Highlights for Entrepreneurs (09/21/23)

Wishing good holidays to?all my Jewish friends out there. Best wishes for a happy, healthy year (sorry I'm late).

Congratulations to all the folks Bevz (one of my clients) on closing a $3.1m Seed funding round. I can't wait to see them put this to good use. And somewhat unrelated, it seems that the IPO window has reopened for tech.

Before getting to the resources, I want to highlight this particular FREE online course;?I took it several years ago and found it very?interesting and informative about understanding VC and startups:

Venture Deals/Techstars: Venture Deals Course (Online Free Start date TBD) : I believe?there are 6 or 7 weeks of classes;?Venture Deals is a self-paced, “learn-by-doing”, online course that includes educational videos from diverse investors who provide real and raw advice, knowledge, and insight to raising venture capital, as well as additional resources, tools, and a course Guide to support your learning

I've noticed several newsletters now being distributed via LinkedIn...I posted the first edition of this one four weeks ago and picked up quite a few subscribers (thank you!)??If you'd like to receive this via email, just let me know. I hope you're enjoying the information and the music selections

Here are this?week's resources for you to check out and some music you might like.?Get in touch if you have any feedback,?sources or possible interested?readers!? If you know of any?upcoming events, please pass them along too! Until next week,?be safe and healthy!?

...?and take some time to care for yourself!

Paul?

1)?LA Tech Wind-Down: Venice (In Person Sep 22)

- Looks like this might be an interesting networking event; if you go let me know how it went so I can track it again?

2)?Happy Hour: Tech Networking - Studio City! (In Person Sep 25)

- "Please join us again for our THIRD Studio City Event, 2nd event at The Village, Ventura Boulevard, Studio City, CA, as we bring the thriving tech community of Los Angeles together again!"?

3)?Paradigm Talks: Investors & Entrepreneurs in Los Angeles (In Person Sep 26 $$)

-?a networking event for entrepreneurs, private investors and corporate finance professionals. Startup companies pitch for investment and this is followed by networking over drinks.?

4)?Expert Dojo: Ask An Investor (In person Sep 26)

- "Join us for an engaging discussion as we bring in some of the top angels in Santa Monica to answer all questions on angel investing in todays climate!?"

5)?500 Startups: Managing Investor Expectations - Navigating Emerging Markets (Webcast Sep 27)

- Thinking of going international? Discover the potential of emerging markets, and how to tap into it and more?

6)?Pepperdine: Most Fundable Companies Showcase 2023 (Virtual & In Person Sep 28)

-?The showcase will introduce you to this incredible set of companies for the first time, and kicks off a series of opportunities to interact with the winners?

7)?Mucker: How Startups Can Develop a Positioning Strategy To Create a Lasting Brand (Zoom Sep 28)

-?Join the next Mucker Growth Webinar as Rosabel Tao, long-time positioning expert and Principal at brand advisory firm Fire & Bridge, shares actionable frameworks and best practices

8)?Techstars: Spring 2024 Applications Open (Applications Due Nov '23)

- "scale your startup with Techstars' proven model?that has helped build thousands of successful companies with unprecedented access to?capital, mentorship, and our global network."

9)?Hello Advisr: How Subscription Pricing Transformed the Business Model (Article)

- Read all about the evolution of subscription pricing from HelloAdvisr

10)?YCombinator: Dalton & Michael: Why You Shouldn't Copy Your Tech Idols (Webcast)

- It’s hard not to give advice when you’re successful, but context matters. Is the person giving advice thinking about all the steps they followed in the early parts of their career, or just what’s possible for them today because of those steps?

11)?The Saas CFO: Quantifying Investments in Customer Success and Retention (Article)

-?To better understand your Customer Success effort, use this article for an analysis of the metrics and financial statement placement. Not just for CFO's but provided by The SaaS CFO.

12)?Saastr: Dear SaaStr: What Percentage of Shares Should Be Set Aside for Employee Equity? (Article)

- Please be very mindful of how you allocate equity for your employees. This article has some tips

13)?Lighter Capital: How To Manage Your SaaS Startup’s Cash Burn Rate (Article)

-?Calculating and managing your startup’s cash burn rate are fundamental to growing a healthy SaaS business, regardless of whether you want to keep expanding or secure a successful exit.??

14)?Chris Neumann: FIND YOUR RECHARGE (Article)

- Running a startup is hard...don't forget to take care of yourself and recharge somehow??

15)?Pitching Angels: 5 Key Findings on Valuations and Funding of Early Stage Startups in a New Report from Carta (Article)

- Analysis of Carta data between 2022 and 2023; skewed because of changes in Carta base but interesting nevertheless?

Some Musical Diversions???:

This Week's Treat:?

Goose - Autumn Crossing

Is it Jam Band or Prog Rock? Who cares, it's 17 minutes of good, interesting music

...and something else:??

D'VIRGILIO, MORSE & JENNINGS - Anywhere the Wind Blows

Speaking of Prog, 2 of these 3 guys led Spock's Beard - and many other bands - but this is an acoustic, harmony based sound. What do you think?

Just for fun:

Recordare from Mozart's Jazz Requiem by The Queen's Cartoonists

Sort of modern cartoon music, but stands well on it's own

This week's cover:?

Amy Winehouse - All My Loving (Beatles Cover)

Great seeing and hearing Amy without high hair or heavy makeup. Very jazz-influenced version

___________________

Paul G. Shapiro, CPA

Startup Consultant

Santa Monica, CA

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BELOW THE FOLD

If you ever want to?unsubscribe, just send me a note.

If you see anything in your own reading that you think is worth sharing, please send it?my way. Also, if you know anyone else who might?be interested in this content, send me their email and I'll add them to the distro.

My JDRF Los Angeles Chapter Plug:?

I've raised over $10,000 for my JDRF 100 mile Ride so far!? Can I count on you for support of this great cause??

We normally raise money for the JDRF Walk but this year, we're putting all of our support into the JDRF Ride.? Depending on my injury recovery, I plan to be riding my 8th 100 mile ride this fall.? If you can, please make a donation of any amount at this link:?Click this link to donate to my JDRF Ride ?for 2023. These funds are used for Type 1 diabetes research (my daughter has had T1d since 2002)??

We were able to raise almost $30,000 for the 2022 Walk -?thanks to everyone who donated in the past AND in 2023!

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In Case You Missed?Last Week's Edition:

09/14/23:?

Hello! I've been?enjoying getting together with people in person more often, especially one-to-one, both old and new?friends, founders and not. If you'd like to set up a meeting, don't hesitate to contact me directly.

I've noticed several newsletters now being distributed via LinkedIn...I posted the first edition of this one three weeks ago and picked up quite a few subscribers (thank you!)??If you'd like to receive this via email, just let me know. I hope you're enjoying the information and the music selections.

Here are this?week's resources for you to check out.?Get in touch if you have any feedback,?sources or possible interested?readers!? If you know of any?upcoming events, please pass them along too! Until next week,?be safe and healthy!?

...?and take some time to care for yourself!

Paul?

1)?Stripe: How to grow revenue 10.5% by optimizing your checkout (Webcast Sep 19)

- For Stripe users (or prospects): will explain how improving your checkout experience creates a competitive advantage and maximizes revenue.

2)?Nasdaq Entrepreneurial Center: Navigating Fortune 100 Collaboration for Early-Stage Startups (Webcast Sep 19)

-?Discover effective strategies for establishing fruitful partnerships with Fortune 100 companies in Silicon Valley with Tomasz Kolodziejak.?

3)?Expert Dojo: Business Wars - The Future of Venture Investing With Venture Investors (In Person Sep 19)

- "wars discussion regarding the current state of venture capital globally."

4)?Harvard Alumni Entrepreneurs: Fundamentum: Building on Series A Foundations (Online Sep 20 $$)

- "Join us for an enlightening session on Series A funding and beyond with Taissa Maleh, General Partner at Expert Dojo."

5)?The Business Show (In Person Sep 20-21 Free Admission)

- (NOTE: I found out about this event through a LI message; I don't have any other info) The Business Show offers free advice and support for budding entrepreneurs and business owners. With over 300 exhibitors, 150 speakers and masterclasses and keynotes including Microsoft, GoDaddy, Google, Meta and Forbes Council

6)?Nasdaq Entrepreneurial Center: Thriving Together: Empowering Employees for Lasting Retention (Webcast Sep 22)

- Learn a comprehensive approach to understand what drives employees and how you can support their growth and wellbeing with BPM

7)?SoCal Venture Pipeline: AMA with Healthcare Investors: Wavemaker Three-Sixty Health and OCV Partners (Zoom Sep 26 - Free but registration approval required)

- This event series is for founders looking to level up their fundraising game and gain insights from investors and experts who can help SoCal founders prepare for fundraising.

8)?Entrepreneur: Overcoming Investor Pitch Anxiety (Webcast Sep 27)

- Delving deep into the psychology of pitch-related fears, this webinar will illuminate the common barriers that entrepreneurs face when stepping into the spotlight.??

RELATED: Startup Snapshot- The Untold Toll: The Impact of Stress on the Well-Being of Founders (Download Link Within)

- ?the emotional, cognitive and physical toll that founding and leading a start-up takes, is dangerously overlooked and rarely spoken about. This report is based on research from 400+ founders?

9)?Westside Digital Mix: Venice Edition (In Person Sep 28)

- "Join us for a fantastic kickoff to the fall season of WDM, as we once again convene a gathering of smart people talking about media, entertainment, technology, and more;"

10)?Recurring Revenue Conference - Registration (Live Nov 9: Mark your calendars)

- "..gain invaluable insights from three distinguished industry-leaders who have honed their expertise in the rapidly evolving world of SaaS and subscription-based businesses."?

11)?CFO Brew: Return to the office? Not so fast (Article)

- Struggling with the move from WFH to RTO? This article from CFO Brew will help make the transition work better.Take a "measured approach to remote work policies—one which addresses leaders’ concerns about productivity and culture while meeting employees’ desire for flexibility."

12)?? Mucker: Company Culture: How to Scale Without Losing Your Soul with Todd Emaus (Article/Video)

- Defining your culture is important, living it and communicating are important as well. Read/Watch to learn what NOT to do, and strategies to use to succeed

13)??Gust: How do startup Accelerators work? (Article)

- Part 1 from Gust on learning about Accelerators. I'm a mentor at the Stubbs Alderton Preccelerator - let me know if you want more info or an intro.

14)??Saastr: ChartMogul: The Best in SaaS Get to $10m ARR in 3 Years. The Next Best in About 5 Years. (Article)

- The BEST startup SaaS businesses need to reach $10m ARR in 3 years once they begin earning revenue. (The median take 5 years)??

15)??Startup Slack: Monthly Round Up September 2023 (Resources)

- newly launched discounts, modifications to existing discounts, relevant news from?their?vendor and partner networks, and more!

Some Musical Diversions???:

This Week's Treat:?

?Lauren Calve - Shift

Another new discovery via American UK

...and something else:??

Philip Bowen: Sweet, Honey ?

Just for fun:

?The Rolling Stones - Angry

Something new from The Stones with a fun video that may have been more appropriate in an earlier time

This week's cover:?

A Song for Leon (Tribute to Leon Russell)

I'm such a fan of Leon that I'm linking to the whole album. I also highly recommend listening to his own albums - he was a unique genius