Starting a new business is an exciting yet challenging experience. The early stages of a pre-funded startup can be particularly daunting as founders must navigate a variety of decisions that will shape the trajectory of their company. One of the most important decisions is whether or not to join an accelerator program, and if so, what program to apply for.

Accelerators offer startups the opportunity to access funding, mentorship, and valuable resources, but the terms of these programs can vary widely. In episode 7 of Startup Confidential, we explore the story of Jive Travel, a company that joined an accelerator and agreed to questionable terms. We examine the differences between good and abusive accelerator programs and provide insights for founders who are considering joining one.

Another crucial aspect of building a successful startup is assembling an advisory board. Advisors can provide guidance, support, and valuable industry connections. However, engaging with savvy business-people for the first time can be tricky, especially when it comes to negotiating equity in exchange for their support.

In episode 7 of Startup Confidential, we follow Jive Travel as they build their advisory board and explore the global standards for these engagements. We delve into the complexities of engaging with advisors and provide tips for founders on how to effectively manage these relationships.

Nimrod Vromen is also the author of Prompting Happiness - a book about the pursuit of happiness in the age of artificial intelligence (now on Amazon).

Jordan is managing partner of Global Upscale, an international marketing and design firm, which produced this series.

Corporate venture capital (CVC) is a growing trend in the world of venture capital, with more and more corporations setting up CVC arms to invest in startups. Unlike traditional venture capital firms, CVCs are backed by established corporations and have access to resources that can help startups grow and succeed. CVC investments differ from traditional venture capital investments in several ways.

One key difference is that CVCs often have different investment goals than traditional VCs, with a focus on strategic investments that can help the corporation's core business. Additionally, CVCs may have different investment criteria, such as investing in startups that are in the same industry or have technologies that can be integrated into the corporation's products or services.

In Episode 6 of "Startup: Confidential," we see Purple Giant, a large US company, setting up a CVC to invest in Israeli startups. The episode provides valuable insights into the world of CVC investments, exploring the tactics and special terms involved in these types of investments, and highlighting the differences between CVC and traditional VC investments.

The episode provides a deep dive into the world of CVC investments, with a focus on the unique terms that are asked for, the challenges and opportunities that come with investing as a corporate venture capitalist. We see how Purple Giant navigates the complex world of CVC investments, and the strategies they employ when investing in promising startups.

Nimrod Vromen is also the author of Prompting Happiness - a book about the pursuit of happiness in the age of artificial intelligence (now on Amazon).

Jordan is managing partner of Global Upscale, an international marketing and design firm, which produced this series.

Acquiring another startup as a startup is a unique and complex challenge in the world of mergers and acquisitions. When a startup acquires another startup, there are several unique challenges involved, including inexperience in buying companies, the risk of failure, and the complexity of the deal, despite the lower amount of money involved.

The acquisition of a startup by another startup requires a deep understanding of the startup ecosystem, and the ability to navigate the complexities involved in the deal. This requires careful planning, strategic thinking, and clear communication to ensure a successful outcome.

In Episode 5 of "Startup: Confidential," we learn how Arbitrary Incidental, a startup, successfully acquired another startup and overcame the challenges that arise in such an acquisition. The episode provides valuable insights into the unique challenges and strategies involved in acquiring another startup and highlights the importance of careful planning, clear communication, and strategic thinking.

Overall, the acquisition of a startup by another startup requires a deep understanding of the startup ecosystem and a keen ability to navigate the complexities involved in the deal. In Episode 5 of "Startup: Confidential," we get an inside look at how to execute a successful startup-on-startup acquisition. Tune in to learn more about the challenges faced by Arbitrary Incidental and the strategies they employed to overcome them.

Nimrod Vromen is also the author of Prompting Happiness - a book about the pursuit of happiness in the age of artificial intelligence (now on Amazon).

Jordan is managing partner of Global Upscale, an international marketing and design firm, which produced this series.

Negotiating skills are a critical component of business success, and cultural differences in negotiation methods can create significant challenges. This is particularly true when it comes to cross-border transactions. In the Middle East, for example, business negotiations are heavily influenced by cultural and religious traditions, making it essential to understand the nuances of local customs and traditions.

In Israel, negotiations tend to be direct and assertive, which can be perceived as confrontational by some cultures. Israelis value honesty and transparency in business dealings, and they tend to view small talk and pleasantries as a waste of time. Additionally, Israelis often view negotiation as a collaborative process rather than a win-lose proposition.In Startup: Confidential, we have a chance to see how US executives view Israeli founder negotiation methods as we watch Purple Giant set up shop in Israel and hear about their experiences. The episode explores the challenges faced by Purple Giant as they navigate the cultural differences between Israeli and American business practices.

Overall, understanding cultural differences in negotiation methods is crucial in any business negotiation, especially in cross-border transactions. In the Middle East and specifically in Israel, negotiations require a deep understanding of local customs, traditions, and communication styles.

In Startup: Confidential, we get an inside look at the challenges faced by Purple Giant as they establish themselves in Israel and how they adapt to the unique cultural differences in Israeli business practices.

Nimrod Vromen is also the author of Prompting Happiness - a book about the pursuit of happiness in the age of artificial intelligence (now on Amazon).

Jordan is managing partner of Global Upscale, an international marketing and design firm, which produced this series.

In Episode 3, we meet Explosive.io, a company that raises a large amount of money through a post-money cap SAFE, despite knowing that their achievements don't yet justify such a valuation. Through their story, we highlight the importance of understanding the complexities of fundraising and making informed decisions about the types of investments you take on.

Nimrod Vromen is also the author of Prompting Happiness - a book about the pursuit of happiness in the age of artificial intelligence (now on Amazon).

Jordan is managing partner of Global Upscale, an international marketing and design firm, which produced this series.

In Episode 2 of "Startup: Confidential," we meet Arbitrary Incidental, a company founded by two tech-oriented founders with a past history of failing. They share their story of a "textbook growth fundraising," discussing how they managed to navigate the complexities of a growth round and pass it with flying colors.

Through their experience, viewers will gain insights on how to plan and source investors, prepare for due diligence, negotiate and manage the transaction, and ultimately achieve success with a growth round. It's a must-watch for anyone who's contemplating a growth round or simply interested in the intricacies of startup finance.

Nimrod Vromen is also the author of Prompting Happiness - a book about the pursuit of happiness in the age of artificial intelligence (now on Amazon).

Jordan is managing partner of Global Upscale, an international marketing and design firm, which produced this series.

In episode 1 of "Startup: Confidential," we meet Jive Travel, a startup that is facing this very challenge. One of their founders has left, and their founder agreement is not structured properly, putting the company's future in jeopardy. In this episode, we'll learn how Jive Travel deals with this difficult situation and what steps they take to ensure the company's success.

Nimrod Vromen is also the author of Prompting Happiness - a book about the pursuit of happiness in the age of artificial intelligence (now on Amazon).

Jordan is managing partner of Global Upscale, an international marketing and design firm, which produced this series.