Startup Funding

Menu
Subscribe
Search

Author name: startup_admin

VC Profile: Seth Snyder of LiveOak Venture Partners

Investor Profile /

Headquarters: Austin, Texas Sectors: Enterprise Software, Social Media, Digital Media Description: LiveOak Venture Partners is an Austin-based, early-stage venture capital firm that partners with visionary entrepreneurs who use disruptive technologies and business models to challenge the status quo. While many of their investments begin at the seed stage, LiveOak is a full life-cycle investor focused on technology and technology-driven service companies primary based in Texas and the Southwest. For over a decade, the Founders of LiveOak have helped entrepreneurs create industry-leading companies. “LiveOak partners with visionary entrepreneurs who use disruptive technologies and business models to challenge the status quo.” Recent Investments: Ranzure Networks $13M / Series A (Lead) CS Disco $18.58M / Series C Data.world $14M / Series A NSS Labs $16M / Series C Website: liveoakvp.com Seth Snyder is in charge of the day to day marketing activities for LiveOak. He supports the General Partners in all branding efforts to ensure that LiveOak is every Texas entrepreneur’s first thought for early-stage financing.   Prior to LiveOak Seth studied finance and economics at the University of Texas at Austin. After graduation he moved to Houston to work in the oil & gas industry focusing on finance, accounting and economics before heading back to Austin to join the entrepreneurial ecosystem. He completed the venture internship at Capital Factory, and has a deep appreciation for entrepreneurship and new ventures. Seth sits on the University Unions Advisory Council as well as the Tejas Foundation board, a non-profit that provides guidance, mentoring and financial support to the Tejas Club at the University of Texas. Seth is a devout Longhorn that loves to ride bikes and play tennis.  

VC Profile: Seth Snyder of LiveOak Venture Partners Read More »

The Top Ten Security Companies in Texas

Company Spotlight, Other /

As technology advances, so does the need for security, here we list the top ten security companies in Texas. These companies include Alert Logic, Huawei Technologies, Armor,Eagle Eye Networks, iSIGHT Partners, AllClear ID,Giant Gray, Edgile Inc.,CSID and Click Security. Company Name Description Headquarters Location Alert Logic Alert Logic provides Security-as-a-Service solutions that secure the application and infrastructure stack of the cloud. Houston , Texas  Huawei Technologies Huawei Technologies provides infrastructure application software and devices with wireline, wireless, and IP technologies. Plano , Texas Armor Armor is a cyber defense company that offers customer-centric security outcomes for e-Commerce, healthcare, and financial institutions. Richardson , Texas  Eagle Eye Networks Eagle Eye Networks delivers cloud based security and operations video management system providing both cloud and on-premise recording. Austin , Texas  iSIGHT Partners Since 2007, iSIGHT Partners has been recognized as the leader in cyber threat intelligence. Dallas , Texas AllClear ID AllClear ID is the leader in customer security, helping business prepare for, respond to, and recover from data breach events. Austin, Texas Giant Gray Giant Gray develops scalable solutions that automatically identify suspicious activity from video surveillance systems. Houston, Texas Edgile Inc. Edgile Inc., a security and risk consulting services firm Austin, Texas CSID CSID provides global identity protection and fraud detection technologies for businesses and their employees and consumers. Austin, Texas Click Security Click Security provides security analytics for enterprises, critical infrastructure, and government agencies to protect their networks. provides security analytics for enterprises, critical infrastructure, and government agencies to protect their networks. Austin, Texas  

The Top Ten Security Companies in Texas Read More »

VC Profile: Christine Primmer of SJF Ventures

Investor Profile /

Headquarters: Durham, North Carolina Description: SJF Ventures is a venture capital partnership with offices in Durham, New York and San Francisco. Through its investment funds, the firm provides equity financings from $1MM to $10MM, solo or in syndicates, to companies seeking growth capital. As a venture fund, SJF Ventures focuses on the resource efficiency, sustainability and technology-enhanced services sectors. “SJF Ventures invests in high-growth companies creating a healthier, smarter and cleaner future.” Recent Investments:   Portfolium $5.35M / Series A (Lead) Ayla Networks $39M / Series C Solera Health, Inc. $4M / Series A TransLoc $8M / Series A (Lead)   Website: sjfventures.com Christine Primmer is a Principal at SJF Ventures, where she focuses on energy, connectivity and industrial innovation. She serves as a Board Observer for TransLoc, a transportation Software-as-a-Service business, EnTouch Controls, an energy-management-as-a-service provider for small commercial retail, and Aseptia, an advanced food processing technology enabling production of premium quality food products.  Prior to SJF, Christine was a Manager at Alvarez & Marsal Business Consulting, where she helped grow the Atlanta practice of a global professional services firm specializing in turnaround, performance improvement, and business advisory. She led teams to implement projects with bottom-line results for clients in the retail, telecommunications, manufacturing, and non-profit sectors. Christine graduated magna cum laude from the Georgia Institute of Technology with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. While in school, she completed a 2 year rotational program with GE Energy and studied with the Energy Tomorrow program at the University of New South Wales in Sydney, Australia.  

VC Profile: Christine Primmer of SJF Ventures Read More »

Top 5 Blogs and Sites for Family Offices

Investing /

Family offices are a type of venture investor whose roots go way back. Pioneered by the Rockefellers back in the late 1800’s, family offices began as a way for very wealthy families to centralize the management and investment of their fortunes. With the increasing number of millionaires and billionaires in the world, and driven by savvy investors and entrepreneurs, single-family offices (SFOs) and Multi-family offices (MFOs) are an important source of investment for the startup community. Here are five blogs and sites that can help you learn all you need to know about family office venture investing: Membership in the Family Office Association  includes access to a knowledge center including videos, podcasts, and more, providing in-depth knowledge of the family office industry. The Family Office Exchange hosts a blog that features topics and questions from and about their global community of wealthy families and their advisors. The Wealth Report  is a blog by the Wall Street Journal on wealth management that touches on relevant topics to the family office industry. Barron’s Penta Daily blog is a blog focused on wealth management for millionaires, but can also provide valuable insights on family office investing trends. The Family Office Club is the largest family office association in the industry and the premier family office conference provider.  While this site requires a paid membership, enrollment includes access to an extensive database of investors and attendance at numerous events and workshops.  You can also download their free Family Office report. TEN Capital Network Investor Program provides angel investors, vc funds, family offices, and more, with an easy way to invest in Texas-based startups and early-stage companies. Through our online funding portals, one-on-one funding events, and data analytics services we help take the guess-work out of finding investment opportunities to diversify and expand your investment portfolio. Signing up as an investor with TEN is easy and free. Visit our Investor Page and sign up now! If you have any questions, please contact us at info@tencapital.group.

Top 5 Blogs and Sites for Family Offices Read More »

How to Achieve Market Positioning

Fundraising, Other /

When investors look at a startup, the one thing they want to see more than anything is revenue traction, or momentum.  The first step to building excitement in your startup is often to… Get the word out- While a traditional PR route can certainly help generate interest in your startup, investing big money may not be the most prudent move, especially at this stage.  Luckily, by taking a do-it-yourself approach, you can still launch an effective campaign.  The key to generating buzz in the press is building relationships – with bloggers, reporters, and anyone who can put the word out about your startup. The best way to do this is to give the press what they need – a good story, insightful quotes, and on-topic content.  You can add to your value as a press contact if you can also… Be an expert in your field- Knowing your space, the market players, and the latest developments in your field can help you be a go-to source for content, and allow you to build relationships in the press and beyond. Strive to be at the top of your niche—the more recognition you can get as a knowledgeable insider, the better your reputation, and the more attention your startup will receive.  Don’t be afraid to specialize, if that helps you stand out, but also don’t hesitate to… Follow the trends- Pay attention to the latest trends – what types of companies are getting funded, and why? Then do your best to innovate—whatever is working, try to do that different and better.  In other words, your product should be both relevant and distinctive.  To get this across to the market, you need to… Build a brand- Good branding is critical, and will help you stand out in a crowded field. In marketing, be clever, and consider the unconventional.  Don’t be above a publicity stunt, but only if it is cost-effective, and in-line with your overall strategy. Offer value through content marketing that will educate and entertain. Whatever you do, you must develop a target market and… Know your customers- Undoubtedly, the biggest key to gaining revenue traction is building your customer base, and to do that you must know who they are. What do your customers want? How are you helping them, and how are they using your product? What are their interests, and where can you find them? Cultivating word-of-mouth is fine, but make sure you have a complete marketing strategy as well. Revenue traction, simply put, is when your company starts earning money through organic transactions. It shows that your product is in demand.

How to Achieve Market Positioning Read More »

VC Profile: Shane Walsh of Arena Growth Partners

Investor Profile /

Headquarters: Austin, Texas Description: Founded in 2015, Arena Growth Partners, teams up with the leaders of early-stage growth businesses to help them successfully scale their enterprises and break through the growth ceiling. Their combination of deep operational experience, outstanding networks, diverse backgrounds, and our servant leadership approach enables them to bring significant and sustainable value to the businesses in which they invest. Arena Growth Partners was founded by military veterans, who have a special passion for veteran-owned and veteran-led businesses. “We help great leaders build great businesses. Our unique approach to investing, coupled with a pioneering spirit, provides the vision to guide early stage growth companies beyond today and toward future success.” Website: arenagrowthpartners.com Shane Walsh is the son of a founder who built a small industrial equipment rental company in Houston, Texas. He grew up in the business from a young age and learned to respect entrepreneurship and risk early in life. Shane served in the United States Army as an M1A1 Tank Officer with the First Infantry Division at Fort Riley, Kansas.  After leaving the military, Shane helped his parents sell their business and then led the business in its transition from a single-location, family-owned business to a multi-location, corporate-owned enterprise. Shane has a deep operational background and has served as a leader in diverse industries, from financial services to oilfield services. He has a special passion for identifying talent and developing leaders.

VC Profile: Shane Walsh of Arena Growth Partners Read More »

Top 5 Blogs for Angel Investors

Investing /

Whether you’re an angel investor or a startup, there is nothing more valuable than knowing firsthand the fundamentals of the business. Knowledge is power, so here are a few blogs to keep your eye on! Venture Hacks: This blog is run by AngelList and offers advice from various angel investors, on topics ranging from their own processes and tips for startups on how to approach and pitch an investor. AngelList Blog: The AngelList Blog itself is a reliable place to find “how we made it” stories about startups. It’s low-key, yet informative. The Gust Blog: Gust is an online platform that connects investors and startups. Their blog provides a ton of useful advice from both investors and startups. They have blog categories set up for all stages in the process making it easier to get the insight you need.   A2A: Analyst to Angel: The founder/CEO of Lucas Point Ventures, Adam Quinlan, shares his thoughts on topics ranging from startups and early stage investing. And finally, from our favorite shark in the tank, Mark Cuban’s blog: Blog Maverick: In his blog, Cuban gives advice and his personal thoughts on investing, as well as tips on how to be successful as an entrepreneur. TEN Capital Network Investor Program provides angel investors, vc funds, family offices, and more, with an easy way to invest in Texas-based startups and early-stage companies. Through our online funding portals, one-on-one funding events, and data analytics services we help take the guess-work out of finding investment opportunities to diversify and expand your investment portfolio. Signing up as an investor with TEN is easy and free. Visit our Investor Page and sign up now! If you have any questions, please contact us at info@tencapital.group.

Top 5 Blogs for Angel Investors Read More »

Top 5 AI Investors in Texas

Investing /

As computer technology continues to grow, so do AI companies and investors. Take a look at the top 5 AI investors in Texas! These include SURGE Accelerator, Stage One Capital, Pepperwood Partners, Fluid Innovation Group and Discovery Alliance LLC. They have collectively invested in 72 AI companies.   Company Name Description Number of Investments Location SURGE Accelerator SURGE, a seed fund and mentor-driven accelerator, invests in and enables entrepreneurs to solve the world’s energy problems. 41 Houston, Texas Stage One Capital Venture Capital that does Seed and Early Stage Venture Investments 28 Austin, Texas Pepperwood Partners Pepperwood Partners, LLC is a boutique investment banking advisory firm headquartered in Dallas, Texas. 1 Dallas, Texas Fluid Innovation Group Fluid Innovation Group provides SaaS-based solutions to commercialize innovations and intellectual property more efficiently. 1 Austin, Texas Discovery Alliance LLC Discovery Alliance engages in buying and licensing intellectual property with the goal of bringing new products to market. 1 Austin, Texas

Top 5 AI Investors in Texas Read More »

Courtney Turich and Christie Barany describe using Shark Tank to help launch Monkey Mat

Company Spotlight, Other /

Courtney Turich and Christie Barany met in Michigan where they both worked for Stryker, a medical device company.  They worked well together and decided to start their own business. They co-founded Monkey Mat after Christie unexpectedly got stuck at the airport for six hours and desperately wanted something to cover the floor – but had to be portable – for her children to play on during the layover.  Courtney wanted a similar solution for her active outdoor lifestyle.  After searching for solutions and surprisingly nothing existing on the market, the two decided to create their own product. When they started the business in 2012, they set as a top goal to go on Shark Tank. They submitted an application online and received a call from a producer for a phone interview.  This led to several rounds of more comprehensive application forms and video submissions, including a request from Shark Tank producers for a five minute video answering twenty questions.  Ultimately Courtney and Christie were invited to film in June. When they arrived at the studio, they met with ABC’s attorneys for hours to review the extensive legal aspects of being a part of Shark Tank. They also had to do a practice pitch to about 50 producers from which they received feedback on their presentation.   On the day of the show they sat in their trailer on-set all day after hair and makeup until it was their turn to film.  When they walked into the “Tank”, they saw the “Sharks” for the first time.   At the time they had $40K in annual revenue.  Within two weeks of the show’s airing, they nearly doubled their sales. You can see the pitch here! Shark Tank Video While going on Shark Tank gave them an initial boost in sales numbers, they then experienced a slight drop in sales after the initial “Shark Tank effect” had worn off.  The activity of Shark Tank can distract from building other sales channels.  Since penetrating a retail channel takes up to a year of advance planning before actually having product placed in stores, focused attention on the process is a must.  Given the post-Shark Tank whirlwind, the ability for such attention was delayed, so there was effectively a rebuilding period after the lull to ramp up retailer presence.   As for their Shark Tank investors, Lori Greiner helped them secure a feature on the talkshow “The View” and has assisted with their placement into key retail channels.  Mark Cuban and his team have also helped identify retail opportunities, co-presented the product live on TV shopping network ShopHQ, as well as provided backend support along the way, so the value of the investors has gone well beyond just funding. As a consumer product goods company, they sell primarily on Amazon and through retail chains.  According to Christie and Courtney, packaging that effectively conveys the product and it’s value to the customer is a key point for penetrating the in-store retail market.  Courtney and Christie first started with belly band packaging, but unfortunately it did not effectively show off the product, so they shifted to a shelf box format which allows customers to actually visualize the product itself.   Today, they are in Bed Bath & Beyond, buybuy Baby, The Container Store, Big 5 Sporting Goods, and more. They are now working on their next product line called Fur-eez, focused on portable and convenient solutions for pet owners.  The debut product is a portable pet sling for small dogs. Courtney and Christie advise to entrepreneurs You don’t know what you don’t know –  don’t get paralyzed by the fear of the unknown, you will learn plenty as you go! Ask a lot of questions – the more the better, and talk to anyone and everyone! Just do it – products and businesses will constantly evolve, so at a reasonable point you have to just get underway with the journey!  

Courtney Turich and Christie Barany describe using Shark Tank to help launch Monkey Mat Read More »

Scroll to Top