Ignite Markets: The Hidden Power of Microcaps and Why Big Investors Miss It with Steve Kann | Ep166

Steve Kann is a Partner at Ocean Street Partners, a prolific investor, capital markets strategist, and Amazon #1 bestselling author of Microcap Magic. With over 30 years of experience in investment banking, public markets, and entrepreneurship, Steve has advised or raised over $1 billion in deals. He’s known for uncovering massive value in overlooked public companies and helping growth-stage startups navigate IPOs, M&A, and strategic fundraising with precision. Prior to Ocean Street, Steve built and exited multiple ventures, ran a top-performing investment newsletter, and produced an indie film featuring none other than Kristen Wiig.In Today’s Episode We Discuss:00:00 Intro01:15 Steve’s First “Illegal” Business and Early Sales Lessons03:30 Breaking Into Capital Markets in the 80s Bull Market04:45 Why Companies Staying Private Longer Hurts Everyone07:00 The Flaws of Accredited Investor Laws & What Needs to Change09:30 A $0.50 Stock That Became a $54 Exit14:30 How Microcap Magic Came to Life After Newsletter Success18:00 How Steve Picks Microcaps (and Why It’s Like VC)21:00 TAM Blind Spots and What Founders Miss23:30 Evaluating Founders: Coachability, Plans, and Pitfalls27:00 Cap Table Nightmares and What to Watch Out For30:00 “One-Call Steve” and the Art of Dot-Connecting33:30 Steve’s CRM, Note-Taking Strategy & Network Building37:00 Why He Moved Away from Early-Stage Investing39:30 When Founders Should Call Steve (Hint: Not Just at IPO)42:00 Going Public Early: Risks, Benefits, and Misconceptions48:00 The Real Costs of Being Public (And When It’s Worth It)52:00 Public vs Private Valuations: What Founders Get Wrong53:30 Launch Velocity: Marketing Your Stock Like a Product55:30 How to Choose the Right Capital Markets Advisor57:00 The #1 Rule in Startup Finance: Don’t Run Out of Money59:00 Rapid Fire: Biggest Wins, Books, Deals & Kristen WiigSubscribe on Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/6Ga6v0YUsHotLhjap67uu5Subscribe on Apple Podcasts:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ignite-conversations-on-startups-venture-capital-tech/id1709248824Follow Brian Bell on X:https://x.com/brianrbell?lang=enFollow Steve Kann on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephenkann/Follow Steve Kann on Twitter:https://x.com/SteveKannVisit Our Website:https://www.teamignite.ventures/👂🎧 Watch, listen, and follow on your favorite platform: ⁠https://tr.ee/S2ayrbx_fL ⁠ 🙏 Join the conversation on your favorite social network: ⁠https://linktr.ee/theignitepodcast⁠