This Week in Startups: Ask an Angel with Zach Coelius: practical advice for founders and investors in a downturn | E1512
Jason Calacanis 7/20/22 - Episode Page
Molly had a big board meeting today, so we had our guy Zach Coelius join for another version of Ask an Angel (1:32). Zach and Jason share their thoughts on remote work (4:40), the downturn (22:10), and then they answer audience questions (41:22). It’s a solid episode for founders and investors!
(0:00) Jason intro’s today’s Ask an Angel episode with Zach Coelius
(1:32) Ask an Angel with Zach Coelius
(4:40) Zach’s thoughts on remote work
(13:19) Squarespace - Use offer code TWIST to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain at https://Squarespace.com/TWIST
(14:37) Managing a company post-COVID
(17:00) Who shines in the remote work era?
(20:51) Notion - Get $250 off by using code TWIST at https://notion.so
(22:10) The downturn: will people cancel or review their SaaS bills?
(26:09) How many of Zach’s founders have prepped for the downturn?
(30:50) Odoo - Get your first app free and a $1000 credit at https://odoo.com/twist
(32:02) Don’t try to invest in pre-product market fit companies when you’re first starting out (unless you know the founder’s awesome)
(41:22) Q&A: How do you think about competition in the same market in the early stages?
(46:43) What are the top buzzwords you’re staying away from as investors right now?
(59:00) Would you invest in SF?
(1:04:00) How much dilution after seed rounds turns into a red flag?
(1:06:14) Should the equity grant occur during financings or the board meeting?
(1:09:15) What does Zach focus on in terms of diligence?
(1:19:30) As a founder, when should you provide pro rata to angels and when not?
(1:25:10) Have you ever advised a founder to leave the CEO role?
(1:32:29) How long do you think the down market is going to be and what’s your strategy?