StartupNation

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• Get Startup Funding Fast! Applications Open for Pepperdine Most Fundable Companies
• WJR Business Beat with Jeff Sloan: Study Shows That Small Businesses Are Making Bold Moves to Stay Relevant (Episode 209)
• Former NFL Player Rick Elmore on What Aspiring Entrepreneurs Can Learn from Professional Sports
• Local Merchants Talk Return to Main Street on StartupNation Radio
• WJR Business Beat with Jeff Sloan: Detroit Startups Celebrate Valuations Well into the Billions (Episode 208)

Get Startup Funding Fast! Applications Open for Pepperdine Most Fundable Companies Posted: 12 Apr 2021 08:11 AM PDT The Graziadio Business School of Pepperdine University has opened entries to its fourth annual competition, Pepperdine Most Fundable Companies, to identify America's Most Fundable Companies. All U.S.-based startups with less than $10 million in revenue are invited to participate. Participants in the Pepperdine Most Fundable Companies competition receive a comprehensive feedback report free of charge indicating their attractiveness to potential investors. "I wouldn't say that any of us (VC firms) have a methodology that is as rigorous or disciplined as the process that this university is going through… The intensive screening process makes winning companies attractive targets for investors like us," Dan Peate, investor and founder and CEO of Avinew, said. The competition employs a 20-year proven and proprietary due diligence process to determine the winners. Since its inception, winners in the Most Fundable Companies Competition have leveraged their award to receive over $67 million in funding. Additionally, winners are featured in Entrepreneur magazine, whose reach via the magazine and social outlets is in excess of 17 million viewers per month. "The awareness generated by the competition and the connection with several angel groups helped us have an oversubscribed Series A extension," Matt Handel, CEO of ExpressCells, said. In 2020, Pepperdine selected 20 winners from among 4,500 plus participants from all 50 states. The winners across 13 states had a broad geographic representation and a wide range of industries, including e-commerce, clean energy, biotech, digital health, femtech, agro and biotech. To review a list of the 2020 winners, click here. Pepperdine's 2021 Most Fundable Companies competition is now underway, with an awards ceremony scheduled for mid-October. Winners will also be featured in the December 2021 issue of Entrepreneur magazine. There is no cost to participate, and applications are being accepted now through May 28, 2021. Click here to apply for Pepperdine Most Fundable Companies! Sponsored content The post Get Startup Funding Fast! Applications Open for Pepperdine Most Fundable Companies appeared first on StartupNation.

WJR Business Beat with Jeff Sloan: Study Shows That Small Businesses Are Making Bold Moves to Stay Relevant (Episode 209) Posted: 12 Apr 2021 05:00 AM PDT On this morning’s Business Beat, Jeff shares findings from a recent Borrell Associates study, indicating that small businesses are making bold moves to stay relevant and capture market share. One third of local advertisers said they plan to spend more on local advertising in 2021, and 70% will add more types of media that are new and different methods in their marketing mix. Tune in to the Business Beat, below, to hear more results from the study on local advertising and the state of small businesses: “What’s the significance of this news? Well first, it certainly shows that businesses could come roaring back, and so could our local economies, if indeed we can start to put the pandemic in the rearview mirror. And second, local media businesses stand to benefit from this aggressive approach to more advertising spend beginning right now in 2021.” – Jeff Sloan Tune in to News/Talk 760 AM WJR weekday mornings at 7:11 a.m. for the WJR Business Beat. Listeners outside of the Detroit area can listen live HERE. Are you an entrepreneur with a great story to share? If so, contact us at editor@startupnation.com and we'll feature you on an upcoming segment of the WJR Business Beat! WJR Business Beat Transcript Good morning, Paul. A recent study by Borrell Associates indicates that small businesses are making bold moves to stay relevant and even capture market shares as we begin to ease our way out of the pandemic. Conducted in March, the survey asks marketers about how things shaped up in the first quarter of 2021 for them and how they’re looking for the next three months and the rest of the year. One third of local advertisers said they plan to spend more on local advertising in 2021, and nearly half said things were better in the first quarter of 2021 compared with first quarter of 2020. So, how are they going to make this extra spend in 2021? Well, 70% will add more types of media that are new and different methods in their marketing mix, while 58% planned to increase the frequency of their advertising. Several marketers participating in the survey said that they plan to rely heavily on messaging that incorporates a shop local theme, as it’s clear now that local consumers have stepped up and are continuing to step up in a meaningful way to support local merchants and restaurants. What’s the significance of this news? Well first, it certainly shows that businesses could come roaring back, and so could our local economies, if indeed we can start to put the pandemic in the rearview mirror. And second, local media businesses stand to benefit from this aggressive approach to more advertising spend beginning right now in 2021. While we’re certainly not out of the woods yet, Paul, we’re starting to see some trends that are encouraging, and this projected uptick and local advertising spend certainly is an encouraging sign. Good way to start the week! Go out there and make it a great one, everybody. I’m Jeff Sloan, founder and CEO of StartupNation.com, and that's today's Business Beat on the Great Voice of the Great Lakes, WJR. The post WJR Business Beat with Jeff Sloan: Study Shows That Small Businesses Are Making Bold Moves to Stay Relevant (Episode 209) appeared first on StartupNation.

Former NFL Player Rick Elmore on What Aspiring Entrepreneurs Can Learn from Professional Sports Posted: 12 Apr 2021 02:05 AM PDT Success is not something that is delivered on your doorstep; it's something you have to constantly chase after. In an oversaturated market, crowded with bright ideas and aspiring entrepreneurs, it can be difficult for a new business to break through and reach a dedicated customer base. Today, it takes more than an interesting product to make it big. Entrepreneurs need to strategize like athletes and have a game plan to succeed. Before I became the founder and CEO of my company, Simply Noted, I was a college and professional football player. My lifelong passion for sports has led to me to adopt a certain approach when it comes to my professional and personal life—meaning I like a tough challenge and enjoy delivering great results. While I'm no longer playing football for the NFL, I've learned that becoming a successful entrepreneur is no different than training to win a big game. I went from tackling opponents on the football field to tackling the business world successfully because of the strategies I learned from my professional sports background. StartupNation exclusive discounts and savings on Dell products and accessories: Learn more here Common professional sports strategies can help entrepreneurs grow their business and become better leaders. Here are 10 sports-related strategies that I have taken with me to build my own successful business: Always strive to be the best It can be easy to cut corners, make excuses or settle for second place, but that's what will leave you behind and put your competitors ahead. Wanting to be the very best or number one in your industry will help keep you motivated and pushing for better results. Always strive to be the best, as it will give you a competitive edge. Coach yourself (and be coachable) Coaches help their team improve for the next game. They'll notice your weaknesses and provide advice to become better. As you start your business, you won't always have a coach analyzing your every move, so you're going to have to coach yourself to promote personal development. When you don't have the resources, look for mentors to learn from. Reflect on the challenges and successes you have encountered thus far throughout your journey. What could have been done better or improved to make the process easier? What was the biggest barrier you encountered? What should you do next time? Coaching yourself will help you improve your planning, decision making and productivity. Push yourself past your comfort zone Throughout my sports and entrepreneurial career, I have always pushed myself outside of my comfort zone in order to become better at what I do. This includes learning about and building from scratch the technology that is the basis of my business. It can be an uncomfortable process, but in the end, this strategy results in finding new perspectives, discovering new solutions and meeting new people who can bring new opportunities. If you limit yourself to what you know and what you know you're good at, you'll never discover new potential. Related: Former NFL Player Kamerion Wimbley Tackles Entrepreneurship Post-Football Career Embrace change Situations and individuals are constantly changing. As a result, things may not go as planned and it could be entirely out of your control. Naturally, everyone takes time to adjust to any kind of changes, and change can make us uncomfortable and worried about the unknown. But this fear can seriously hinder your personal growth, because change is necessary. Don't deny opportunities or progress because you fear what will change, or you will end up limiting yourself and keep your business stuck in its current spot with no possibility for growth. Changes you should embrace (or at least consider) can involve adopting new processes and systems in your company to improve efficiency, rebranding your business to attract new customers or introducing new schedules and routines to build a better work culture. Don't let losses hold you back One bad performance does not define a football star's career. The same goes for you and your business. Don't give up even in the face of a challenging situation. While a setback can be difficult to overcome, you can move forward by viewing the challenge as an opportunity or gift for growth. A loss can inspire you to look at your situation differently and learn to take a different direction. Prepare a plan Coaches prepare a detailed game plan so their team is ready with strategies and tactics. During my football career, creating a plan involved studying the team we were playing against, knowing our strengths and weaknesses and determining solutions when problems arose. Similarly in business, without a plan, your team or business will not be ready to act when opportunities or challenges arise. Look at what your customers want, what your competitors are doing, what is or isn't working, and use that knowledge to prepare a business plan that details all of the logistics, including your business's next steps and long-term goals. Listen to fans (and critics) Feedback, both positive and negative, is essential for your business. You need to listen to what customers and reviews are saying so you can continue to deliver great results. Listening to your biggest fans and supporters can help you determine what you're doing right, but be purposeful in listening to other perspectives, as well. If you dismiss criticism or negative feedback, or if you never hear it in the first place, you might be caught off guard by a serious issue that needs to be addressed. Sign Up: Receive the StartupNation newsletter! Have a great team by your side When you think you can do it all, just remember that it takes a team to win a Super Bowl, not just a talented quarterback. It is hard to start and run a business without support. Surround yourself with people who want you to succeed and who are positive influences. This doesn't mean surround yourself with "yes" people. Instead, your startup’s team should comprise of people who encourage you to do better and want to help you achieve higher goals. Celebrate victories It is important to recognize your achievements, including small wins and special milestones. You can celebrate daily moments when an employee does a great job, or a customer makes a big purchase. Celebrating goals will help you reach the next one and will keep your business moving forward. Never forget to say thank you I believe your relationships and the connections you make are important. Always acknowledge the people who have helped you succeed. Coaches, mentors, friends, family and supporters. On and off the field, they have given you advice and support that helped you along the journey. Without them, you couldn't have achieved your success. Be sure to show appreciation and thank them. Although I traded in the jersey and helmet for branded polo shirts, the strategies and lessons I learned on the field as an athlete have guided my growth as an entrepreneur. Fellow entrepreneurs can also put these lessons to work in order to find success, just like professional sports athletes. The post Former NFL Player Rick Elmore on What Aspiring Entrepreneurs Can Learn from Professional Sports appeared first on StartupNation.

Local Merchants Talk Return to Main Street on StartupNation Radio Posted: 10 Apr 2021 11:00 AM PDT On today’s special edition of StartupNation Radio, we’re talking to several local Main Street merchants about the challenges brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the opportunities ahead. Joining StartupNation’s Jeff Sloan in the co-host seat is Julie Sloan of MainStreet Nation (a subset of StartupNation), who is a subject matter expert on the business of Main Street. Jeff and Julie kick off the show with Julie’s observations of the current state of local business, including the passion small business owners possess for not only their businesses, but their communities, as well. (Julie Sloan) John Bry, Supervisor of Local Business Development of Oakland County, joins the discussion to talk about what he’s observed of Main Street businesses during the pandemic. He also offers his expertise on best practices that merchants can implement to sustain their small businesses moving forward. (John Bry) Then, Jeff and Julie talk with three local Main Street merchants about what they’re doing to position themselves for success coming out of the pandemic. Featured guests include: Holly Anselmi, owner of The Italian Dish Marlene Mansour, owner of Urban Wick Candle Bar Sommer Poquette, founder and CEO of Keep it Real Social   Tune in to the full episode of StartupNation Radio, below, to hear our experts discuss the return to Main Street! Resources mentioned during the show: National Main Street Center U.S. Chamber of Commerce U.S. Small Business Administration Oakland County Main Street Program MainStreet Nation ShopLoyal ShopMainstreet We'll be back next weekend with another exciting episode of StartupNation Radio! Stay tuned. Do you have a great entrepreneurial success story to share? Tell us your story here and you could be featured on an upcoming episode of StartupNation Radio. The post Local Merchants Talk Return to Main Street on StartupNation Radio appeared first on StartupNation.

WJR Business Beat with Jeff Sloan: Detroit Startups Celebrate Valuations Well into the Billions (Episode 208) Posted: 09 Apr 2021 05:00 AM PDT Earlier this week, Rochester, Michigan-based OneStream Software announced that it closed on $200 million in new capital that will be used to position the company optimally for its IPO slated for the near future. Additionally, StockX announced a major round of funding in the amount of $195 million at a valuation of $3.8 billion. It’s a great week for Detroit startups! Tune in to the Business Beat, below, to learn more about the incredible growth of these Detroit startups: “These are the shining stars of the startup scene regionally today here in southeast Michigan. These are the stories that inspire new generations of entrepreneurs to cast their own fate in the startup world.” – Jeff Sloan Tune in to News/Talk 760 AM WJR weekday mornings at 7:11 a.m. for the WJR Business Beat. Listeners outside of the Detroit area can listen live HERE. Are you an entrepreneur with a great story to share? If so, contact us at editor@startupnation.com and we'll feature you on an upcoming segment of the WJR Business Beat! Today’s Business Beat was brought to you by Dell Technologies WJR Business Beat Transcript Good morning, Paul. It’s Friday, a perfect day to celebrate vision and hard work resulting in a couple of startup companies right here in the Detroit region whose valuations are now well into the billions. Earlier this week, Rochester, Michigan-based OneStream Software, a company we featured previously on the Business Beat, announced that it has just closed on $200 million in new capital that will be used to position the company optimally for its IPO slated for the near future. OneStream is a leader in modern corporate performance management solutions for mid-size to large enterprises. The round of funding to OneStream was led by New York city-based hedge fund D1 Capital Partners and comes in at a valuation of a whopping $6 billion for OneStream. This round of investment follows an investment made by KKR in 2019, which valued the company at the time at more than 1 billion. The 200 million in funding announced by OneStream accounts for the second largest venture capital haul for a Michigan company in history, according to data compiled by Ann Arbor-based EntryPoint, second only to a round of investment totaling 275 million into StockX at a valuation of 2.8 billion. And speaking of StockX, the Detroit-based online marketplace for sneakers, apparel and other collectibles has also just announced a major round of funding this week in the amount of 195 million at a valuation of 3.8 billion. Wow! These are the shining stars of the startup scene regionally today here in southeast Michigan. These are the stories that inspire new generations of entrepreneurs to cast their own fate in the startup world. Both of these companies are homegrown and both no doubt are headed for even higher heights. Now, success stories like this, not only make us proud to claim them in our region and not only do they inspire and fuel more entrepreneurial activity, they are also growing employment bases, employing skilled workers, both locally and recruited to our area, which helps our local economy grow. And lastly, that cash that flows ultimately down to the founders and other shareholders of these great companies makes its way back into the startup community to further fuel venture funding activity.  No doubt, it's a great week for the startup community in southeast Michigan. I’m Jeff Sloan, founder and CEO of StartupNation.com, and that’s today’s Business Beat on the Great Voice of the Great Lakes, WJR.   The post WJR Business Beat with Jeff Sloan: Detroit Startups Celebrate Valuations Well into the Billions (Episode 208) appeared first on StartupNation.

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