Helping founders take charge of their startup's destiny | Former M.M.LaFleur, Group Nine, Thrillist, HuffPost | Also ⛷️ 🚵 🏕️ 🐕✍️ | ericashman.com
Funding
Are your current venture investors acting strange? Did they seem more nervous and jumpy at your last board meeting? Are you concerned that you’re suddenly not all on the same page? Venture funds are under a lot of pressure right now. This has implications for your startup as you
Leadership
Fear. Uncertainty. Doubt. As a founder, it’s easy to believe these feelings are weaknesses. They lay the foundation of imposter syndrome. But when properly channeled, fear, uncertainty, and doubt are founder superpowers. They help you find the path to profitable, scalable growth. They allow you to stay in control
Growth
You’re trying to boil the ocean. You had a simple idea for a startup. One problem to solve. A solution to a common pain point that would attract customers and keep them coming back. You were targeting a small market at first. But that’s ok. You had a
Funding
2023 is in the books. Your 2024 budget is sitting in front of you. The start of a new year is the perfect time to reassess whether your startup is still on the venture path. Here is a simple question: Is your revenue growth strong enough to attract a round
Leadership
The Scooter company Bird filed for bankruptcy yesterday. Another high-flying unicorn falls to earth. This is an important reminder that you can’t believe the hype in the startup press.
Funding
Welcome to part four of our series on down rounds and recaps: * Part 1: A Guide to Down Rounds and Recaps * Part 2: Managing Your Key Stakeholders * Part 3: A Deep Dive Into Down Rounds * Part 4: Navigating the Startup Recap <- You are here Let’s get on
Funding
Welcome to part three of our series on down rounds and recaps: * Part 1: A Guide to Down Rounds and Recaps * Part 2: Managing Your Key Stakeholders * Part 3: A Deep Dive Into Down Rounds <- You are here * Part 4: Navigating the Startup Recap Let’s get into
Funding
Welcome to part two of our series on down rounds and recaps: * Part 1: A Guide to Down Rounds and Recaps * Part 2: Managing Your Key Stakeholders <- You are here * Part 3: A Deep Dive Into Down Rounds * Part 4: Navigating the Startup Recap Let’s get into
Funding
Welcome to part one of our series on down rounds and recaps: * Part 1: A Guide to Down Rounds and Recaps <- You are here * Part 2: Managing Your Key Stakeholders * Part 3: A Deep Dive Into Down Rounds * Part 4: Navigating the Startup Recap Let’s get into
News and Analysis
Exploring the consequences of prioritizing short-term gains over long-term trust and transparency in the startup world, as illustrated by Substack's recent fundraising approach.
News and Analysis
The explosion of AI over the past six months is just the start. This innovation will shake the very foundations of many business models in the coming decade.
News and Analysis
Stay in control of your startup. Stay focused on investing in profitable, scalable growth. Extend your runway as much as possible, staying default investable if possible, but always with a path to default alive.