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These are uncertain times, but experience is the best teacher, which is why we’re looking for guest articles that can help others navigate this downturn.
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To be absolutely clear: We’re looking for strategies and tactics that readers can try out for themselves as they build and scale companies in an inhospitable climate — not inspiration.
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Walter Thompson
Senior Editor, TechCrunch+
@yourprotagonist
10 tips for running an effective board meeting
Image Credits: alvarez (opens in a new window) / Getty Images
Board meetings are a great opportunity to solicit investor insights and recommendations, but unless each session has a consistent format that presents relevant data, they won’t create much value, says Yousuf Khan, a partner at Ridge Ventures.
In a TC+ post, he shares several tips for running more effective board meetings, including one suggestion that many founders overlook: Spotlight your top contributors.
“Many employees who don’t have regular opportunities to interact with the board consider it a huge career boost to get direct, face-to-face credit for an important accomplishment,” writes Khan.
“Bring in the person who is best equipped to talk through the success story and make space for them in the agenda.”
Black founders are seeing a decrease in funding amid economic downturn
Image Credits: patpitchaya (opens in a new window) / Getty Images
As deal volume continues to contract, underrepresented founders are being impacted disproportionately.
In Q2 2022, Crunchbase reports that venture capital funds directed $324 million to Black startups, compared to $1.2 billion in Q1, “and substantially below the $866 million the founder cohort raised in Q2 last year,” reports Dominic-Madori Davis.
“It’s not surprising when venture tightens its belt that we are the first to be pinched,” said Marceau Michel, founder of Black Founders Matter and the 25 by 25 Pledge.
Founders of recycling startups say the pandemic changed the investment game
Image Credits: TechCrunch
Has the pandemic’s supply-chain disruptions changed the state of play for clean tech companies?
Last week at TC Sessions: Climate 2022 in Berkeley, three founders of recycling-related startups spoke with Tim De Chant about the factors driving new investor interest after several lean years.
- Megan O’Connor, co-founder and CEO, Nth Cycle
- Matanya Horowitz, founder and CEO, AMP Robotics
- Miranda Wang, co-founder and CEO, Novoloop
UK scaleups should HMRC-proof their business plans before a slow, hot summer
Image Credits: ThomasVogel (opens in a new window) / Getty Images
In the U.K., HM Revenue & Customs operates multiple venture capital programs that support investment in early-stage startups.
Some companies can qualify for as much as £150,000 under the Enterprise Investment and Seed Enterprise Investment Schemes (SEIS and EIS), but filing an application is “no simple business,” writes Anthony Rose, co-founder and CEO of SeedLegals.
To help entrepreneurs prepare for the rigorous application process, he shares several recommendations that will help “HMRC-proof your business plan” by showing the tax authority that you have “a strategy for success.”