Soundarya Balasubramani, an NIT Trichy and Columbia graduate, writer, and founder of Unshackled.club, details her journey from India to the U.S. Her career shifts from Salesforce to entrepreneurship, and even ventures into writing, including her blog Curious Maverick and books 'Admitted' and 'Unshackled'. The discussion spans her motivations, the importance of writing in her professional growth, insights into self-publishing, navigating U.S. immigration, and her latest decision to step back from Unshackled.club to focus on writing. Soundarya provides valuable advice for immigrant entrepreneurs and shares her vision for her next writing project, leveraging her experiences and challenges to guide and inspire others in their personal and professional journeys.

Key Takeaways:

• The persistence and resilience it takes to navigate the hardships of U.S. immigration
• What to consider when applying for an O1 visa
• The power of writing a journal for clarity of thought, problem-solving and emotional processing and the app that’ll make it easy to maintain
• Understanding the book writing process and marketing as a self publishing author
• How to strategically use social media to market yourself
• The act of writing on paper, particularly journaling, serves as a powerful tool for

Key Timestamps:

• (00:00) Meet Soundarya: A Journey from India to Authorship
• (03:10) The Power of Writing: From Personal Therapy to Professional Tool
• (08:21) The Transition from Corporate to Creative: Soundarya's Leap into Authorship
• (15:51) Navigating the Complex World of Self-Publishing and Editing
• (21:30) The O-1 Visa Saga: A Tale of Persistence and Resilience
• (26:29) A Return to Roots: Soundarya's Time in India and Reflections on Life
• (30:27) Comparing the Self-Publishing Journeys of 'Admitted' and 'Unshackled'
• (38:30) Immigration: From Application to Approval
• (47:47) Transitioning Roles: From Founder to Writer
• (51:50) Support Systems and Startup Tech Stack: A Founder's Toolkit
• (56:42) Final Thoughts and Future Projects

Key Topics Discussed:

Journaling, author, legal immigration system, ONA visa, O1 visa, H1B, L1, EB2 National Interest Waiver, RFE, Unshackled

Mentions:

Website: https://www.unshackled.club/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/soundarya-balasubramani/

Unshackled: A Practical Guide For Highly-Skilled Immigrants To Thrive In The United States

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Reach out to Abhi at abhinavsinha.podcast@gmail.com

Website: fundsandfounderspodcast.com

Chris De Ayala, a UT McComb School of Business graduate working in banking, specifically in venture debt at the Bank of California shares insights into the role of venture lending, emphasizing its value to VC-backed startups by offering non-dilutive capital to extend their runway post-equity rounds. He details the ideal timing for startups to seek venture debt, the factors influencing the amount of debt a startup can secure, and the importance of the relationship with VC firms in this process. The discussion also covers the changing landscape of venture debt, the impact of recent economic shifts on startups and investments, and the evolution of the Austin startup ecosystem. Chris highlights the negotiation aspect of venture debt terms, the strategic use of venture debt for growth without dilution, and the bank's perspective on venture debt as a tool for deposit growth and long-term customer relationships.

Key Takeaways:

• Providing debt solutions to VC-backed startups
• Role of venture debt as a non-dilutive capital source for early-stage companies
• Ideal timing for seeking venture debt
• Relationship between equity round size and available venture debt
• Bank's criteria for assessing startups with an emphasis on investor syndicate and runway
• How to negotiate venture debt terms
• Growth of venture debt space
• Competition between traditional banks and neo-banks
• Trends and changes in the Austin startup ecosystem
• Importance of building networks in the venture financing industry

Mentions:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-de-ayala-39976a125/

Check out the Funds & Founders Community:

Reach out to Abhi at abhinavsinha.podcast@gmail.com

Website: fundsandfounderspodcast.com

Jake O'Shea, currently a Principal at Antler in Austin, delves into his rich background in the startup ecosystem. With experiences ranging from director roles at Capital Factory to mentoring at accelerators, Jake discusses the vibrant startup ideas and trends in Austin, emphasizing the ubiquitous role of AI in modern software development. He sheds light on Antler's industry-agnostic approach to investing, focusing on founder potential over specific sectors. Jake also touches upon the critical importance of knowing your customer base and making decisions regarding value propositions, rather than jumping straight into product development. He discusses the nuances of venture capital, offering insights into the dos and don'ts of early-stage fundraising and the significance of founder-market fit. Jake highlights emerging AI applications, from personalized learning to headless applications, and the potential for AI to redefine software interactions through natural language processing. A must-listen episode for aspiring entrepreneurs and anyone interested in the intersections of AI, startups, and venture capital.

Key Takeaways:

• Conviction and thorough customer research are key to creating value as an entrepreneur
• Building a supportive community fosters collaboration and growth for entrepreneurs in AI
• Networking and Fundraising Insights for Founders to create value
• Understanding investor risks and founder execution capabilities can influence funding decisions
• Investors prioritize founder execution, building conviction amidst market and tech risks
• Investing in post-product market fit fuels growth and helps seize adjacent opportunities for expansion
• Measuring product success through retention and engagement validates the right value proposition
• Future tech and how they will reshape interactions and revolutionize tech engagement
• De-risking your startup: market, technology, and execution
• The future of AI: personalized learning and verticalized software

Mentions:

Website: https://www.antler.co/

Website: https://jakeoshea.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jake-oshea/

In episode 15, Mike Ditson joins us today to talk product management, sales, and innovation! Currently, Mike is the VP of Product Strategy at Envato Group and a lecturer in product management. He shares valuable insights on the importance of sales for product leaders, how to approach building a competent sales team, especially for founders without a sales background (identifying well that we’re all in sales) and provides advice for early-stage companies and product market fit. Moreover, Mike discusses the evolution of top-of-the-funnel strategies in B2B SaaS, his perspective on learning and adapting to changes in the tech landscape, and highlights the potential impact of Gen AI on product management. Wondering how to set pricing, how to get customers, and the ends and outs of product management? Then this is the episode for you!

Key Takeaways & Timestamps:

(01:50) Welcome to Funds and Founders: Meet Mike Ditson

(02:41) How Can a Founder Get Good at Sales? (Or Find Someone Who Is.)

(05:24) Building a Competent Sales Team for Startups

(10:46) Transitioning from Product Management to Leadership

(19:53) The Art of Pricing in B2B SaaS

(24:02) Understanding Product Market Fit in B2B SaaS

(31:27) Navigating the Complexities of Selling to Universities and Enterprises

(32:33) Evolving Strategies in B2B SaaS Marketing

(35:36) The Importance of Building Reference Customers Early On

(39:00) Adapting to the Changing Landscape of Product Management

(39:32) Leveraging AI and Tools in Product Management

(45:08) Recommendations for Early Product Managers and Founders

(50:01) Exploring the Impact of Generative AI on Content Creation

Mentions:

Mike’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikeditson/

• Dollarizations Discipline
• Crossing the Chasm
• The Acquired Podcast
• Disciplined Entrepreneurship
• Orbit from MIT

Check out the Funds & Founders Community:

Reach out to Abhi at abhinavsinha.podcast@gmail.com

Website: fundsandfounderspodcast.com

Episode 14 features Ken Platt, an experienced entrepreneur and advisor with a rich history in operations, supply chain management, and startup leadership. Ken shares insights into his entrepreneurial journey that began later in life, sparked by his exposure to diverse businesses during the Y2K project era. He details his evolution from corporate projects to being deeply involved in the startup ecosystem during the dot-com bubble in Austin. Ken discusses the thrills and challenges of startup life, emphasizing the value of collaboration, the visibility of success and failure, and the sense of direct impact one can have in a startup environment. He transitions into discussing his role in various companies, including Wayport, where he contributed to pioneering public Wi-Fi spaces, and his learning curve in the venture capital world. Ken also touches on the importance of operational efficiency, strategic resource allocation, and the advantages of leveraging existing technologies over attempting to reinvent the wheel. He provides valuable advice for entrepreneurs navigating acquisitions, emphasizing the importance of understanding value and strategic negotiation. Finally, Ken shares his current focus on SmartPak Systems, a startup aiming to revolutionize inventory management for emergency medical services with RFID technology, highlighting his passion for solving real-world problems through innovation. You don’t want to miss this chat!

Key Takeaways:

• Entrepreneurship requires a yearning for it.
• Don't reinvent the wheel, stick with your core competencies.
• How has the nature of startup capital changed over the years?
• What problem are you solving with your product?
• Know your value!
• It's okay to say "I don't know."
• Keep yourself open for randomness and opportunities!

Timestamps:

(00:00) Trailer

(01:30) Meet Ken Platt: A Journey Through Startups and Innovation

(03:18) The Allure of Startups: Challenges and Rewards

(05:04) Embracing Chaos: The Operations Perspective

(05:52) First Startup Venture: The Wi-Fi Revolution with Wayport

(11:17) Navigating Startup Challenges: Funding, Innovation, and Scaling

(23:06) Advent Networks: Lessons in Product Development and Customer Focus

(31:45) The Intel Acquisition: A Learning Curve

(37:06) Navigating Acquisitions: Insights and Advice

(40:17) The Power of Negotiation and Understanding Value

(43:15) Advising Startups: A Blend of Challenges and Triumphs

(44:56) SmartPak: Solving Real-World Problems with RFID Technology

(50:24) The Austin Startup Ecosystem: A Supportive Community

(53:09) Believing in Yourself: The Entrepreneur's Creed

(54:49) Embracing Randomness and Opportunity

(56:18) Connecting and Networking: The Heart of Collaboration

Mentions:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ken-platt-11a4361/

Resources: SmartPak Systems, F.I.E.S.T.A.

Scott, a seasoned C-level executive, draws from a diverse background in business leadership and organizational transformation. Originally aspiring to a career in finance, his trajectory shifted after witnessing the events of September 11th, leading him to navigate a path of resilience and mentorship. With a strategic vision and executive acumen, Scott excels in driving organizational growth and fostering team excellence, leveraging deep subject matter expertise and creative problem-solving. Throughout his career, he has achieved notable successes in designing sales training programs, driving go-to-market strategies, and leading transformational change, earning a reputation as a highly sought-after advisor and mentor in the startup community. Today Scott discusses what it takes to develop focus, nurture mentorships and think differently about the problems you’re facing.

Key Takeaways:

• The success of a business depends largely on the dedication of the founders
• The importance of having passion and clarity on the actual problem being solved
• How to ask for help through mentorship
• Skills improvement through learning something new to keep up with your industry
• The wealth of knowledge lies within the people you surround yourself with, choose wisely
• How to become a good mentee
• Ways to support underserved communities and make resources accessible to them
• Planning for the unknown to keep the project on track and stay ahead of the curve
• Practical feedback and unique perspectives from outsiders are healthy for business growth
• Vulnerability is a strength, not a weakness
• Having the flexibility to change the way you approach problems in a work setting

Mentions:

Website: https://myworkout.ai/

Social Media: FB, X, IG - @myworkout

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Reach out to Abhi at abhinavsinha.podcast@gmail.com

Website: fundsandfounderspodcast.com

Lauren Pearl is a Fractional CFO/COO and Advisor who graduated from Boston University and NYU Stern where she did her MBA. She has a rich background in financial modeling and has a unique perspective on growing profitable startups. She is a 2x founder and recently started Pearl and Elmore, an offsite programming company. She was the Director of Strategy and Finance at Trail and Bits, CEO and co-founder of Roost Homes, an ex-Deloitte Management Consultant, and currently teaches financial modeling at NYU Stern.

Key Takeaways:

• Forward-thinking strategies to keep businesses on track
• Knowing when to seize opportunities for growth
• Importance of MVPs and idea validation
• Awareness of what to invest in in your first MVP and what to avoid
• Connecting the dots and understanding relevant metrics
• Getting clear on actionable steps for tangible results
• Building financial models that enable sound investment decisions
• Mapping the math for a clear bird’s eye view
• Building systems that work for you
• Staying connected to a network with other start-uppers for accountability and guidance

Mentions:

Website: https://www.laurenpearlconsulting.com/

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

Check out the Funds & Founders Community:

Reach out to Abhi at abhinavsinha.podcast@gmail.com

Website: fundsandfounderspodcast.com

Curtis Dean is the founder and creative director for Strangers Only, a lifestyle clothing brand and is also a coach helping people maximize their potential and design the lives they want. He is a positive thinker with a unique perspective on life. He has spoken at Soho houses and shared his deep knowledge on various topics.

Key Takeaways:

• Identifying rewarding opportunities within your ecosystem
• Building a reputation that speaks for itself in the marketplace
• Importance of MVP (minimum viable product) and idea validation
• Knowing when to seek help for business growth and sustainability
• Finding the lesson in every messy business situation
• The power of human connection in sales
• Having clarity and a solid strategy for your business
• Change of perspective and learning to take advantage of current obstacles
• Readjusting to align with a new audience and what it takes

Mentions:

Website: https://www.bydean.co/

https://strangersonly.co/

Social Media: https://www.instagram.com/strangersonlyclothing/

https://www.instagram.com/thecurtisdean/

Check out the Funds & Founders Community:

Reach out to Abhi at abhinavsinha.podcast@gmail.com

Website: fundsandfounderspodcast.com