Startup valuations get discussed like baseball player stats, but they're much less well-defined. When primary capital is at stake, the calculations are different. Happy to share here some of those nuances and how founders and investors should approach startup valuations.
Check out the fundraising framework here https://verissimo.vc/resources-for-founders
Startup success stories are usually stories of unique circumstances and personalities - each one like a snowflake.
Startup failures fit into a handful of categories. That's what we're talking about today.
Companies with high potential that avoid the pitfalls are the ones that find success - either small, medium or large. But if you can't avoid the unforced errors, you haven't even given yourself a chance!
We are amidst yet another swing of the pendulum when it comes to the software vs. services debate. Is it possible to have high value, low touch software? Are we better off just offering high end consulting services using custom tools?
I am excited to share my conversation with Gabi Steele, CEO of Preql who has done both as she discusses the opportunities and challenges presented by the current array of AI tools in the data space.
Legendary Silicon Valley episode illustrates this question so well, I just have to leave it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BzAdXyPYKQo
(Contains expletives).
How are startups valued pre-revenue? Is it better to stay in that zone as long as possible?
Happy to share a discussion with Yaakov Carno, founder of Valubyl, which is a leading PLG consulting agency focused on the specific bottle neck of user activation. He shares stories from the trenches of working with dozens of companies and helping navigate their product and growth optimization.
Follow Yaakov on social media to get his latest tips and ideas on how to maximize user activation: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yaakov-carno/
https://www.valubyl.com/
Is ARR dead with the advent of AI companies? Do we even know what ARR is? Why does it matter? Why is everyone so confused about it?
Nerding out on tech finance finance, yet again.
related posts:
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1CUxLWt16Ky5eulArPm4cTSubkZWQ8rkBDPVZWHwJxUU/edit
https://alexoppenheimer.substack.com/p/inventing-arr
https://alexoppenheimer.substack.com/p/calculus-in-saas
Want to be the next $50Bn startup? Maybe... maybe not.
How the economics change the reality on the ground, even at the early stage.
Subscribe to our monthly updates here: https://verissimo.substack.com/
Today I discuss the painful reality of venture: investors are wrong a lot. They lose money. But are all mistakes created equal? Or is there a better way to be wrong. I dive in here to review a market take that I had ~3 years ago to see how things have developed in the market and in my one portfolio when it comes to the less fortunate situations in early-stage investing.
As always, feel free to reach out with feedback or questions.
Original piece here: https://alexoppenheimer.substack.com/p/expensive-options-and-losing-big
In this episode, I break down the Financial Operations Flow. This is targeted towards CEOs (CFOs can also listen if they want), to help business leaders better understand how to quantify the resource allocation they need to be doing all the time.
Every business needs a digital twin... Good news: for most of them, Excel is a sufficient tool to have a huge impact - it just needs to be used correctly.
Original post here: https://alexoppenheimer.substack.com/p/the-finops-flow
🎧 New on the Podcast: The Evolving Role of a CTO
This episode dives deep into how the CTO role evolves—from early-stage coding to scaling teams, making strategic decisions, and integrating AI without losing your technical edge.
Featuring:
💡 Key themes explored:
🎧 New on the Podcast: Legal Essentials for Founders
In this episode of the It’s All About Everything series, we dive into the legal foundations every founder should get right from day one. From filing your 83(b) on time to guiding your legal team through negotiations and keeping a clean cap table, our expert panel breaks down the critical legal decisions that can make—or break—your startup's future.
Whether you're raising your first round or scaling fast, this conversation will help you avoid costly legal pitfalls and build with confidence.
Featuring:
🎧 New on the Podcast: Tax Strategies and Wealth Management
In this episode of the It’s All About Everything series, we break down the financial essentials every founder should understand before—and after—a liquidity event. From QSBS and 83(b) elections to trust structures and the family office mindset, our expert panel shares real-world strategies to help you protect your upside and build long-term financial stability.
Whether you're preparing for an exit or just getting started, this episode will help you make smarter, more informed financial decisions.
Featuring: