Venture Curator

Venture Curator offers insider tips on startups and venture capital, sharing insights from leading figures like Paul Graham, Steve Jobs, and Marc Andreessen. It covers product-market fit, fundraising strategies, valuation discussions, and startup development tactics. The content targets founders and investors, emphasizing practical advice for success in the venture ecosystem.

Startups Venture Capital Product-Market Fit Investor Relations Startup Fundraising Startup Valuation Startup Scaling Market Analysis Artificial Intelligence Customer Acquisition

The hottest Substack posts of Venture Curator

And their main takeaways

TAM - that's Totally A Made Up Number. | Needs More Scientists In VC | VC Remote Jobs

179 implied HN points • 15 Feb 24
💼 Business Venture Capital Startups Tech industry Investments Entrepreneurship
  1. Focusing on capturing a small share of a well-defined market is more strategic than aiming for a tiny portion of a giant market.
  2. Encouraging scientists to enter venture capital can drive innovation and align with objective data over marketing dominance.
  3. The shift to using SAFE valuation caps in fundraising reflects a dominant trend, especially in specific sectors like SaaS, Fintech, Gaming, and Edtech.

Paypal's 'Going Sharp' Stategy To Find Product Market Fit | VC Distributions Sink To 14-Year Low | VC Remote Jobs ....

179 implied HN points • 13 Feb 24
💼 Business Venture Capital Startups Product-Market Fit Remote Jobs Investments
  1. PayPal's 'Going Sharp' strategy focused on specific customer segments and key features for successful growth.
  2. Venture Capital distributions hit a 14-year low, affecting LP reinvestment willingness.
  3. Valuation caps varied based on round size in 2023 post-money SAFEs for US companies, highlighting caution against blind use of multiple caps.

Marc Andreessen: Understand "Onion Theory Of Risk" To Raise Funding For Your Startup | VC Remote Jobs & More

259 implied HN points • 18 Dec 23
💼 Business Startups Venture Capital Funding Milestones Investors
  1. Understanding the relationship between risk and cash flow is crucial for successfully raising venture capital funding for a startup.
  2. Peeling away layers of risks through achieving milestones is key to pitching your startup effectively to investors at different funding rounds.
  3. The Onion Theory of Risk highlights the layers of risk a startup faces and emphasizes the importance of systematically reducing these risks to attract funding.

"Land & Expand" To Improve Your Odds of Getting to Yes With a VC | VC Remote Jobs & More

299 implied HN points • 10 Nov 23
💼 Business Venture Capital Funding Startups Investment Entrepreneurship
  1. Raising capital from VCs is a sales & marketing process where you're selling trust and confidence in the future of your company. Building trust with VC partners and understanding their decision dynamics can increase your odds of success.
  2. Each VC firm has a unique decision-making process, so it's crucial to know the firm's partner structure, how decisions are made, and the role of non-partner staff. Building relationships with multiple team members before the final decision meeting can improve your chances.
  3. To secure funding from VCs, go beyond just your sponsoring partner - engage with multiple staff members, understand the decision dynamics within the firm, and address biases and concerns in advance. Building broad relationships within the VC firm can increase the likelihood of a positive outcome.

YC Partner: Avoid These Tempting Startup Ideas - Tarpit Ideas | VC Remote Jobs & More

179 implied HN points • 25 Jan 24
💼 Business Startups Venture Capital Entrepreneurship Investing Jobs
  1. Avoid 'Tarpit Ideas' in startups, which have an oversupply of founders but low market demand.
  2. Consumer startups are risky due to high competition, user demands, and timing challenges.
  3. Identify Tarpit Ideas by spotting survivor bias, seeking second-order innovations or difficult-to-scale ideas, and pivot by understanding supply-demand dynamics.
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VC Don't Care About LTV/CAC Ratio ? | Hacking the VC process: Maximise Your Chance Of Getting Funded | VC Remote Jobs and More

299 implied HN points • 06 Oct 23
💼 Business Venture Capital Startup Entrepreneurship Investment Funding
  1. Investors obsess over the LTV/CAC ratio to gauge the potential return on investment and look for 'just-add-money opportunities.'
  2. Not all customers are equal; focusing on high-LTV customers can optimize customer acquisition efforts.
  3. VCs focus on CACD (Customer Acquisition Cost Doubled) to assess the time taken to recoup investments, emphasizing the importance of velocity over just the LTV/CAC ratio.

'You Can’t Raised Funding Without Using Old Sales-Marketing Funnel’ : Y-Combinator | VC Remote Jobs & More

219 implied HN points • 04 Dec 23
💼 Business Venture Capital Startup Funding Investment
  1. Raising funding requires utilizing the old sales-marketing funnel, according to Y-Combinator.
  2. Fundraising is a sales & marketing process and needs to be diligently managed, like any other sales campaign.
  3. Focus on engaging with the right investors, prioritize time management, and continuously work on building and managing a strong pipeline of potential investors.

Why Founders Are Afraid to Talk About MOAT? | Should Founders Work By Vision or Data? | VC Remote Jobs & More

199 implied HN points • 15 Dec 23
💼 Business Startups Venture Capital Entrepreneurship Technology Innovation
  1. Founders should focus on building a strong 'moat' for their startup, which is like a set of characteristics that make it hard for other companies to compete.
  2. Tech is no longer a strong moat for startups, as it can be easily replicated, but factors like community, trust, and network effects are more valuable.
  3. Successful companies like Spotify built their moat not just on technology, but on bold statements and innovative experiences that stand out in the market.

How Can You Use Airbnb's & Stripe's Strategy To Build Your MVP? | The First Six Month Of Fundraising For NVIDIA | VC Remote Jobs & More

199 implied HN points • 11 Dec 23
💼 Business Startup Strategy Venture Capital Entrepreneurship Funding Technology
  1. Successful startups focus on building a Minimal Viable Product (MVP) with the 'Viable' part being crucial, not just the 'Minimal' part.
  2. Key to MVP success is launching quickly, getting feedback from customers, and iterating based on that feedback.
  3. Early adopters are crucial for testing MVPs; founders should build products for customers with urgent needs, even if the MVP is not perfect.

Don't Fall In Trap Of Tarpit Ideas, It's Worst Than Bad Ideas, Why? | Consumer Startups - Tarpit Ideas? | VC Remote Jobs & More

219 implied HN points • 18 Nov 23
💼 Business Startups Venture Capital Ideas Consumer Pivoting
  1. Tarpit ideas are worse than bad ideas and can trap entrepreneurs into wasted time and resources.
  2. Many consumer startup ideas end up being tarpit ideas, as they seem simple but are challenging to execute successfully.
  3. To succeed in the startup world, founders need to recognize tarpit ideas early, pivot strategically based on supply-demand dynamics, and focus on building high-quality, in-demand products.

Why Your Startup Idea Isn’t Big Enough for Some VCs? | Understanding Churn and Building Action Plan | Product Market Fit Misconceptions | VC Remote Jobs & Internship

259 implied HN points • 01 Sep 23
💼 Business Venture Capital Product-Market Fit Remote Jobs
  1. VCs expect startup ideas with huge potential for returns, as a single successful investment can make all the difference.
  2. Reducing churn and increasing net retention are crucial for startups, as customer retention is key for sustainable growth.
  3. Many founders misunderstand Product-Market Fit (PMF) - it's not just about revenue growth, but deeper market validation.

Marc Andreessen"You Can't Build A Successful Company Without Thinking On Idea Maze !"| VC Remote Jobs & More

199 implied HN points • 24 Nov 23
💼 Business Startups Entrepreneurship Venture Capital Innovation Competition
  1. Good startup ideas are well-developed, multi-year plans that consider various paths and changes in the market, known as the Idea Maze.
  2. The Idea Maze concept helps founders think strategically about their company's journey, by mapping out potential paths to success or failure.
  3. When navigating the Idea Maze, founders can gain insights from history, analogies, theories, and direct experience to make informed decisions.

How Do Investors Protect Themselves from Downrounds Through Weighted Average Anti-Dilution Protection? | Paul Graham's Article & More

239 implied HN points • 24 Jul 23
💰 Finance Investment Valuation Venture Capital Remote Jobs
  1. Investors use Anti-Dilution Protection to safeguard against down-round situations, like Stripe's valuation decrease from $90 billion to $50 billion.
  2. There are two types of Anti-Dilution Protection: Full Ratchet and Weighted Average, each impacting investor ownership differently.
  3. Weighted Average Anti-Dilution Protection involves calculating new share conversion prices to adjust ownership percentages after a down round, ensuring fair investor protection.

How Do LPs Evaluate VC Fund Performance? | How Much Should You Raise For Your Startup? | Small vs Large Market Focus | VC Remote Jobs & Internships

239 implied HN points • 04 Sep 23
💼 Business Venture Capital Startup funding Remote Jobs
  1. Limited Partners (LPs) evaluate the performance of a VC fund using terms like DPI, RVPI, and TVPI.
  2. When raising funds for a startup, VCs look for reasonableness in the amount raised relative to progress and goals. The amount raised can reflect valuation expectations and the company's runway.
  3. Understanding financial factors like cash in, cash out, and achieved milestones can make VC meetings smoother and increase the chances of getting funded.

Understand Math Behind Secondary Sales, Measuring Startup Tractions, VC Daily Digest & More

239 implied HN points • 31 Jul 23
💼 Business Venture Capital Investment Strategies Entrepreneurship Financial Education
  1. Secondary sales involve shareholders selling shares to buyers, different from primary sales where new shares are issued.
  2. Understanding the math behind secondary sales helps grasp ownership changes and value fluctuations for founders and investors.
  3. Evaluation of startup traction can be challenging for VCs due to factors like new markets, inexperienced founders, and limited financial history.

How Do Investors Protect Themselves from Downrounds ? | MOAT For AI Startups & More

239 implied HN points • 17 Jul 23
💰 Finance Investors Startups Funding Rounds
  1. Investors protect themselves from downrounds by using Antidilution Protection, which adjusts share values to prevent loss in valuation.
  2. Down rounds can happen due to various reasons like market changes or financial needs, prompting founders to seek lower valuations for investment.
  3. There are two types of Antidilution Protection: Full Ratchet and Weighted Average, with Full Ratchet adjusting share prices based on new valuations to safeguard investors' investments.

8 Signs Your Startup Is a Zombie and 3 Things to Do About It ! | VC Remote Jobs & More

159 implied HN points • 22 Dec 23
💼 Business Startups Venture Capital Investing Entrepreneurship Career development
  1. Recognize the signs of a 'zombie' startup, like stagnant growth and constant need for funding, to avoid being unattractive to investors.
  2. Decide whether to accept failure, pivot the business model for exponential advantage, or explore opportunities for acquihire when a startup is struggling.
  3. Knowing when to quit or pivot is essential for startup success - sometimes failure can lead to growth opportunities or valuable lessons learned.

Where Do The Great Startup Ideas Come From - Stripe & Airbnb Case?| OpenAI Saga Explained | VC Remote Jobs & More

179 implied HN points • 21 Nov 23
💼 Business Startups Venture Capital Innovation Entrepreneurship Finance
  1. Startups like Airbnb, Coinbase, and Stripe succeeded by challenging existing players and aiming to do things 10 times better, turning competition into inspiration.
  2. Successful founders like those of Airbnb and Stripe ignored naysayers and pursued their wild ideas, pushing through doubt and expert skepticism.
  3. Timing, unique ideas, and unexpected market sizes played key roles in the success stories of startups like Airbnb, Stripe, and Coinbase, showing that unconventional approaches can lead to great outcomes.

The Game-Changing Clause For Entrepreneur , VC Funds Are Mostly Just Wasting Their Time and Your Money, VC Jobs & More

219 implied HN points • 19 Aug 23
💼 Business Entrepreneurship Venture Capital Investments Startups Jobs
  1. In negotiating convertible notes, entrepreneurs should include a clause to prevent early investors from taking advantage of rising valuations.
  2. A study by Morgan Stanley calls into question the superior returns claimed by VC funds, highlighting challenges and inconsistencies in the industry.
  3. Investors often face struggles in accurately valuing equity in VC investments due to complex structures, contributing to potential overvaluation.

Hidden Clauses In The Term Sheet that Every Founder Should Know | 2008 Venture Capital Market Recovery | How To Convince Investors? | VC Remote Jobs & Internships and More

219 implied HN points • 08 Sep 23
💼 Business Venture Capital Investment Startups Entrepreneurship Finance
  1. Understanding hidden clauses in term sheets is crucial for founders to avoid disputes and confusion in the future.
  2. Knowing the economic aspects of term sheets, such as valuation, investment amount, and anti-dilution, can help founders negotiate effectively with VCs.
  3. Founders and investors should remember that a term sheet is a tool for communication and does not guarantee success; a strong business does.

Why it's Better To Raise Less Capital In The First Round? | Don’t Waste Time Chasing Investors | How To Convince Investors | VC Jobs & More

219 implied HN points • 28 Aug 23
💼 Business Venture Capital Startup funding Entrepreneurship Investing
  1. Start Small, Stay Nimble: Raising less capital in early stages allows flexibility for strategic adjustments while maintaining control.
  2. Small Beginnings, Bigger Rewards: As your startup proves its worth, raising less initially can lead to diluting fewer shares and higher valuations later on.
  3. Grow Smarter, Stronger: Strategic use of capital matters more than the amount raised, like nurturing a seed to watch your startup grow into a mighty oak.

How a Convertible Note Converts During Priced Round (e.g- Series A, B) ? | 2008-09 Global Startup Ecoystem & More

219 implied HN points • 10 Jul 23
💼 Business Startups Investing Venture Capital Jobs Mathematics
  1. Convertible notes convert in three ways: Pre-money Method, Percentage Ownership Method, Dollars Invested Method, catering to different preferences of founders and investors.
  2. Key parameters to consider in evaluating a convertible note include Discount Rate, Valuation Cap, Interest Rate, and Maturity Date, which affect the conversion process during priced rounds like Series A or B.
  3. Understanding the math behind the conversion of convertible notes during priced rounds involves calculations based on factors like pre-money valuation, discount rates, and valuation caps, influencing the final ownership percentages.

Hidden Trap Of Convertible Note and Liquidation Preference Multiples | Marc Andreessen On Risk-Cash Relation | VC Remote Jobs & More

179 implied HN points • 13 Nov 23
💼 Business Venture Capital Startups Finance Investing Entrepreneurship
  1. One should be aware of the hidden traps of convertible notes and liquidation preference multiples, especially in funding rounds.
  2. Founder should keep the liquidation preference multiples in check to prevent undesired outcomes for themselves.
  3. To tackle the impact of multiple liquidation preferences, founders can consider issuing sub-series of preferred stock for protection.

How to Talk About Valuation Numbers When Investor Ask? | VC Remote Jobs & More

179 implied HN points • 06 Nov 23
💼 Business Venture Capital Investor Relations Job Opportunities
  1. When discussing valuation with investors, avoid naming a specific price but instead give a general range to 'anchor' them and test their reaction.
  2. Be prepared to discuss your past fundraising, including the post-money valuation and amount raised, as VCs use this information to assess fit and potential issues.
  3. When asked if existing investors are participating in the round, balance showing their support with the need to meet new investor expectations while maintaining good relationships.

Hidden Trap Of Convertible Note and Liquidation Preference Multiples | Getting First 1000 Customers | Weekend's Reading & More

199 implied HN points • 28 Jul 23
💼 Business Venture Capital Startup Financing
  1. Convertible notes can have hidden traps with liquidation preference multiples, impacting founders and investors.
  2. Founders can issue sub-series of preferred stock to protect themselves from inflated liquidation preferences.
  3. Finding the first 1000 customers is challenging, requiring experimentation with different strategies and channels.

How VCs Make High-Quality Investment Decisions? | Why Top 1% Of Founders Quit Their Startup? | Best Traits That Investors Look In Founders | VC Remote Jobs and More

199 implied HN points • 11 Sep 23
💼 Business Startups Investment Founders Venture Capital Remote Jobs
  1. Understanding the Venture Capital Method can help founders grasp how investors evaluate startups and make high-quality investment decisions.
  2. Top 1% of founders often quit due to factors like loss of control, pressure for results, and personal finance realities, emphasizing the importance of mental health in entrepreneurship.
  3. Investors look for specific traits in founders, such as resilience, integrity, and adaptability, when deciding to fund startups, underscoring the significance of founder characteristics.

Decoding Liquidation Preference, Particiaption & Non-Participation Rights? | YC Startup Index Gives 176% Return | VC Funding Report | Weekend Readings & More

199 implied HN points • 07 Jul 23
💰 Finance Startup Financing Venture Capital Investment Trends Remote Jobs
  1. Understanding terms like 1x participation and non-participation is crucial for founders and investors in startup financing to protect their investments.
  2. Having a 1x non-participation liquidation preference can be advantageous for founders during company liquidation to ensure returns.
  3. YC Startup Index shows a remarkable 176% average annual return, surpassing other asset classes and venture capital funds.

What Every Founder Should Know About Valuations? | Is The VC Investment Model Broken? | VC Remote Jobs and More

199 implied HN points • 29 Sep 23
💼 Business Startups Venture Capital Valuations Remote Jobs
  1. Valuation of a company is determined by factors like the stage of the company, funding competition, leadership team experience, market size, and financial performance.
  2. The VC investment model is facing challenges due to factors like high interest rates, late-stage investments yielding lower returns, and the importance of profitability.
  3. Companies don't always need to calculate their value when fundraising; options like convertible notes and SAFEs allow for postponing valuation to later rounds to avoid potential dilution.

Understand All About SAFE | AI’s $200B Question: Long Term’s Good, Short Team Messy! | VC Remote Jobs and More

199 implied HN points • 02 Oct 23
💼 Business Startups Venture Capital Investments Entrepreneurship Job Opportunities
  1. Understanding SAFE Agreement - No Debt and No Equity. A different funding option for startups that doesn't fit traditional categories.
  2. 5 Types of SAFE Notes explained with examples. Different scenarios of how a SAFE investment can convert and affect valuation.
  3. Considerations about AI and GPU investments. Long-term benefits versus short-term challenges in the AI industry, highlighting the need for innovative startups to create real value.

Which Is The Better Option For Growth Funding: Venture Debt or Venture Capital?

199 implied HN points • 30 Jun 23
💼 Business Venture Funding Finance Startups Investing Events
  1. If you're deciding between venture debt or venture capital for growth funding, venture debt can be a cheaper option for founders due to lower overall costs.
  2. Venture debt involves warrant coverage, which gives the holder the right to purchase company stock at a set price within a specific period.
  3. Understanding the financial implications of each funding option, such as equity dilution and interest payments, is crucial for making the best decision for your startup's growth.

Why it's Better To Raise Less Capital In The First Funding Round? | Finding Early Adopters For Your MVP! | VC Remote Jobs & More

139 implied HN points • 08 Dec 23
💼 Business Startup funding Entrepreneurship Venture Capital Investing Career development
  1. Start Small, Stay Nimble: Raising less capital early on gives flexibility for strategic adjustments while retaining control.
  2. Small Beginnings, Bigger Rewards: Raising less initially leads to diluting fewer shares later as the startup's valuation naturally increases.
  3. Grow Smart, Grow Strong: It's not about the amount of capital raised but how strategically it is used for smarter growth.

90% Of Founders Can't Build Successful MVP: Don't Be One | End of SaaS Is Closer | VC Remote Jobs & More

179 implied HN points • 20 Oct 23
💼 Business Startups Venture Capital Entrepreneurship Tech industry Remote Jobs
  1. Building a successful MVP involves focusing on the 'viable' aspect, listening to customer feedback, and iterating for improvement.
  2. 90% of startup founders fail at building successful MVPs due to not grasping the true essence of MVP and focusing solely on building a product.
  3. Successful startups like Airbnb, Twitch, and Stripe started with basic MVPs, appealing to early adopters and iterating based on user feedback.

Timing Is The Single Biggest Reason Why Startups Succeed! | On the Life & Death of Y Combinator Startups | VC Remote Jobs and More

179 implied HN points • 17 Oct 23
💼 Business Startups Venture Capital Investments Technology Market Analysis
  1. Timing is crucial for startup success - knowing when to enter a market can make or break a startup
  2. Different types of markets affect a startup's fate: small market not growing, large market with past growth, being too early, or small market growing quickly
  3. Entrepreneurs should focus on being in a small market that is growing rapidly to increase chances of success

Questions VCs Will Ask You! | Positioning Your Startup is Vital, How To Do It? | VC Remote Jobs and More

179 implied HN points • 09 Oct 23
💼 Business Startups Venture Capital Entrepreneurship Investing Marketing
  1. A great team is crucial for a startup's success, and investors will ask questions to understand how the team came together, their motivations, and any key gaps that need to be filled.
  2. When pitching to investors, be prepared to explain your product clearly, its target market, the problem it solves, and how it stands out. Investors want to know if customers will seek out and pay for your product.
  3. Investors focus on the market size, growth potential, competition, and go-to-market strategy when evaluating startups. Having a clear positioning statement and understanding your market's total addressable market are key.

Don't Send All 'Your Data To Investors' Too Early In The Process: The Counter-Intuitive Fund-Raising Advice | VC Remote Jobs & More

139 implied HN points • 29 Nov 23
💼 Business Venture Capital Fundraising Startups Jobs Investors
  1. Avoid sending all your data to investors early on in the fundraising process, as it can hinder progress.
  2. Getting the first meeting with a VC might not be easy, but follow-up meetings can be harder to secure.
  3. Creating a data room and providing access too soon can lead to a lack of engagement from investors, leading to a failed fundraising process.

Decoding Sequoia Capital: How Do They Dominate the VC Landscape?

199 implied HN points • 12 Jun 23
💼 Business Venture Capital Investing Entrepreneurship Startup Financial Strategies
  1. Sequoia Capital is a powerhouse in the VC landscape, known for remarkable strategies that have led to unprecedented success.
  2. Sequoia has an impressive track record of investing in one in five private unicorns globally, with a focus on disruptive products and founders with technical knowledge.
  3. Key figures at Sequoia, like Don Valentine and Doug Leone, have distinct investment philosophies highlighting the importance of market potential, strong founding teams, and learning from failures.

Why Do VC Firms Want an Option Pool Before the VC Round? | Lessons from the Dot-Com Era for Generative AI Hype| How Startups Use VC Funds to Invest in Other Startups? | VC Remote Jobs and More

179 implied HN points • 15 Sep 23
💼 Business Venture Capital Startup funding Investment Strategies Tech Trends Remote work
  1. VC firms prefer having an option pool before the funding round to ensure proper allocation of shares and ownership percentages among founders, investors, and future employees.
  2. Lessons from the Dot-Com era suggest parallels with the current Generative AI hype, highlighting potential trends in commoditization, emergence of innovative disruptors, and advice for startups to focus on long-term goals.
  3. Startups often reinvest VC funds into other startups, showcasing a trend seen during peak market craziness, where companies like Stripe and Coinbase made significant investments.

The Babe Ruth Effect in Venture Capital | When To Prioritize Growth Over Profitability? | VC Remote Jobs and More

179 implied HN points • 22 Sep 23
💼 Business Venture Capital Startups Investing Funding Remote Jobs
  1. The concept of the 'Babe Ruth Effect' in venture capital explains the importance of evaluating investments based on expected value analysis to achieve superior performance
  2. Deciding between prioritizing profitability or growth in startups depends on factors like market dynamics, access to funding, and business model, and it's crucial to understand where to focus at an early stage
  3. Successful venture capital funds exhibit a 'Babe Ruth Effect' by having more 'home run' investments of greater magnitude, even though they may also have a higher percentage of investments that lose money