On this episode of Investor Connect, Hall welcomes Chris Ball, Co-Founder and Managing Partner at Hoxton Capital. Based in Dubai, Hoxton Capital is a global wealth management firm specializing in expatriate financial planning. The firm has grown rapidly since its inception in 2018, now managing over $2.1 billion in assets with offices in London, Sydney, Texas, Dubai, and Larnaca. Hoxton offers digital tools like the Hoxton Wealth app to help clients manage their assets and plan for their financial futures. Chris Ball started his career with KPMG in 2004 before moving to the UAE in 2011. He co-founded Hoxton Capital in 2018, leading the company to significant growth by focusing on tailored, tech-driven wealth management services for global clients. In this episode, Chris discusses Hoxton’s growth, how they tailor services for diverse clients, and key trends in wealth management, including the impact of AI on the industry.  Visit Hoxton Capital at www.hoxtoncapital.com. Reach out to Chris Ball on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/chrisballhx/ For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at: www.investorconnect.org Check out our other podcasts here: www.investorconnect.org For Investors, check out: www.tencapital.group/investor-landing/ For Startups, check out: www.tencapital.group/company-landing/ For eGuides, check out: www.tencapital.group/education/ For upcoming Events, check out: www.tencapital.group/events/ For Feedback, please contact info@tencapital.group Please follow, share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of Bensound.

Why Do Market Research Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. Market research is a key step in preparing to launch a startup. Here’s a list of reasons why it’s important to give it proper time and attention. Quality market research will help you avoid spending time on startup ideas that have no significant market demand. It will help you find product-market fit faster. Quality research shows the changes in a market and what the market needs. It shows what customers to pursue and how to promote the product. Market research will help you find more investors. After completing your market research, take the findings and build a slide deck showing the size, growth rates, and trends. Reach out to potential investors and invite them to learn more about the market segment. In general investors look for quality research and take the opportunity to learn more. Tell the investor you are not raising funding now but only researching the market and you want to show them the results. Present the information to the investor and indicate you are going to work on a startup in the space. Offer to give them updates on the market. There’s no ask to the investor so it’s easy to gain access to them. When the time comes to raise funding, you’ll have a group of investors who are educated on your market segment.   Thank you for joining us for the Startup Funding Espresso where we help startups and investors connect for funding. Let’s go startup something today. _______________________________________________________ For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at: http://investorconnect.org  Check out our other podcasts here: https://investorconnect.org/  For Investors check out: https://tencapital.group/investor-landing/  For Startups check out: https://tencapital.group/company-landing/  For eGuides check out: https://tencapital.group/education/  For upcoming Events, check out https://tencapital.group/events/   For Feedback please contact info@tencapital.group    Please follow, share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of Bensound.

Closing the Raise Without a Lead Investor Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. There are more startups than there are lead investors. Not every fundable startup will find a lead investor. Here’s how to close your round without one: Start your fundraise with a convertible note. Make sure there’s a market-relevant valuation cap on the note. The convertible note is a debt instrument that converts to equity later. The valuation cap sets the upper limit of the valuation upon conversion. There are many investors who are not lead investors but rather follow on investors. Show how the valuation and final terms will be set on the next round and invite investors to join the fundraise. The investments into the convertible note will help fuel the growth of the startup which in turn can lead to more investors joining. Be on the lookout for a lead investor. Look for an investor that wants equity and will invest at least $100K into the business. For those investor prospects, discuss with them about leading the round. Even if there’s no lead, the startup can raise the entire fundraise amount to carry on the business.  In the next round of funding continue in the same way. Use convertible notes to fund the business till you find a lead investor.    Thank you for joining us for the Startup Funding Espresso where we help startups and investors connect for funding. Let’s go startup something today. _______________________________________________________ For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at: http://investorconnect.org  Check out our other podcasts here: https://investorconnect.org/  For Investors check out: https://tencapital.group/investor-landing/  For Startups check out: https://tencapital.group/company-landing/  For eGuides check out: https://tencapital.group/education/  For upcoming Events, check out https://tencapital.group/events/   For Feedback please contact info@tencapital.group    Please follow, share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of Bensound.

Closing a Lead Investor Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. A lead investor is important for raising funding. They negotiate the terms and valuation of the deal and bring other investors to join the round. Here are some key steps in closing a lead investor for your fundraise. Identify the right investor for your startup. Look for one that fits your sector and stage. Generate interest from other investors to show the lead investor there is support for your deal. Introduce the proposed lead investor to these investors. Gather all the diligence documents into one place so the process doesn’t turn into a paper chase. Provide background information about comps in the market to show the range of valuations in the sector. Design an initial set of terms and a proposed valuation to provide a starting point. Offer additional incentives to the lead investor such as warrants for leading the round. Offer a paid advisory board position to the lead investor  upon completion of the round to compensate for the work. In short, reduce the workload and provide incentives to the lead investor. Consider these steps in closing a lead investor for your round.    Thank you for joining us for the Startup Funding Espresso where we help startups and investors connect for funding. Let’s go startup something today. _______________________________________________________ For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at: http://investorconnect.org  Check out our other podcasts here: https://investorconnect.org/  For Investors check out: https://tencapital.group/investor-landing/  For Startups check out: https://tencapital.group/company-landing/  For eGuides check out: https://tencapital.group/education/  For upcoming Events, check out https://tencapital.group/events/   For Feedback please contact info@tencapital.group    Please follow, share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of Bensound.

Characteristics of a Lead Investor Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. Startup founders are looking for lead investors.  Good lead investors exhibit these characteristics: They believe in the founder and they tell other investors why they should too. They are not trying to take over the company but rather support the founder. They are easy to work with which is important since they will be there to the exit. They exhibit a strong sense of ethics. They have a strong reputation in the startup space. They show their experience in leading rounds. They have a track record of successful investments. They know the investor networks and have access to them. They invest in other deals aside from the founders giving them diversification. Look for these characteristics in a lead investor for your startup.   Thank you for joining us for the Startup Funding Espresso where we help startups and investors connect for funding. Let’s go startup something today. _______________________________________________________ For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at: http://investorconnect.org  Check out our other podcasts here: https://investorconnect.org/  For Investors check out: https://tencapital.group/investor-landing/  For Startups check out: https://tencapital.group/company-landing/  For eGuides check out: https://tencapital.group/education/  For upcoming Events, check out https://tencapital.group/events/   For Feedback please contact info@tencapital.group    Please follow, share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of Bensound.

How To Find a Lead Investor Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. Most investors do not lead the fundraise round but rather follow-on. There’s a great deal of work and most investors are not signing up for it. Some will express interest in investing after you have a lead investor. Here are some steps to help find a lead investor for your fundraise: Start with a convertible note for your fundraise. Convertible notes bring investors into the deal without setting the valuation. The founder can start picking up funding which helps fuel the growth of the business. This validates the fundraise to the follow on investors. Look at other startup fundraisers to see who led the round.   Make contact with startups who raised from that lead investor and ask for a warm introduction. Reach out to those who are known to lead investment rounds and show the fundraising traction already in place. You may be able to attract a lead investor to lead your round.  Another approach is to take two to three investors who are interested and gather them together into a group with a regularly scheduled meeting. In the meeting they each share their questions and feedback. Document the results of the meeting and share with the follow-on investors. By gathering the three investors together you can create a lead investor group. Once the lead investor group comes to agreement with the founder on valuation and the deal terms, you have a led deal. Consider these steps in finding your lead investor.   Thank you for joining us for the Startup Funding Espresso where we help startups and investors connect for funding. Let’s go startup something today. _______________________________________________________ For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at: http://investorconnect.org  Check out our other podcasts here: https://investorconnect.org/  For Investors check out: https://tencapital.group/investor-landing/  For Startups check out: https://tencapital.group/company-landing/  For eGuides check out: https://tencapital.group/education/  For upcoming Events, check out https://tencapital.group/events/   For Feedback please contact info@tencapital.group    Please follow, share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of Bensound.

On this episode of Investor Connect, Hall T. Martin has an engaging conversation with Paul, the founder of a pioneering AI-driven platform designed specifically for the restaurant industry. Paul shares his unique journey into tech after a promising career in professional hockey was derailed by an injury. His passion for innovation led him to create a comprehensive suite of solutions that enables restaurants to optimize operations using artificial intelligence. Together, they explore the fascinating landscape of the AI market today, especially within the context of hospitality—a sector that, as Paul describes, is ripe for technological disruption. The discussion dives deep into the challenges faced by restaurant owners, particularly in managing marketing efforts and reducing operational costs. Paul explains how his platform alleviates these pain points by automating functions that have traditionally consumed excessive time and resources. With capabilities ranging from payroll management to real-time inventory tracking, he's built a system that not only simplifies restaurant management but also drives customer engagement and repeat business through intelligent, data-driven marketing strategies. Hall humorously notes the struggles of conventional restaurant marketing and the opportunity for Paul’s AI solution to drastically improve this crucial aspect of the business. As they shift gears, Hall inquires about Paul’s recent fundraising efforts. Paul reveals that they raised $3.6 million in a friends-and-family round but quickly realized that more funding was necessary to achieve their goals. Currently, they’re in the midst of a seed round, having raised $1.7 million and looking to close the remaining $400,000 needed. The conversation reveals the importance of strategic investor relationships and how building a solid foundation of stakeholders can help propel startups to the next level. Hall’s insights into connecting with angel investors reflect his practical approach to securing needed funding. Finally, the episode emphasizes the notion that having proprietary data can serve as an essential competitive moat in the AI landscape. Paul elaborates on the uniqueness of their data bundle, which combines various aspects of restaurant operations to generate actionable insights. Hall underscores the significance of integrating data for creating value and enhancing processes, ensuring that a startup like Paul’s can stand apart from competitors. The episode wraps up on this note of optimism and exciting potential in the AI-driven restaurant space, leaving listeners with a sense of the transformative impact technology can have on traditional industries.   Thank you for joining us for the Startup Funding Espresso where we help startups and investors connect for funding. Let’s go startup something today. _______________________________________________________ For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at: http://investorconnect.org  Check out our other podcasts here: https://investorconnect.org/  For Investors check out: https://tencapital.group/investor-landing/  For Startups check out: https://tencapital.group/company-landing/  For eGuides check out: https://tencapital.group/education/  For upcoming Events, check out https://tencapital.group/events/   For Feedback please contact info@tencapital.group    Please follow, share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of Bensound.

What Is the Value of a Lead Investor Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. The lead investor can be an important resource to a startup. Here’s a list of values lead investors can bring to their fundraise: They help increase the chance of success of the fundraise. The presence of their leadership shows investors the startup has support. They bring other investors into the fundraise. Finding additional investors is the ongoing challenge. Many investors will not invest without a lead investor. The presence of a lead investor solves that problem. The lead investor can help progress the fundraise process. The lead investor typically invests 20% to 50% of the round which takes care of a sizable portion.  The lead investor leads the diligence which is oftentimes the biggest hurdle in closing the round. The lead investor manages the legal process in papering the deal. The lead investor oftentimes forms an advisory board if there’s no formal board. Finally, the lead investor negotiates the deal with the startup which is a time saver.   Thank you for joining us for the Startup Funding Espresso where we help startups and investors connect for funding. Let’s go startup something today. _______________________________________________________ For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at: http://investorconnect.org  Check out our other podcasts here: https://investorconnect.org/  For Investors check out: https://tencapital.group/investor-landing/  For Startups check out: https://tencapital.group/company-landing/  For eGuides check out: https://tencapital.group/education/  For upcoming Events, check out https://tencapital.group/events/   For Feedback please contact info@tencapital.group    Please follow, share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of Bensound.

Role of the Lead Investor After the Fundraise Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. The lead investor has a role before, during and after the fundraise. Here are some key activities for the lead investor after the fundraise. Takes a board seat to help guide the company. Often helps recruit the other board members. Provides oversight for reporting and compliance. This includes tax and regulatory filings as many startups haven’t done this before. Helps prepare the company for the next round of funding. This includes building the appropriate business results as well as lining up outside investors. To raise follow-on funding the company will need to meet specific metrics and milestones. This requires putting processes in place to achieve the goals. As for outside investors, it’s best to engage them early in the process so they can track the progress of the company.  The more the investors know about the company the easier it is to raise the funding when the time comes.  Consider these activities as a lead investor.   Thank you for joining us for the Startup Funding Espresso where we help startups and investors connect for funding. Let’s go startup something today. _______________________________________________________ For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at: http://investorconnect.org  Check out our other podcasts here: https://investorconnect.org/  For Investors check out: https://tencapital.group/investor-landing/  For Startups check out: https://tencapital.group/company-landing/  For eGuides check out: https://tencapital.group/education/  For upcoming Events, check out https://tencapital.group/events/   For Feedback please contact info@tencapital.group    Please follow, share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of Bensound.

What Are Co-Lead Investors? Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. The lead investor typically takes up to half of the round in return for leading the diligence and setting the valuation. When there is a great deal of work to be done and no single investor will take the lead then one can recruit a co-lead investor.  A co-lead investor will join to help with the diligence. In this case it’s best to build a lead investor team. It’s important to divide the diligence tasks among the members so everyone does their share of the work. Some consider the co-lead investor as lacking in interest or commitment. But with the amount of work to be done, it’s not uncommon for investors to look for other ways to accomplish the work. Startups can build lead investor teams to facilitate their funding round. Founders can pull several investors together into one group to perform the diligence and share the results. This often speeds up the funding process as investors look to others for feedback and experience. Consider building a lead investor team on your next fundraise.   Thank you for joining us for the Startup Funding Espresso where we help startups and investors connect for funding. Let’s go startup something today. _______________________________________________________ For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at: http://investorconnect.org  Check out our other podcasts here: https://investorconnect.org/  For Investors check out: https://tencapital.group/investor-landing/  For Startups check out: https://tencapital.group/company-landing/  For eGuides check out: https://tencapital.group/education/  For upcoming Events, check out https://tencapital.group/events/   For Feedback please contact info@tencapital.group    Please follow, share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of Bensound.

Disadvantages to Being a Lead Investor Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. While there are many advantages to being a lead investor there are also disadvantages. Here’s a list of disadvantages to consider: The lead investor must convince the other investors to agree on the proposed terms. Not everyone will agree with the terms and the valuation set by the lead investor. The result of the investment will be placed on the shoulders of the lead investor. If the outcome is not a positive one, the lead investor will receive the blame. There is a time commitment. The role of the lead investor includes negotiating  the terms and valuation and recruiting other investors. Closing the round will take considerable time as the other investors will go through their own diligence process. Providing diligence to other investors often leads to investors not doing diligence. Each investor is responsible for their own diligence result. There’s an expectation that the lead investor will join the next round.  By not joining it will put the startup in a difficult position. Consider these disadvantages before assuming the lead investor role.   Thank you for joining us for the Startup Funding Espresso where we help startups and investors connect for funding. Let’s go startup something today. _______________________________________________________ For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at: http://investorconnect.org  Check out our other podcasts here: https://investorconnect.org/  For Investors check out: https://tencapital.group/investor-landing/  For Startups check out: https://tencapital.group/company-landing/  For eGuides check out: https://tencapital.group/education/  For upcoming Events, check out https://tencapital.group/events/   For Feedback please contact info@tencapital.group    Please follow, share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of Bensound.

Advantages to Being a Lead Investor Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. While the lead investor has many responsibilities there are also advantages. Here are some advantages to being a lead investor: Gain a better understanding of the startup through diligence work. Gain a position in the startup or on the board. Better understand the performance of the startup over time. Have more influence over the direction of the company. Have more say in key decisions and strategy. Can help the startup avoid major challenges and disasters based on poor decisions.  Can protect the investment by helping negotiate the terms and provide follow-on oversight. Can identify poor decisions and take steps to correct them. Successful startup investments come from a strong team, proper mentorship, and sufficient funding.  The lead investor is in a key position to provide these elements to the startup. Consider leading a funding round.   Thank you for joining us for the Startup Funding Espresso where we help startups and investors connect for funding. Let’s go startup something today. _______________________________________________________ For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at: http://investorconnect.org  Check out our other podcasts here: https://investorconnect.org/  For Investors check out: https://tencapital.group/investor-landing/  For Startups check out: https://tencapital.group/company-landing/  For eGuides check out: https://tencapital.group/education/  For upcoming Events, check out https://tencapital.group/events/   For Feedback please contact info@tencapital.group    Please follow, share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of Bensound.

Attributes of a Lead Investor Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. The lead investor leads the process of negotiating the terms of a deal with a startup. Here are some key attributes of a lead investor: Has a strong interest in funding the startup. Has previous experience with venture capital investing. Is familiar with venture terms sheets and terminology. Has experience with investors and early stage funding. Understands the due diligence process and what needs to be done. Understands the legal aspects of startup funding.  Approaches the work to be done as a professional. Has time available to engage in the diligence process as a lead investor. Takes responsibility for the outcome of the process. Can work well with others both on the startup side and investor side. Has good communication and negotiation skills. Can provide leadership through difficult situations. The lead investor must be organized and efficient in their work.  Consider these attributes for a lead investor for your fundraise.   Thank you for joining us for the Startup Funding Espresso where we help startups and investors connect for funding. Let’s go startup something today. _______________________________________________________ For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at: http://investorconnect.org  Check out our other podcasts here: https://investorconnect.org/  For Investors check out: https://tencapital.group/investor-landing/  For Startups check out: https://tencapital.group/company-landing/  For eGuides check out: https://tencapital.group/education/  For upcoming Events, check out https://tencapital.group/events/   For Feedback please contact info@tencapital.group    Please follow, share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of Bensound.

On this episode of Investor Connect, Hall welcomes Rob Johnson, CEO at MotionAI Technologies. Located in San Francisco, California, MotionAI Technologies is pioneering the development of a Small Motion Model (SMM) that focuses on biomechanics using proprietary sensor data to train AI models. The company is specifically targeting the consumer fitness market with an innovative approach that incorporates wearable technology, such as wrist and finger sensors, to gather motion data and create actionable insights for fitness enthusiasts and professionals alike. With a patent in place and promising letters of intent from potential customers, MotionAI is laying the groundwork for a groundbreaking solution that could redefine how motion data is leveraged in fitness applications. Rob has a robust background in AI systems and biomechanics, having collaborated with the University of Michigan Kinesiology Lab to validate the capabilities of his technology. With a hands-on approach, he has successfully bootstrapped the company to this point, raising $700k to date. Rob's vision is to create a sophisticated AI-driven model tailored to tracking human motion, which, with the right funding, can be developed into a market-ready product within a few months. His experience spans various domains, making him a knowledgeable leader in the tech space who understands the strategic necessity of securing investment and partnerships to advance the company's mission. In this episode, Rob shares insights into his fundraising efforts, the unique technology behind MotionAI, and the importance of partnerships with corporate VCs in the fitness industry to propel the company forward. Visit MotionAI Technologies at www.motionaitech.com, LinkedIn, and on Twitter. Reach out to Rob at www.linkedin.com/in/robjohnson and on Twitter.   Thank you for joining us for the Startup Funding Espresso where we help startups and investors connect for funding. Let’s go startup something today. ________________________________________________________________________   For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at: http://investorconnect.org  Check out our other podcasts here: https://investorconnect.org/  For Investors check out: https://tencapital.group/investor-landing/  For Startups check out: https://tencapital.group/company-landing/  For eGuides check out: https://tencapital.group/education/  For upcoming Events, check out https://tencapital.group/events/   For Feedback please contact info@tencapital.group    Please follow, share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of Bensound.

Responsibilities of a Lead Investor Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. The lead investor leads the diligence and negotiations with the startup. Here’s a list of responsibilities of a lead investor: Recruits investors to join the diligence team and divides up the work. Engages in the process of diligence as well.  Organizes meetings with investors and the startup team. Keeps the investors informed of the progress of diligence and deal terms negotiations. Brings in an attorney to paper the investment transaction. Helps select the board of directors if a board will be formed. Keeps the startup team informed of the investors concerns and care abouts. Provides mentorship to the startup throughout the diligence process. Negotiates the valuation and key terms of the deal such as liquidation preferences. Helps find additional investors if needed. Represents the interests of all the investors throughout the process. A lead investor makes it easier for the startup by negotiating the terms directly rather than dealing with multiple investors. Consider these responsibilities before taking on the role of a lead investor.   Thank you for joining us for the Startup Funding Espresso where we help startups and investors connect for funding. Let’s go startup something today. _______________________________________________________ For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at: http://investorconnect.org  Check out our other podcasts here: https://investorconnect.org/  For Investors check out: https://tencapital.group/investor-landing/  For Startups check out: https://tencapital.group/company-landing/  For eGuides check out: https://tencapital.group/education/  For upcoming Events, check out https://tencapital.group/events/   For Feedback please contact info@tencapital.group    Please follow, share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of Bensound.

What Is a Lead Investor Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. A lead investor is an individual or a group that leads the startup funding round by performing the diligence and setting the valuation. The lead is an investor who represents the investors in the terms negotiations with the startup. The lead is typically the first investor funding the startup. The lead investor typically invests a substantial amount of the fundraise but not all of it. The lead investor needs to have knowledge of the startup, the investors’ interests, and funding terms as well as deal structures.  A lead investor has experience with funding startups and a track record in startup investing. The lead investor will need to dedicate substantial time to the process of negotiating the terms and conditions of the deal. A lead investor often knows other investors who are interested in joining the round. The lead investor has access to legal resources for papering the deal. The lead investor lends credibility to the fundraise through their reputation. The lead investor is someone other investors trust. Startups seek lead investors who can help negotiate and set the valuation for the investment such that other investors will join the round.   Thank you for joining us for the Startup Funding Espresso where we help startups and investors connect for funding. Let’s go startup something today. _______________________________________________________ For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at: http://investorconnect.org  Check out our other podcasts here: https://investorconnect.org/  For Investors check out: https://tencapital.group/investor-landing/  For Startups check out: https://tencapital.group/company-landing/  For eGuides check out: https://tencapital.group/education/  For upcoming Events, check out https://tencapital.group/events/   For Feedback please contact info@tencapital.group    Please follow, share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of Bensound.

Managing the Grant Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. After winning the grant, the work begins. The research must be carried out and the grant providers must be kept informed. Here are some key points to consider in how to manage your grant. Review the rules of the granting program and set up a plan to comply. Check the grant plan to ensure that all requirements are being met. Maintain a calendar of key dates including meetings, reports due, and audit deadlines. Keep track of all financial invoices, receipts, and contracts in one place. Match each expenditure with the use of the funds. Ensure proper financial management over the funds with backups and security. Track all relevant documents from the grant proposal and ongoing research performed. Setup a budget for the use of funds and check monthly to ensure everything is on track. Gain permission to change the proposal from the granting program before making the changes. If there are partners in the grant then set up a meeting to build the calendar with meeting schedules, report deadlines, and how to maintain communication throughout the process. Announce the grant to the public.   Thank you for joining us for the Startup Funding Espresso where we help startups and investors connect for funding. Let’s go startup something today. _______________________________________________________ For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at: http://investorconnect.org  Check out our other podcasts here: https://investorconnect.org/  For Investors check out: https://tencapital.group/investor-landing/  For Startups check out: https://tencapital.group/company-landing/  For eGuides check out: https://tencapital.group/education/  For upcoming Events, check out https://tencapital.group/events/   For Feedback please contact info@tencapital.group    Please follow, share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of Bensound.

Best Practices for Writing a Grant Proposal Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. The grant proposal will be read by many people of varying background and technical skill. Here’s a list of best practices for writing a grant proposal. Make sure your proposal aligns with the goals and objectives of the granting organization. Establish context by writing an introduction that establishes the basic problem to be solved and the current solutions. Educate on the key care abouts and challenges in the space. Separate your goals - what you plan to accomplish, from your hypothesis -- what you believe to be true, and theories -- which are a system of ideas intended to explain something. Define a core fundamental goal and build the proposal around it. Stay focused on the goal and avoid complicated arguments that distract. Define your goals and develop a set of hypotheses to prove out. Show why you want to pursue these goals and how the outcome is important. Make sure the underlying research is solid and feasible. In writing the proposal state the problem and goal up front so it’s clear. Less is more.  The more you can focus on a clearly defined problem, the more realistic your proposal becomes.    Thank you for joining us for the Startup Funding Espresso where we help startups and investors connect for funding. Let’s go startup something today. _______________________________________________________ For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at: http://investorconnect.org  Check out our other podcasts here: https://investorconnect.org/  For Investors check out: https://tencapital.group/investor-landing/  For Startups check out: https://tencapital.group/company-landing/  For eGuides check out: https://tencapital.group/education/  For upcoming Events, check out https://tencapital.group/events/   For Feedback please contact info@tencapital.group    Please follow, share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of Bensound.

On this episode of Investor Connect, we wrap up our three-part series on the evolving funding landscape for MedTech companies with a rich and insightful discussion featuring a distinguished panel of guests, including Paul Janeski, angel investor and Board Member at Koretsu Forum, along with other industry experts. In this final installment, our guests dive deep into the critical aspects of MedTech investing, building on the foundational concepts explored in Parts 1 and 2. The discussion highlights the role of Koretsu Forum, known for its global reach and collaborative approach, which empowers investors like Paul and others on the panel to negotiate better terms and secure more favorable investment opportunities through collective expertise. Throughout this episode, our panelists reflect on the themes discussed in the previous segments, where we explored the inspiration behind focusing on life sciences and medical device technologies and the importance of forming strategic partnerships to navigate the complex regulatory landscape. Each guest offers unique perspectives on the necessity of thorough preparation, not only in commercialization strategies but also in understanding the intricate details of the MedTech sector. The conversation emphasizes aligning with investor expectations, protecting investments, and the critical role that investment groups play in providing the collective strength needed to succeed in high-stakes deals. As we conclude this series, the conversation turns to the future of MedTech investing, particularly the impact of innovative commercialization strategies and the evolving role of AI and emerging technologies. The insights shared by our panel provide a valuable roadmap for both investors and entrepreneurs, underscoring the importance of strategic planning and robust partnerships in achieving long-term success in the MedTech landscape. Visit Koretsu Forum at www.koretsuforum.com to learn more, and connect with our guests on LinkedIn: Paul Janeski at www.linkedin.com/in/pauljaneski and others. ___________________________________________________ For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at: www.investorconnect.org Check out our other podcasts here: www.investorconnect.org/podcasts For Investors check out: www.tencapital.group/investor-landing For Startups check out: www.tencapital.group/company-landing For eGuides check out: www.tencapital.group/education For upcoming Events, check out www.tencapital.group/events For Feedback please contact info@tencapital.group Please follow, share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of Bensound.

How To Write a Compelling Abstract Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. In applying for a grant, it’s important to include a compelling abstract. Not everyone involved will read the entire grant proposal but most everyone will read the abstract. Here are some key steps in writing an abstract: State clearly what you plan to do. Include why this is important. Show what you have already done. Propose how you plan to carry out the work. State your hypothesis and how you plan to prove it. In writing the abstract it helps to start with what you want to achieve and then fill out the supporting science, and the steps you will take. In the abstract describe not only what you want to accomplish but how you will do so. Abstracts come with word limits so it’s important to wordsmith and polish it so it becomes concise. Write out potential problems and how you will solve them. Remind the reader of the overall problem you are trying to solve. The abstract will be read by both technical and non technical people so it should be written in plain English. Consider these points for writing your abstract.   Thank you for joining us for the Startup Funding Espresso where we help startups and investors connect for funding. Let’s go startup something today. _______________________________________________________ For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at: http://investorconnect.org  Check out our other podcasts here: https://investorconnect.org/  For Investors check out: https://tencapital.group/investor-landing/  For Startups check out: https://tencapital.group/company-landing/  For eGuides check out: https://tencapital.group/education/  For upcoming Events, check out https://tencapital.group/events/   For Feedback please contact info@tencapital.group    Please follow, share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of Bensound.