Summary
In this episode, Jorian Hoover, a fundraising consultant, shares insights on the fundraising process for startups. He emphasizes the importance of founders taking charge of their fundraising efforts, preparing thoroughly, and understanding their readiness to raise capital. The conversation covers common mistakes, building a strong investor list, crafting an effective pitch deck, and navigating the fundraising timeline. Jorian also discusses valuation strategies and shares a success story from a client who effectively raised capital.
In this episode of the Equidom Podcast, Dan Gray and Daniel Faloppa discuss the evolving landscape of startups, particularly focusing on the impact of AI, changes in venture capital, and the bifurcation of opportunities in the software sector. They explore how the economics of SaaS have shifted, the challenges new companies face in a saturated market, and the need for investors to adapt to a new reality where traditional metrics may no longer apply. The conversation highlights the importance of understanding risk and the changing dynamics of funding in the startup ecosystem.
In this conversation, Daniel Faloppa and Dan Gray explore the current state of the fundraising environment for startups in 2025, discussing trends, challenges, and strategies for founders. They analyze the impact of global economic factors on valuations, the importance of cash flow, and the evolving dynamics between venture capital and private equity. The discussion also delves into the implications of AI on startup valuations and the necessity for founders to align with investors who share a long-term vision.
In this conversation, Daniel Faloppa and Dan Gray discuss the current state of the startup fundraising market, focusing on early-stage funding trends, the impact of AI on startups, and the disconnect between valuation and price. They analyze the challenges faced by European startups and explore future strategies for growth in a changing economic landscape. This conversation delves into the evolving landscape of deep tech investment, the impact of macroeconomic shifts on innovation, and the current state of AI funding in venture capital. The discussion highlights the challenges and opportunities presented by the changing dynamics of IPOs and secondary markets, emphasizing the need for transparency and regulatory frameworks to foster a healthier investment environment.
In this conversation, Daniel Faloppa (Equidam Founder & CEO) and Robin Wauters (Founder & Former CEO of Tech.EU) discuss the evolution of the European tech ecosystem, focusing on Wauters' journey with Tech.EU and the broader state of European tech.
They look at investment trends, productivity issues, and the importance of innovation. Wauters emphasizes the need for a shift in mindset among European founders and the necessity of creating scale-ups to drive growth and competitiveness in the global market.
They also cover the challenges and opportunities facing European startups in terms of talent retention, government support, and the potential of deep tech. They explore the importance of harnessing research expertise, the evolving landscape of AI, and the shifting dynamics of SaaS investment.
This episode explores the rapid rise of AI investment, the differences between AI infrastructure and startups, the implications of general intelligence on business models, the impact of AI on work and creativity, and the competitive landscape between incumbents and startups in the AI space.
In this conversation, Daniel Faloppa and Dan Gray look at the evolving landscape of technology investments, particularly the tension between hardware and software, the implications of AI on capital and innovation, and the future of productivity and work.
They also consider the risks of overinvestment in AI, the importance of understanding market dynamics, and the potential for hardware to provide sustainable competitive advantages.
The dialogue emphasizes the need for a recalibration of investment strategies and the role of innovation in driving value in the economy.
In this episode, we dive into the complexities of equity stock compensation for startup employees, with Špela Prijon and Tamas Varkonyi — the Co-Founders of EquityPeople. We run through a range of topics related to ESOPs and cap table management, including the importance of aligning equity incentives with company goals, the challenges of determining fair equity distribution, and the common pitfalls that founders encounter. We also cover some current trends in equity compensation across different regions, underscoring the necessity for founders to be informed and proactive in their approach to equity management. 00:55 The Evolution of Equity Compensation 02:33 The Role of Equity in Startups 05:13 Challenges in Implementing Equity Strategies 07:57 Investor Influence on Equity Distribution 10:49 Taxation Issues with Equity Compensation 13:36 Setting Standards for Equity Practices 16:25 Determining Fair Equity Distribution 18:55 The Future of Equity Compensation 34:17 Pricing Equity and Risk Management 35:56 The Evolution of Equity Perspectives 37:45 Understanding Pool Sizes and Equity Allocation 39:53 Navigating Equity Topping Up Strategies 42:57 Benchmarking Equity: Best Practices and Pitfalls 45:15 The Role of Benchmarking in Equity Planning 47:45 Marketing Equity Schemes Effectively 50:29 The Importance of Transparency in Equity Disclosure 52:51 Common Mistakes in Equity Management 54:13 The Need for Structured Grant Systems 01:00:58 Trends in Equity Compensation and Market Dynamics
In this conversation, Daniel and Dan discuss the current state of the early-stage financing ecosystem, focusing on SAFEs (Simple Agreements for Future Equity) and convertible notes. They explore the evolution of SAFEs and how they have become the dominant form of early-stage fundraising. They also discuss the differences between SAFEs and convertible notes, the challenges of setting caps and discounts, and the potential problems with stacking multiple SAFEs. The conversation highlights the need for standardization and consensus in the industry. In this conversation, Daniel and Dan discuss the biases and complexities surrounding convertible notes and the need for a more thoughtful approach. They explore the different usages of convertibles, including bridging the gap between funding rounds, and the challenges of setting caps and discounts. They propose a first principles approach to determine the discount, tying it to the required ROI for venture capital. They also discuss the determination of the cap based on the optimistic valuation of the company. Overall, they advocate for a shift towards simpler and more transparent instruments that align with the needs of both founders and investors.
The referenced interview with Kate Shillo Beardsley of Hannah Grey VC: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AmTXBbC0glc
In Episode 9 of the Equidam podcast, Daniel is joined by Peach Zwyssig, CEO and Co-Founder of Axelra, a venture builder based in Switzerland.
They talk about how a venture builder can help founders overcome some of the hurdles in setting up a new startup, fundraising challenges and business growth.
The Equidam podcast is hosted by Daniel Faloppa (Equidam's CEO) , and focuses on startup fundraising trends around the world, with a particular focus on valuation for early stage companies.
Find out more: www.equidam.com
In this episode we talk about valuation methodology, accounting for different aspects of risk and reward, as well as the mostly unaccommodated factor of externalities.
Thank you for joining us! The Equidam podcast is co-hosted by Daniel Faloppa (Equidam's CEO) and Dan Gray (Equidam's Head of Marketing), and focuses on startup fundraising trends around the world, with a particular focus on valuation for early stage companies.
Find out more on equidam.com.
In this episode we cover a number of topics, including -
Numbers available here: https://www.equidam.com/parameters-update-p5-7-average-and-maximum-valuations/
The unique considerations of valuation for the purpose of pricing employee stock options
Why Y Combinator graduates can justify seeking above market rates
And whether AI has any application to the valuation conundrum
As always, thank you for joining us!
The Equidam podcast is co-hosted by Daniel Faloppa (Equidam's CEO) and Dan Gray (Equidam's Head of Marketing), and focuses on startup fundraising trends around the world, with a particular focus on valuation for early stage companies.
Find out more on equidam.com.
Welcome back to the Equidam podcast!
Today we speak to Will Bricker, data nerd and venture capitalist based out of New York working for Hustle Fund, a pre-seed venture firm. We discussed Hustle Fund's philosophy and Will's role there, as well as valuation at the earliest stages and in the frothiest markets, the startup revenue premium, the ROI of venture dollars, and much more.
Thanks for joining us.
The Equidam podcast is co-hosted by Daniel Faloppa (Equidam's CEO) and Dan Gray (Equidam's Head of Marketing), and focuses on startup fundraising trends around the world, with a particular focus on valuation for early stage companies.
Find out more on equidam.com.
In this episode of the Equidam podcast we talk about the collapse of silicon valley bank, the reponse from the startup world, and the resolution on Monday morning.
Thanks for joining us.
The Equidam podcast is co-hosted by Daniel Faloppa (Equidam's CEO) and Dan Gray (Equidam's Head of Marketing), and focuses on startup fundraising trends around the world, with a particular focus on valuation for early stage companies.
Find out more on equidam.com.
In this special episode we discuss the 5.6 Parameters Update for the Equidam platform, looking at a range of market data impacting startup valuations, including industry multiples, average and maximum valuations around the world, and some of the drivers of discount rates used in our methodologies.
Thanks for joining us.
The Equidam podcast is co-hosted by Daniel Faloppa (Equidam's CEO) and Dan Gray (Equidam's Head of Marketing), and focuses on startup fundraising trends around the world, with a particular focus on valuation for early stage companies. If you're a founder or an investor in that bracket, these conversations should be useful.
Find out more on equidam.com.
In this episode we talk about the principles of valuation for venture capital. What are the fundamental drivers of 'value' in a startup opportunity, how are they measured, and what are the consequences of that approach? Specifically, what role do multiples and 'comparables' play in valuation, and why?
How much of a startup's valuation is driven by the business, and how much is driven by the market?
Whether you're an investor or a founder, we hope this conversation poses some interesting questions about methodology and motivation.
Thanks for joining us.
The Equidam podcast is co-hosted by Daniel Faloppa (Equidam's CEO) and Dan Gray (Equidam's Head of Marketing), and focuses on startup fundraising trends around the world, with a particular focus on valuation for early stage companies. If you're a founder or an investor in that bracket, these conversations should be useful.
Find out more on equidam.com.
In this episode we talk about some of the challenges facing venture capital as an asset class, how it has changed over the years, and the role it plays in broader investment strategies.
Is venture capital still backing 'aventurers', or is it just picking winners?
Is there an overlooked opportunity in 'middle risk' companies?
The Equidam podcast is co-hosted by Daniel Faloppa (Equidam's CEO) and Dan Gray (Equidam's Head of Marketing), and focuses on startup fundraising trends around the world, with a particular focus on valuation for early stage companies.
Find out more on equidam.com.
We start this episode by explaining why we've decided to launch a podcast. (It's not because the world needed another entrepreneurship podcast.)
To begin this series, we start by sharing some perspective about exactly what startup valuation is, in terms of process and outcome. We compare that to more traditional company valuation, and why the two differ.
We also look more broadly at the current fundraising environment, recent trends (falling valuations, slower rounds) and some of the reasons why.
The Equidam podcast is co-hosted by Daniel Faloppa (Equidam's CEO) and Dan Gray (Equidam's Head of Marketing), and focuses on startup fundraising trends around the world, with a particular focus on valuation for early stage companies.
Find out more on equidam.com.
