Norma Watenpaugh’s Post

Exploring the Rise of Tech-Focused Acquisitions in Small Business: A Digital Gold Rush? In the ever-evolving business landscape, we're witnessing a surge in tech-focused acquisitions among small businesses. It's like everyone suddenly found a map to a digital treasure trove! But what's fueling this tech-savvy gold rush? 1. Digital Domination: In a world where your toaster is probably smarter than your first computer, it's no surprise that tech integration is key to staying competitive. Businesses are eyeing tech startups not just for their flashy gadgets but for their brainy algorithms and data-driven insights. 2. Customer-Centric Technologies: With everyone from toddlers to grandmas swiping on screens, customer interactions are more digital than ever. Acquiring tech businesses means better engaging with this screen-loving audience. 3. Operational Efficiency: Let's face it, efficiency is the new black. Tech acquisitions are like a cheat code to streamline operations, reduce costs, and level up your business game. 4. Innovation at Warp Speed: In a race where the slow and steady don't win, tech acquisitions provide a warp drive to innovation. Why build a spaceship when you can hitch a ride on a rocket? So, dear network, what's your take on this trend? Are you ready to join the digital gold rush, or are you still panning for gold in the river of traditional business? Share your insights, experiences, or even your witty tech jokes! #SmallBusiness #TechAcquisitions #BusinessTrends #DigitalInnovation #Entrepreneurship

Starting a Business? Get a Business Partner Some of the most powerful companies in the world have co-founders. For example, Google (Sergey Brin and Larry Page), Apple (Steve Wozniak and Steve Jobs), and Microsoft (Bill Gates and Paul Allen). When you're at the helm of a budding startup, it can be scary. But, as the old saying goes, "Two heads are better than one." Having a partner can help to ease the pressure and stress that comes with running a business. He or she may have complementary skills, provide emotional support, and be on hand to help out with the day-to-day. And an alternate perspective may help to broaden your vision and avoid the risk of mistakes being overlooked. #business #businesspartner #bizexcelpartner

If you run a scaleup, chances are you've thought once (or a hundred times) about targeting a strategic exit to a corporation. It's not impossible. In fact, it's fairly common, but there are steps to take. It often starts with a corporate partnership, which is different from landing an "Enterprise deal." I loved chatting with Mathieu Guerville because he explained "non-BS" strategies and tactics for founders who want to play big. He leads corporate development at CCC and has deployed more than $200M towards inorganic growth (M&A). He's also an angel investor and a professor. Hearing this from the person on the other side is gold. If you're in talks to partner up with a large enterprise, his advice is to be patient. Understand that corporations prioritize complex integrations while startups love UX/UI and modern architecture. Also, don't go in unprepared. As exciting as it might sound, be careful. Spend time building a legally sound partnership agreement that includes options like ROFR, warrants, and performance-based triggers to avoid ending up in a golden cage. This and more in his interview for Industry Gap here 👇 https://lnkd.in/dqdpS5hQ Read it - it's worth it.

8 tips for early stage startup founders I had the privilege to attend a Founders Breakfast event at AWS in TLV moderated by Yoav Fishman with 4 extremely impressive CTO/founders - Nir Klar Adi Elimelech Ron Konigsberg and Guy Rinat About 50 founders, 45 men, 5 women - wide range of ages. Some of the key takeaways (I may have missed a few) 1. Do what you love 2. Don't poach employees from companies you worked for 3. Use managed services (don't reinvent the wheel or DIY your own database) 4. Manage up the chain of command - CTO's mission is to off-load from CEO 5. Obsess on customers 6. Raise funding when you can for a 2 year runway 7. Don't assume that the market will fund your company to profitability 8. Hire according to the stage of your company - engineering, operations, sales i.e. Don't hire a big company VP R&D if you have 5 employees and $2m in revenue.

A crucial blend of Self-Awareness and Strategic Partnerships. This conversation with Saurabh Suri was a powerful reminder that in the startup ecosystem, complete solutions don't walk in through the door; they're built through collaboration, learning, and mutual alignment. It's not merely about what we've mastered technologically, but about recognizing the areas we haven't yet explored and finding the right partners to journey through those unknowns together. What you say Yes to Matters! If you are raising, Find the Right Partners. If you are building, Find the Right Teammates. If you are growing, Find the Right Customers. Join us in exploring how embracing our gaps can lead to building stronger, more resilient ventures.

🚀 Strategic partnerships are key to accelerating your tech startup's growth in Seattle. Identify complementary partners, create win-win propositions, and foster strong relationships to achieve mutual goals. INTERNATIONAL VA's virtual assistants specialize in partnership development, assisting with research, proposal drafting, and communication management. Let us help you forge impactful partnerships that drive your startup forward! 🤝💼 #TechStartup #StrategicPartnerships #BusinessGrowth #VirtualAssistant Check out my blog post https://wix.to/YSASLTq #newblogpost

Shout out to my mate Neil Wittensleger here who changed the future of two Tech companies this week by leading them through Hiring Two Mission critical roles in Engineering and Product. Both these companies are on the cusp of their next big move but the only way they're going to get there is with the Talent to contribute to their products. These hires Neil makes directly impact the future of companies at this size and scale. I watch Neil bite off these seemingly impossible tasks, expertly guide these founders through how they're going to get the best of the best and then he delivers all the way through to their Day 1 and beyond. Big week for Neil, but not out of the ordinary for him either. Startups talk about competitive edge - product features don't make up for having the best and brightest talent in the team. For Neil's clients - he is their competitive edge because he builds winning teams.

Tips and tricks to help supercharge your sales function 💡    We understand the previous period to date has been extremely challenging for the startup ecosystem, characterised by turbulence and uncertainty as we rapidly exit a low interest rate environment.    So, we spoke to one of the best operators out there Andrew Phillips, Ex-Public Sector Leader (ANZ) at AWS, to see what founders and their teams can do to supercharge their sales function in a recessionary environment.    Link in comments 👇    #backedbyOIF #ifyouwillititisnodream #enterprisesales #founders 

🚀 Big News! We're ramping up our focus on Healthcare Tech & Digital Health at Plug In Ventures' 5th Accelerator Cohort ! 💪 Founders, let's cut to the chase: 🌐 Get Real Support: Work with top healthcare tech leaders to tackle your business challenges head-on. 💼 Tailored Solutions: No cookie-cutter advice here. We're all about solutions customized for your business. 🔍 Dive Deep: Join us for office hours and workshops that get straight to the heart of your specific business issues. 🚀 SoCAL Growth Tactics: Find practical ways to scale and grow right here in Southern California. 💡 Network Smart: Connect with investors and partners zeroed in on healthcare tech. Ready to level up? Apply now and share the wealth with other founders who mean business. #HealthcareTech #DigitalHealth #BusinessGrowth #SoCALBusiness #Founders #ApplyNow Click on link below! Share with your Founder Friends or apply yourself. Founders in ATL, NYC, DC, & CHI are encouraged to apply!

Your pricing is probably too high. When I work with early stage startups, their founders are almost always pitching a platform. “Our platform unites sales, marketing, operations, and engineering teams.” Okay, so how are you going to get that deal started? “Well, we basically need to reach and convince the CEO to buy.” Do you have some fancy GTM motion that gives you access to CEOs repeatedly? “No, we have one AE that is doing cold outbound.” What happens if you can’t convince the CEO? “We move on to the next company.” What if you targeted a lower level director in one of those departments? And just pitched the part of the product that helps that specific team? There’s exponentially more directors than CEOs, and it would make your messaging way simpler. “We are a platform. We need to get the whole company on board from the beginning.” …why? “Because our ACV is $50k.” Me: 🙃