Insights from a startup investor: Tips from VC Kiran Mehta
Get inside the mind of startup investor Kiran Mehta from Mercia Ventures for expert tips and inspiration on startup inve...
In this video I talk with the amazing Georgina, founder at WAC, a B2C app supporting hourly paid workers. She raised an amazing £900K prior to having a product. Here she shares her inspirational story showing the ups and downs of fundraising, where to find investors & how to win them over.
AI-generated summary of our discussion:
Hello everyone. Today I have the pleasure of talking to an amazing founder. Meeting a founder with a certain spark is always a highlight for me. Although I no longer invest personally, I understand the investor’s quest for that exceptional founder, product, or growth trajectory. Early investment often hinges on the founder’s ability to excite an investor with their mission, and have them want to be a part of the journey.
During a SeedLegals Plus lunch, I had the good fortune of meeting Georgina, a founder who I quickly discovered was awesome at fundraising. Her journey was as compelling as any Netflix drama, filled with challenges and triumphs. I thought Georgina’s story would be an inspiration to others, so I arranged to record this video so I could share her story with you.
Georgina, founder and CEO of WAC, a B2C app supporting hourly paid workers, shared her fundraising journey with us. WAC has evolved from aiding shift workers to assisting freelancers in managing their finances amidst the unpredictability of hourly work. Transitioning from a startup to a scale-up phase, Georgina reflected on the significant yet rewarding challenges encountered along the way.
An impressive feat in her journey was raising an amazing £900k before launch, a testament to her strategic approach to fundraising. Unlike traditional rounds, Georgina pursued agile fundraising, finding angel investors at every opportunity and leveraging SeedFASTs on SeedLegals to get that investment in ahead of a funding round.
Georgina’s story is a testament to the evolving landscape of startup financing, highlighting the shift towards agile fundraising. Her proactive stance and infectious enthusiasm have been crucial in attracting investments and building a robust network of supporters.
Our conversation also delved into the importance of validation, strategic networking, and resilience in the face of adversity. Georgina emphasized the significance of authentic connections, whether through competitions, accelerators, or LinkedIn outreach, each step paving the way for the next funding milestone.
In discussing valuation, Georgina shared her pragmatic approach, focusing on the opportunity and potential impact rather than getting bogged down by conventional metrics. Her journey underscores the importance of storytelling, passion, and aligning with investors who share a belief in the mission.
To conclude, Georgina highlighted three crucial lessons: the importance of discerning advice, the power of networking, and the necessity of resilience. Each lesson serves as a guiding principle for navigating the complexities of building and scaling a startup.
For those interested in learning more or supporting Georgina’s ongoing efforts, she encourages reaching out via LinkedIn. Her story is a beacon of inspiration for founders at any stage of their journey, reminding us of the power of perseverance, passion, and the impact of a supportive community.
Thank you Georgina for sharing your inspiring journey with us. Your experience offers invaluable insights for aspiring entrepreneurs and reaffirms the transformative power of dedication and strategic thinking in the startup ecosystem.
