Touring Capital

Over the next decade, Millennials and Gen Z will represent almost 80% of the workforce. Millennials are values-driven, seek work/life integration, are concerned about environmental impacts and the state of the world, and are looking for employers who will empower them. They are rising through the ranks across organizations and making buying decisions about which software solutions their companies will leverage. These tech-savvy (or even tech-native) buyers have high expectations for the software they use at work, just like they do for the user-friendly apps they grew up with in their personal lives. So how has this rise in younger generations at work changed the software industry? From an organizational procurement perspective, individual business users from every team want control over the individual pieces of software they use. With this shift, the traditional long, wine-and-dine software sales process is turning into a more efficient product-influenced sales motion. The end buyer has done their research before even entering the buying stage, and they know what they want. The outcome of this product-led growth shift? 🚀 The formal sales processes will continue to shrink (the product sells itself) 💲 Product pricing paradigms need to shift in a world where the end-user controls the purchasing decision Software is becoming increasingly democratized, and we have the Millennials and Gen Z-ers to thank for it! 

Entering a new market can be challenging for any company, regardless of age or stage. 🌏 For our portfolio companies and potential partners considering international expansion, our best advice is to be very strategic about the timing and preparation for entering new markets. Ask yourself: ▪ Does my company have a strong foundation at home? Do we have consistent growth and stable operations?  ▪ Have we tested the TAM in the region? What’s the buyer’s appetite and capacity for my solution there?  ▪ Do we fully understand the new market's dynamics, including customer needs, competitive landscape, and regulatory environment? ▪ Do we have a plan for implementing strong HR policies related to hiring, firing, promotion, and retention that work in the new geo? You only get one chance, so how you launch matters! Any other pieces of advice for founders interested in expanding internationally? Share them in the comments. 

We’re proud to share that we’ve added two new Venture Partners to the Touring Capital team. Welcome Ray Cao and Abhi Kumar! Our relationship with Ray and Abhishek has developed over the years, from close connections with Touring’s past and present portfolio companies to working with our general partners at M12. Heading into our one-year anniversary, we are thrilled to have them join us in uncovering the next generation of category-defining companies! Read more about the news on our blog: https://lnkd.in/erh7X-zP CC: Priya Saiprasad, Nagraj Kashyap, Samir Kumar, Evan Wijaya,

In the world of venture capital, missed opportunities are inevitable. Priya Saiprasad joined DrinksWithAVC to tackle the question, “What is the one deal you passed on that you wish you hadn’t?” Can you guess what she said? 👀 Touring Capital has seen some incredible companies come our way, and we’re immensely proud of the companies we’ve partnered with. When reviewing investment opportunities, here are some factors we consider: Remaining open-minded: We look beyond the unconventional solutions to real problems. Sometimes the most promising ideas aren’t immediately obvious. Team track record: A great team can make all the difference. We focus on their past experiences, their connection with the end-customer, and their ability to adapt to the growth of their startup Timing: Even the most brilliant idea can lose steam if the market isn't ready for it. We identify where a solution fits into consumer adoption cycles and strive to invest at the optimal time. Check out the round-up with Priya and other industry VCs:  https://lnkd.in/gHeqwCp8

Touring Capital General Partner Nagraj Kashyap reflects on what is working in today’s AI technology wave at Hg’s Software Leadership Gathering event. He recalls his experience through 2 major technological shifts: the mobile platform shift and the cloud computing shift. Nagraj points out that because everyday consumers can now grasp what AI can do for them and how it can change their work or personal lives, the hype cycle has created a lot of noise. But Nagraj and Touring Capital agree — we’re experiencing the next groundbreaking AI shift that is changing how AI is leveraged forever.  Check out the full video for this fascinating conversation. 

In the venture capital world, quality trumps over quantity every time. Just like investors seek quality investments and visionary leaders with scalable business models, founders should also consider quality when selecting their VC partners. Landing a potential partner isn't just about closing the $$ —it's about finding the right fit for your business and its future. Instead of seeing how many doors you can knock on, focus on cultivating meaningful relationships with select VCs who are aligned with your vision for the future. Conduct thorough reference checks on these VCs with other founders as establishing trust between your team and theirs is imperative to a successful partnership. When looking for a quality VC for your startup’s next round, founders should consider ✔️What additional value can the VC provide other than capital? ✔️Do they have the same passion for the space you're in?  ✔️Are they going to be in the trenches with you not just when everything is going well but during the inevitable troughs of company building?    As you navigate the complexities of securing your next investment, take the time to find the investment team whose values and passion align deeper than surface level.

As a tech company, being first-to-market doesn't guarantee eternal success. Market and industry factors can change everything very quickly (think Blackberry once Apple created the first iPhone.) Tune in to The Tech Trek podcast as Samir Kumar joins Amir Bormand to discuss how the tech landscape has evolved and how startups should approach industry changes that could impact their technology.  Samir advises startups to consider if their breakthrough idea addresses a fundamental need or is a slight enhancement of existing technology. What else should startups do to grow and thrive when their industry is constantly evolving? ✔ Zero in on solving specific industry problems with precision ✔ Stay agile and adaptable as technology evolves to meet the needs of their target audience ✔ Act strategically based on the significance of each breakthrough Check out the full episode here:  https://lnkd.in/evxx-v7E 

Yesterday, Allie Garfinkle, Senior Finance Reporter for Fortune, spoke to a handful of venture capitalists about Monday’s market fall and what it could mean for the future of VC investment. The resounding answer: Not much. Touring Capital general partner Nagraj Kashyap sums it up well, “Venture capital is, by its very nature, a long-dated asset class, so economic cycles don’t affect the industry as much as they do the market for public equities.” In other words, we’re not fazed. Thank you, Allie, for including Nagraj in the story! Read more to hear what other VC leaders have to say about this week’s recession jitters: https://lnkd.in/e8f_X5zq

What does it take to expand your startup globally, and how can your investors support you? Thank you, Matthew Wright, for sharing these lessons on global expansion from some of the best in VC, including Touring’s Priya Saiprasad. In the article, Priya explains how Touring supports our portfolio companies’ expansion goals and shares important lessons learned along the way, including: 🧠 Thoughtful expansion: Priya advises startups to be meticulous about the timing of their international expansion, typically recommending it at the Series B stage and beyond. This careful planning helps avoid missteps in new markets. 🌏 Global playbooks: Touring Capital equips startups with comprehensive playbooks for international growth. These playbooks cover essential strategies for entering new markets, including setting up sales cycles and processes that cater to regional differences. 📈 Strategic validation: Priya underscores the importance of VC firms in validating expansion strategies. This includes assessing the total addressable market (TAM), evaluating consumer sentiment, and ensuring that the go-to-market approach aligns with local market dynamics.

If you didn’t catch CuspAI founder Max Welling on The Neil Ashton Podcast, this is your sign to tune in! In the episode, Max shares the story behind building the team behind CuspAI. He explains that with a great co-founder and a team aligned on the vision, he has seen an increase in collaboration, positive attitudes, and opportunities to build awareness for their new solutions in tech. The team at Touring has known Max for over a decade. It’s always inspiring to hear the ‘behind the scenes’ stories from founders creating groundbreaking technologies to improve the planet. Hear more from Max and Neil: https://lnkd.in/e52Tkd5Q