Startups are all about momentum.
Period.
The best founders know how to take momentum and turn it into lightning in a bottle.
Over the last 18 months, we have done that at Bolt - our valuation has gone up by 1600%.
Here are 10 practical tips on how to multiply your momentum 👇
Period.
The best founders know how to take momentum and turn it into lightning in a bottle.
Over the last 18 months, we have done that at Bolt - our valuation has gone up by 1600%.
Here are 10 practical tips on how to multiply your momentum 👇
Tip 1: Turn money into more money
Fundraising is the ultimate game of momentum.
If your round is full, that’s the time to double down and build even more momentum.
Bolt has raised a B, B1, C, C1, D, D1, etc.
Much of this was from over-committed primary rounds.
Fundraising is the ultimate game of momentum.
If your round is full, that’s the time to double down and build even more momentum.
Bolt has raised a B, B1, C, C1, D, D1, etc.
Much of this was from over-committed primary rounds.
Tip 2: Turn investors into more investors
When an investor is committed and has wired their money,
Ask them who else they recommend.
Sit down with them and go through specific names.
Turn 1 investor into 3, those 3 into 9, and so on.
This works great with SAFEs and Notes.
When an investor is committed and has wired their money,
Ask them who else they recommend.
Sit down with them and go through specific names.
Turn 1 investor into 3, those 3 into 9, and so on.
This works great with SAFEs and Notes.
Tip 3: Turn investors into more customers
Investors are basically professional networkers.
They know a lot of people.
Chances are, no matter what industry you’re in, your investors will have connections to potential customers.
I like to do a linkedin plunge with each one.
Investors are basically professional networkers.
They know a lot of people.
Chances are, no matter what industry you’re in, your investors will have connections to potential customers.
I like to do a linkedin plunge with each one.
Tip 4: Turn customers into more customers
Who is the best possible salesperson for your company?
Your existing customers.
Chances are, they know others like them.
Over-invest in your relationship with them.
Turn them into your sales army!
Who is the best possible salesperson for your company?
Your existing customers.
Chances are, they know others like them.
Over-invest in your relationship with them.
Turn them into your sales army!
Tip 5: Turn hires into more hires
Most companies dramatically underinvest in their team during onboarding.
At Bolt, we over-invest.
We know that the better someone’s experience is when they join,
The more likely they are to bring a few friends along.
Most companies dramatically underinvest in their team during onboarding.
At Bolt, we over-invest.
We know that the better someone’s experience is when they join,
The more likely they are to bring a few friends along.
Tip 6: Turn wins into internal rocket fuel
Ultimately, your team is everything.
I was shocked at how poorly we were at celebrating wins internally.
This is what we all live for.
When you’ve achieved something big, make a BIG deal!
Ultimately, your team is everything.
I was shocked at how poorly we were at celebrating wins internally.
This is what we all live for.
When you’ve achieved something big, make a BIG deal!
Tip 7: Turn a win into multiple wins internally
Let’s say you’re signing a big deal that has both a term sheet phase and a definitive agreement.
You should celebrate the term sheet signing,
And then definitive agreement signing,
And then all the execution that follows!
Let’s say you’re signing a big deal that has both a term sheet phase and a definitive agreement.
You should celebrate the term sheet signing,
And then definitive agreement signing,
And then all the execution that follows!
Tip 8: Turn a win into multiple wins externally
You can celebrate the same thing multiple times with press if compelling enough.
For example, Bolt launched a 4 day work week experiment.
We made mega buzz at the start.
We’ll also make mega buzz when it ends.
You can celebrate the same thing multiple times with press if compelling enough.
For example, Bolt launched a 4 day work week experiment.
We made mega buzz at the start.
We’ll also make mega buzz when it ends.
Tip 9: Take wins and spread them to multiple channels
A win shouldn't just be celebrated internally.
If applicable, share it with your customers.
Share with your investors.
Share with press.
Share on your social.
Have your team share on social.
Now you have 5X the reach.
A win shouldn't just be celebrated internally.
If applicable, share it with your customers.
Share with your investors.
Share with press.
Share on your social.
Have your team share on social.
Now you have 5X the reach.
Tip 10: Turn losses into wins
This one’s probably a bit cliche.
But when you fail at something internally,
Own up to it -- this builds trust with your team.
Do a retrospective -- this helps you learn from it.
With these simple two steps, you can't lose.
This one’s probably a bit cliche.
But when you fail at something internally,
Own up to it -- this builds trust with your team.
Do a retrospective -- this helps you learn from it.
With these simple two steps, you can't lose.
And that’s it!
If you learned from these 10 tips, go check out my book Fundraising on Amazon.
There, I break down how to run a high momentum fundraising process step by step.
If you learned from these 10 tips, go check out my book Fundraising on Amazon.
There, I break down how to run a high momentum fundraising process step by step.
And if you liked this thread, give me a follow at @ryantakesoff.
I routinely share my learnings building multiple billion dollar companies with Twitterverse.
Let’s take off together! 🚀
I routinely share my learnings building multiple billion dollar companies with Twitterverse.
Let’s take off together! 🚀
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