Al Baker

I've consulted with a few economic development entities around spinning up an accelerator. My first piece of advice is usually "don't do it" because there are other things that need to happen before such a program can be effective, like developing an engaged and active local angel network that actually writes checks consistently. First step is usually a lower lift, like pitch competitions and meetups. If you've already received the mandate to establish an accelerator, I suggest the following: 1. Consider an incubator instead. A time-bound, cohort-based model (accelerator) has its benefits in terms of program experience, but doesn't necessarily result in better outcomes for the local economy. Incubators are more flexible and can enable more customizable experience for each company. 2. The entity running the program should be non-profit. Accelerators/incubators, if run properly, are loss leaders and require subsidies. However, there should be a for-profit fund attached to it, the purpose of which is to fund the top quartile/decile coming out of the incubator. 3. Develop a shared support services program within the incubator, but available (at a cost) for any company operating in your area of interest. Think of it like AAA for back office business services (accounting, basic legal, payroll, financial modeling, graphic design, social media management, virtual assistants, etc.). The purpose is not only to give discounted services to these companies, but actually shoulder some of the admin burden so they can focus on customer and product development. See startupok.org for an example. 4. Last, but not least, start with customer demand first, using a reverse incubator model. This likely means working with the local chamber of commerce (for B2B companies) and community organizations (for B2C companies) to identify unmet needs and quantify demand. Otherwise you'll spend too much time and resources attracting companies to come to your town/city/state for your program, who then have to move away because there aren't enough customers, investors, or local talent with the necessary skills to keep them there. The exception is companies that build physical products, who need a different set of incentives (logistics hubs, cheap power, sufficient labor pool, physical space, etc.).

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🚨 VC Fund Alert: Creative Capital Ventures Launched €18M to Back Bold Ideas in Tech, Media & Consumer Innovation 🚀 In a time when capital efficiency and strategic value-add matter more than ever, Creative Capital Ventures Group (CCV) stepped in with an ambitious new €18 million fund — and a vision to raise €50 million by Q1 2025. Backed by Saratoga Capital Partners, Anthill Ventures, and a network of institutional & private investors, this Lisbon- and London-based venture studio brought a bold new model to early-stage VC. 🔥 🎯 What’s the play? 18 initial investments + 11 follow-ons by the end of 2024 Sectors: Tech, Digital Media, Consumer Products High-growth focus on: sports tech, entertainment, immersive IP, and wellness 💡 Why it matters: As CCV’s John D. put it: “The fund provides critical capital and helps scale innovative startups. We aim to foster long-term success for ambitious entrepreneurs.” But this isn’t just another VC fund... 🎥 Immersive IP & Creative Capital: Rich Britton is doubling down on entertainment innovation: “This fund comes at the right time — immersive content and music rights are redefining how we consume and create.” 🔧 Execution-focused Acceleration: With Pivotal, CCV’s venture studio, the fund promised “hands-on tactical support from strategy to execution,” said Dominic Joseph. 🧠 CCV’s track record is real: 150 startups impacted 20 companies founded 6 successful exits 📈 With structured investment in early-stage tech and IP assets, this fund blends venture-like returns with enhanced downside protection — a playbook that speaks directly to today’s LP mindset. 💬 If you're an LP looking to diversify into high-upside, creative-led ventures, or a founder innovating at the crossroads of tech and culture — this is the fund to watch. 🎧🎮📱 #VentureCapital #TechStartups #ImmersiveMedia #IPInvesting #ConsumerInnovation #SportsTech #WellnessEconomy #CreativeEconomy #LPs #VCFunds #EarlyStageVC #Fundraising #StartupAcceleration #CreativeCapitalVentures #PivotalStudio

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A Venture Studio ignored venture and won. They built for Cashflow, not Venture. Here is how they did it: 20 years ago, an Atlanta-based venture studio operated with a unique approach. Instead of targeting VC or Private Equity, they  focused solely on cash-flow businesses like  professional service firms.  Here are 2 powerful lessons every studio can learn from their model: ------ 1. Funding Mechanism: A Line of Credit - Companies were funded via a line of credit, not equity capital.  - Portcos had to become cash flow neutral within 18 months—recycling capital quickly.  - Reduced funding needs = Faster scalability. This setup created discipline. Each month, portfolio founders had to justify every dollar spent. Want to hire McKinsey? Nope—do it internally.  Result? Founders learned to obsess over cash flow—an essential entrepreneurial muscle.  --- 2. Picking Founders Wisely  Successful founders were not running from bad employers. Instead, they were executives who always dreamed of building something but lacked the timing or resources earlier in life.  These proven leaders had:   - Strong networks   - Deep domain expertise   - Relentless drive to finally fulfill their vision  They thrived almost every time.  P.S. Which of these lessons resonates with you? 👇 Best, Matthew Burris

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Thinking a lot about how to help Buoyant Ventures portfolio companies stay focused amidst all the national turmoil. This also applies to me and my team. The pace of bad news is overwhelming and seemingly by design. Here are some thoughts. 🤿 Put your oxygen mask on first. Get good sleep, try to eat healthy, cut back on substances. Create and protect a healthy morning routine so you start the day grounded. You need to be clear-headed to be a good leader right now. More clear-headed than ever before. Your employees, investors, customers are counting on you to lead and are looking to you for motivation. They may be scared, reactive, depressed, spiraling. Show them strength and compassion. 🙏 Find something to be grateful for every day. Your health, your family, your friends, nature, music, books. Get outside for fresh air and sunshine and exercise. Find some joy every day. We are all lucky to be alive, and we don't know when our time is up. ✋🏼 Ask for help. Be brave enough to be vulnerable and ask for help from your team, family, investors, community. You will most likely be happy to learn that many people want to help and want you to succeed. Asking for help is a sign of strength and also a way to give those around you something positive to contribute. 🩷 Live your values. Many of us working on climate solutions are doing so because we care deeply about creating a future that is more sustainable, resilient, heathy than today, for future generations. I am disheartened by some firms and companies changing their missions and values to reflect current economic and political stresses. Climate change is the same urgent global crisis that it was last year, and the devastating effects of extreme natural disasters will not slow down just because we stopped talking about them or scrubbed data from federal websites or cancelled grants. In fact, the opposite will happen. Things will get worse faster. To my fellow VCs, entrepreneurs, and LPs, what other advice do you have for coping with this turmoil and uncertainty? Abe Yokell Joshua Posamentier Gabriel Kra Chanel Damphousse Ernst Theodor Sack Emily Kirsch Jane Woodward Clay Dumas Sierra Peterson Sarah Sclarsic Tom Steyer Dawn Lippert Andy Karsner Michael Bruce Brandon Middaugh Erika Basham Aaron R. Sanjeev Krishnan Lyndsey Boucherle Tom Ferguson Kareem Dabbagh Ph.D. Rick Zullo John Balbach Joe Aguilar Michelle Carr Nikhil Vadhavkar Eddie Obropta Yanzhi (Ann) Xu Patrick Finch Hudson Hollister 🏢 Christopher Naismith Matt Zimola Kate Sanner Forest Frizzell Rob Cirincione Saleh ElHattab Adam Rimmer Chris Gladwin

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What should founders do right now to prepare for the ramifications of a #tariff war? Jeff Burkland (CEO and founder of Burkland, which serves as a fractional CFO to 800+ startups) and I sat down to discuss this exact question on Friday. Here's an actionable playbook for #founders to navigate the coming uncertainty: 1) Meet with your top 5-10 customers: Understand how they're adjusting plans. Are they reducing spending? Which areas are highest at risk? 2) Assemble your crisis leadership team: Schedule a meeting early this week to ensure alignment and readiness for swift decision-making. 3) Build scenario plans now: What if you only achieve 50% of your revenue targets this year? Where would you need to cut if you wanted to add 6 more months of runway? 4) Rethink your product roadmap and marketing strategy: Can you introduce features that save your customers money or make your platform essential in tougher economic conditions? 5) Diversify your pipeline: Given the broad reach tariffs can have, we still don't fully understand which companies might be most exposed. Expand your outreach across different sectors and geographies (US and international) to minimize exposure to concentration risk. This moment feels reminiscent of early COVID-19, but there's a crucial difference - government action could rapidly shift the landscape again. This means we need to be prepared for multiple scenarios. Don't underestimate the potential impact of this evolving #macroeconomic climate. Use this weekend wisely - your startup will thank you.

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🚨 Entrepreneurs, beware! 🚨 Scammers are constantly evolving, and one of the tricks I see a lot is targeting small business owners and entrepreneurs with official-looking notices demanding fees for government registrations. A prime example is Federal Processing Registry, Inc., which has been flagged by the Better Business Bureau for misleading entrepreneurs into paying unnecessary fees. I received a "2025 Annual SAM Registration Renewal Form" from them (which I've redacted). Everything about the form was designed to hide the fact that this is a private company seeking to charge $599 for something that costs $0 to actually do directly with SAM.gov. This is SHAMEFUL. Scams like this prey on business owners who are trying to stay compliant with regulations but may not be familiar with the actual processes. They use urgent language, official-looking letters, and even government-sounding names to pressure entrepreneurs into paying. 👉 How to protect yourself: ✅ Always verify any business registration requirement with official government agencies. ✅ Be skeptical of unsolicited notices demanding immediate payment. ✅ Check for complaints on the BBB website or your state’s Attorney General’s office. ✅ When in doubt, ask a trusted advisor before paying anything! Entrepreneurship is already hard enough without scammers taking advantage of those building their dreams. Let’s look out for each other—share this to help fellow entrepreneurs stay informed! #Entrepreneurship #ScamAlert #SmallBusiness #FraudPrevention #StartupTips

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