Paragraph

To say we’re excited about everything happening this week would be an understatement. Thank you to everyone who joined us for our launch party last night! Also, if you weren't aware, there is so much more to explore this week—you won’t want to miss it! #InnovationWeek #bloomingtonstartups #TheForge #TradesDistrict

?? Exciting news: Paragraph has been awarded the Trailblazer Award in VC Lab’s Cohort 15! VC Lab’s global recognition as a top accelerator for venture capital is a huge honor for us. Special thanks to our partners Michelle Cole & Mike Trotzke for their commitment to supporting founders in meaningful, sustainable ways. Together, we’re not just funding companies—we’re empowering bold ideas and transforming futures. *Launched in early 2020 to change venture capital into a force for good, VC Lab is powered by Decile Group. VC Lab is a venture capital accelerator guided by?the Mensarius Oath?(https://lnkd.in/eBzYcYKF) and is headquartered in Palo Alto, CA. #TrailblazerAward #VCLab #VentureCapital #Founders #Innovation #Impact

Hearing these stories of loss can be challenging, but we NEVER tire of learning about the brave employees stepping up to make a difference and drive change in their organizations! #changemaker #hr #futureofwork #empathyatwork

The Crossroads Pitch Competition is coming up, and it’s going to be a fantastic event for anyone interested in the future of Indiana startups. Our very own Michelle Cole from Paragraph will be judging, along with some other incredible friends and mentors. Come cheer on these bold entrepreneurs, get inspired by new ideas, and connect with amazing people. Don’t miss out! #CrossroadsPitch #Startups #futureofwork #indiana

Join us for Innovation Week at The Mill, "where creativity, entrepreneurship, and innovation collide during Global Entrepreneurship Week." We would love to connect the week of November 17th! Whether you're a tech enthusiast, startup founder, or just curious about what’s happening in the world of innovation, we'd love to see you! Let’s meet up, share ideas, and maybe even collaborate. Who's in? ?? Innovation Week | 11/17-11/23 More info here: https://lnkd.in/geWmeaVj

We're big fans of nice, soft T-shirts—and even bigger fans of creating things ourselves. These hand-screened tees (by Brad Wisler) are just the beginning of many more limited release designs. And... wait until you see where we're going to store it all. Stay tuned for more news on our office space in the coming months! If you're coming to Bloomington anytime soon, let us know. We would love to show you around the Trades District to get a glimpse of all the exciting projects currently underway. #handmade #founders #swag #screenprinting #venturestudio

"At Paragraph, we focus on more than just software; we're dedicated to changing the relationship between enterprises and their employees." – Brad Wisler, General Partner We build side-by-side with our founders because we believe in what they're doing and are passionate about changing the future of work. ?? ––– The Paragraph partners had a chance to share more about our vision at Collide. This monthly event at The Mill (https://lnkd.in/gyXag7m4) includes a fireside chat with a startup expert — someone in leadership or venture capital — and features a pitch from a local founder. More About Paragraph: Our team of designers, marketers, engineers, and operators work alongside founders to create brands, write code, and drive growth. This hands-on approach means?we aren’t just supporting characters, we change the arc of our founders’ stories. #futureofwork #founders #venturestudio #innovation #entrepreneurship

In the hustle of a busy day, our post for World Mental Health Day was delayed. We believe it's important to keep discussing the challenges many of us are facing, so we want to share it, even if it's a day late! On World Mental Health Day, we pause to acknowledge those who have faced extreme hardships—the loss of a loved one or a personal struggle with mental health. The weight of grief and emotional challenges can feel overwhelming, but there’s hope in knowing we don’t have to face these battles alone. For those who are grieving or navigating mental health challenges, please remember: your strength lies not only in carrying the pain but also in how you rise above it. Finding resilience in these moments can come from the most unexpected places, including the courage to start something entirely new. Whether it's building a company, launching a movement, or creating something meaningful for yourself and others, creating something new can bring purpose and healing.?Even taking a small step—a new routine, a new idea, or just a new habit—can be the start of something bigger than you imagine. If you're struggling, reach out for help, share your story, and remember that sometimes, the most profound healing comes from creating something new from the ashes of adversity. You are not alone, and your journey toward resilience and empowerment can inspire others. Let’s continue to support one another on this journey. ?? Research on Entrepreneurs' health: https://lnkd.in/gMJF8jc4 #MentalHealthAwareness #Resilience #Empowerment #Purpose #Entrepreneurship #WorldMentalHealthAwarenessDay

?? Taking Your Customer Discovery to the Next Level: Our Top Tips If you’ve been in the startup world for any amount of time, you’ve probably heard this on repeat: customer discovery is essential. But here’s the reality—too many founders get stuck at the surface level, or worse, build a product to validate their own ideas. That’s why so many products miss the mark. In our experience building and scaling multiple businesses, customer discovery isn’t about checking boxes or confirming what you think you already know. It’s about digging deep—asking the tough questions, being open to feedback, and pivoting when needed based on real insights. The more you understand your customers’ needs, the better you’ll be positioned to build something they actually care about. The goal isn’t just to collect feedback—it’s to act on it in a way that drives your product's evolution. ? 4 Ways to Maximize Your Customer Discovery ? 1?? Start With a Smoke Test Before committing to development, test the waters with a simple landing page that outlines your offering. Run low-cost ads to gauge interest—do people sign up or pre-order? This gives you a quick read on market demand and prevents costly mistakes before you even build. Resource: https://lnkd.in/exWWnQ7K 2?? Track Engagement on Unbuilt Features Implement non-functional features or buttons on your site to measure user interest. Track clicks and interactions to identify what your users are really drawn to. Use this data to decide which features to prioritize and build out. Resource: https://lnkd.in/ejfKm6qf 3?? Engage With Real Customers Early It’s tempting to rely on feedback from friends or your internal team, but it’s critical to talk to your target audience. Ask them open-ended questions about their pain points. This will help you refine your product and messaging to ensure you're solving actual problems. Resource: https://lnkd.in/esUjXdsW 4?? Test Wording & Ad Copy Run A/B tests on your ads and site copy to see what resonates with your audience. Tools like Product Fruits or Hopscotch make this easy, and you can use the data to guide your marketing strategy and product development. Testing eliminates the guesswork and helps you avoid acting on assumptions. Resource: https://lnkd.in/eUJr7mw Remember, successful founders go beyond surface-level customer discovery. They listen, adapt, and build with real data. Ready to take your startup to the next level? Let’s go! #FounderSuccess #CustomerDiscovery #StartupTips #InvestorAdvice #ProblemSolving #StartupInsights #CustomerDiscovery #Entrepreneurship #ProductValidation #PracticalAction

Ever wondered how some startups scale faster and more successfully? The venture studio model is revolutionizing startup success. Curious about venture studios? Here are 5 ways venture studios are changing the game: 1?? Built-In Resources Traditional VCs offer funding and advice, but venture studios go a step further by providing in-house resources from day one. From product design to marketing and legal support, startups get access to dedicated resources that help navigate the early challenges. Some studios, like Paragraph, even provide the engineers needed to build products. 2?? Faster Time to Market With the studio model, startups secure seed funding twice as fast and exit 33% quicker than independent startups (InNiches, 2023). Traditional VC-backed startups often have to build their teams and operations from scratch, slowing their trajectory. On the other hand, studios provide shared infrastructure and resources, dramatically reducing the time it takes to go from concept to market. 3?? Higher Success Rates Startups launched via venture studios have a 30% higher success rate compared to traditional startups (GSSN, 2022). With hands-on operational support, studios help founders avoid common mistakes and validate their ideas early to ensure product-market fit. 4?? Aligned Incentives In the studio model, the venture studio team holds equity in the startup, meaning the studio is more invested in the company’s success. Unlike traditional agency partners, whose business models depend on maximizing billable services, studios are incentivized to work alongside the founders to build enterprise value. 5?? Repeatable, Scalable Process Venture studios use a repeatable process to launch multiple startups, learning from each one. This enables them to refine their approach and provide founders with a tested playbook for success, reducing risk and boosting scalability. Curious about how a venture studio can work for you? Explore more at www.paragraph.ventures and connect with us to discuss your startup journey. Sources: InNiches. 2023. "Startup studios secure seed funding twice as fast and exit 33% faster than independent startups." https://lnkd.in/dutvAHri. Global Startup Studio Network (GSSN). 2022 Report. #VentureStudio #StartupSuccess #Entrepreneurship #Innovation #VentureCapital #FutureOfWork