The Preemptive Funding Offer
Last week, I caught up with an entrepreneur, and we discussed a preemptive funding offer. The startup is thriving, growing rapidly in a large market with limited competition. Currently, the entreprene
Author: David Cummings
David Cummings is a Partner and co-founder of Atlanta Ventures and co-founder of Pardot (acquired by Salesforce). He has invested in and supported hundreds of early-stage startups in the Southeast and writes regularly about entrepreneurship, SaaS, and the Atlanta tech ecosystem.
Matching Funding with Entrepreneur Ambitions
Last week, I caught up with an entrepreneur who shared an update on his company’s progress. The business has been growing steadily, boasting a critical mass of over 1,000 customers. Now, they’re conte
Find the Community Super Connector
Last week, I attended a startup event and met with various entrepreneurs. One of my favorite questions to ask is, “What’s going well, and what are your latest challenges?” During one conversation, an
The Power of Transferring Belief
Last week, I listened to an entrepreneur deliver his pitch, and by the end, I was struck by how deeply he believed in his company’s vision. His conviction was contagious, transforming his belief into
Everything Compounds
Last week, an entrepreneur asked me what I appreciate now, after 25 years as an entrepreneur, that I didn’t fully grasp back then. After a moment of reflection, I replied that everything compounds. As
The Rise of AI-Powered Vertical SaaS
Over the past few weeks, I’ve spoken with several entrepreneurs who are developing all-in-one, AI-powered vertical SaaS applications and making significant progress. In contrast, the previous generati
Entrepreneurs Selling Equity in a Financing Round
Last week, I caught up with an entrepreneur who shared his plans to raise a round of capital. Toward the end of our conversation, he asked my thoughts on selling some of his shares during the round to
Market A or B for a Startup
Last week, I spoke with an entrepreneur who shared his elevator pitch. I then asked a few questions and learned more about his business. He mentioned that they have two early adopter customers: one in
From Speed Alone to Speed + Quality
Most beginning entrepreneurs suffer from the same problem: chasing too many shiny objects. With a clean slate or in the early stages of a new venture, there’s no shortage of ideas to pursue. When a pr
Entrepreneur Updates as Leading Indicator of Success
Last week, a fellow entrepreneur said something to me that really stuck in my mind: “I knew he’d be successful based on his updates.” In this case, we’re both angel investors in another entrepreneur’s