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Fundraising: Demystified! True Stories Direct From Founders

Fundraising: Demystified! True Stories Direct From Founders

著者: Jason Kirby
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In this podcast, we uncover the untold stories of founders who have weathered the highs and lows of raising capital. We go beyond the headlines and Techcrunch funding news articles to explore the uncharted territories of the fundraising landscape. In each episode, we'll sit down with founders from various industries who have raised venture capital to bring their visions to life. They'll open up about their personal journeys, fundraising tactics & more. If you're a founder, this podcast offers a ton of value & insights you can apply to your fundraising journey. Don't forget to hit subscribe!Jason Kirby マネジメント・リーダーシップ リーダーシップ 経済学
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  • EP 90: Search Funds Demystified: How Jon Staenberg (Agate Hound Fund) Nets 35% Annual Returns
    2025/06/19
    This week, I chat with Jon Staenberg founding partner of Agate Hound Fund, to unpack the real mechanics behind venture capital and search funds. From his early days at Microsoft, to founding a search fund that delivers 35% net annual returns, Jon pulls no punches. He warns, “Don’t go into venture until you’ve actually got a skill,” and breaks down the challenges of buying a company. We explore how grit, curiosity, and critical thinking separate founders who retire early from those who build enduring empires, and why the “comprehensiveness of change today is astonishing.” Whether you’re curious about launching a search fund, leveling up in VC, or simply hungry for insights, this episode will equip you with the tools and the mindset to raise your game.Raising capital?Get a list of vetted VCs for FREE here: https://web.thunder.vc/list-of-investors-vcs-for-founders?utm_source=Spotify&utm_medium=Video&utm_campaign=Episode90&utm_id=FundraisingDemystifiedPodcastGet the latest fundraising insights, news, and tips:https://blog.thunder.vc/funding-101?utm_source=Spotify&utm_medium=Video&utm_campaign=Episode90&utm_id=FundraisingDemystifiedPodcastWe explore:0:00 – Intro & Meet Jon Staenberg of Agate Hound Fund4:50 – “Microsoft was way beyond my expectations…”10:30 – “Don’t go into venture until you’ve actually got a skill”16:15 – Search Funds 101: “5% net annual return22:00 – “Buying a company is hard… it’s messy”28:05 – Why grit, curiosity & critical thinking win33:40 – The “retire early” myth vs. 60‑hour workweeks38:20 – AI & the comprehensiveness of change today42:10 – How to connect with JonABOUT JON STAENBERGJon Staenberg is the founding partner of Agate Hound Fund, a search‑fund vehicle focused on acquiring and scaling founder‑owned companies. Before launching Agate Hound, Jon spent over a decade at Microsoft, where he led product strategy and saw firsthand how engagement and inspiration fuel innovation. A veteran operator turned investor, he’s passionate about teaching entrepreneurs that “buying a company is hard,” but also demonstrating how a disciplined, skill‑based approach can generate 35% net annual returns. Jon holds an MBA from Stanford and advises several high‑growth startups on go‑to‑market and capital strategy.Get in touch with Jon:Website: https://www.agatehound.fund/Email: jon@agatehound.fund ABOUT JASONJason Kirby is the co-founder of Thunder VC. He is a serial entrepreneur with 4 multi-million exits and decades of experience in fundraising and business building. He has coached hundreds of entrepreneurs in his career on fundraising, investing, capital strategy, and business development.You can reach out to Jason through:Email: jason@thunder.vcLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonrkirby/ABOUT FUNDRAISING DEMYSTIFIED Our goal is simple: to equip you with the knowledge, inspiration, and guidance to navigate the labyrinthine world of fundraising. Whether you're a budding entrepreneur seeking seed funding or an established founder looking to scale your business, this podcast will provide you with the tools you need to conquer the fundraising landscape.Thank you for being a loyal subscriber to Fundraising Demystified. We appreciate your support and are excited to continue bringing you more inspiring stories from successful founders.
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    43 分
  • EP 89: From Uber to Snap to AI: Ben Chiang on Raising Millions Then vs Now
    2025/06/12
    In this episode of Fundraising Demystified, I sit down with Ben Chiang, the former head of Uber China and founder of Forma (acquired by Snap- yes, from Snapchat), to unpack his journey through hypergrowth, high-stakes fundraising, and strategic exits. Ben shares the realities behind building in chaotic markets, the truth about investor dynamics post-exit, and how founders can stay sane while chasing scale. We dive into the underrated benefits of QSBS (Qualified Small Business Stock), why consumer startups have it tougher than ever, and the unique marketing challenges of building AI products in today’s crowded landscape. Great watch if you’re curious about any aspect of building and exiting in tech.—---------------------------------------------------------------Raising capital?Get a list of vetted VCs for FREE here: https://web.thunder.vc/list-of-investors-vcs-for-founders?utm_source=Youtube&utm_medium=Video&utm_campaign=Episode89&utm_id=FundraisingDemystifiedPodcastGet the latest fundraising insights, news, and tips:https://blog.thunder.vc/funding-101?utm_source=Youtube&utm_medium=Video&utm_campaign=Episode89&utm_id=FundraisingDemystifiedPodcastWe talk:00:00: From Zero to 50 Million Weekly Rides: Uber China’s Blitzscale Playbook02:48: Why Market Fit Is Make or Break06:07: Timing, Relationships & the Hidden Rules of Fundraising08:58: Forma’s Acquisition by Snap: Behind the Deal11:57: Luck, Credit, and the Realities of Startup Success15:00: Negotiating from Leverage vs. Desperation26:13: Founders vs. Investors: What Changes After an Exit28:08: QSBS: The Most Underrated Tax Benefit in Startups30:27: How Stock Market Volatility Affects Founders32:11: Leaving Snap: Rediscovering Purpose33:43: The Messy Reality of Building and Marketing AI Products37:14: Fundraising Now vs. Then: What’s Actually Changed?40:57: Herd Mentality and the Modern VC Landscape44:07: What It Takes to Enjoy the Founder Journey47:00: Final Advice: Know What You WantABOUT BEN CHIANGBen Chiang is a veteran operator and founder best known for launching Uber in China and later founding Forma, a startup acquired by Snap. His experience spans scaling platforms in hypercompetitive markets, navigating complex acquisitions, and now building across multiple AI content ventures. Get in touch with Ben:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjaminchiang/Twitter: https://x.com/ben_chiang ABOUT JASONJason Kirby is the co-founder of Thunder VC. He is a serial entrepreneur with 4 multi-million exits and decades of experience in fundraising and business building. He has coached hundreds of entrepreneurs in his career on fundraising, investing, capital strategy, and business development.You can reach out to Jason through:Email: jason@thunder.vcLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonrkirby/ABOUT FUNDRAISING DEMYSTIFIED Our goal is simple: to equip you with the knowledge, inspiration, and guidance to navigate the labyrinthine world of fundraising. Whether you're a budding entrepreneur seeking seed funding or an established founder looking to scale your business, this podcast will provide you with the tools you need to conquer the fundraising landscape.Thank you for being a loyal subscriber to Fundraising Demystified. We appreciate your support and are excited to continue bringing you more inspiring stories from successful founders.
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    53 分
  • EP 88: How a Broken Leave Policy Led to a $30M HR Tech Startup w/ Jenniffer Henderson (Tilt)
    2025/06/05

    60 pitches in 90 days. A Series B term sheet that collapsed. A $15M valuation hit, and she still came out on top.


    In this episode, Jennifer Henderson, founder of Colorado-based HR tech startup Tilt, breaks down exactly what it took to raise over $30 million in venture capital while balancing motherhood, market crashes, and investor whiplash.


    Jen shares how Tilt was born out of personal trauma, why she built a leave management platform with empathy at its core, and what every founder, especially women, needs to know before walking into their next pitch.


    From Techstars to term sheet disasters, this is the real story behind startup success in today’s market.

    —---------------------------------------------------------------

    Raising capital?


    Get a list of vetted VCs for FREE here: https://web.thunder.vc/list-of-investors-vcs-for-founders?utm_source=Youtube&utm_medium=Video&utm_campaign=Episode88&utm_id=FundraisingDemystifiedPodcast


    Get the latest fundraising insights, news, and tips:

    https://blog.thunder.vc/funding-101?utm_source=Youtube&utm_medium=Video&utm_campaign=Episode88&utm_id=FundraisingDemystifiedPodcast


    Here's what you're in for:
    00:00 – “I don’t come from money”: Why Jen chose venture

    04:21 – Building Tilt from personal pain

    06:08 – Sales tactics that worked

    09:07 – How Techstars changed the fundraising game

    11:53 – Raising Series A: Saying no to ‘cute’ term sheets

    18:03 – Series B nightmares: exclusivity traps, errors & resilience

    33:07 – The truth about AI in HR tech

    39:02 – Advice to female founders: “Be successful. We need you.”

    42:56 – Surviving the current startup market

    ABOUT JENNIFER HENDERSON

    Jennifer Henderson is the founder & CEO of Tilt, a Colorado-based HR tech platform that simplifies and humanizes leave of absence management for modern teams. After two traumatic parental leave experiences, she turned her frustration into a mission. From Starbucks barista to corporate leader to raising $30M+ across five rounds, Jen's journey is a masterclass in resilience, grit, and founder-first leadership. Tilt is now a trusted solution for teams across the U.S., navigating complex leave policies with care.

    Connect with Jennifer on:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniferhendersonjctcjcdcEmail: hello@tilt.com


    ABOUT JASON

    Jason Kirby is the co-founder of Thunder VC. He is a serial entrepreneur with 4 multi-million exits and decades of experience in fundraising and business building. He has coached hundreds of entrepreneurs in his career on fundraising, investing, capital strategy, and business development.

    You can reach out to Jason through:

    Email: jason@thunder.vc

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


    ABOUT FUNDRAISING DEMYSTIFIED

    Our goal is simple: to equip you with the knowledge, inspiration, and guidance to navigate the labyrinthine world of fundraising. Whether you're a budding entrepreneur seeking seed funding or an established founder looking to scale your business, this podcast will provide you with the tools you need to conquer the fundraising landscape.


    Thank you for being a loyal subscriber to Fundraising Demystified. We appreciate your support and are excited to continue bringing you more inspiring stories from successful founders.


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    46 分

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