TechCrunch Early Stage: Marketing & Fundraising Event Preview

Earlier in April, we hosted a series of successful breakout sessions focused on fundraising and operational strategies at the TC Early Stage event. Tope Awotona of Calendly detailed effective bootstrapping methods, while Marlon Nichols discussed attracting investor interest. Zoom’s CRO, Ryan Azus, shared insights on building high-performing sales teams, and Leah Solivan from Fuel Capital identified common startup pitfalls and solutions.

However, that represented only a preliminary overview of what we have to offer.

On July 8th and 9th, we will present an expanded program – TC Early Stage Marketing & Fundraising. Our speakers will deliver concise presentations covering essential startup skills, including achieving product-market fit, implementing paid marketing campaigns, and securing funding. Each session is structured to maximize audience participation through extensive Q&A opportunities with these industry leaders.

Below is a detailed look at the scheduled sessions:

Mike Vernal (Sequoia) on Achieving the Right Tempo for Product-Market Fit

Sequoia’s Mike Vernal emphasizes that lasting success isn’t solely about innovative ideas, but rather a company’s capacity to learn from its customer base and adapt rapidly. This venture partner will explain how effective customer feedback loops, the speed of product iteration, and a growth-oriented mindset influence both fundraising efforts and the company’s overall development.

Susan Su (Sound Ventures) on Aligning Growth with Strategic Objectives

Startups, unlike established brands, must optimize their marketing investments for maximum impact. Susan Su, a growth marketing specialist from Sound Ventures, will demonstrate how to define growth metrics aligned with your startup’s specific goals. She will also advocate for a framework-driven approach to growth, moving away from outdated and ineffective strategies.

Avlok Kohli (AngelList Venture) on Navigating the Evolving VC Landscape

With a portfolio of over 25 direct investments, Avlok Kohli, CEO of AngelList Venture, possesses extensive knowledge of early-stage fundraising. At Early Stage, Kohli will analyze the current state of the early-stage funding market and highlight opportunities presented by recent shifts within the venture capital sector.

Scott Tong (Designer Fund) on the Importance of Design

The role of design has become increasingly critical in today’s market. Users now expect exceptional experiences, and both startups and large corporations are elevating the position of designers within their organizations. Scott Tong from Designer Fund will discuss how to integrate design thinking from the earliest stages of your company and its impact on UX, brand recognition, and long-term vision.

Lisa Wu (Norwest Venture Partners) on Adopting a VC Mindset

Despite the abundance of available capital, fundraising can remain a complex process for many founders. Lisa Wu of Norwest Venture Partners will explain how founders can understand the perspective of a venture capitalist, and present their company’s story in a way that resonates with investors.

Ted Wang (Cowboy Ventures) on the Benefits of Coaching

Ted Wang, a partner at Cowboy Ventures with a background in law, has observed numerous startup successes and failures. At Early Stage, Wang will discuss the value of coaching for startup founders, exploring different coaching types, selection criteria, and strategies for maximizing the benefits of a strong coaching relationship.

Caryn Marooney (Coatue Ventures) on Crafting a Compelling Narrative

Effective storytelling is essential for startups. Caryn Marooney, a partner at Coatue Management and former head of communications for Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Oculus, will share techniques for tailoring your startup’s narrative to different audiences, ensuring your message is not only heard but also sparks further interest.

Rahul Vohra (Superhuman) on Growth Hacking, Product Fit, and Pricing

Rahul Vohra of Superhuman will share actionable strategies for early-stage founders, covering topics such as achieving product-market fit through innovative tactics, driving user acquisition without excessive ad spending, and determining the optimal pricing strategy for your product.

Mike Duboe (Greylock) on Growth Marketing Fundamentals

The term “growth” is often defined and implemented inconsistently across startups. Mike Duboe, who has built growth teams at both early-stage and established companies, will discuss organizational design for growth, best practices for scaling performance marketing, and how investors evaluate healthy versus unhealthy growth patterns.

Sarah Kunst (Cleo Capital) on Preparing for a Fundraise

Fundraising preparation extends far beyond your initial investor meetings. Establishing a timeline, refining your pitch deck, engaging with investors proactively, and understanding your company’s strengths are crucial steps that must be completed before scheduling meetings. Sarah Kunst, founding partner at Cleo Capital, will provide a roadmap for effective fundraising preparation and address your key questions.

Arvind Purushotham (Citi Ventures) on Leveraging Corporate Venture Capital

Selecting the right capital partner is vital for driving your business forward. Corporate venture capital (CVC) firms offer unique advantages, including market validation, distribution support, and a customer-centric perspective. Arvind Purushotham, managing director and global head of venture investing at Citi Ventures, will discuss the benefits of CVC and how startups can effectively leverage their expertise.

Rebecca Reeve Henderson (Enterprise SaaS Communications Expert) on Earned Media Strategy

Rebecca will share her expertise on building an effective earned media strategy for your startup, drawing on her experience developing communications programs for leading business software companies. Earned media, such as coverage in TechCrunch, is a key component of a startup’s marketing plan, but can be challenging to achieve. She has worked with companies like Slack, Shopify, Zapier, and Canva.

Doug Landis (Emergence Capital) on the Power of Storytelling

A compelling story is what truly drives a company forward, even more than a great product. Doug Landis, formerly Chief Storyteller and GTM leader at Box, Salesforce, and Google, will share the core storytelling techniques to help you craft your origin, product, and customer narratives.

TC Early Stage 2021: Marketing & Fundraising will be held on July 8-9. Register now before June 3 to save $100 on your ticket. We look forward to welcoming you!