RocketPD’s Post

What have I learned after working with 300+ tech startup founders through the FOR-M incubator? 🙌 Community Matters More 🙌 Wait... More than the business model? More than the growth strategy? More than getting the first customer? More than the idea itself?!? In the early stages.... yeah! It's a community's ability to make connections, provide support, offer feedback, and lend advice that *really* matters for an early-stage founder. It's a powerful - and fast - litmus test. It's all the stuff you can't find in the right YouTube video or the right book. There's plenty of great content out there, but those videos and books aren't going to sit down with you to whiteboard things out. They won't help you get the connections you need or help you take your next step. They definitely won't pick you up when you hit a roadblock and are thinking about giving up on your dream. A great community will do all of that. And that's why it matters more. It's also why we invest our energy in fostering a strong #mketech community. We're kicking off our TENTH cohort of the FOR-M Startup Incubator next month and we're hosting another Founders Day next week. Join us! 🙌 Apply for the FOR-M Incubator: https://lnkd.in/geg-G5ba (spots are filling fast) 🙌 Register for Founders Day on August 28th: https://lnkd.in/gEMpC8pk ------------------------------------ These efforts are made possible by MKE Tech Hub Coalition Margarida Fernandes Midwest Founders Community Ward 4 CSA Partners, LLC MKEStartup.News and many others working hard to grow our community!

Building a tech startup isn't without its hurdles, but understanding the challenges can be your first step towards success! 🚀 Challenges like securing funding, lack of mentorship, and high competition often weigh heavy on founders. Yet, amidst these obstacles, there are strategies that can turn the tide. Many might argue that securing funding is the dealbreaker for new startups. While it's true that access to capital is tough, focusing on effective resource management and understanding your market can help you build a strong case for investors. Remember, a well-prepared pitch that highlights your product-market fit can make all the difference. It's important to embrace an investor mindset and stay adaptable. With the right approach, it’s possible to navigate these challenges successfully. By sharing insights, knowledge, and perhaps even woes, we can foster a supportive community ready to help each other rise above the rest. What do you think? Are there other challenges you've faced while navigating the startup landscape? Share your thoughts!

Great to hear about the progress StackBooster is making in the SF tech scene! Alex Sharabudinov and the team are doing incredible work empowering startups to launch faster and more efficiently 💪 Their dedication to helping businesses save time and resources is truly inspiring. I'm excited to see what the future holds for Stackbooster. Keep up the great work! 🚀 #Stackbooster #StartupGrowth #Innovation #AWS #Entrepreneurship #TechEcosystem #SFTechWeek

Experiencing the Unstoppable Energy of SF's Tech Ecosystem at #SFTechWeek! Wow, what an incredible time to be in the Bay Area! The velocity of innovation here is absolutely electrifying. I'm thrilled to share that I'm currently in San Francisco for Stackbooster's fundraising and to expand our customer base during this amazing #SFTechWeek. The ecosystem here is buzzing with ideas and opportunities. Every meeting and event has been a gateway to new possibilities. We've connected with some of the most visionary minds and forward-thinking investors—it's humbling to see the excitement around what we're building with Stackbooster. For those who might not know, Stackbooster is dedicated to helping startups save money, time, and resources. We're empowering our customers to launch faster and more efficiently while seamlessly adopting AWS solutions. The positive feedback and success stories from startups we've partnered with have been incredibly inspiring. If you're around and want to chat about accelerating growth, optimizing your tech stack, or just share insights about the vibrant SF tech scene, let's connect! This week has been a whirlwind of inspiration, and I can't wait to see what's next. Feeling grateful and energized by the amazing community here! #Stackbooster #StartupGrowth #Innovation #AWS #Entrepreneurship #TechEcosystem #SFTechWeek

Culled From The LSETF Newsletter See the lineup now! 😍 I can't wait! 🔥" "Boy, this lineup is crazy!!! 🔥😍" We did not say that; if you're wondering, it was our Instagram audience who said it when we posted our lineup! Introducing the powerful female mentors who will be guiding and inspiring the next wave of female-owned startups to stratospheric heights. If you are a female startup founder or know anyone who is a female founder, then you surely do not want to miss this. Do you run an early-stage tech startup? This is for you. Through the Idea Hub program, you will be assigned to a mentor who is just as passionate about your growth as you are! Your mentor will provide personalized guidance, tried-and-tested templates, advice, and more to aid your journey. Founders won't have all the growth and fun as there is a new twist to it. Female funders/angel investors will also be part of the program as they can apply for it. https://lnkd.in/dDezrYa7

Startup pros, let's share some #MorningMotivation! What's the number one piece of advice you've received on your startup journey? Or maybe you've met someone who has inspired or helped you – tag them in the comments and make their day 🙌 If you're seeking a vibrant community to connect with fellow startup enthusiasts daily, join Stone & Chalk: https://hubs.ly/Q02k4N_00 🚀

I really loved this event. Sometimes tech events tend to lean a little more technical, discussing product market fit and frameworks. While I find those to be incredibly valuable, this chat hit me right in the feels. Kristy Muir spoke about a deeply personal experience that pushed her into entrepreneurship. She talked about how many of us don’t think big enough for our startups, and how reluctant we can be to demand more from our own ideas and ambitions. And finally she reminded us that being a failed founder doesn’t make you a failure, and every lesson redirects you toward something more significant. My biggest takeaway? Keep showing up, keep putting in the work. Even when you face rejection from investors, those same voices often come back around when they see you haven’t lost sight of your vision. Finally, building a startup isn’t about the tech or the traction alone – it’s the network of relationships that ground it. Thanks Tyler Jennings for another great event! Stoked for Boost 24 🙌

🛠 Building in Public: StartupNash edition: Are you looking for a group of founder friends in Nashville? Read on. Founders in Nashville have access to dozens of well-vetted local resources. So how does StartupNash fit into a founder's toolbox? At a high level: We're the on-call founder textline. This is a virtual space you can go to ask a community of founders and funders for help with founder problems. We are a built-in network to help you find folks who are early adopters and enjoy learning about new technologies. → This community is going all in on go-to-network strategy in 2025. What is that? - It's the strategy around how you meet your first customers. - It's the people who introduce you to your target market. - In some cases, it's access to services you need. - In some specific cases, it's access to people who can introduce you to capital options. In 2025, my goal is to highlight all the different paths founders can take in their early company journey. It's no longer bootstrapping vs venture. There's a spectrum of options for high-growth founders and I want to help founders find their fit through: → Forming accountability groups. → Creating programming around founder-network fit. → Educating founders with the help of experts in specific early company topics → Maybe most important: providing a space where founders in Nashville become friends. I think the most human parts of a community: friendship, camaraderie, spaces where you can be truthful and vulnerable, are really the most unsung parts of a "successful" startup community. I'm excited for next year! Does this sound important to you? Feel free to reach out and I'll tell you more.

Techstars Oakland Announces the Newest Class Exciting news from Techstars Oakland powered by J.P. Morgan: We’re thrilled to introduce the newest class of startups! More than just supporting these innovative companies, we’re deeply committed to investing in Oakland and creating a lasting impact on this vibrant community. Techstars Oakland : Where Innovation Meets Opportunity The program offers unparalleled access to mentorship, resources, and support. We’re dedicated to accelerating the growth of these startups and contributing to Oakland’s economic and social development. Diversity and inclusion are at the heart of our mission, ensuring that underrepresented and often overlooked founders have a platform to thrive. Partnering for a Better Future Our collaboration with J.P. Morgan underscores our commitment to diversity and inclusion, key drivers of innovation and growth. J.P. Morgan provides an integrated suite of services, including banking, wealth management, and advisory solutions, helping build a more inclusive and innovative future for Oakland and beyond. Meet the Techstars Oakland Spring Class Cadena S.A. (New York City, NY): Fun, snackable AI courses for those overwhelmed by learning about AI. Chambr (Techstars '23) (San Francisco, CA): Pitch practice for sales teams to close more deals. COEXIST (San Francisco, CA): An all-in-one hub for busy families to manage home life. Cuál Corp (Los Angeles, CA): The Yelp for Hispanics, offering a platform for community reviews. Cut + Clarity (New York City, NY): Sustainable, customizable fine jewelry creating opportunities for women. Fundwurx (Techstars '23) (New York City, NY): Streamlined CSR management for businesses. grandstage trading (Brooklyn, NY): A content marketing copilot reducing content creation time by 75%. Little Otter (Toronto, Canada): Personalized guidance for new parents navigating parenthood. NALA (Miami, FL): SaaS solution revolutionizing talent management with machine learning and predictive insights. PerformVu (Brooklyn, NY): A streaming platform for performance and video art from top artists and institutions. Skyblue Analytics (Montevideo, Uruguay): Customized white-label solutions for financial companies lacking investment infrastructure. WXLLSPACE (Atlanta, GA): Connecting real estate developers with budget-friendly mural artists. Techstars Oakland is more than a program; it's a movement toward a more inclusive, innovative, and prosperous future. What startup are you most excited about? Let us know! More insightful: #MondayFunding #StepUpOne #Techstars Oakland