EP 60: From Bootstrapping to Venture Capital to $30M Exits

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, investing, capital strategy, and business development. You can reach out to Jason through: Email: [email protected] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonrkirby/ ABOUT FUNDRAISING DEMYSTIFIED Our goal is simple: to equip you with the knowledge, inspiration, and guidance to navigate the labyrinthine world of fundraising. Whether you're a budding entrepreneur seeking seed funding or an established founder looking to scale your business, this podcast will provide you with the tools you need to conquer the fundraising landscape. Thank you for being a loyal subscriber to Fundraising Demystified. We appreciate your support and are excited to continue bringing you more inspiring stories from successful founders.