May 25, 2023
Asking For More Than You Think You Deserve
Being a successful startup founder is more than just luck and a great product. It takes more than just a fancy business proposal. It’s about asking for things that you…
April 14, 2023
ChatGPT’s Top Gulf Coast Startups
ChatGPT is a popular topic of conversation right now, especially in the venture capital and startup space. Although many have doubted the accuracy of its results, it’s in its early…
February 23, 2023
Inevitable Trends – Startups
As venture investors, we are always tracking trends and performing market research to figure out how economic forces impact future businesses. What changes the world around us are ever-evolving market…
January 2, 2023
Startup Advice for Economic Uncertainty
There are many factors at play right now creating uncertainty for investors and startups. It’s easy to become frustrated or jaded, but there are many ways to embrace the challenges…
May 27, 2022
How to Tell Your Founder Story
Great founders are great storytellers. Even in the earliest days of a startup, it is important to understand what drives your business decisions. By establishing a powerful narrative, you’ll build…
April 15, 2022
Building a Strong Startup Workforce
There is a true disconnect bubbling up between employee/employer expectations. Companies are struggling to hire, and people are walking off job sites at an all-time high. 51% of small businesses…
March 29, 2022
Building a Successful SaaS Startup
How do you accelerate your SaaS business? Here are some simple guidelines to consider when building your company into a multi-billion dollar enterprise.
March 2, 2022
3 Core Temperaments for a Startup Team
Building a startup? Learn what to look out for when assembling your core foundational team. And what traits you should excel at as a founder.
February 11, 2022
Deconstructing the Web3 Craze
Web3 is an exciting vision of the future where each user has control and anonymity of their own data, verified by a blockchain ledger. But just because we can build…
February 7, 2022
The Future of Running a Nonprofit
Savvy nonprofits are becoming tech-forward entrepreneurs to adjust to the newest landscape. But what does this new nonprofit world look like?
January 22, 2022
Mastering the Elevator Pitch
Elevator pitches are short, succinct ways for you to describe what your company does. When you have the floor, entertain your audience. Here are seven tips for mastering your elevator…
December 31, 2021
Productivity Hacks for Founders
Most startups struggle with the right tech stack. We've simplified it for you by listing our favorite hyper growth tools to maximize productivity.
December 15, 2021
Essential Tech Stack for Startup Founders
Most startups struggle with the right tech stack. We've simplified it for you by listing our favorite hyper growth tools to maximize productivity.
December 10, 2021
Founding the Future of EdTech
EdTech is an industry that VCs are paying more attention to. How do we make this new future robust, secure, and innovative? Amazing entrepreneurs.
November 26, 2021
Alternative Early Financing Options
Raising capital is hard. Many entrepreneurs find themselves not technically ready for a VC round but in need of some type of capital raise. If you find yourself in this…
November 18, 2021
Revisiting Covid’s Impact on Risk Management
Covid's impact on inflation, asset pricing, and PE/VC dealmaking. How do startups leverage this new business climate?
March 30, 2021
How To Develop And Maintain a Disciplined SaaS Sales Process
By Hal Callais How To Develop and Maintain a Disciplined SaaS Sales Process For young Software as a Service (SaaS) startups, the founding team has an MVP that they are…
December 11, 2020
Not All Startup Investors Are VCs
Who invests in startups? Incentives and objectives of investors really matter when it comes to follow-on financings, capacity to support, and their risks when providing startup capital.
December 3, 2020
Market Attractiveness – Timing and Perspective
By Juan Linares When start-up founders pitch their business to prospective investors, they are tasked with demonstrating that they have created disruptive solutions that are targeting massive markets and that…
November 11, 2020
Key Steps to Calculating CAC
The customer acquisition costs to customer lifetime value ratio is one of the most talked about concepts in all of venture capital. On the surface, it’s very simple: is a…
October 23, 2020
Why Invest in a Venture Capital Fund Vs. Go Direct?
By Nick Callais Why Invest in a Venture Capital Fund Vs. Go Direct? Many accredited investors and families often ask: Why should I allocate to a venture capital fund when…
September 17, 2020
Top 5 VC Pitch Turnoffs
Top 5 VC Pitch Turnoffs By Mark Graffagnini Here are five of my top VC turn-offs for when companies are pitching or trying to raise money: 1. Metrics.…
September 10, 2020
Thoughts on Unit Economics
Thoughts on Unit Economics By Juan Linares When thinking about unit economics the other day, as one does, I reminisced about the 90s’ powerhouse, Columbia House Records, and how it…
September 9, 2020
Due Diligence Data Room Best Practices
Due Diligence Data Room Best Practices By Trevor Lew During venture capital due diligence, there are many different pieces of data and documents needed to be furnished to prospective investors. The…
August 7, 2020
Marketplace Revenue vs Gross Market Value
Marketplace Revenue vs Gross Market Value By Trevor Lew Marketplace startups have grown in popularity over the years. One of the simplest examples of these companies is eBay. Other companies…
July 27, 2020
How to Communicate with VCs Before a Capital Raise
How to Communicate with VCs Before a Capital Raise By Mark Graffagnini Over the last several years, there’s been an improvement in the number of founders who understand that keeping…
July 23, 2020
Why VC Investing Is Key Right Now
Why VC Investing Is Key Right Now By Hal Callais Venture capital investing is a critical part of the economy as it can support job creation, wealth creation,…
July 16, 2020
Why VCs Do Not Sign NDAs
By: Nick Callais Why VCs Do Not Sign NDAs Entrepreneurs looking to raise venture capital may wonder why prospective VC investors are so unwilling to sign Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs). NDAs…
July 13, 2020
What To Do When VCs Say They Need to Put Investing On Hold During COVID
What To Do When VCs Say They Need to Put Investing On Hold During COVID By Mark Graffagnini Some of the questions that we receive from portfolio companies and prospective…
July 7, 2020
Lessons for Start-ups from a Former Investment Banker
Lessons For Startups From A Former Investment Banker By Juan Linares As with any industry, venture capital benefits from incorporating the perspectives, life experiences and skillsets of a varied…
July 1, 2020
Improving Your VC Portfolio Valuation Methodology in 2020
The Case for Improving VC Portfolio Valuation Methodology in 2020 By Nick Callais With the first half of the year in the books, VC firms need to address…
June 24, 2020
Relationship Building with VCs
Relationship Building with VCs By Juan Linares At Callais Capital we focus on funding entrepreneurs outside of the traditional venture capital marketplaces. For these founders, in particular, it is…
June 23, 2020
5 Top Issues with Startup Financial Models
5 Top Issues with Startup Financial Models By Trevor Lew “All models are wrong, but some are useful” Founders of startups looking to raise capital are essentially required…
June 5, 2020
Why Are We Excited About Investing Now?
Callais Capital Management, a leading regionally-focused venture capital firm, is pleased to announce its participation as lead investor in an $8 million capital raise for Resilia.
May 26, 2020
The Biggest Post-Covid Change is Risk
What the post-COVID world will look like really boils down to risk assessment. How much debt can the US take before it absolutely cripples the dollar? What happens to short-term and long-term…