Slauson & Co.

OUR SLAUSON STORY. Allow us to re-introduce ourselves, share a bit about where we’ve been, where we’re going and who’s on the journey alongside us. Grateful for the company we keep. ?? https://lnkd.in/gkywW5b8

So what’s the difference between Pre-Seed vs. Seed Stage? At a recent Slauson Spaces panel, our Investment Principal, Jesús Salas, shared his expertise on how investors define pre-seed vs seed-stage rounds. Key Insights from Jesús Salas: ?? Pre-Seed vs. Seed: *While each firm has its own definitions and criteria, here’s how Slauson & Co. defines the two ??Pre-Seed: Raising $750K - $2M at a valuation of $5M - $10M Company focus should be on early traction, like initial revenue and product development. ??Seed: Raising $2M - $4M at a valuation of $10M - $20M+ Emphasis on scaling revenue and expanding the customer base. ??Tips for Founders: 1?? Inquire about an investor’s most recent deal and why they’re excited about it. The types of companies a firm invested in years ago may be very different from what they invest in now. 2?? Choose investors who share your vision and can add strategic value beyond capital. 3?? Have a clear roadmap with defined milestones. 4?? A talented team and product momentum is expected as you move from pre-seed to seed. 5?? Stay aware of broader economic conditions and their impact on your fundraising strategy. 6?? Explore grants, pitch competitions, crowdfunding, and business loans alongside venture capital. ?? Interested in learning more about round dynamics?? Check out our full discussion here: https://lnkd.in/gWHaVWDf ?? Have Questions or Topic Suggestions??? Drop them in the comments below. We created Slauson Spaces to help founders demystify the startup landscape and gain the insights they need to succeed.

Slauson in Houston, Texas. Last week, we had the pleasure of hosting founders, operators, and venture capitalists at the newly opened Pressed Roots blowout bar in Houston. It was a fun and intimate networking event filled with connection, empowerment, and pampering. 20 lucky attendees received complimentary blowouts from the amazing Pressed Roots team. A huge thank you to our partners Black Women in Venture Capital and SVB for their sponsorship and support. This event served as a reminder of the magic that happens when we create inclusive spaces.

Applying for jobs shouldn't be a full-time job. Traditional job recruiting can be incredibly frustrating and time-consuming—especially for hourly workers who often face unnecessary barriers like lengthy applications and misleading job listings that aren't even accurate for their location. Our portfolio company, Gigs, is working to change that. As Gigs’s founder Allen Narcisse put it: “We want to make it as simple as possible. Put the job on the phone, get rid of the resume, get rid of the application, and help the job seeker showcase their skills. And then show them the jobs that they actually qualify for so they can hear back and be successful.” Here's what sets Gigs apart: ??Simplified Job Search ? By focusing on mobile accessibility and user-friendly design, Gigs makes it easy for job seekers to find and apply for jobs directly from their phones, even on the go. ?? Transparency? Gigs believes in honesty and clarity. It enables companies to detail job roles comprehensively so job seekers fully understand the requirements and how they fit. ?? Smart Job Matching ?? Using an advanced matching algorithm, Gigs connects job seekers with positions that resonate with their skills and experiences. The system learns from a job seeker’s preferences, making every click more productive than the last. ?? Time-Saving Features Job seekers can apply to up to 40 jobs with just one application form. After adding multiple jobs to a 'cart,' Gigs will auto-apply to all selected jobs. This allows job seekers to spend more time preparing for interviews instead of filling out repetitive applications. ??In what ways do you think technology can further improve the job search process for hourly workers? ?? Watch the full Slauson Story to learn more about Gigs and their journey: https://lnkd.in/geAdmVZY ?? Explore Gigs here: https://getgigs.co/?

It’s amazing to watch A-Frame Brands grow as a platform developing game changing products, but helping a retailer as massive as B&BW expand to an entirely new category is next level. Watch this team ?? they are just getting started…

Securing an investor meeting is very exciting. But how do you know if they are the right partner for you? At a recent Slauson Spaces event, Bags Co-founder and CEO Daniel Taylor shared insights on how founders can identify aligned investors. Key Takeaways for Founders: ?? Understand Your Investor Audience ??Background: What's the firm’s investment strategy? Are they actively deploying capital? Which fund are they on? ??Investment Focus: What sectors or industries do they invest in? Is it aligned with what you’re building? ??Recent Investments: What was their most recent investment? Why did they invest? ??Check Size & Ownership: What is their typical check size and target ownership? This helps determine if they are lead or follow-on investors. ?? Why These Questions Matter: Alignment: Ensure there's synergy in industry, stage, and funding needs before pitching. Networking: Even if they’re not a fit, they might connect you with someone who is. ??? Additional tips: Do Your Research: Identify aligned investors early to save time. Tailor Your Pitch: Prepare different versions based on an investor’s focus. Leverage Referrals: warm introductions can help establish credibility. ?? Check out our full Slauson Spaces videos on YouTube for more expert insights: https://lnkd.in/gwEwGX59 ?? Stay tuned for the next session. ?? Have questions or topic suggestions? Drop them in the comments below.

Is it even financially viable to live on your own? In 2024, the average cost of living for a single person in the U.S. is $77,280. Yet the average starting salary for recent college grads is $68,516. ?? As Gen Z would say, “the math is not mathing”, leaving many new graduates in this generation to rethink what "adulting" and financial independence look like after college. In the first installment of Gen Z from the Block, our resident Gen Z duo, Aileen Kim and Clarissa K., dove into the trend of changing family structures and how they're navigating their decision to live at home post-college. Here are some of the discussion highlights: ?? For many in this generation, staying at home isn’t a sign of “laziness” or “entitlement” It’s a practical choice driven by skyrocketing rent, student loans, and a desire to build financial stability. COVID-19 helped destigmatize this choice, but for families where multigenerational living has long been part of their culture, this trend is simply a return to familiar roots. ?? Gen Z's impact on consumer behavior is just beginning A quarter of all adults ages 25 to 34 now live in a multigenerational household. As Gen Z seeks to balance independence with financial health, they're reshaping the demand for new housing and financial solutions that will set them up for success. ?? What are your thoughts on this trend? And what are some companies already building innovative solutions in these areas? ?? For more insights, check out our 2030 research: https://lnkd.in/gzYQ2gA7 ?? ??? Watch the full discussion here: https://lnkd.in/gZAU2NiW?

?In just six years, demographic and lifestyle trends will dramatically reshape consumer demands.? Here’s what we’re tracking at Slauson & Co. as part of our 2030 research: ??The Rise of the SHEconomy? By 2030, 45% of women in the U.S. will have increased disposable income and flexibility, driven by delayed marriage and motherhood. These women are not only closing the gender pay gap but are also outspending the average household. Their growing economic influence is redefining the U.S. consumer wallet. ?? Pets are the “New Kids”? With a 37% increase in child-free couples and dog ownership projected to reach 45% of households, the demand for pet care is rising. We’re interested in startups meeting the evolving needs of pets and their devoted owners. ?? Flexible Living and Sustainable Housing Homeownership is declining, especially among younger demographics. As demand rises for flexible housing solutions, we see potential in co-living/co-working spaces and sustainable, ready-to-move-in homes. ?? A Shift Away from Car Ownership ?? With private car ownership set to drop by 80%, the future of transportation will center on efficient, affordable mass transit solutions. Startups creating reliable, eco-friendly alternatives will be critical players in the new mobility landscape. What are your thoughts on these trends? And what are some companies already building innovative solutions in these areas? ?? For more insights, check out our full research here: https://lnkd.in/gzYQ2gA7?

Heading to the Recurring Revenue Conference: Scaling SaaS & Subscription Businesses in Culver City? Don’t miss the Breakout Session on Startup Fundraising led by our Head of Platform, Brittany Crockett, alongside Kameale C. Terry, Co-Founder and CEO of ChargerHelp! Join 500+ top founders, executives, investors, and SaaS experts for an action-packed day filled with fireside chats, panels, keynotes, breakout sessions, interactive roundtables, and a fun cocktail party to wrap it all up. Special Offer for Startup CEOs: Register for a discounted rate of $99 - Head to https://lnkd.in/dBwJV4vQ, select Early Stage Founders, and use promo code "RockstarFounder" at checkout. Limited availability.

Slauson Slack: sharing an inside view into what piques our interest and what our team members shared with each other recently: Advancements in AR over VR by Austin Clements: ? https://lnkd.in/gR9rmMBe Robot aestheticians?? by Miki Reynolds: https://lnkd.in/gKV2_UZ5 Google’s new AI podcast by Aileen Kim: https://lnkd.in/gU2GWzRf Slauson Sounds Vol. 5 Coming Soon…with new artwork by Brandon Edler: https://lnkd.in/gTiNcUFc? ? Amazing news of technology in medicine by Clarissa K.:?? https://lnkd.in/gcZVbhDC What are some interesting things you came across recently? Share it in the comments below ???