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Sramana Mitra

The 1Mby1M Methodology is based on case studies. In this course, Sramana Mitra shares the tribal knowledge of tech entrepreneurs by giving students the rare seat at the table with the entrepreneurs, investors and thought leaders who provide the most instructive perspectives on how to build a thriving business. Through these conversations, students gain access to case studies exploring the alleys of entrepreneurship. Sramana’s synthesis of key learnings and incisive analysis add great depth to each discussion.

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The 1Mby1M Methodology is based on case studies. In this course, Sramana Mitra shares the tribal knowledge of tech entrepreneurs by giving students the rare seat at the table with the entrepreneurs, investors and thought leaders who provide the most instructive perspectives on how to build a thriving business. Through these conversations, students gain access to case studies exploring the alleys of entrepreneurship. Sramana’s synthesis of key learnings and incisive analysis add great depth to each discussion.

Raising money is a low probability game. You need to understand how investors think to be able to raise money successfully for your startup.

During this course, I will be teaching how post-seed and pre-Series A investors think about and analyze startups. We will have in-depth conversations around startups with several real world investors.

Designed for tech entrepreneurs and aspiring entrepreneurs interested in the post-seed and pre-Series A stages of financing startups, this course provides insights into the minds of several investors operating in this space for many years in their own words.

As you may have already learned in my courses, the early stage investment ecosystem has fragmented, it’s no longer just seed and Series A. The seed part has fragmented into a 5-stage process, spanning pre-seed, seed, post-seed, pre-Series A, small Series A, big Series A.

In this course, we will do a deep dive into the post-seed and pre-Series A investment eco-system and talk to our investor friends about what they’re looking for.

If you want introductions to Angels and VCs, a fundable and validated business is a must.

A fundable business with warm introductions is the fastest way to get funded. We can introduce you to angels and VCs, if your idea is fundable and validated. Sadly, less than 1% of businesses are fundable. What that means is more than 99% of the entrepreneurs waste their energy on pitching their unfundable businesses to investors. Hugely unproductive and unhealthy.

There is a reason why savvy entrepreneurs have been using the Bootstrap First, Raise Money Later strategy.

Generation after generation of entrepreneurs have used bootstrapping to get to a fundable stage, so they can call the shots at the negotiation table with their potential investors.

This course is designed to help such entrepreneurs understand the thought process of post-seed and pre-Series A investors.

The 1Mby1M courses are all heavily based on interview-based case studies on Innovation, Business Models, Go To Market Strategies, Validation Principles, and various other nuances of an entrepreneur's journey. We offer extensive opportunities for entrepreneurs to learn the lessons from the trenches from successful entrepreneurs who have done it before and Investors who support their ambition.

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What's inside

Learning objectives

  • Through in-depth interviews with active investors, learn why 99% of entrepreneurs who seek funding get rejected.
  • What investor-entrepreneur fit is and how to look for it before seeking funding.
  • Which trends, new innovations and business models investors are most likely to fund.
  • What the proof points are that investors look for before they write a check.
  • How to go to vcs as kings, not beggars.
  • How to get warm introductions to the right investors at the right time, rather than wasting your time on investor meetings that will never convert and endure th
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Syllabus

How investors active in post-seed and Series A stage of financing think about and analyze startups.
Introduction
How Post-Seed and Pre-Series A Investors Think About Startups
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Entrepreneur - Investor Fit

Cindy Padnos, Founder and Managing Partner at Illuminate Ventures, discusses a topic that we highlight: the need for multiple seed rounds as a way to bridge the Series A gap. This conversation is from 2017, and the next lecture is of our more recent discussion.

Cindy Padnos, Founder and Managing Director at Illuminate Ventures, discusses the impact of Covid on the fund’s portfolio, as well as trends she sees.

Raoul Maier is Founder and Managing Partner at Eudemian Ventures, a fund focused on post-seed investment in North America.

Nick Adams is Managing Partner and Co-founder at Differential Ventures, an enterprise focused firm. We discuss counter-cyclical ventures.

Sunil Bhargava, Founder and Managing Partner, Tandem Capital, helps us explore the difference between post-seed and pre-Series A financing.

Krishnakumar Natarajan, Co-founder of Mela Ventures, and former CEO of MindTree, discusses the Indian Venture ecosystem.

Daniel Ibri, Co-founder and Managing Partner at Mindset Ventures, talks about his firm’s investment thesis in enabling US and Israeli companies to enter Brazil during this podcast interview.

What is a Fair Deal in Seed Funding?
Next steps.

Please pick your favorite case studies from the course and run them through a validation and positioning exercise. Use the 1Mby1M Self-Assessment questionnaire and try to answer each question in it.

Bonus Lecture

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Save Post-Seed and Pre-Series A VCs On Startups w Sramana Mitra to your list so you can find it easily later:
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Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Post-Seed and Pre-Series A VCs On Startups w Sramana Mitra with these activities:
Review Startup Valuation Methods
Strengthen your understanding of how startups are valued at the post-seed and pre-Series A stages. This will help you better understand investor perspectives.
Browse courses on Startup Valuation
Show steps
  • Research common startup valuation techniques.
  • Practice applying these techniques to sample startups.
Read 'Venture Deals: Be Smarter Than Your Lawyer and Venture Capitalist'
Gain a deeper understanding of the venture capital deal-making process. This will help you navigate negotiations and secure favorable terms for your startup.
Show steps
  • Read the book carefully, taking notes on key concepts.
  • Reflect on how the concepts apply to your own startup.
Write a Blog Post on Investor-Entrepreneur Fit
Solidify your understanding of investor-entrepreneur fit by writing a blog post on the topic. This will help you articulate the importance of finding the right investors for your startup.
Show steps
  • Research the concept of investor-entrepreneur fit.
  • Outline the key elements of a successful fit.
  • Write a clear and concise blog post.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Create a Financial Model for Your Startup
Develop a detailed financial model to project your startup's future performance. This will help you demonstrate your understanding of your business and attract investor interest.
Show steps
  • Gather data on your startup's revenue, expenses, and growth rate.
  • Build a financial model that projects your startup's future performance.
  • Analyze your financial model and identify key drivers of growth.
Develop an Investor Pitch Deck
Craft a compelling pitch deck tailored for post-seed and pre-Series A investors. This will help you articulate your startup's value proposition and attract funding.
Show steps
  • Research what information investors expect to see.
  • Create a visually appealing and informative presentation.
  • Practice delivering your pitch to potential investors or mentors.
Attend Startup Investor Events
Connect with post-seed and pre-Series A investors at startup events. This will help you build relationships and learn about their investment criteria.
Show steps
  • Identify relevant startup events in your area.
  • Prepare a brief introduction of yourself and your startup.
  • Network with investors and other entrepreneurs.
Read 'The Hard Thing About Hard Things' by Ben Horowitz
Gain insights into the challenges of building a startup and how to overcome them. This will help you prepare for the realities of entrepreneurship and build a more resilient company.
Show steps
  • Read the book and reflect on the lessons learned.
  • Consider how the advice applies to your own startup.

Career center

Learners who complete Post-Seed and Pre-Series A VCs On Startups w Sramana Mitra will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Reading list

We've selected two books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Post-Seed and Pre-Series A VCs On Startups w Sramana Mitra.
Provides a comprehensive guide to venture capital deals, covering term sheets, valuation, and negotiation strategies. It's particularly useful for entrepreneurs seeking post-seed and pre-Series A funding, as it helps them understand the investor's perspective and navigate the fundraising process effectively. It is commonly used as a textbook in entrepreneurship programs.
Provides practical advice on the challenges of building and managing a startup, covering topics such as firing friends, dealing with competition, and making tough decisions. It's relevant to the course as it offers insights into the real-world challenges that entrepreneurs face, helping them prepare for the difficult aspects of building a business. This book is commonly used as a textbook in entrepreneurship programs.

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