their product to meet user needs.

During COVID-19, while their competitors were aggressively expanding, Brady and his team took a more cautious approach.

They didn’t push their balance sheet as hard, which meant slower growth, but less risk too.

Brady thinks they might have missed a chance to scale up during that crisis.

But Till navigated the startup ecosystem, engaged investors, and scaled rapidly enough, leading to its strategic acquisition by Best Egg.

Post-acquisition, when Best Egg took over, Brady shared something that really struck me: the integration wasn’t rushed.

They took their time blending the teams and operations, which helped everyone adjust without losing their essence, making the acquisition a success in more ways than one.

Brady’s biggest takeaway?

1️⃣ Keep your investors close and your communication open.

2️⃣ Having investors who trust and support you can make all the difference, especially when tough decisions come up.

Just goes to show how important it is to stay flexible and really listen—to your team, your customers, and your gut.

Brady's story is a powerful reminder of how vision, timing, and a bit of bold networking can align to create remarkable outcomes.

If you're curious about navigating startup funding challenges or want to learn how strategic partnerships can lead to acquisition, you’ll definitely want to check out the full story in Episode 40 of #FundraisingDemystified!

Link on comments!!

[Thunder VC @UseThunder]

Check out our latest podcast with the founder of Hiive.
In the #podcast we discuss how Hiive is shaping future market trends by launching with $4.25M in funding and drawing the right investors, even in a tough market.
https://t.co/kwQh3bgw56

[Jason Kirby @JasonKirby]

Today we’re talking about secondary markets with the expert and founder of @Hiive_HQ, a secondary marketplace for private company stock. He doubled dipped for his capital raise because his customers are also his investors. He had a new unique strategy for his capital raise that we uncover below.

Discover how Hiive is shaping future market trends by launching with $4.25M in funding and drawing the right investors, even in a tough market.

https://t.co/t8GDeBJB7v

#Secondaries #VentureCapital #FundraisingDemystified

[Thunder VC @UseThunder]

#Fundraising & looking for investors in Mid-Atlantic? Here is a list of active 11 #VCs based in Virginia. Got a favorite #VC that deserves a shoutout?Let us know in the comments.
At Thunder, we excel in identifying #VC firms that align with your company's sector, stage, & geo

[Jason Kirby @JasonKirby]

Hey, Mid-Atlantic startups (give me a 👍 if that's you, because I'm expecting less than 5 😅), I'm sharing 11 of the best VCs in Virginia, each a champion in their niche.

Whether you're in tech, healthcare, or any field in between, having the right venture capital partner is key to scaling new heights.

1. Columbia Capital
Focus: Growth and Late-Stage Ventures
Sector: Communications, Media, and Enterprise Technology
Investment Range: $25M - $100M
Top Portcos: Ooyala, Brightcove, Asana, SailPoint, Grubhub, Duo Security

2. @Edison_Partners
Focus: Growth Ventures
Sector: Financial technology, healthcare IT, and enterprise software
Investment Range: $10M - $30M
Top Portcos: ONlyte Software, Medchart, WebMD, Billtrust

3. @route66ventures
Focus: Early-Stage Ventures
Sector: Digital health and financial technology
Investment Range: $10$500K – $4M
Top Portcos: Joon Care, Eirene Medical, Finary, Healthwave, PayPlug, Aircall, Jobbio, Oqium

4. @QEDInvestors
Focus: Early-Stage Ventures
Sector: Fintech
Investment Range: $30K - $3M
Top Portcos: Avant, Moniepoint, Banbee, Betterfly

5. @foolventures
Focus: Early-Stage, Series A Ventures
Sector: Technology: Software, platforms, tech-enabled services
Investment Range: $1M-$2M
Top Portcos: Bamboo, Carta, Effectiva

6. @AAF_Management
Focus: Early-Stage, Pre-Seed, Seed and Series AVentures
Sector: Agnostic
Top Portcos: Robinhood, Didi, Savage X by Fenty, StockX, Figure, Reddit

7. @Blu_Venture
Focus: Early-Stage: Pre-Seed, Seed and Series A Ventures
Sector: TeCyber Secutiry, Fintech, Healthcare, IOT
Investment Range: $500K - $1M
Top Portcos: https://t.co/TXWaATaLjG, Tidal, Enveedo

8. @razorsvc
Focus: Early Stage and Growth Stage Ventures
Sector: National security, Commercial enterprise
Top Portcos: R908 devices, Blacksky, Blackbird Technologies, Black Horse

9. @PROOFVC
Focus: Early-Stage and Growth Stage Ventures
Sector: Marketplaces, Cybersecurity, SAAS, Fintech, Healthtech, Foodtech, Gaming, eCommerce, Frontier tech
Top Portcos: Epic Games, Carta, Materclass, Sweetgreen

10. Riverbend Capital Advisors
Focus: Early Stage and Growth Stage Ventures
Sector: Software or Tech-enabled ventures
Top Portcos: Epic Games, Carta, Veda, Varo

11. ShockVentures
Focus: Early-Stage Ventures
Sector: MobilityTtechnology
Investment Range: $100k - $300k
Top Portcos: Treepz, JOCO, AnswersNow

Ready to connect with the perfect investor for your startup?

Drop a “LIST” in the comments, and we’ll tailor a personalized investor lineup just for you.

Got a favorite Mid-Altantic #VC firm that deserves a shoutout? Let us know in the comments below.

At @UseThunder, we excel in pairing your #startup with venture capital firms that align with your specific sector, growth phase, and objectives.

[Thunder VC @UseThunder]

If you're a founder trying to raise funds, or an investor eyeing the secondaries market, Sim has some advice for you in Episode 39 of #FundraisingDemystified

Listen to the entire episode here

https://t.co/9vfhEdZNiZ

[Jason Kirby @JasonKirby]

Let me share an inspiring story I just heard from @SimDesai, CEO of @Hiive_HQ, who's making waves with a recent $4.25 million capital raise to transform the secondary markets!

Imagine this: after a career brokering private equity investments, Sim steps away from the comfort of established practices to launch a startup that tackles problems in secondary markets.

What really grabbed my attention was Sim's vision for Hiive.

Inspired by his experiences from Setter Capital and the cumbersome nature of traditional trading, Sim envisioned a platform that would make trading shares of private companies as transparent and efficient as public stock exchanges.

Back in the '90s and early 2000s, companies went public sooner and at lower values, which provided the public with access to them.

Now, private companies stay private until they are worth tens of billions.

Secondary markets are now the only way for early employees and investors to get access or cash out their shares.

Hiive is creating a chance for more transparent, seamless transactions via a platform, unlike the opaque broker-dealer approach of using personal contacts and spreadsheets.

We've all felt that frustration, dealing with opaque transactions and limited access to investments.

Instead of calling up a broker, you end up just having one central place where buyers and sellers can go.

You don't have to have conversations with six different brokers and not know which broker is telling the truth about the real price that buyers are willing to pay.

Sim shared that they approached about 100 or so investors, maybe 120-ish, and had actual conversations with about 30 or 40 of them.

That's a double-dip. He's working on the business and raising money at the same time.

They ended up with about five or six investors.

They had unique requirements. They didn't want one investor taking a large percentage.

Instead, they opted for a strategic spread to maximize value—having more investors taking smaller chunks.

Each investor is a potential customer and brings a valuable network, enhancing Hiive's ecosystem.

This move is a critical takeaway for founders on how to think creatively about who they bring to their cap table.

It's not just about money, it's about the broader network effects and strategic advantages they can offer.

Of course, the journey wasn't without its bumps. Hiive faced its fair share of challenges and skepticism, especially in a tough fundraising climate.

In the current high-rate environment, #VCs are expecting higher returns due to the increased cost of capital.

This is also a challenging time for startups, particularly SaaS companies, as product adoption has slowed down.

Founders now face a catch-22 due to investor liquidity issues amidst down portfolios, yet cash-rich investors find opportunities for better deals.

If you're a founder trying to raise funds, or an investor eyeing the secondaries market, Sim has some advice for you in Episode 39 of #FundraisingDemystified

[Thunder VC @UseThunder]

#Fundraising & looking for investors in #LosAngeles? Here is a list of active 12 #VCs based in the region.
Got a favorite #LA #VC firm that deserves a shoutout? Let us know in the comments.
We excel in identifying which #VC firms align with your company's sector, stage, & geo

[Jason Kirby @JasonKirby]

Searching for VCs in Los Angeles?

We've picked out our favorite 12 VCs for you. Each one focuses on different areas, like tech or healthcare, to give you some exposure to VCs that might not have been on your radar.

1. BAM Ventures
Focuses on Early-Stage Ventures
Consumer, B2B Enterprise
Notable Portfolio: Tala, Honey, Clique Brands

2. @bonfire_vc 🔥
Focuses on Early-Stage Ventures
B2B Software
$100,000–$10 Million Investment Range
Notable Portfolio: Chownow, Disqo, https://t.co/jM6foCyW7U

3. @ConnectVentures
Focuses on Early-Stage Ventures
Consumer Sector
$10–$50 Million Investment Range
Notable Portfolio: JomBoy, Blacktag, Spire

4. @CrosscutVC
Focuses on Early-Stage and Seed Ventures
Technology, Consumer Products, and Media
$100,000–$5 Million Investment Range
Notable Portfolio: Boosted, Inspire, Gumgum, BuzzFeed

5. @fifthwallvc
Focuses on Early and Growth Stage Ventures
Proptech and ClimateTech Sector
$10 Million - $25 Million
Notable Portfolio: Blend, Loft, Hippo Insurance

6. @Frontier_VC
Focuses on Seed Ventures
Technology Sector
$5–$10 Million Investment Range
Notable Portfolio: Syndio, Dailypay, Haawk

7. @backedbymagic
Focuses on Early-Stage and Seed Ventures
Cryptocurrency, E-Commerce, FinTech, HealthCare, SaaS
Notable Portfolio: Bank Novo, Payfazz, Frubana

8. @mucker
Focuses on Seed and Series A Ventures
SaaS
$100,000–$3 Million Investment Range
Notable Portfolio: Auditboard, Honey, Emotive

9. @ScOpVC
Focuses on Early-Stage and Seed Ventures
SaaS and Marketplace
$500,000–$3 Million Investment Range
Notable Portfolio: Cloverleaf, Designalytics, Guava

10. @TenOne10
Focuses on Early-Stage Ventures
B2B Software
$500,000–$4 Million Investment Range
Notable Portfolio: Wish, Procore, Kaggle, Goodreads

11. @upfrontvc
Focuses on Early-Stage Ventures
E-commerce, Software, Internet, Healthcare Sector
$3–$10 Million Investment Range
Notable Portfolio: Apeel Sciences, GOAT, Parachute Home

12. @outlandervc
Focuses on Early-Stage Ventures
Sector Agnostic
$50,000–$250,000 Investment Range
Notable Portfolio: #Twitter, Stripe, SpaceX, Lift

Interested in connecting with the right investor for your #startup?

Drop a “LIST” in the comments, and we’ll send you a link to a personalized investor lineup.

Got a favorite #LosAngeles #VC firm that deserves a shoutout? Let us know in the comments below.

At Thunder, we excel in identifying which #VentureCapital firms align with your specific company's sector, stage, and geo.