Latest news with #founders
Forbes
an hour ago
- Business
- Forbes
How You Can Invest In Later-Stage Companies And Help Them Grow
Business investors meeting and signing documents It's fascinating to observe the journey of companies that have navigated past the initial startup phase. These businesses, having secured early-stage funding, often reach a point where their operations feel more stable. Yet, despite clearing those early hurdles, late-stage companies aren't entirely out of the woods. Their founders still frequently need funding to sustain momentum and fuel further growth. I've been particularly interested in this stage because, counterintuitively, securing that continued funding can sometimes be even trickier for late-stage ventures. You might assume early success would be a magnet for investors, but the reality is more nuanced. Investors are understandably more selective these days, especially with lingering anxieties about inflation and overall economic performance. And while a startup may have proven its business model works now, the question of its future viability looms large for potential backers. Venture capitalists understand that risk is inherent in backing any company. But they also don't want to sink their money into businesses where the ROI isn't there. Nor will they be attracted to companies with few (if any) competitive advantages. As I've seen many companies grapple with this crucial next step, it became clear that there are significant, mutually beneficial opportunities for business leaders to leverage their commercial and strategic expertise to help these later-stage companies not just survive, but truly thrive. Here are some ideas. Series C Financing Rounds Later-stage companies haven't made it to the IPO stage yet. However, these startups are past the seed, Series A and Series B funding rounds. Founders got the capital they needed to launch and gain traction. Now, they're looking to sell prospective investors shares to keep the momentum going. Series C financing typically involves purchasing preferred shares in a pre-IPO but established business. Preferred shares mean you have priority over common shareholders when it comes to staking a claim on the company's earnings. In other words, preferred shareholders are first in line when the business is sold and dividends are paid. Individuals, investment, and private equity firms can participate in Series C financing rounds. Yet, co-investor family offices and equity firms are shifting gears. Whether it's participating in Series C rounds or another avenue, sector specialization is rising. Sixty-eight percent of investors are focusing on sectors they have experience in instead of a general approach. Many investors are focusing on their ability to add value to a deal, with commercial relationships and strategic partnerships, and even key executive hires. They're also concentrating on industries, such as AI, cybersecurity, logistics and government tech. Secondary market transactions represent another investment strategy that's attracting interest. Secondary Markets Secondary market transactions involve buying shares in a later-stage company from current owners. These shareholders could be employees and those who got in during the business's seed stage. It's not the same as buying shares during an IPO because these shares aren't available for trading on the stock exchange. What secondary markets do is allow early investors to realize returns before the company goes public or is sold through an acquisition. Because later-stage companies aren't public yet, investors can often secure shares for a discount. The potential for future value and growth is there when (and if) the business goes public. After Series C, the risk of startup failure also decreases dramatically. The failure rate is around 1%, whereas it hovers at 60% between pre-seed and Series A. In a macroeconomy rife with uncertainty, less risky bets are attractive to investors. And the growth of secondary market transactions seems to back up this sentiment. Global secondary transaction volume rose to $128 billion in 2021, while surpassing $100 billion in 2022 and 2023. Online Platforms And Private Equity Firms Online platforms and private equity firms can connect you with investment opportunities outside the traditional markets. If you want to put your money in later-stage companies, specialized platforms and equity firms may provide access. Not everyone has existing relationships with pre-IPO businesses. Even for those who do, these investors might want to broaden their knowledge and portfolio mix with additional opportunities. For instance, Hiive provides access to investments in private companies while SPLYCAP is a private equity firm connecting investors with growth-stage and late-stage businesses. These connections can extend beyond the numbers, including adding value to a firm's commercial and strategic direction. Through its understanding of the AI firm Nanotronics, the company gained a new chief operating officer with 30 years of tech and construction industry experience. As Nanotronics CEO Matthew Putman says, he's 'seen companies and investors connect in ways that feel truly special, beyond just financials. It's about sharing a purpose and growing together, lifting both a fund and my company.' With most investors having a neutral sentiment about the overall market, later-stage companies offering a shared meaning can stand out by leveraging commercial relationships in their network. And online platforms and private equity firms could be the gateway to building those relationships. Helping Later-Stage Companies Grow No matter what stage businesses are in, funding is a critical component of success. Without cash flow, operations stall and services cannot be delivered. More importantly, companies are unable to get to the next milestone. For late-stage firms, the next milestone is usually some type of exit, either an IPO or a sale to a larger company. As investors become more discerning, later-stage businesses can't rely on blanket or generalist funding sources. While undoubtedly less risky than a pre-seed startup, late-stage companies still need to offer investors a distinctive opportunity. Making connections between investors' shared expertise and purpose is one way to stand out. Investment that extends beyond capital raising, elevating companies with proven promise to the next level, is where the real magic lies.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Business
- Yahoo
3 more days to fuel your next big move — and save up to $210 on your TechCrunch All Stage pass
The countdown is on — you have just 3 days left to save on your pass to TechCrunch All Stage, happening July 15 in Boston's SoWa Power Station. After Sunday, June 22 at 11:59 p.m. PT, prices go up, and this opportunity to lock in savings disappears. If you're a founder looking to scale, a VC hunting for breakout talent, or an operator ready to level up, this one-day founder summit is built to move you forward — with tactical insights, candid conversations, and high-impact networking from start to finish. Register here to save $210 on your Founder pass and $200 on your Investor pass. TC All Stage isn't about buzzwords and big stages. It's where builders meet backers and real strategy takes center stage. You'll experience: Here's just a sample of the speakers and sessions on tap, but keep checking the full speaker lineup on the event site as big names are being added daily. Prices go up Sunday, June 22, at 11:59 p.m. PT — don't miss your chance to save. Join founders and investors at every stage in Boston for a full day of growth-focused programming at TechCrunch All Stage. Make your move while there's still time. Grab your pass before prices go up. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Forbes
3 hours ago
- Business
- Forbes
The Cure For Shiny Object Syndrome? Try 'Strategy Stacking'
How to Lead Your Company Into the Future—Even When Everyone Around You Is Obsessed With Right Now Getty Images Business leaders, let's face it: your day is a battlefield of distractions. Your inbox is a parade of 'urgent' requests. Your team needs answers. Your customers need reassurance. Your vendors want time. Everyone has a to-do list—and you're on it. But here's the catch: their to-do list is not your job. If you're truly leading, your role isn't about solving today's fires. It's about architecting tomorrow. That's why you need Strategy Stacking—a method that helps founders and CEOs shift from reactive chaos to deliberate progress. Think of Strategy Stacking as a productivity hack for your vision. It's a way to consistently focus on long-term growth—even when the world keeps pulling you into short-term noise. Here's how it works: Simple? Yes. Easy? Not at first. But once you master it, you'll spend 10–20% of your time in a state of high-leverage leadership. That's where your impact is greatest. It's flattering to be the genius behind the curtain. But if your team can't make a move without your approval, you're not leading—you're babysitting. And guess what? They'll always ask, because it's safer to get the boss's blessing than to think for themselves. Don't take the bait. Empower your people to own their lanes so you can stay in yours. In a tech-enabled world where businesses have to re-invent their value propositions every 12–18 months, long-term plans are mostly fantasy. At Birthing of Giants, we live by a more agile framework: the 'One Year From Today' Plan. Here's the prompt: What's the one opportunity you'd gladly devote the next year to solving? This simple question sharpens your focus. It demands prioritization. And once you define the opportunity, you build a roadmap—complete with resource plans, red-light/green-light checkpoints, and clear definitions of success. Stack one focused year on top of another, and the transformation is real. We've seen it help leaders build A-player teams, exit at 9- and 10-figure valuations, or completely reinvent their brand. Not every plan works. But every plan moves you forward. Let's be honest: you're a bit of a control freak. And that's okay—because as an owner, you have X-ray vision across your company. You see pricing. You see delivery. You see customer satisfaction and operational gaps. Your instinct to pivot? That's your superpower. Strategy Stacking channels that instinct into focused evolution instead of scattered reaction. Here's where it gets even more powerful: the best strategy for the year ahead often comes from the lessons of the year behind. Warren Buffett once said: 'The percentage change in book value in any one year is likely to be reasonably close to that year's change in intrinsic value.'Translation? If you want to know where to go, look at where you've been. We call this the Buffett Benchmark: Take an honest look at what helped—or hurt—your company's value in the last 12 months. That's your starting point for your next 'One Year From Today' plan. Double down on what worked. Skip the potholes. Allocate resources wisely. Because you're not Google. You have limited time, money, and people. If you: You'll burn out your team and your budget long before you hit gold. Strategy Stacking fixes that. Here's the formula: It's how you stop being the 'help desk' for every little problem and start becoming the architect of your company's future. It lets you stack wins, stay focused, and keep your business moving in the right direction—one year at a time. Finding the right value proposition for your business is where you, the leader, add the most value. Your time is your scarcest resource. Use it where it counts.
TechCrunch
8 hours ago
- Business
- TechCrunch
Boston Side Events lineup at TechCrunch All Stage with Fidelity Private Shares, Women Tech Meetup, Prepare 4 VC, and more
Get ready to amplify your TechCrunch All Stage 2025 experience with the electrifying lineup of Side Events taking Boston by storm during the week of July 13–19. As the countdown to TC All Stage begins, we're thrilled to share our Side Events lineup, where you can foster meaningful connections within the vibrant Boston tech community. Whether you're a seasoned industry pro or a budding entrepreneur, our Side Events promise an unforgettable week filled with networking opportunities, innovation showcases, and engaging conversations. So mark your calendars, secure your spot, and dive into the excitement of TC All Stage Week like never before! Quick Side Event disclaimers: Registering/RSVPing to a Side Event does not grant you access/ticket/badge to the main TC All Stage 2025 conference on July 15. Each event is organized and operated solely by a host (i.e., not TC Media International or any of its affiliates or brands, including TechCrunch). Attendance is 18+ minimum and some venues are 21+ only. Side Events are open to the public unless specified. Please register/RSVP for any of the Side Events you want to attend. July 14 Startup Confessions: A Night of Founder Stories Hosted by: Palm Venture Studios Time: 3:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. ET The startup life can be a lonely journey — this is a night to come together, have some fun, and remember you're not alone in riding the roller coaster of building. Just founders sharing real stories and the lessons they learned the hard way. – Drinks and food – Networking – Real founders, real stories REGISTER HERE Tech Founders Fireside Chat Hosted by: Withum Time: 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. ET Kick off TechCrunch Boston with Withum, UBS and a dynamic group of founders for a fast-paced, 30-minute fireside chat for tech founders. We'll cover what matters most right now, from an economic update to breaking down QSBS stock, equity structures, and insights from the proposed One Big Beautiful Bill. You'll also hear directly from startup founders as they share lessons learned, growth strategies, and how they're building in today's evolving landscape. Join us for candid conversation, real takeaways, and meaningful connections with fellow tech entrepreneurs in a high-energy, founder-first setting. Start your TechCrunch Boston experience with an impactful fireside chat covering today's economic climate, QSBS, equity insights, and real-world advice from startup leaders. REGISTER HERE Techcrunch event Save $200+ on your TechCrunch All Stage pass Build smarter. Scale faster. Connect deeper. Join visionaries from Precursor Ventures, NEA, Index Ventures, Underscore VC, and beyond for a day packed with strategies, workshops, and meaningful connections. Save $200+ on your TechCrunch All Stage pass Build smarter. Scale faster. Connect deeper. Join visionaries from Precursor Ventures, NEA, Index Ventures, Underscore VC, and beyond for a day packed with strategies, workshops, and meaningful connections. Boston, MA | REGISTER NOW July 15 South Asian Collective Hosted by: American South Asian Network (ASAN) Time: 5:15 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. ET Join us for an engaging evening of networking, insightful discussions, and cultural celebration. Connect with South Asian entrepreneurs, creatives, and professionals, and explore the vibrant contributions of the South Asian community across various industries. More details on our registration page! REGISTER HERE Women Tech Meetup: Raising on Your Terms Hosted by: Women Tech Meetup, Techstars, Puzzle, and Venture Lane Time: 5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. ET Boston! Calling all women in tech, allies, friends, and partners! Join our Women Tech Meetup: Raising on Your Terms, hosted by Techstars and Venture Lane, as an official Side Event of TechCrunch All Stage. Enjoy complimentary drinks and snacks, engaging conversations, networking, and a beautiful venue 🌟 Additionally, we will host a panel discussion on fundraising, venture capital, and the challenges that female founders face on their journey to building successful companies, along with strategies to overcome them. Agenda listed on our registration page. REGISTER HERE July 16 Founders Breakfast: Boston Edition Hosted by: Puzzle and Fidelity Private Shares Time: 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. ET Come hungry. Leave inspired. Building a startup is a wild ride — so let's hit pause and and connect over great food and even better company 🍽️☕ Join us for our special breakfast as a Side Event of TechCrunch All Stage, designed for founders navigating the highs and lows of scaling, fundraising, and everything in between. Co-hosted by Puzzle and Fidelity Private Shares. Swap lessons learned and insider tips, biggest wins and toughest challenges, as well as fresh perspectives with fellow founders who truly get it. REGISTER HERE Breakthrough Summit: Prepare 4 VC Graduation & Showcase Hosted by: Prepare 4 VC Time: 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. ET The Breakthrough Summit is the grand finale of the Prepare 4 VC Breakthrough Program — a 10-week founder acceleration journey that pushes beyond theory into transformative action. This isn't a demo day. This is a celebration of resilience, growth, and traction. You're invited to witness 10 bold, ambitious founding teams as they take the stage to share: – Their pitch-ready ventures. – Personal breakthrough moments. – Traction gained through the program. – The next big leaps they're preparing for. All framed by the powerful community of mentors, investors, and partners who made it possible. REGISTER HERE Product Design Happy Hour Hosted by: Onshape by PTC Time: 5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. ET Join us for our next Happy Hour event with early-stage founders, top investors, and engineers shaping the future of product design. Hear from Jon Hirschtick and John McEleney, co-founders of SolidWorks and Onshape, in a panel session on building, scaling, and fundraising for venture-backed startups. Plus, hear firsthand from AWS on how to build scalable, secure infrastructure for your startup. Whether you're in Boston for TechCrunch All Stage or building your breakthrough product, you won't want to miss this! REGISTER HERE Æthos AI Salon Hosted by: Æthos Foundation Time: 5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. ET Join our ecosystem for an evening of guiding society towards AI that truly serve humanity, and for drinks. An entrepreneur, a professor, and a public servant walk into a bar… Come see whether they walk out with a new understanding of what makes AI responsible. Æthos has built AI startup hubs in Boston and Berlin over the past year around a mission to construct strong practical norms for ethical AI. We bring together start ups with leaders from government, big tech, academia, and investment to build these norms. The usual place, unusual people: the best minds Boston has to offer on July 16th. REGISTER HERE Scaling Teams Effectively : Interactive Panel Discussion x Networking Hosted by: Remotesome and Deel Time: 5:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. ET Unlock the secrets to building high-performing teams and scaling your startup with confidence. Join us for Scaling Teams Efficiently — an exclusive event bringing together leaders from top venture capital firms and growth-stage startups to share their unfiltered experiences on what truly drives success after funding rounds. You can find more info on expectations, agenda, etc., on our registration page. REGISTER HERE July 17 Women in Business — Networked for Growth: Female Founders Harnessing Campus Connections Hosted by: Northeastern University College of Arts, Media and Design Time: 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. ET Please join us for this engaging panel discussion with local thought leaders about best practices to engage with universities to empower business growth. After the panel, there will be an opportunity to network with fellow founders, university representatives, and students. Please come prepared for a lively discussion with an open mind and lots of questions! REGISTER HERE
Daily Mail
12 hours ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
Five Networking Groups Every Small Business Owner Should Consider in 2025
When a Sydney tech founder's payment infrastructure imploded faster than a social media trend due to a high dispute rate, she didn't panic-search 'crisis management consultants' or spiral into a doom-scroll. She tapped her Entrepreneurs' Organisation Forum, and was introduced to the right person with the right authority at her faceless payment provider company faster than you could say 'online meeting.' Forty-eight hours later, her crisis was ancient history; a testament to EO's on-demand lifeline for founders. Welcome to the age of strategic solitude-busting, where 45% of entrepreneurs report stress levels that make Wall Street traders look zen, and isolation has become as common as AI-generated headshots. With business failures hitting record highs (November 2024 saw 1,442 Australian companies flatline, the worst month in recorded history), the question isn't whether entrepreneurs need peer support, but whether they can afford to network with anything less than the A-list. The Loneliness Epidemic Recent sentiment analyses of thousands of online forums reveal founders oscillating between existential dread and Navy SEAL–level coping strategies. Yet 70% of new business opportunities still emerge from networking, making isolation not just emotionally devastating but financially suicidal. The stats paint a picture grimmer than a Succession season finale. Half of CEOs feel lonelier than a crypto evangelist at a climate summit, while 82% of entrepreneurs deem mentorship as essential as wifi. The remedy? Five networking powerhouses that have turned peer support from transactional glad-handing into transformational strategy. 1. Entrepreneurs' Organisation: The Led Zeppelin of Business Networks With nearly 20,000 members across 220 chapters, including 17 across Asia Pacific, EO has achieved global relevance without sacrificing intimate authenticity. This year's Global Leadership Conference in Hawaii drew 1,600 entrepreneurs from 60 countries, featuring globally-recognised luminaries from Deepak Chopra to Marcus Lemonis, making Davos look quaint. EO's signature Forums unite 8–12 founders monthly under stricter confidentiality than a Supreme Court leak investigation. 'In EO, you learn to ask the tough questions and listen for your own answers,' explains EO's Asia Pacific Chair, sounding more like she's describing enlightenment than networking. Beyond peer counsel, EO's partnerships with Harvard, MIT, and Bond University offer executive education that costs less than YPO's dues while delivering Ivy League credentials. Its upcoming 'EO Fun Japan 2025' in Osaka will coincide with the World Expo, proving that even global learning can be Instagram-worthy. 2. Young Presidents' Organisation: An Exclusive Club with an Expiration Date YPO operates like a velvet-rope nightclub, where the bouncer checks your P&L instead of your ID. With CEOs and Executives who must be under 45 prior to joining and represent companies generating $15 million or more annually, it's the ultimate achievement badge for overachievers. YPO's EDGE conference in Barcelona attracted 2,200 leaders to dissect fractured geopolitics, essential for CEOs managing complex supply chains. But YPO's age gate sparks expiration-date anxiety that makes midlife crises look cheerful. Members face an awkward transition to 'Gold' status at 46, trimming benefits and sparking membership whiplash. Its annual dues surpass EO, and with the age limit firmly in place, membership is tantamount to leasing a mega-bucks super car with a 10,000-kilometre cap. 3. Club of United Business: Australia's Soho House for Startups When Daniel Hakim launched CUB at 23, he blended festival cool with Gold Coast glamour, complete with marble baristas and luxury locker rooms. Nine years later, his empire boasts 23,000 members across Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane, with clubhouse openings timed to major international events. 'It's not your father's golf club,' Hakim has said previously, offering concierge-level networking for $9,900 AUD a year. But without EO's global lattice or YPO's legacy planning, CUB can feel like a luxury boutique, irresistible within Australia but limited for founders eyeing international scale. 4. Business Network International: An Impressive Network BNI has engineered networking into a super clever algorithm. Its 330,000+ members across 11,200 chapters generated $25.2 billion in member-to-member referrals in 2024, under a 'one profession per chapter' rule stricter than Olympic doping tests. Weekly meetings run like accountability boot camps, best for service-based entrepreneurs craving instant ROI rather than transformational growth. At about $2,500 USD annually, BNI delivers transactional networking with measurable dividends, but its transactional zeal can leave growth-hungry founders wanting deeper counsel. 5. The Executive Centre: Workspace with Serendipity on Tap TEC offers premium coworking from $400 USD per month, spanning 150+ global locations from Singapore to London. Its harbour-view lounges and barista-grade coffee foster chance encounters that can spark partnerships, but without curated peer forums or confidentiality protocols, TEC remains a workspace theatre, not a true advisory network. Robert How, TEC's Australia Country Director, touts double-digit revenue growth and expansion across financial districts. The Verdict: EO Reigns Supreme in 2025 In a world awash with AI-powered match-making apps and virtual business conferences, EO's decidedly human approach feels both revolutionary and timeless. While competitors focus on demographics, amenities, or referral volume, EO tackles the root cause of entrepreneurial failure (isolation) through confidential Forums that forge psychological safety nets stronger than any algorithm. It's not-for-profit structure channels every dollar back into member value instead of shareholder dividends, fostering peer environments where founders share vulnerabilities without commercial agendas. From Serengeti sunrise treks to Harvard case studies, EO blends professional rigour with personal renewal with a holistic model that others struggle to replicate. As entrepreneurs navigate AI disruption, supply-chain shocks, and global volatility, choosing the right network isn't about prestige or perks; it's about survival. EO's blend of global reach, founder-for-founder empathy, and transformational learning creates the lifeline that turns isolation into connection, one Forum at a time. In 2025, settling for anything less than EO isn't just short-sighted. It's entrepreneurial malpractice.
