AI Could Be Software’s Biggest Opportunity Yet
AI is changing how software is built and sold, but not what makes companies defensible. This month, SpaceX agreed to acquire Cursor for $60 billion. OpenAI picked up two dev-tool startups since March. The AI coding wars have become the biggest M&A story in software, and the companies getting acquired were mostly unknown eighteen months […]
How Operating Discipline Fueled Field Nation’s Rise
Why clarity on the customer, the market, and the product drove the company forward. Field Nation achieved remarkable scale before on-demand work went mainstream, a trajectory built on quiet execution and an early decision to bring in seasoned operators. What began as a small, scrappy team focused on solving real technician-sourcing problems has evolved into […]
Deal Flow Is the Lifeblood of Any VC Firm – Here’s How It Happens
by Graeme Thickins Not surprisingly, the more established a VC firm, the more startup pitches it gets. Well-known VC partners get hundreds and hundreds of unsolicited pitches every week. But the real essence of deal flow for a VC is getting to see only the best of the best startups. Of course, that’s easier said […]
How Does Anti-Portfolio Thinking Affect VC Investing? Great North Ventures Takes a Look
by Graeme Thickins Babe Ruth once famously said, “Never let the fear of striking out keep you from playing the game.” And he struck out a lot – actually leading the American League five times. He also said, “Every strike brings me closer to the next home run.” And we all know how that ended […]
‘Embedded Everywhere’: Tim Li on the future of lending, AI, and VC scrutiny
Tim Li is a fintech veteran with two decades of experience working at the intersection of banking and technology. After earning a master’s in engineering and building microprocessors at Intel, he pivoted to financial services in the early 2000s, joining JPMorgan Chase to help launch its first digital banking platforms. As the financial crisis hit […]
Who Really Owns Your Bank Data?
The Fight Over Open Banking in the U.S. JPMorgan Chase’s recent decision to start charging fintechs for access to customer data and the CFPB’s unexpected move to vacate its own Section 1033 rule, signals a major shift. With 91 million consumer accounts and 20 million checking accounts, JPMorgan’s policy could set a powerful precedent, potentially reshaping how data flows […]
How Long Does It Take for a Startup to Get to a Big Exit?
Big exits are important for venture investors because they require large distributions to make up for any underperforming investments. How much capital is burnt to get to those big exits impacts the return multiple a venture investor will realize. Startups that grow in a capital efficient manner and achieve a big exit become the real […]
VCs and Startups Are Adjusting to the Corrected Market
This shift encourages a more disciplined approach to growth, where startups are not just chasing valuation but are building long-term value. I am optimistic about funding levels as startups and VCs respond to the correction in the market.
Demystifying Startup HR
The following is the second guest post in a series written by Victoria Schanen, founder of Ghrow.io, a consulting services firm specializing in fractional human resources and recruiting leadership for startups. We’ve enjoyed our conversations with Victoria and are pleased to share a series of guest posts authored by Victoria with you. Prior to launching […]
Demystifying Startup HR
The following is the first guest post in a series authored by Victoria Schanen, founder of Ghrow.io, a consulting services firm specializing in fractional human resources and recruiting leadership for startups. We’ve enjoyed our conversations with her and are pleased to share this series of guest posts with you. Prior to launching Ghrow, Victoria served […]