In this episode of Startup Hustle, Matt DeCoursey and Michael Evans, CoFounder of GrubHub and Founder of Fixer, talk about the importance of being goal-oriented at all stages of a startup.

 

Find Startup Hustle Everywhere:

https://gigb.co/l/YEh5

 

This episode is sponsored by Full Scale:

https://fullscale.io/

 

Learn more about Fixer:

https://fixer.com/

 

Watch Matt DeCoursey's reaction video to recording this episode with Mike Evans:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_O7TS1jGgjY

 

 

In this episode of Startup Hustle, Matt DeCoursey and Michael Evans, CoFounder of GrubHub and Founder of Fixer, talk about the importance of being goal-oriented at all stages of a startup.
&nbsp;
Find Startup Hustle Everywhere:
<a href="https://gigb.co/l/YEh5">https://gigb.co/l/YEh5</a>
&nbsp;
This episode is sponsored by Full Scale:
<a href="https://fullscale.io/">https://fullscale.io/</a>
&nbsp;
Learn more about Fixer:
<a href="https://fixer.com/">https://fixer.com/</a>
&nbsp;
Watch Matt DeCoursey's reaction video to recording this episode with Mike Evans:
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_O7TS1jGgjY">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_O7TS1jGgjY</a>
&nbsp;
&nbsp;

Startup Hustle is a podcast for entrepreneurs, by entrepreneurs.  With the mission of telling the real story of startups and entrepreneurs, topics range from funding to failure and beyond.  If you want to start, own, or build a business then you're in the right place.   

Startup Hustle is a podcast for entrepreneurs, by entrepreneurs.&nbsp; With the mission of telling the real story of startups and entrepreneurs, topics range from funding to failure and beyond.&nbsp; If you want to start, own, or build a business then you're in the right place.&nbsp; &nbsp;

Startups, Entrepreneurship and Business are Not Easy

Startup Hustle

Startup Hustle is a podcast for entrepreneurs, by entrepreneurs.  With the mission of telling the real story of startups and entrepreneurs, topics range from funding to failure and beyond.  If you want to start, own, or build a business then you're in the right place.

From GrubHub to Fixer - Serial Entrepreneur Goals

In this episode, Matt Watson interviews Keith Harrington, the founder and COO of Novel Capital, about non-dilutive capital and alternative funding options for startups. They discuss the different types of capital available, such as revenue-based financing and venture debt, and the importance of understanding when and how to raise money. Keith emphasizes the need for entrepreneurs to have access to information, capital, and tools to make informed financing decisions. They also touch on the risks of raising too much equity and the benefits of practical, sustainable growth.

Takeaways
- Non-dilutive capital, such as revenue-based financing and venture debt, provides alternative funding options for startups.
- Entrepreneurs should carefully consider their use of funds and choose the right type of financing that aligns with their growth plans.
- Raising too much equity can lead to high valuations and potential dilution of ownership, making it important to be mindful of the long-term implications.
- Understanding the repayment structure, cost of capital, and potential risks associated with different financing options is crucial for making informed decisions.
- Tools like Novel Capital's venture match can help entrepreneurs connect with equity investors based on their underlying business dynamics.

Find Startup Hustle Everywhere:
https://gigb.co/l/YEh5

This episode is sponsored by Full Scale:
https://fullscale.io/

Find out more about Novel Capital here:
https://novelcapital.com/

Learn more about Keith Harrington here:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/keithharringtonkansas/

Sign up for the Startup Hustle newsletter:
https://newsletter.startuphustle.xyz/

Sound Bites
"The most important part of it is actually sales and marketing."
"Let's just start with what are you trying to accomplish. And then let's point you to the product that makes the most sense."
"Most people don't think about the downside of all of those."

Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Overview
03:10 Understanding the Service Offering and Target Audience
05:48 The Creation of Tools to Assist Entrepreneurs
08:17 The Importance of Sales and Marketing in Building a Business
10:08 The Challenges of Traditional Banks and the Need for Alternative Financing
12:02 Exploring Different Financing Options and Use Cases
15:13 The Role of Introductions to Venture Capital Firms
17:50 The Shift in Mindset Regarding Raising Venture Capital
20:35 The Risks of Raising Too Much Equity
23:30 The Benefits of Practical Growth and Bootstrapping
25:14 The Availability and Accessibility of Debt Financing
29:01 The Differences Between Debt Financing and Equity Financing
31:23 Considerations and Red Flags When Choosing a Financing Provider
34:00 Novel Capital's Tools and Venture Match Platform

In this episode, Matt Watson interviews Keith Harrington, the founder and COO of Novel Capital, about non-dilutive capital and alternative funding options for startups. They discuss the different types of capital available, such as revenue-based financing and venture debt, and the importance of understanding when and how to raise money. Keith emphasizes the need for entrepreneurs to have access to information, capital, and tools to make informed financing decisions. They also touch on the risks of raising too much equity and the benefits of practical, sustainable growth.
Takeaways - Non-dilutive capital, such as revenue-based financing and venture debt, provides alternative funding options for startups. - Entrepreneurs should carefully consider their use of funds and choose the right type of financing that aligns with their growth plans. - Raising too much equity can lead to high valuations and potential dilution of ownership, making it important to be mindful of the long-term implications. - Understanding the repayment structure, cost of capital, and potential risks associated with different financing options is crucial for making informed decisions. - Tools like Novel Capital's venture match can help entrepreneurs connect with equity investors based on their underlying business dynamics.
Find Startup Hustle Everywhere: <a href="https://gigb.co/l/YEh5">https://gigb.co/l/YEh5</a> 
This episode is sponsored by Full Scale: <a href="https://fullscale.io/">https://fullscale.io/</a> 
Find out more about Novel Capital here: <a href="https://novelcapital.com/">https://novelcapital.com/</a>
Learn more about Keith Harrington here: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/keithharringtonkansas/">https://www.linkedin.com/in/keithharringtonkansas/</a> 
Sign up for the Startup Hustle newsletter: <a href="https://newsletter.startuphustle.xyz/">https://newsletter.startuphustle.xyz/</a> 
Sound Bites "The most important part of it is actually sales and marketing." "Let's just start with what are you trying to accomplish. And then let's point you to the product that makes the most sense." "Most people don't think about the downside of all of those."
Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Overview 03:10 Understanding the Service Offering and Target Audience 05:48 The Creation of Tools to Assist Entrepreneurs 08:17 The Importance of Sales and Marketing in Building a Business 10:08 The Challenges of Traditional Banks and the Need for Alternative Financing 12:02 Exploring Different Financing Options and Use Cases 15:13 The Role of Introductions to Venture Capital Firms 17:50 The Shift in Mindset Regarding Raising Venture Capital 20:35 The Risks of Raising Too Much Equity 23:30 The Benefits of Practical Growth and Bootstrapping 25:14 The Availability and Accessibility of Debt Financing 29:01 The Differences Between Debt Financing and Equity Financing 31:23 Considerations and Red Flags When Choosing a Financing Provider 34:00 Novel Capital's Tools and Venture Match Platform

How to Access Non-Dilutive Funding

Christian Hammer, founder and CEO of Vala AI, joins Matt Watson on the Startup Hustle podcast to discuss AI for software development and the concept of technical debt. They explore the challenges of bridging the gap between business needs and technology, the different definitions of tech debt, and the importance of keeping up with the rate of change in the industry. Christian shares insights into Vala AI's platform, which aims to provide a holistic view of an organization's tech stack and help identify and address tech debt.

Takeaways
- Tech debt is the gap between business needs and the technology that supports those needs.
- Off-the-shelf software often has inherent tech debt because it is not custom-built for specific use cases.
- The rate of change in technology is accelerating, leading to an accumulation of tech debt.
- The term 'technical debt' can be misleading and should be replaced with more accurate terminology.
- AI in software development is still in its early stages and should be treated as a junior engineer or intern.
- Effective communication and understanding between business and technology teams is crucial to address tech debt.

Find Startup Hustle Everywhere:
https://gigb.co/l/YEh5

This episode is sponsored by Full Scale:
https://fullscale.io/

Find out more about Vala AI here:
https://www.vala-ai.com/

Learn more about Christian Hammer here:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/chammer1/

Sign up for the Startup Hustle newsletter:
https://newsletter.startuphustle.xyz/

Sound Bites
"Tech debt is the gap between business needs and the technology that supports those needs."
"All software that we build over time will eventually be replaced or go away."
"The evil technical debt is the one that is brutal and prevents you from doing other things."

Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Background
01:30 The Origin of Vala AI and the Problem of Tech Debt
07:27 The Accelerating Rate of Change and Tech Debt Accumulation
10:43 The Need for Better Terminology and Definitions
14:28 The Role of Effective Communication in Addressing Tech Debt
25:06 The Importance of Understanding Business Needs and Possibilities
29:14 Vala AI's Platform and Approach to Addressing Tech Debt
32:00 The Current State of AI in Software Development
36:16 Differentiating Between Software Engineers and Coders
37:46 Vala AI's Mission and Podcast

Christian Hammer, founder and CEO of Vala AI, joins Matt Watson on the Startup Hustle podcast to discuss AI for software development and the concept of technical debt. They explore the challenges of bridging the gap between business needs and technology, the different definitions of tech debt, and the importance of keeping up with the rate of change in the industry. Christian shares insights into Vala AI's platform, which aims to provide a holistic view of an organization's tech stack and help identify and address tech debt.
Takeaways - Tech debt is the gap between business needs and the technology that supports those needs. - Off-the-shelf software often has inherent tech debt because it is not custom-built for specific use cases. - The rate of change in technology is accelerating, leading to an accumulation of tech debt. - The term 'technical debt' can be misleading and should be replaced with more accurate terminology. - AI in software development is still in its early stages and should be treated as a junior engineer or intern. - Effective communication and understanding between business and technology teams is crucial to address tech debt.
Find Startup Hustle Everywhere: https://gigb.co/l/YEh5
This episode is sponsored by Full Scale: https://fullscale.io/
Find out more about Vala AI here: https://www.vala-ai.com/
Learn more about Christian Hammer here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chammer1/
Sign up for the Startup Hustle newsletter: https://newsletter.startuphustle.xyz/
Sound Bites "Tech debt is the gap between business needs and the technology that supports those needs." "All software that we build over time will eventually be replaced or go away." "The evil technical debt is the one that is brutal and prevents you from doing other things."
Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Background 01:30 The Origin of Vala AI and the Problem of Tech Debt 07:27 The Accelerating Rate of Change and Tech Debt Accumulation 10:43 The Need for Better Terminology and Definitions 14:28 The Role of Effective Communication in Addressing Tech Debt 25:06 The Importance of Understanding Business Needs and Possibilities 29:14 Vala AI's Platform and Approach to Addressing Tech Debt 32:00 The Current State of AI in Software Development 36:16 Differentiating Between Software Engineers and Coders 37:46 Vala AI's Mission and Podcast

Technical Debt, Bridging Business & Tech

In this episode, Matt Watson and Ryan Dowdy discuss the difference between professional service companies and SaaS companies. They explore the challenges and opportunities of scaling a service-based business and the importance of sales and distribution in entrepreneurship. They also touch on the significance of personal branding for founders and the role it plays in building trust and thought leadership.

The conversation focuses on the importance of values alignment, personal branding, and quality in business growth. They discussed how values alignment with customers and clients can lead to stronger relationships and referrals. They also emphasized the power of personal branding in building trust and attracting customers. The conversation touched on the significance of storytelling and transparency in marketing, as well as the challenges and rewards of running service companies versus SaaS companies. Finally, they highlighted the importance of quality and customer satisfaction in driving referrals and long-term success.

Takeaways
Professional service companies and SaaS companies have different business models and growth strategies.
Scaling a service-based business can be challenging, but it offers opportunities for growth and scalability.
Sales and distribution are crucial for the success of any business, regardless of its industry.
Personal branding is becoming increasingly important for founders and entrepreneurs to establish thought leadership and build trust. Values alignment with customers and clients is crucial for building strong relationships and driving referrals.
Personal branding can help establish trust and attract customers who align with your values.
Storytelling and transparency in marketing can be more effective than generic marketing messages.
Running a service company can be less risky and easier to get off the ground compared to a SaaS company.
Quality and customer satisfaction are key drivers of referrals and long-term success.

Find Startup Hustle Everywhere:
https://gigb.co/l/YEh5

This episode is sponsored by Full Scale:
https://fullscale.io/

Sign up for the Startup Hustle newsletter:
https://newsletter.startuphustle.xyz/

Sound Bites
"We are a software development company. We help other people, but it's totally different. Like I'm not writing the code. I don't do any of the work."
"Overall, only 1% of companies make it to 10 million. That's a giant accomplishment."
"Valuations of SaaS companies tend to be tied to top line revenue, while service companies are valued based on EBITDA."
"Do my values align with the person I'm doing business with?"
"The number one driver of sales for most companies is referrals."
"You don't control referrals, but they just happen."

Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Overview
02:30 Difference Between Professional Service Companies and SaaS Companies
05:49 Challenges and Opportunities of Scaling a Service-Based Business
12:58 Significance of Personal Branding for Founders and Entrepreneurs
23:39 Values Alignment and Business Success
26:55 The Unpredictability of Referrals
33:18 Quality as a Cornerstone of Business Growth

In this episode, Matt Watson and Ryan Dowdy discuss the difference between professional service companies and SaaS companies. They explore the challenges and opportunities of scaling a service-based business and the importance of sales and distribution in entrepreneurship. They also touch on the significance of personal branding for founders and the role it plays in building trust and thought leadership.
The conversation focuses on the importance of values alignment, personal branding, and quality in business growth. They discussed how values alignment with customers and clients can lead to stronger relationships and referrals. They also emphasized the power of personal branding in building trust and attracting customers. The conversation touched on the significance of storytelling and transparency in marketing, as well as the challenges and rewards of running service companies versus SaaS companies. Finally, they highlighted the importance of quality and customer satisfaction in driving referrals and long-term success.
Takeaways Professional service companies and SaaS companies have different business models and growth strategies. Scaling a service-based business can be challenging, but it offers opportunities for growth and scalability. Sales and distribution are crucial for the success of any business, regardless of its industry. Personal branding is becoming increasingly important for founders and entrepreneurs to establish thought leadership and build trust. Values alignment with customers and clients is crucial for building strong relationships and driving referrals. Personal branding can help establish trust and attract customers who align with your values. Storytelling and transparency in marketing can be more effective than generic marketing messages. Running a service company can be less risky and easier to get off the ground compared to a SaaS company. Quality and customer satisfaction are key drivers of referrals and long-term success.
Find Startup Hustle Everywhere: https://gigb.co/l/YEh5
This episode is sponsored by Full Scale: https://fullscale.io/
Sign up for the Startup Hustle newsletter: https://newsletter.startuphustle.xyz/
Sound Bites "We are a software development company. We help other people, but it's totally different. Like I'm not writing the code. I don't do any of the work." "Overall, only 1% of companies make it to 10 million. That's a giant accomplishment." "Valuations of SaaS companies tend to be tied to top line revenue, while service companies are valued based on EBITDA." "Do my values align with the person I'm doing business with?" "The number one driver of sales for most companies is referrals." "You don't control referrals, but they just happen."
Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Overview 02:30 Difference Between Professional Service Companies and SaaS Companies 05:49 Challenges and Opportunities of Scaling a Service-Based Business 12:58 Significance of Personal Branding for Founders and Entrepreneurs 23:39 Values Alignment and Business Success 26:55 The Unpredictability of Referrals 33:18 Quality as a Cornerstone of Business Growth

From GrubHub to Fixer - Serial Entrepreneur Goals

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