Going Against the Trend
Startup Funding Summit 2021
16 March 2021
Manoj Ranaweera
manoj.ranaweera@techcelerate.ventures | +44 7769734491
https://deallite.uk | https://skilledup.life | https://progresshero.report | https://techcelerate.ventures
Early stage tech startups are building their
companies to satisfy investors instead of
delighting customers.
●
Investor focused: MVP
● Customer focused: V1
● Hybrid: Extensible MVP
The art of bootstrapping is still has a place.
Copyright: Techcelerate Ltd
2015-2018
UnifiedVU
(failed)
2007-2015
edocr.com
(acquired by Accusoft)
2006-2013
Techcelerate
Built Manchester’s Tech
Ecosystem
2004-2006
ebdex
(failed)
2018 - onwards
Techcelerate
Trusted Founder Network
My Background
Copyright: Techcelerate Ltd
There are many ways to
build a tech startup
Copyright: Techcelerate Ltd
To be lucky - Always be prepared!
← Higher level of persuasion
Increasing level of validation and evidence →
Idea
Can you charm?
Proven
Easier, but still no guarantee, as the
ability to scale now becomes the
challenge
Prove business potential:
£10k MRR / £100k annual revenues
Prove scaling potential:
£100k MRR / £1m revenues
Copyright: Techcelerate Ltd
Core of any tech startup
1
PR
OD
UC
T
2
CO
MM
ER
CIAL
ISA
TIO
N3
TE
AM
4
STRATEGY
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Tech Startup: Key focus areas
(Techcelerate offer today - Product and commercialisation before investment)
G1. PRODUCT
3. TALENT
2. SALES
4. CAPITAL
5. OPERATIONS
6. GOVERNANCE
Can make or break a tech startup
Talent:
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Lack of it, makes it difficult to move forward
Capital:
What comes first, product or sales?
Growth Options
Growth OptionsVenture-Backed
Bootstrapped
Hybrid
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Venture Backed
- Help is at hand
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Business Angel View
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SEED
GROWTH
(Series A+)
ACQUISITIONS
(Series B+)
ACQUIRED
IPO
01
02
03
04
05
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Demystifying
investment
rounds
Idea
Idea validation
FFF
(Friends, Family and Fools)
Early traction
Tur