??? This week at Fusion 42 #10

?? This week we started to niche down on the mission of Fusion 42. Focusing on why we set this up and how to achieve these goals? The mission is clear, to give founders access to experts 24/7 so they can get **it done in a fast and efficient way with salient and candid actionable advice.

The issues… engagement around relevant issues needs to be higher. I can’t believe so many startup founders join and never ask a question, it begs the questions why did they join?.

So the action over the coming weeks will be to identify relevant members and help them to engage in the group.

???We will cap the group at 750 members, with the amount of mentors / experts we have we can manage this.

???We will remove all unengaged accounts and service providers that joined to just opportunistically take and not give.

???We are building a full resource website where members will have to register to get full access to the community resource stack.

We grew too much!

?? 569 ???people from 58 countries ???saw the community pop by 21% this week.

?? The good

?? ?????Growth is amazing.

?? ?????The word is getting out and organic joiners are strong.

?? ?????There is a lot of value happening in the channels.

?? ?????Our Angel-X group is taking shape with the first members joining and a foundational portfolio coming together.

?? The bad

?? The right growth is though to manage. ?? The art of being salient and candid seems lost ??

???Reciprocity is what makes a group thrive but only exists in small doses.

?? The ugly

?? We had a few people that thought spamming group members in their DMs was acceptable and the right way to grow their business. Wrong, this behaviour in life as in this community begs the question, What is wrong with you?

?? Fusion 42 Weekly Roundup:

?? Networking & Collaboration:

This week we had startups us covering a multitude of solutions: Artificial Intelligence, Apps, Marketplace, Data analytics, Machine learning, Robotics, Digital infrastructure, Internet of Things (IoT), Cloud computing, Cybersecurity, E-commerce, Sustainable supply chain, Clean energy, Green manufacturing, Energy transition, Augmented reality, Virtual reality, Wearable computing, Big data, Predictive analytics, Automation, Risk management, Blockchain / DLT, Sports & Wellness, EnterpriseTech, Impact Investing, Future Of Work, HRTech, Remote Work Tools, Sustainable Food, AgriTech, Climate Tech, Entertainment, Business Intelligence, Credit & Lending, Personal Finance.

1. "Switched business model from cash to equity and finalized a new position as a Chief Revenue Officer. Now running multiple businesses."
2. "Had 3 investor meetings, secured commitments from LPs towards an early stage venture VC, and planning to work remotely for 3 weeks from a foreign country."
3. "Made significant strides in building a group, with clear roles and values for founders and investors. Appreciated those who helped refocus on the core vision for the community."
4. "Secured promising meetings for potential collaborations and partnerships. Content started resonating with people leading to an increase in requests for meetings. Made progress on family bonding and successfully made a scrumptious dish."
5. "Generated 15 leads in just 2 hours."
6. "Onboarded three projects with equity, hired three more resources for the marketing team, started a naturopathy journey, and made more than 10 new connections in various networks."
7. "Had a relaxing vacation with family and friends, seeing progress in MVP development, had three VC/Angel meetings, and connected with many interesting people both online and offline."
8. "Invited again by a major company to join their startup program to solve a problem they have. Also, published a tool and began noticing interest."
9. "Transitioned cash flow forecasting software from private to public beta."
10. "Successfully brought another angel-advisor on board and databased over 2,000 priority clients in anticipation of launch."
11. "I just finished the second round of interview and we are in for the final. I am following my gut and continuing to research thoroughly.”

??? "Ask Us Anything":

This weeks top questions:

1. Our new logo, It's OK, love it, Needs work, or hate it?
2. Does the investment history of investors serve as a clear signal of their interest in specific industries and sectors?
3. Should I focus on developing features to improve the retention of current subscribers?
4. Should I increase my marketing efforts? Should I hire a full-time dedicated marketing manager?
5. Can I offer value to my current subscribers through marketing materials that could also attract new leads?
6. Where should I allocate funds - hiring a marketing manager or developing more features? Or both?

?? Startup Validation & Refinement:

?? Go-to-Market, Customer / User success and Sales Strategies

Key point discussed in a very enthusiastic and bust thread

1. Go-To-Market (GTM) Preparation: Participants discussed creating a marketing campaign for a social platform and fine-tuning it based on customer profiling, lead management, and financial metrics.
2. GTM Consultation: Suggestions included setting clear objectives for user interaction and closely monitoring financial metrics.
3. Product Development: The team is updating their platform based on user feedback and planning for monetization.
4. Target Audience: The focus is on reaching students aged 18-24, primarily through universities.
5. Collaboration: Participants agreed on the importance of continued collaboration and shared strategic planning.
6. MVP and Testing: There was an emphasis on creating a Minimum Viable Product and finding suitable partners for testing.
7. User Acquisition: An on-ground strategy for engaging potential users directly was discussed.
8. User Metrics and Revenue Models: The team considered key user metrics and potential sustainable revenue models.
9. Expansion Plans: Participants were considering partnerships for regional expansion.
10. Market Entry Strategy: The discussion also included market entry strategies, competitive analysis, and pricing for new markets.

??? Tech & Resources:

1. A user asked about AI solutions that could generate tabular data from an input, such as a CRM CSV file. They were particularly interested in AI solutions that could generate synthetic data.
2. It was suggested that most large language models (LLMs) like GPT, Falcon, Bard, and Llama could generate data in tabular form. However, for large volumes of input, some problems might arise due to context window size.
3. The user clarified their need to generate synthetic data sets in large volumes.
4. Several alternatives were suggested. These included synthetic data platforms like Gretel.ai , Mostly.AI , Syntho, as well as developing a solution using PyTorch. Generative adversarial networks (GANs) were recommended for the task.
5. There was also a discussion about the high cost of developing an MVP with machine learning capabilities. It was suggested to the user to leverage platforms like Replit.com , which is described as 'Fiverr for developers', to source cheaper solutions.
6. The conversation then shifted to the use of open-source LLMs. A user provided a list of these models, their licenses, and source codes. There was a cautionary note about understanding the licenses well, particularly regarding the licensing of weights and requirements about derivative works.
7. The chat concluded with a discussion about a potential new Apple product related to auditory technology.

• The founder appreciated the advice and expressed interest in learning more about Apache Kafka.

?? Social Media Boost & Marketing:

Overall, the channel consisted of approximately 46+ boost requests posts and about 190+ instances of engagement.

?? Financial Mastery & Due Diligence Preparation:

?? ?????? ?? Investor Connect & Term Sheets and Negotiations:

1. The chat members discuss the funding landscape during the years 2020 and 2021, referring to it as a "bubble" that was often misunderstood. They highlight that more money was invested, but it was not necessarily easier to fundraise, especially as the growth of tech companies exceeded the growth of funded companies.
2. Members mention that some venture capital funds may not raise all the capital they aim for, and LPs (Limited Partners) can sometimes hold back on releasing capital. As a result, the funds may not deploy all the capital as quickly as founders would like.
3. The VCs (Venture Capitalists) are described as risk-averse, often choosing to invest large amounts in a few companies at the top of the pyramid instead of spreading smaller, riskier bets at the base of the pyramid.
4. Despite discussing the challenges, members express optimism and enthusiasm about the potential for success in the startup ecosystem, highlighting the importance of resilience and relentlessness in pursuing entrepreneurial goals.
5. Members share links to various articles related to venture capital, investment funds, and startup news. These articles cover topics such as new funds being launched, investments in specific sectors (e.g., mobility & transportation, future of commerce, metaverse projects), and successful fundraising rounds.
6. Several members express interest in the mobility & transportation space, discussing startups in that sector and seeking potential investors for their ventures.
7. There is a discussion about skills that every startup founder should possess, with resilience and relentless determination being emphasized as crucial attributes.
8. Some members share resources and books related to entrepreneurial skills and strategies.

?? Pitch Perfect & Investor Relations and Communication:

??This channel has been very active with a lot of requests. We are building solutions that will help founders across all levels.

?? Legal Support

?? Trend Watch:

1. Advancements in Robotics: The channel shared articles related to new master's and Ph.D. programs for robotics at Mohamed bin Zayed University of AI in Abu Dhabi, indicating a growing interest and investment in robotics education and research.
2. AI-Powered Pedestrian Crossings: Dubai Silicon Oasis installed 14 AI-powered pedestrian crossings, showcasing the use of AI technology to enhance pedestrian safety and traffic management.
3. Voice Biometrics Authentication: A UAE telecom provider introduced voice biometrics authentication for support lines, showcasing the adoption of AI-driven authentication methods in the telecommunications industry.
4. Debt Financing for Startups: The channel shared an article about debt financing emerging as a panacea for UAE startups to ward off painful down rounds by VCs, indicating a trend in alternative funding options for startups in the region.
5. Gender Diversity in Venture Capital: An article discussing efforts to bring 10,000 more women into venture capital was shared, highlighting a trend toward promoting gender diversity and inclusion in the investment landscape.

?? Growth Programs & Connections:

?? Well-being & Inclusivity:

We welcomed a new expert to run the channel this week:

1. Quality of life: A member shared thoughts on the true social and mental quality of a prolonged life, citing a grandfather's experience with loneliness at a very old age.
2. Importance of community: Discussions focused on the impact of loneliness and the need for stronger communities as people live longer.
3. Cryotherapy experience: A positive experience with cryotherapy was shared, emphasizing its benefits for sleep, aging, inflammation, and energy.
4. Posture and health: The group discussed the impact of poor posture on physical and mental health, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a natural and healthy posture.
5. Longevity and satisfaction: Considerations were made about potential trade-offs in living longer and how perceptions of emotions may change with age.
6. Healthspan vs. lifespan: The longevity movement's focus on increasing healthspan and reducing uncomfortable years was clarified.
7. Video on longevity: A visually explanatory video about longevity and its benefits was shared.
8. Mindfulness and emotional intelligence: The discussion highlighted the importance of mindfulness and emotional intelligence in maintaining good habits and avoiding self-sabotage. The book "The Big Leap" by Gay Hendricks was recommended.

?? Jobs and Perks Board:

1. Content Writer and Social Media Manager: A member expressed that they are a proficient writer and are looking for opportunities as a content writer or social media manager to improve their financial situation.
2. Financial Analyst/Consultant Position: A member shared that their friend, who has experience from top companies, including Delloite and BNB Paribas, is seeking new opportunities in the field of finance. Interested individuals can contact the member to receive the CV.
3. Marketing Specialist Position: A member posted a job opportunity in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, for a Marketing Specialist to work under the CMO in an AI accelerator program. The job involves marketing activities, analytics, PR, and liaison with the Saudi government. The use of AI is essential in the role.

Hey, Is anyone here using Notion? We got a fusion_42 deal for you.

Startups can apply to get up to 6 months free, including unlimited AI.

**Here’s the link and please DM me for the code. https://ntn.so/n2**

The benefit is ?? for you, it is not an affiliation offer where we get something .

?? PROMO channel:

♀? Female Founders:

The main discussion was about the startup founders' goals and needs, which included preparing for the launch of the product pilot phase, ensuring the branding is right, identifying the next product feature for post-pilot implementation, seeking guidance on generating interest from potential users before the go-live, and exploring ways to accelerate marketing, content creation, outreach, health practitioner recruiting, and community building with limited resources.

1. Support and Collaboration: The group discussed the benefits of group webinars and time management practices to work smarter. Members shared their startup ideas and offered support to each other in their entrepreneurial journeys.
2. Financial Literacy and Investment: Some members expressed interest in financial literacy and understanding AI startups for potential investment opportunities.
3. Celebrating Achievements and Self-Love: The conversation also touched on the importance of self-love, celebrating personal achievements, and embracing self-appreciation, moving away from seeking external validation and societal norms.

??????? ESG Channel

We welcomed a new expert to run the channel this week:

?? ???? Branding & Marketing

We welcomed a new expert to run the channel this week:

Tips and myth busters

?? When Investors ask Seed stage founders “What’s your exit plan?” try not to yawn ??

?? If you don’t have a concrete exit plan like 99.99% of Seed stage founders, here is the default answer to this default question. ????

? As mission-driven founders, our main goal is to create a successful and profitable company. This will give us many options in the future, including the possibility of being acquired, merging with another company, or going public through an IPO. If you’re interested in an earlier exit, we’re open to discussing secondary transactions ?

?? If you are a startup founder that is looking for actionable and candid pointers to get **it done, join us here: ??.?https://bit.ly/45XlZ0S

For the ?? of startups.