In this episode of "Venture Declassified," hosts Jacob Schpock and Mike Kelly dive into an engaging discussion centered on using AI tools to create a Minimum Viable Product (MVP). They explore the necessary skills, costs, and time commitment involved in product development with a focus on leveraging low code/no code platforms and developer productivity tools. Mike emphasizes how tools like Figma can generate front-end experiences quickly, allowing for iterative design, which is particularly beneficial for early-stage companies.

Jacob and Mike analyze a hypothetical business idea related to improper financial categorization, discussing its scalability with AI-enhanced tools. They outline a detailed go-to-market strategy, emphasizing the importance of validating product-market fit through personal network engagements, cold outreach, and preliminary public testing.

The conversation shifts to product development, highlighting their MVP built on the Bubble platform and a professional website using Squarespace. They discuss their approach to branding, marketing strategies, and the resource commitment required for early-stage development. Mike underscores the significance of manual MVPs using tools like Excel for initial testing and feedback collection.

Jacob and Mike also provide practical advice for non-technical founders, recommending CRM tools like HubSpot and highlighting Bubble's ease of use for building MVPs. They stress the importance of learning from direct customer feedback and iterating based on real-world reactions.

In this insightful episode, listeners gain a comprehensive understanding of the strategies and tools essential for building and validating a scalable, high-margin SaaS company. Tune in to hear Jacob and Mike's expert analysis and practical tips for aspiring entrepreneurs navigating the MVP stage.

Key Topics

• Using AI Tools for MVP Creation: Low-code/no-code platforms and developer productivity tools.

• Current easier and more maintainable code for MVPs, especially B2B SaaS.

• Go-to-Market Strategy for an MVP

• Branding and Marketing Efforts

• Importance of timing in addressing business risks.

• Current AI's inadequacy in handling creative branding and marketing tasks.

Connect

Mike Kelly
LinkedIn - Start Something Ventures

Ben Pidgeon
LinkedIn - VisionTech

Jacob Schpok
LinkedIn - Elevate Ventures

Hear more interviews and stories like this one at www.VentureDeclassified.com

The information provided on the show is not intended to be investment advice and should not be relied upon as such. The investors on today’s episode are providing their opinions based on their own assessment of the businesses or topics presented. Those opinions should not be considered professional investment advice. If they start up pitched as a part of this episode, it is for informational purposes only and is neither an offer to purchase nor a solicitation of an offer to sell, subscribe for or buy any securities.

In this insightful episode of "Venture Declassified," hosts Mike Kelly, Ben Pidgeon, and Jacob Spock tackle the often contentious topic of CEO compensation in startups. With an engaging and dynamic discussion, the trio delves into the intricate balance of aligning executive pay with company milestones and investor expectations.

Key Topics

• Budget implications of CEO compensation with regard to business longevity and milestones.

• Risk of misalignment with post-money valuation.

• Signs of bad salary practices.

• The harmful impact of exorbitant CEO salaries on a company’s future and investor alignment.

• Real-world examples of inappropriate executive compensation.

• Discussing salary disclosure upfront during investment conversations.

Adjusting founder compensations based on milestones.

Connect

Mike Kelly
LinkedIn - Start Something Ventures

Ben Pidgeon
LinkedIn - VisionTech

Jacob Schpok
LinkedIn - Elevate Ventures

Hear more interviews and stories like this one at www.VentureDeclassified.com

The information provided on the show is not intended to be investment advice and should not be relied upon as such. The investors on today’s episode are providing their opinions based on their own assessment of the businesses or topics presented. Those opinions should not be considered professional investment advice. If they start up pitched as a part of this episode, it is for informational purposes only and is neither an offer to purchase nor a solicitation of an offer to sell, subscribe for or buy any securities.

In this episode of "Venture Declassified," hosts Mike Kelly, Ben Pidgeon, and Jacob Schpok dive into various investment strategies and market dynamics affecting angel investors.

Key Topics

• Investment Strategies: Sticking to goals, but being flexible

• Benefits of Knowing CEOs or Board Members: Looking beyond just using deal platforms like AngelList.

• Emotional Engagement in Investments

• Importance of a Broad Investment Scope: Relying on a strong process and discerning team

• Balance Between Liquidity and Timing: Angel investors' mental preparation for potential losses.

• Considering Political Climate: National political climate and elections influencing market dynamics.

Connect

Mike Kelly
LinkedIn - Start Something Ventures

Ben Pidgeon
LinkedIn - VisionTech

Jacob Schpok
LinkedIn - Elevate Ventures

Hear more interviews and stories like this one at www.VentureDeclassified.com

The information provided on the show is not intended to be investment advice and should not be relied upon as such. The investors on today’s episode are providing their opinions based on their own assessment of the businesses or topics presented. Those opinions should not be considered professional investment advice. If they start up pitched as a part of this episode, it is for informational purposes only and is neither an offer to purchase nor a solicitation of an offer to sell, subscribe for or buy any securities.