Today we held our Q32024 #OKR Kickoff with the Living Security team where we unveiled our:
📈 One Page Strategic Plan including Q3, 1 Year, and 3 Year goals (thanks for the help Sloan Gaon)
🎯 #BHAG - 100M Users Protected
📔 Our commitment to #growth and our core value of #climbtogether with the rollout of our Book Club (where we pay you to read)
We also reviewed the previous quarters results (which were fantastic) and the focus for this quarter, but one of my favorite parts is #team#recognition. We have some incredible tenure across the team, and working in a #startup environment is not easy.
Erik Book hit 6 years with Living Security this month - thank you Erik for your commitment, perseverance and impact to our #clients and #teammembers. I'm grateful you took an insane interview request with a 4 person startup 6 years ago - and look forward to the next 6 accomplishing big things!
Drew M. RoseKelly Harward
"At Passafund, our strategy mirrors Reid Hoffman's Plan ABZ: daily operational excellence, a visionary 10-year plan, and our ultimate goal—making financial services accessible. We adapt, learn, and grow every day, keeping our long-term vision at the forefront. Every step, pivot, and iteration brings us closer to our goal. #reidhoffmaninspired#Passafund#startupjourney#startuplife#wemakefinancialserviceaccessible#goizzilending#gmg (78/365)"
TEDx | Deep market intelligence and smashing barriers are my superpowers | Connecting Public Sector with Emerging/Underserved Companies and Communities is my mission | Helping people is my only measure of success
It's been a long road, I'll admit. $3.7m raised. 100 uses cases + delivered. Sleepless nights. I can't say that I imagined as many when I started this business, having built another successful one beforehand.
When AFWERX and Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center, first awarded us a SBIR Phase II with General Cameron Holt as a sponsor, we knew we had to live up to the trust they had placed in us. Thank you General Holt, Wendy Masiello, Pete Herrmann, Roger Westermeyer for understanding our vision and trusting us.
We hit some road bumps along the way, some big ones. Made some strategic mistakes hurt us in a big way. But we regrouped and refocused based on what our customers were telling us.
Since then, we have worked day and night to steadily make progresss and I'm proud to say we have hit our stride:
- Raised $3.7m through seasoned private investors
- Supported over 100 use cases on deep market intel in emerging tech for private equity, government, market scouting, and consortia innovation teams. The quotes you see below wouldn't be possible without having refined our process over time.
- Won a SBIR Phase III with 10 sponsoring defense agencies including NSIN - National Security Innovation Network
- Built comprehensive datasets, AI and analytical models to analyze complex tech markets and supply chains and execute rapid sprints in less than a week
- Business model - After a LOT of trial and error, we rolled out a "Emerging Tech Research Subscription" that has taken on huge momentum.
Finally, I can sleep at night (although now the adrenaline and excitement is keeping me up)!
THANK YOU to all those who have trusted us along the way and provided valuable guidance including Jason Busch Sam Kinney Ulf Zetterberg Shelly Kapoor Collins Wendy MasielloJohn DickersonAsh BediJack KinneyNidhi SmithAlan B. Thomas Jr.Mark KendallDaniel J. FinkenstadtRob HandfieldTrish Martinelli Anne Rung Polly HallWilliam RandolphGuy TimberlakePeter GuintoManpreet S. MattuDave WeinsteinJason C.. I know I have missed a few people. Nothing would be possible without you.
#emergingtech#marketintelligence#supplychainintelligence#startups#founderjourney
At Victoria Bros., we believe in trying new things, measuring outcomes, and continuously improving.
Our transparent processes help us gain trust and deliver exceptional value to our partners and customers. We’re committed to planning for small issues before they become big ones.
Curious about our approach? Visit the victoriabros.com to learn more.
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#Vbros#softwareengineering#startupcompany#softwarestartup#partnerwithus#workwithus
Nature's Hostile Takeover: When Eagles Attempt Vertical Integration
Ladies and gentlemen of the #corporate#jungle, gather 'round for a tale of #ambition, #audacity, and #aerial#acrobatics that would make even the most aggressive #WallStreet#trader blush!
Picture this: A majestic eagle, the #CEO of the skies, spots a #mountaingoat, the sure-footed #startup of the cliffs. What happens next is nothing short of a hostile takeover attempt that goes hilariously wrong.
In a move that can only be described as "aggressively optimistic market expansion," our feathered friend decides to #diversify its #portfolio from the usual fish and small mammals into the untapped mountain ungulate market. Talk about #verticalintegration!
Let's break down this failed #merger and #acquisition:
1. Due Diligence? What's That?
Clearly, someone skipped the #market#research phase. Pro tip: If your target #acquisition is twice your size and lives on a cliff, maybe reconsider your #strategy.
2. Overestimating Core Competencies
Just because you're the #apex#predator of the skies doesn't mean you can handle a #mountain#goat. Know your #strengths, folks!
3. Misreading Market Signals
That goat wasn't "ripe for acquisition." It was just standing there, minding its own #business.
4. Gravity: The Ultimate #MarketForce
In business, as in# nature, what goes up must come down. Especially if you're trying to lift a goat.
5. #Resilience of the #Underdog
Never underestimate a startup with a solid foundation (or, in this case, really good hooves).
6. The Importance of #ExitStrategies
When your #takeover fails, make sure you can fly away with dignity. And without a goat attached to you.
But wait, there's more! This failed acquisition attempt teaches us valuable business lessons:
- Sometimes, the best #deals are the ones you don't make.
- Just because you can swoop in doesn't mean you should.
- In #negotiations, the higher ground isn't always an #advantage.
- #Diversification is good, but maybe stick to your #core#competencies.
In the end, our eagle friend learned a valuable lesson about biting off more than one can chew (literally). It's a reminder that in business, as in nature, audacity must be tempered with realism.
So, the next time you're considering an ambitious market move, remember the eagle and the mountain goat. Sometimes, it's better to stay in your lane – or your altitude, as the case may be.
Remember, in the corporate food chain, it's not about being the biggest bird in the sky. It's about knowing which mountains to climb and which goats to leave alone.
#NaturesBusiness#FailedAcquisitions#EagleEntrepreneur#MarketDisruption
Have you ever had an "eagle vs. mountain goat" moment in your business career? Share your tales of overly ambitious ventures in the comments! Bonus points if it involved less talon and more PowerPoint!
🧢🧢🧢 Three Hats, One Incredible Journey 🧢🧢🧢
The road never looks the way you expect it to. It's filled with twists, turns, and unexpected challenges. 🚀
One week before our launch, we faced a trademark issue with our original company, "GoodCents." We were left with no choice but to pivot and rebrand as "Gyve." 😬
In 2019, we achieved another milestone when we were acquired by Cass Information Systems. This acquisition marked a significant step forward on our journey. 🤝
Fast forward to 2022, and the story continues with the merger of Gyve and TouchPoint Software. 🤝 Two companies with a shared vision coming together to create something even greater.
As founders, patience is key. It's about trusting the process, even when the path seems uncertain. 🙏
And speaking of trust, Psalm 37:3 reminds us: "Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture." 📖
We're grateful for the incredible support we've received along the way. Tagging some amazing individuals who have been instrumental in our journey: David Dummitt, Dustin Bosscher, Dwight Erdbruegger, Ross Miller, Martin Resch, Steve Caton, Mark Kitts, Peter Moraes, Derek Montgomery, Don Martin, Chris Dolan.
Thank you all for being a part of this incredible journey. 🙌
#Entrepreneurship#Journey#TrustTheProcess#TouchPoint#CassInformationSystems
How many defense tech startups have taken on the primes head to head
In open competition
And won?
Michael Grochol and the team at Iron EagleX, Inc. sure has.
There are few individuals in the industry who have taken a more well-considered and well-prepared approach to the CEO role than Michael -- and it is paying off big time.
In this conversation we discuss:
- Michael's background, and how his service and contractor background led to this opportunity at this moment
- The three pillars of business, and how he prepared for each
- How IEX uses OTAs to turn traditional government Go-to-Market strategy on its head
Action-packed episode -- check it out!
“2024 is the year we’re going to get serious about L&D”
Just like my New Year’s resolution around cutting down screen time, we can get excited about our decision to set up the L&D function, but it’s what comes next that determines our fate.
Making the right impact fast is just the beginning of setting up L&D successfully. Tune in to hear the rest of the plan so simple, it fits on a single sticky note!
https://lnkd.in/gDEz4ede
🎙️ #NewYearNewLearnings#BusinessSuccess#LearningAndDevelopment#StartingUpLND
Winning Grants & Government Opportunities for Small & Medium Sized Organizations
1moWould love to learn more about how you are implementing your book club.