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EP 60: From Bootstrapping to Venture Capital to $30M Exits
Description
This episode is sponsored by ThunderVC, an investment bank for founders by founders.
Raising capital?
Get a list of vetted VCs for FREE here: https://web.thunder.vc/list-of-investors-vcs-for-founders
Raising debt?
Find the perfect lender in minutes here: https://debt.thunder.vc
Get the latest fundraising insights, news, and tips - https://join.thunder.vc
Raising capital?
Get a list of vetted VCs for FREE here: https://web.thunder.vc/list-of-investors-vcs-for-founders
Get the latest fundraising insights, news, and tips: https://blog.thunder.vc/funding-101
We're thrilled to have Nick Telson-Sillett in the hot seat taking us through his remarkable journey, from bootstrapping Design My Night to a £30+ million exit, to raising venture capital for his SaaS venture, Trumpet, and building Sequel, an investment fund for professional athletes.
His unique perspective offers a practical guide on when to bootstrap, when to seek VC funding, and how to execute an exit strategy effectively. This episode is a must-listen for founders at any stage, offering a blend of strategic advice and real-life stories for building and scaling successful startups.
Here's what you're in for:
00:00 - Trailer / Introduction
05:34 - The story behind Design My Night and bootstrapping to a £30+ million exit
18:15 - Raising venture capital for Trumpet
19:15 - Strategies for creating traction without a product
26:45 - Current seed funding landscape
30:07 - Introduction to Sequel, a unique investment platform for professional athletes
36:03 - Angel investing and what Nick looks for in founders
38:10 - The importance of non-ego founders and realistic growth projections
ABOUT NICK TELSON-SILLETT
Nick Telson-Sillett is a seasoned entrepreneur with success in both bootstrapped and VC-backed startups. He co-founded Design My Night, which he bootstrapped to a £30+ million exit, and is currently leading Trumpet, a venture-backed B2B SaaS company. Nick is also involved with Sequel, an innovative platform connecting professional athletes with startup investment opportunities.
With his diverse experience, Nick offers a unique and valuable perspective on the startup ecosystem. He's active on LinkedIn, regularly sharing insights and lessons from his entrepreneurial journey.
ABOUT JASON
Jason Kirby is the co-founder of Thunder VC. He is a serial entrepreneur with 4 multi-million exits and decades of experience in fundraising and business building. He has coached hundreds of entrepreneurs in his career on fundraising, i