Mark Clift

For six years I avoided talking publicly about Iran, for fear of personal repercussions or repercussions on loved ones or colleagues. I hope that by talking publicly now about that time I can help in some small way. (1/25) #MahsaAmini #OpIran #مهسا_امینی

@gregisenberg Hey Greg, DM’d 🙏

I'm looking for business partners. People who want to build a portfolio of cash-flowing internet businesses. But first, some context: 4 years ago, I walked away from WeWork. I had sold my company to them, watching as they raised and then incinerated $20 billion. It was unbelievable. Painful. I vowed never to be part of something like that again. In the aftermath, I found myself at a crossroads. This was 2020 and the tech world was obsessed with chasing unicorns, but I wanted something different. Something sustainable. I spoke to the people I respected in Silicon Valley. And declared I wanted to build cash-flowing businesses and raise $0 of VC. They looked at me like I had three heads. "You're going backwards," they said. "You're wasting your time," they warned. "You'll startups will eventually get crushed by VC-backed competition." Damn, lol. But I was tired of my fate hanging on a "yes" from VCs in Palo Alto. I craved control over my destiny. So, against all advice, I started Late Checkout, my holding company. It was profitable from day one - a stark contrast to my WeWork experience and a rarity in VC land. My goal - scale internet businesses powered by community, and on our own terms. The journey wasn't easy. We burned through millions and made more mistakes than I care to admit. But we persisted, and gradually, we cracked the code on scaling SaaS, marketplaces, and agencies. We discovered that the real power lies in building engaged audiences, fostering tight-knit communities, and finding creative ways to grow. Take our agency, @meetLCA, for example. You've probably never heard of it, but we're pulling in clients at an average of $1 million per year creating the interfaces for lots of the AI products and non-AI products you use everyday. It's like we've created a modern hybrid of IDEO and McKinsey, reimagining the future for our clients. And we did it all without a dime of VC money. Just one little funnel that works every single day. This has been the most enjoyable chapter of my career. I highly recommend holdcos for internet companies. You might enjoy it too. So, who am I looking for in a business partner: Maybe you're a solopreneur, and it's getting lonely. You've built something great, but you're hitting a ceiling. Or perhaps you're running a VC-backed startup, but you're dreaming of turning it into a cash-flowing powerhouse. (And maybe buying out your VCs – I can help with that.) Or you might be an indiehacker who builds incredible products that just aren't getting the attention they deserve. If any of these sound like you, here's what I'm offering: For businesses doing $500k-$5M, we could acquire a stake and scale it together. For those starting something new with a solid track record, we might provide the capital you need. Yes, you'll share the pie. But you won't go it alone. You'll work directly with me and my team. We'll be there to unblock you when you're stuck, to unstick you when you're trapped. We bring our playbook, our network, and our capital to the table. This isn't a distant, "call me quarterly" arrangement. We're in the trenches with you, day in and day out, helping you build something truly remarkable. This is the type of thing that sounds fun to me. And might sound fun to you. So, I decided I'd put it out there. So here’s my ask of you: 1) If this sounds like you DM and reply to this post. Ill respond to the most interesting ones 2) If this isn’t you, all good. Like always, I’ll share my learnings along the way. It feels like internet startups are at a crossroads. More and more are choosing the non-VC route. Id love to work with you.

@johnrushx Lived in both. Sent DM!

Very important decision to be made, and I need your say on this! Where should the first Indie Maker village be? 🇹🇷 Turkey 🇵🇹 Portugal Why Turkey: - no visa needed - best airport in the world - cheap Why not Turkey - poor brand. People think it's a poor third-world country that's Islamist, has a dictatorship, and is dangerous. - locals don't speak English at all - almost no Western immigrants Why Portugal - good English - good reputation and brand - lots of Western immigrants - D7 and nomad visa Why not Portugal - need a visa. Easy for EU/US people, hard for the rest If you live in Portugal, can you please help me decide? 1. Do people actually speak English everywhere? 2. How are the prices? 3. How is the crime? 4. How is life in rural areas (I plan to be in a ranch/farm area, far from the city) 5. Are there actually many Western immigrants? 6. What is great about the place? 7. What is wrong about the place? By the way, I consider Turkey because it seems like the indie maker space will be primarily popular in non-western countries since Western founders prefer VC-funded models.

1. Efforts have been underway for more than a month to get Starlink terminals to Iran. One group of activists--who want to stay anonymous to protect their networks--asked me to share this video. They've already sent dozens of terminals to Iran and intend to scale up.

In Iran, strangers help a young man escape from the clutches of the security forces. If you look closely an older woman first comes to his rescue and she is struck in the head by the “morality police”.

Day 16 #IranProtests2022 Universities are a powder keg in many cities including Isfahan, Shiraz, Tehran. 👇Sharif University students in #Tehran trapped in an underground garage running from police. As noted before, police will often trap students on campus. #Mahsa_Amini‌

This man - @esmaeilion - lost his wife and daughter in flight PS752. He organised yesterday’s 150+ global protests. What do you do when you have nothing left to lose? You shake the world. #MahsaAmini #IranRevolution #HamedEsmaeilion

@poopoosh Thanks for sharing, Pooneh

A heartfelt and beautiful message of solidarity with Iranian women - and men - by a British expat.

@hassanhmonfared Thanks, Hassan 🙏

Inspiring message from a British entrepreneur and leader about his experience and perspective from Iran. Thank you Mark for being our voice‌❤️ #Mahsa_Amini #مهسا_امینی

@sarapeymanpour Thanks for sharing, Sara

Thank you so much Mark @markclift for speaking up. Great thread. Your insight as one of handful of foreigners who have lived and worked in Iran is unique. We must urge our respective MPs to be Iranians’ voice 🙏🏼 #Mahsa_Amini #MahsaAmini

@lrozen @KianpourWorld Thank you for sharing, Laura

insightful thread of a British man who set up a start up in Iran 2016-2020, via @KianpourWorld

@KianpourWorld Thank you for sharing, Suzanne

An insightful thread from an British man who worked on a startup in Iran

@ahmadipm Thank you, Mohsen, best wishes to you

As someone who worked directly with Mark for about eight months, I'd say this guy is one of the best. One of the most influential people I have ever met. And now, as an Iranian, I thank him for his support for Iranian women.

@bluehenna Thank you @bluehenna, very kind words 🙏

I hear @expressvpn is the only one still effective inside Iran. Let’s cut a deal: one month free trial for anyone based in Iran (without CC) in exchange for Iranians everywhere promoting you to millions of impressions LFG! #مهسا_ایمنی #MahsaAmini

Nice idea, but doesn’t help when the confirmation SMSs and internet are blocked…

@yeggizplay @h0d3r_fa Thank you @yeggizplay 🙏

@markclift @h0d3r_fa Thank you so much for this Mark! Really appreciate it

For six years I avoided talking publicly about Iran, for fear of personal repercussions or repercussions on loved ones or colleagues. I hope that by talking publicly now about that time I can help in some small way. (1/25) #MahsaAmini #OpIran #مهسا_امینی

@ham__sar Thank you, I’m truly glad my words could help in some way. Stay strong

@markclift When you talk about our pains, I'm filled with tears and smiles. The tears of remembering the pains and the smile of being heard and feeling not alone. You proved humanitarianism is limitless. Thanks, for supporting us. #MahsaAmini #مهسا_امینی #اعتصابات_سراسری

@d_moazen Honour was 100% mine, man. Stay safe and strong and hope to work together again

@markclift It has been an honor knowing and serving you Mark.

ACTIONS: 1. The people of Iran need to know they are seen, heard and supported. 2. We need to figure out a way to create DIY Starlink satellite dishes 3. Pressure our elected representatives to help the Iranian people, not hinder them (25/25) #MahsaAmini #OpIran #مهسا_امینی

It is our human duty to defend freedom from oppression. It has been said that hard times create strong men. Instead, it is the strength of the women of Iran shining a beacon of inspiration to the world. I stand with them. (24/25)