TheFinTechRonin

Didn't think this would still be a thing but here we are, soooo.... For the love of all that's good and right in the world, STOP asking underserved founders if we raised a "Friends and Family" round. Yeah, we did...and here's how it went, a 🧵:

@DarrelFrater We would...

At Serac, we're currently writing checks typically between $250K - $750k at the Seed stage. If we carved out a portion of the fund to write smaller $25K checks at the pre-seed/angel stage as a feeder, would founders be interested in something like that? Thinking about it... 🤔

@galeforceVC I'm sure this happens more frequently than most want to admit, and I know firsthand more come close to it than anyone would believe. I think more founders would talk about it if they were sure that when they did, they wouldn't be looked at as a Failure" or "risky"...

I just heard of two founders who recently took their lives, at least one because their startup was failing. 😢 Starting a company is hard…and mental health is a real thing we should talk more about. 🙏 reach out to someone if you need help. Sending everyone good energy. ✨

@BrianBrackeen As a Techstars 2023 Alum....all I'm going to say is: I understand why.

My inboxes are full of folks with TechStars complaints & whistleblowing today. Mostly employees and insiders. I don’t have time for this today. 😩

@thechangj @brexHQ Yes...please and thank you!

Any founders want free Perplexity AI Pro for 6 months? Have a ton with @brexHQ to give out to startups interested!

@diamondhawkins_ Congrats Tribe!!!!

It’s Jan 4th. Locked in 3 partnerships I’ve been working on for 2 years! 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾 The compound effect works yall! Keep compounding on your work day in and day out! So proud 🥲

@realCoreyEngel @E_Bruxxx Said....but yet rarely actually implemented on a true unilateral basis.

@E_Bruxxx I’ve heard this said a lot.

Noticed a trend lately when I evaluate founders: Placing less emphasis on sexy logo backgrounds. Placing more emphasis on founders that display a gritty, unorthodox path traveled. Path may include previous turbulence both work/non-work related. Founders that display ability to overcome challenges by demonstrating immense determination & resiliency are wired to win. Bad things happen and will happen – ability to navigate turmoil is paramount to success. Startup journey is ultimately about long-term survival, focused determination, and not giving up 💪

@steviemctweets @Vol1Ventures Well alriteeee....then I'm there for sure...🙏🏾😁

@steviemctweets @Vol1Ventures Sounds like a fun time to be had...let me go apply...👍🏿

@steviemctweets Back atcha 100x....🔥🔥🔥

@steviemctweets As a fellow foster kid/group home kid....you really are an example of what can be accomplished despite statistics! Merry Christmas!!🎄

@steviemctweets That's a must...

@DarrelFrater Glad you're ok brother...

What started out as an amazing night with friends at the Cortado Ventures Fund II Celebration last night ended with a bad accident on the highway with a Semi Truck. Thank God I'm back home and safe with my family. Thank you to everyone that heard the news and called. I'm okay

@weepin_buddha Try hitting up @steviemctweets One of the best humans I know that's also an attorney...

One of the best people doing some of the best things! My Chicago folks definitely should tap in! RT and share please🙏🏾

@StephNass Try adding the opening to the anime "Cannon Busters"... You're welcome.👍🏿

What's your shameful productivity trick? Mine: I use anime openings as my work playlist.

Sometimes the things we most need to hear come from the places we least expect it...but I'm here for it.

@realCoreyEngel I know some that are working on solutions for the student loan part...ijs

Real student aid apps have never been tried

@FounderEric This one, and their founder is 🔥🔥🔥...but I may be biased. yourcollegecash.com

Which startups would you invest with $1 million?

@steviemctweets But funny thing is that it's the founders that make it through the BS and dark places that go on to do great things...so removing that part of the narrative can make others think this founder game is something that it truly isn't.

Saying the quiet part out loud today: Being transparent / "building in public" for founders is always pushed until that transparency is "I'm on the verge of breaking/etc."... then it's "don't talk about that because it could hurt your raise/biz/etc. smh.