https://evolutionaccelerator.co

Alex Chompff from Evolution Ventures Fund Management talks about Getting Investors to Lean In.

Startup Support and Collaboration InsightsS

Mary welcomed Alex Chompff from Evolution Ventures to the Stuck? Time to Improv! podcast, where they discussed the importance of supporting startups and their journey to success. Alex expressed gratitude for the opportunity to share insights with the community and emphasized the value of collaboration in the startup ecosystem.

Narrative Focus for Startup Investors

Alex advised early-stage startup founders to focus on developing a compelling narrative when presenting to investors, particularly friends, family, and angel investors. He emphasized the importance of creating a story that explains the company's purpose and the founder's vision. Alex also recommended that startups create their own professional marketing materials in-house and use early investment funds to handle legal matters.

Entrepreneurship Passion and Investor Attraction

Mary and Alex discussed the importance of passion and communication in entrepreneurship, emphasizing the need for founders to convince themselves and others of their vision. They touched on the challenges of balancing determination with openness to advice, and the role of the founder's approach in attracting investors. The conversation was cut short due to a distraction.

Leadership's Enduring Role in Success

Alex emphasized that the importance of the leadership team never diminishes, even with traction or revenue, as investors and acquirers always focus on the team. He highlighted the criticality of having the right mindset and purpose when starting a journey, as the founder often sustains the effort.

Essential Team Roles for Startups

Alex and Mary discussed the importance of leading with integrity and ethics in entrepreneurial endeavors. Mary emphasized the need for startups to have three key team members: a marketing person, an accountant, and a lawyer. Alex agreed with this approach, adding that a product-based, market-based, and finance-based person are essential for building a successful team. They also highlighted the distinction between a market-based person and a marketing person, noting that marketing is a product in itself.

Market Insights and Leadership Strategies

Alex emphasized the importance of market-oriented personalities who actively engage with the world to gather insights for leadership teams. He highlighted that while social media is a significant marketing tool, it is not the sole means of reaching potential customers. Alex also stressed the significance of personal integrity and character when considering investments, using a personal anecdote to illustrate his approach.

Startup Tree https://hssu-cie.startuptree.co/

Kristy Jackson from the Center of Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE) at Harris-Stowe State University talking about challenges to minority founders

Supporting Minority Entrepreneurs in St. Louis

Mary and Kristy discussed the challenges minority founders face, including funding gaps, knowledge gaps, and a lack of mentorship and sponsorship. Kristy, as the Executive Director of the Center of Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Harris Stowe State University, highlighted their entrepreneurship program's efforts to address these issues by providing resources and support to St. Louis entrepreneurs. They also mentioned Kristy's personal experience as an entrepreneur and her involvement in creating a co-working space in St. Louis.

Challenges for African American Entrepreneurs

Kristy discussed the challenges African American entrepreneurs face, including access to capital, business plan development, and financial statement management. She emphasized the importance of market validation, mentorship, and having both industry-specific and diverse mentors to support business growth. While resources like Small Business Development Centers and SCORE can be valuable, Kristy noted that early-stage entrepreneurs might find them intimidating and suggested that culturally aligned mentors can be more beneficial.

Entrepreneurial Mentoring and Incubation Programs

Kristy discussed the challenges and benefits of mentoring early-stage entrepreneurs through SCORE, emphasizing the importance of matching expectations and providing resources. She highlighted the innovation center's programs, including the 24-week Next Level business incubator, which focuses on building trust, community, and business skills. The center offers business coaches, performance coaches, and additional support, such as meals, to help entrepreneurs develop resilience and apply business knowledge to their specific needs.

Entrepreneur Support and Resources Overview

Mary and Kristy discussed the importance of supporting entrepreneurs holistically and shared information about upcoming events and resources.

Culture and Commerce Fair https://hssu-cie.startuptree.co/event/s/fjWFGDcqJSe9hNQB6RzZyq/Culture-and-Commerce%253A-Black-History-Vendor-Fair/19

https://www.farzanachohan.com/

Dr. Farzana Chohan from Optimized Excellence talks about AI for Startups

AI Strategies for Startup Success

Mary introduces Dr. Farzana Chohan from Optimized Excellence to discuss AI strategies for startups. They plan to explore common mistakes startups make when approaching AI and how to work effectively with it.

AI Adoption: Fear vs. Blindness

Dr. Chohan discussed the two extreme approaches to AI: fear and blind adoption. She emphasized the need for leaders to learn about AI and its potential benefits for their specific business areas. Mary asked about a healthy approach to using AI, and Dr. Chohan suggested learning about AI and having a clear purpose for data analysis.

AI Tools for Professional Use

Dr. Farzana Chohan discussed the use of AI tools like ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Copilot for professional purposes. She emphasized the importance of using the paid version of ChatGPT to protect data privacy and explained how these tools can be used for deep research and target client analysis. Dr. Chohan advised starting with ChatGPT and learning to use it effectively through prompt engineering, while also mentioning that there are many other specialized AI tools available for different purposes. Mary encouraged attendees to learn more about AI tools and offered to share Dr. Chohan's contact information for further tips on AI usage in startups.

Responsible AI Adaptation Discussion

Dr. Chohan discussed the importance of adapting to artificial intelligence responsibly, emphasizing the need to understand and harness its benefits before it becomes a super intelligent technology. She encouraged learning about AI to maintain control over one's life and business.

Connect with Dr. Farzana Chohan Websites: https://www.aia818.com

Appointments: https://www.aia818.com/appointments

Book on Amazon: https://a.co/d/5aDsrBk

https://tencapital.group/

Hall Martin from TEN Capital talks about Success Factors in Early Stage Diligence

Due Diligence for Startup Investors

Mary and Hall discussed the importance of due diligence for early-stage startups. Hall explained that investors examine pitch decks, legal structures, cap tables, financial projections, and revenue models to assess a company's potential. He emphasized the need for entrepreneurs to demonstrate knowledge of their business and to show evidence of support from others, such as family and previous customers. Hall also stressed the importance of being transparent about a startup's current stage to help investors draw a realistic five-year plan and make informed decisions.

Entrepreneur Investor Transparency Strategies

Mary emphasized the importance of honesty with investors, advising entrepreneurs to be transparent about their business's current state and future plans. Hall added that entrepreneurs should provide compelling answers to investors' questions, demonstrating their understanding of the market and their ability to make good decisions in challenging environments.

Customer Validation for Startup Success

Hall and Mary discussed the importance of customer validation and market fit for startups. Hall emphasized the need to show customer interest, even if there's no revenue yet, and advised founders to always have customer-related information when meeting investors. They also talked about the common mistake of startups focusing too much on product details and not enough on other crucial aspects like market size, competition, and team composition when presenting to investors.

Startup Exit Planning Strategies

Mary and Hall discussed the importance of calculating potential returns for investors over different timeframes, emphasizing the need for startups to plan for exits. Mary highlighted the significance of due diligence for startups and encouraged them to book a call with her for guidance.

Kent Voran from SCORE talks about What Type of Business Are You.

Business Structure Selection Guide

Mary and Kent discussed the different types of business structures, including sole proprietorship, partnership, limited liability companies, and corporations (C-Corp and S-Corp). Kent emphasized the importance of considering factors such as tax liability, personal liability exposure, operational setup, funding options, and future growth when choosing a business structure. He encouraged early planning and evaluation of business goals to make an informed decision.

Business Structure Pros and Cons

Kent explained the pros and cons of sole proprietorships and partnerships as business structures. He noted that sole proprietorships are easy and inexpensive to set up, with full control of business decisions and simple tax filing, but carry unlimited personal liability and can make it difficult to separate business and personal expenses. Partnerships offer shared responsibilities and flexibility, but also involve shared and increased liability. Both structures are popular for starting businesses, but Kent emphasized the importance of considering personal liability and expense documentation when choosing a business structure.

LLC Advantages and Considerations

Mary and Kent discussed the pros and cons of forming a business as an LLC. Kent highlighted that LLCs offer limited personal liability, minimal administrative costs, and flexibility in management, while also being a pass-through entity for tax purposes. However, they require more paperwork and can be somewhat limited in attracting equity investors. Mary noted that LLCs are easier to sell and can be converted to an S-Corp or C-Corp if necessary. Both agreed that business structures are not permanent and can be adjusted as the business grows or funding needs change.

Business Structure and Team Planning

Kent advised Mary on setting up a business, emphasizing the importance of considering personal situations, growth objectives, and asset profiles when deciding on business structure. He recommended consulting with a CPA and legal counsel to make informed decisions, noting that an LLC is not mandatory but encouraged. Mary added that new businesses should have at least three team members, regardless of whether they are paid or friends.

Business Planning and Professional Advice

Mary and Kent discussed the importance of consulting an accountant and lawyer when starting a business, emphasizing the need to consider business structure from the beginning. Kent highlighted the complexities beyond just filing paperwork for an LLC and encouraged early planning and consultation with experienced individuals. Mary recommended reaching out to SCORE for free mentoring and encouraged viewers to book a call with her for business assistance.

https://www.score.org/stlouis

https://businessriff.com

Marie Patterson from InfinityPath Ventures talks about AI infrastructure for Startups

AI Infrastructure: Hardware and Software

Marie explained that AI infrastructure encompasses both hardware and software components at the server and chip levels, including supporting systems like cooling and power supplies. She emphasized the importance of creating "frictionless planes" for software solutions to drive efficiency, particularly for companies that sell AI as their product. Marie clarified that AI infrastructure benefits are not limited to companies that primarily use AI, as many businesses leverage it in various aspects like marketing, production, and inventory management. She also highlighted the current concentration of compute power in four major companies and the risk of outages in this brittle system.

Sovereign Compute: A Secure Solution

Marie discussed the concept of sovereign compute, which involves businesses maintaining their own hardware in secure locations rather than relying on public cloud services. She explained that the investment for such data centers is in the tens of thousands, and highlighted inefficiencies in current computer systems that are designed to run AI, leading to energy waste and environmental impact. Marie emphasized that the problem affects not just AI companies, but everyone, due to the cascading effects of inefficient energy use in data centers.

Data Centers in Opportunity Zones

Marie explained that new data centers are being built weekly in the United States, primarily in opportunity zones, which are economically challenged areas offering tax breaks to large tech companies like Meta and Google. She noted that while these data centers bring jobs and stimulate local economies, they often require utility companies to upgrade grids, sparking controversy over community acceptance. Marie emphasized the importance of addressing efficiency issues at their root cause through engineering analysis, rather than solving problems downstream.

Efficient Server Cooling Solutions

Marie discussed a software solution that could significantly improve server efficiency, reducing the need for extensive cooling systems and energy consumption in data centers. She explained that this solution is being developed by startups she is investing in as an emerging fund manager. Mary expressed interest in connecting investors with Marie's group and encouraged startups working on similar solutions to reach out to Marie.

Marie's LinkedIn profile https://www.linkedin.com/in/marie-e-patterson

https://starteryou.com

Michael Berlingo from Starteryou talks about using Students as a Resource for Startups.

Student Resources for Startup Success

Mary and Michael discussed the benefits of using students as a resource for startups. Michael explained that students are eager, passionate, and can be shaped and molded to develop various skills beyond their initial role. He emphasized that students can be turned into versatile generalists, which is valuable for startups with small employee sizes and budgets. They also discussed how Starter U, Michael's organization, trains students in multiple areas of development to prepare them for various roles in the tech industry.

Student Employment Platform Opportunities

Michael and Mary discussed the benefits and potential roles for students working on a platform focused on student employment, particularly in marketing and tech-related positions. Michael highlighted the advantages of remote work for students, including managing social media, creating content, and serving as student ambassadors. Mary suggested using students for beta testing and market research, while Michael agreed and emphasized students' adaptability and proficiency with tools like AI.

Starter U: Student Internship Platform

Mary and Michael discussed the features of Starter U, a platform that connects students with employers for internships. They explained that students can search for investors, create pitch decks, and find internships, both paid and unpaid. Michael noted that Starter U lists whether internships are paid or unpaid to avoid confusion. They also compared Starter U to other job platforms like Handshake, highlighting Starter U's focus on internships and its lower cost.

Internships as Scalable Hiring Solution

Michael discussed the challenges startups face in hiring and suggested utilizing interns as a scalable solution. He emphasized the benefits of offering unpaid internships for college credit, as it provides students with valuable experience and the potential for future employment. Mary highlighted the success of local universities in connecting students with small businesses through internships. The conversation concluded with Mary encouraging startups to book a call with her for further support.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mblingo/

Starteryou Events Page: https://luma.com/starteryou?k=c

Chris Jackson from EOS Worldwide talks about Vision-Market-Sales for Startups

Focus and Speed for Startups

Chris emphasized the importance of focus for early-stage businesses, highlighting the need to define their core problem and target market rather than trying to solve multiple issues simultaneously. He noted that founders often underestimate the importance of anticipating problems and learning from failures, suggesting that rapid iteration and customer validation are crucial for success. Chris advised against spending too much time on non-essential details like websites, advocating instead for getting products into the market quickly to test and validate their viability.

AI and Customer Interaction Insights

Mary and Chris discussed the importance of understanding customer needs and the role of AI in software development. Chris emphasized that AI tools reflect the developer's communication style and suggested that emotional and soft skills, often associated with arts and liberal arts, will become more important as AI handles rigorous engineering tasks. They agreed that knowing oneself and finding a suitable spokesperson are crucial for effective customer interaction.

Balancing Tech and Sales Strategy

Chris emphasized the importance of balancing technical work with sales efforts, suggesting that while AI can handle complex coding tasks, entrepreneurs should focus more on articulating their product's value and solving customer problems. He highlighted EOS as a simple yet effective tool for crystallizing an organization's vision and aligning leadership teams, which is crucial for mobilizing teams to execute against that vision. Mary agreed with these insights and encouraged entrepreneurs to seek further information on EOS and connect with Chris for additional support.

EOS Website: https://www.EOSworldwide.com/chris-jackson  LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopherjackson1 To book appointments: https://www.calendly.com/chris-jackson-eosworldwide And a site that helps businesses understand the procurement process and navigating the corporate landscape: https://www.impactnestconsulting.com

https://BizFi.io https://biz-fi.io/sue-schuster https://bizfi.io/funding-options/

Sue Schuster from BizFi.io talks about what makes good Partnerships for Startups

Benefits and Risks of Partnerships

Mary and Sue discussed the importance of partnerships in business, emphasizing that a good partnership should be mutually beneficial and help both parties achieve their goals. Sue explained that partnerships are valuable because they provide access to skills and expertise that one party may lack, and she noted that while co-founders can be successful, there are risks involved, such as differing visions for the business. Mary and Sue also touched on the idea of solopreneurship, with Sue suggesting that it can be effective for those who are good at delegating, allowing them to maintain control while still benefiting from a second-in-command's contributions.

Strategies for Successful Business Partnerships

Sue discussed her approach to evaluating potential business partners, emphasizing the importance of chemistry, shared humor, and overall compatibility. She explained that she often hires people for their personality and potential before determining their specific role, highlighting the value of energy and knowledge in partnerships. Mary inquired about the differences between co-founder partnerships and project-based collaborations, to which Sue responded that these relationships can vary significantly, including legal aspects like co-ownership and different roles, but often involve equitable compensation.

Co-founder vs. Client Relationship Insights

Sue Schuster from BizFi.IO discussed the differences between co-founder relationships and client relationships in business, emphasizing the importance of careful planning and legal documentation in partnerships. She advised startups to be cautious when forming partnerships, particularly with family or long-time friends, and recommended creating clear operating agreements and ownership documents while relationships are still positive. Mary Scott from Business Roof concluded the segment by encouraging startups to book calls for business advice and promoting the next episode of Stop Time to Improv.

Gordon Firemark, "The Podcast Lawyer" talks about What will cost a Startup if They Don't Use a Lawyer

Legal Protection for Startup Founders

Mary and Gordon discussed the importance of hiring a lawyer for startups to avoid costly mistakes. Gordon emphasized that founders often underestimate the legal risks and can lose their business or IP by not setting up the proper legal structure. He highlighted the dangers of operating as a sole proprietorship or partnership without protection, and the need for agreements to handle potential issues in business relationships. Gordon stressed that while founders may think they're saving money by skipping legal setup, they are actually gambling with their company's future.

Contract Structure and Legal Advice

Gordon shared a cautionary tale about a problematic collaboration that should have been structured as a contractor relationship, highlighting how mislabeling business arrangements can lead to legal complications and disputes. He emphasized the importance of consulting lawyers to properly structure business relationships and avoid securities law violations when dealing with investors or partners. Gordon stressed that using AI to draft contracts instead of legal professionals can result in unintended consequences, and advised against giving up equity too early without proper legal advice.

Business Structure and IP Protection

Gordon and Mary discussed the importance of having a proper business structure, separate business accounts, and protecting intellectual property. Gordon emphasized the need for written contracts with work-made-for-hire language for all employees and contractors, as well as early trademark registration to avoid potential conflicts. He shared a cautionary tale about a client who waited 13 years to register their podcast trademark, resulting in a lengthy and costly legal battle. They also touched on the risks of using AI-generated legal documents without proper guidance.

Legal Advice for Startup Success

Mary and Gordon discussed the importance of hiring a lawyer for startups, emphasizing that legal advice can prevent significant financial losses. Mary highlighted the need for startups to have a marketing person, accountant, and lawyer on their team, as each plays a crucial role in the business's success. Gordon agreed with this perspective and expressed gratitude for the opportunity to share his insights. Mary mentioned she would provide Gordon's contact information and legal templates in the comments and encouraged attendees to book a call with her for further assistance.

• Easy Legal Templates: https://easylegaltamplates.com
• Easy Legal For Entrepreneurs (course/training with templates and expert guidance) https://easylegalforentrepreneurs.com
• The Podcast, Blog & New Media Producer’s Legal Survival Guide (ebook) https://podcastlawbook.com
• Easy Legal For Podcasters (course/training with templates, guidance and community) https://easylegalforpodcasters.com

Upcoming Workshops and Webinars for creators and entrepreneurs:

• How To Protect Your Podcast: Easy, affordable legal strategies without expensive lawyers! – Https://podcastlaw.net
• Legal Protection for Online Entrepreneurs, Coaches & Courses – Https://law4courses.com
• Own Your Brand Before Someone Else Does! – Https://ownyourbrandnow.com