There aren’t enough ways for young companies that aren’t startups to get growth capital so they have been largely forced to become ‘startups’ to target VC We have to create more financing for our early stage companies to continue innovation outside of just tech industry

I’ve personally only seen the following options - SMB loans, often small - non dilutive funding from govt or pitch competitions - revenue based financing, which only matters post launch What are some other options you’ve seen?? Provide links as well if have please

My view is that there needs to be an aggregation of individual capital that can provide $100k-$1M checks to non-technical companies targeting 5-10% returns These returns are too low for traditional funds given the risk so it has to be individual or public capital imo

@hpierrejacques +1

@hpierrejacques @chigo_nwokoma see this

@hpierrejacques The "startup" label is inappropriate more most new businesses. We often tell founders we don't think their co is a VC biz or at least, not our type of VC. Others like @paulg have said for years: get ramen profitable. Exception is deeptech, but that's not all VC backable either.

@hpierrejacques Thanks for this

@hpierrejacques Great points. Personally, I'm more interested in diversifying more of my (largely high risk startup) portfolio into medium risk, medium reward opportunities. But I want want to do so in a way that leverages my unique advantages. E.g. I have no real edge in public markets.

@hpierrejacques Completely on point, the vc marketing machine has led to there only being 1 way business owners can access capital, outside of predatory lending (most sba/institutional need two years in business). A big opportunity gap here.

@hpierrejacques Abs true in Africa! We need financial support to build out infrastructure, healthcare, womens health etc. Our ‘startups’ are not always tech, not VC viable - no 10x, measure of ‘value’ is different, no connections that new ‘expats’ have to tap into their US contacts.

@hpierrejacques You're only a startup if you are aiming to dominate a market, either by creating it or disrupting it, with a novel new solution or strategy. You aren't a founder unless you are an original creator of a startup. I think that's a definition we should all be able to get behind.

@hpierrejacques Couldn’t agree more. There’s an entire world of successful small businesses that both want and need financing but are neglected by traditional institutions.

@hpierrejacques @FundStoryHQ

@hpierrejacques Unfortunately, ‘not venture backable’ is assumed to be ‘same risk, low return’. Two shifts have to occur in tandem: 1) redesign the investment vehicle and 2) reposition it - no one’s nailed this. Until now 😉 @BonsideInc

@hpierrejacques Yes. This is at the center of a lot of inequity. I see SEALs trying to solve for this, but are there any other financial instruments you’ve seen that create aligned incentives around something other than a VC scale exit?

@hpierrejacques Love this! I’m pretty pumped about @GetPaintbrush for this very reason. They’ve dialed in a unique way to help companies that don’t need venture capital but need to get past the idea stage. They’re launching soon. 😀

@hpierrejacques @UnrollThread

@hpierrejacques Thanks for sharing this! Our team at @KnowCapIO is giving young entrepreneurs another option.

@hpierrejacques I definitely agree with this

@hpierrejacques @SaveToNotion #Thread