Episodes

  • EP 64: From Student Housing Startup to Africa’s Largest Platform with DigsConnect's Alexandria Procter

    EP 64: From Student Housing Startup to Africa’s Largest Platform with DigsConnect's Alexandria Procter
    Nov 21 2024
    Raising capital? Get a list of vetted VCs for FREE here: https://web.thunder.vc/list-of-investors-vcs-for-founders Get the latest fundraising insights, news, and tips: https://blog.thunder.vc/funding-101 ----------------------------------------------------- Alexandria Procter takes center stage on this episode of Fundraising Demystified to share how she transformed a local student housing problem into DigsConnect, now Africa's leading accommodation platform. From her early days tackling University of Cape Town's housing crisis to scaling across 400 cities, she opens up about building a tech company that's reshaping student living across the continent. For founders eyeing growth in developing markets, Alexandria delivers actionable insights on three key fronts: securing significant funding while operating from Africa (including details of their groundbreaking seed round), scaling effectively across diverse African markets, and building solid operational foundations with limited resources. She tops it off with fresh perspectives from her new role backing the next generation of African startups. Here's what you'll find in this episode: 00:00 Trailer 00:55 Introduction to Alexandria Procter and DigsConnect's origin story 07:32 Building the first MVP and initial market validation 11:20 Navigating South Africa's startup ecosystem challenges 13:15 Breaking records: Inside their successful seed round 18:31 Scaling across 400 African cities 23:21 Building and retaining top talent on a budget 24:27 Infrastructure challenges and innovative solutions 27:44 The shift from founder to investor 33:22 The Power of Story Telling 40:01 Future of African tech and advice for emerging market founders 48:12 Rapid-fire lessons ABOUT ALEXANDRIA PROCTER Alexandria Procter is the founder of DigsConnect, Africa's largest student housing marketplace, which she launched at age 24 while studying at the University of Cape Town. From building the initial MVP using Python and JavaScript, she's grown the platform to connect over 150,000 landlords and tenants across 400 cities worldwide, listing more than 1.3 million beds and generating tens of millions in lease value. Beyond entrepreneurship, she's made significant impacts in various spheres - from being appointed by President Ramaphosa as the youngest director of the National Youth Development Agency, where she successfully led the One Million for Democracy initiative, to founding House of Pharos, an SDG-aligned venture capital fund. Her achievements include becoming a published author with her national bestseller "Upstart" (2024), and establishing The Aviation Club, where she writes about tech, startups, and development economics. Connect with Alexandria on: Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexandriaprocter/?originalSubdomain=za Website: https://www.alexandriaprocter.com/ X: https://x.com/alexprocter101 Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC01GpaeWH2ab3UQKcQAi5LA Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alexandriaprocter__/ ABOUT JASON Jason Kirby is the co-founder of Thunder VC. He is a serial entrepreneur with 4 multi-million exits and decades of experience in fundraising and business building. He has coached hundreds of entrepreneurs in his career on fundraising, investing, capital strategy, and business development. You can reach out to Jason through: Email: jason@thunder.vc LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonrkirby/ ABOUT FUNDRAISING DEMYSTIFIED Our goal is simple: to equip you with the knowledge, inspiration, and guidance to navigate the labyrinthine world of fundraising. Whether you're a budding entrepreneur seeking seed funding or an established founder looking to scale your business, this podcast will provide you with the tools you need to conquer the fundraising landscape. Thank you for being a loyal subscriber to Fundraising Demystified. We appreciate your support and are excited to continue bringing you more inspiring stories from successful founders.
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    56 mins
  • EP 63: Using Donor-Advised Funds to Power Underrepresented Startups with Patrice King-Brickman

    EP 63: Using Donor-Advised Funds to Power Underrepresented Startups with Patrice King-Brickman
    Nov 14 2024
    Raising capital? Get a list of vetted VCs for FREE here: https://web.thunder.vc/list-of-investors-vcs-for-founders Get the latest fundraising insights, news, and tips: https://blog.thunder.vc/funding-101 —------------------------------------------------ In this episode of Fundraising Demystified, Jason Kirby sits down with Patrice King-Brickman, the founder and CEO of Inspire Access, to discuss how philanthropic capital can empower underrepresented founders and foster diverse entrepreneurship. Patrice shares her journey from running a family business to founding Inspire Access, a platform that channels donor-advised funds (DAFs) into for-profit ventures with a social mission. She delves into the unique challenges and opportunities for founders from underrepresented backgrounds and explains how her organization is revolutionizing capital allocation for these groups. Patrice unpacks the mechanics of donor-advised funds, the need for inclusive funding options, and how mission-driven capital can fuel diverse innovation and drive significant change. She also provides insights on portfolio construction, managing impact-driven funds, and building an inclusive investment ecosystem. Here’s what you’ll find in this episode: 00:00 Introduction to Patrice King-Brickman and Inspire Access 01:31 Overview of donor-advised funds (DAFs) and their potential in venture funding 04:08 Leveraging DAFs to support for-profit companies with social missions 15:18 Unpacking the unconscious biases in traditional venture funding 20:32 How Inspire Access screens for resilient founders and impactful businesses 27:00 Addressing the disparities in capital flow for diverse founders 30:15 The potential for positive impact with new investment models 36:22 Steps for founders to connect with Inspire Access for funding 41:47 Future trends in impact investing and wealth transfer ABOUT PATRICE KING-BRICKMAN Patrice King-Brickman is the Founder and CEO of Inspire Access, a platform dedicated to closing the investment gap for women and people of color by connecting underrepresented founders with philanthropic capital. Through Inspire Access and her venture fund, Inspire Capital LLC, Patrice has pioneered new pathways for mission-driven founders to secure funding. Patrice’s philanthropic efforts focus on poverty, homelessness, the arts, and education, with current board roles at Halcyon, Wolf Trap, and Ascend at the Aspen Institute. She has previously served on boards for the Children’s National Hospital Foundation and the Washington Area Women’s Foundation, among others. Connect with Patrice on: Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrice-brickman-2b46637b/ Website: inspireaccess.org ABOUT JASON KIRBY Jason Kirby is the co-founder of Thunder VC. He is a serial entrepreneur with 4 multi-million exits and decades of experience in fundraising and business building. He has coached hundreds of entrepreneurs in his career on fundraising, investing, capital strategy, and business development. You can reach out to Jason through: Email: jason@thunder.vc LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonrkirby/ ABOUT FUNDRAISING DEMYSTIFIED Our goal is simple: to equip you with the knowledge, inspiration, and guidance to navigate the labyrinthine world of fundraising. Whether you're a budding entrepreneur seeking seed funding or an established founder looking to scale your business, this podcast will provide you with the tools you need to conquer the fundraising landscape. Thank you for being a loyal subscriber to Fundraising Demystified. We appreciate your support and are excited to continue bringing you more inspiring stories from successful founders.
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    51 mins
  • EP 62: How to Gracefully Exit Your Startup with Simple Closure's Dori Yona

    EP 62: How to Gracefully Exit Your Startup with Simple Closure's Dori Yona
    Nov 7 2024
    Raising capital? Get a list of vetted VCs for FREE here: https://web.thunder.vc/list-of-investors-vcs-for-founders Get the latest fundraising insights, news, and tips: https://blog.thunder.vc/funding-101 ---------------------------------- In this episode of Fundraising Demystified, Jason Kirby talks with Dori Yona, founder of Simple Closure, about the tough but crucial process of shutting down a startup. Dori shares his journey from building companies to facing the challenges that inspired Simple Closure, a service that helps founders close their businesses smoothly. Dori opens up about the emotional and logistical hurdles founders face when shutting down, stressing the importance of having a clear plan to protect relationships and ease the transition. He provides practical advice for founders on preparing for closure and using the experience as a stepping stone to their next venture. Happy watching! Here's what you're in for: 00:00 Trailer 01:07 Introduction to Dori Yona and Simple Closure 02:27 Dori’s entrepreneurial journey and founding Simple Closure 04:00 The challenges founders face when considering a shutdown 07:12 The financial and logistical complexities of winding down 09:31 Why founders need a plan B (and how to create one) 19:38 How Dori’s experience inspired Simple Closure’s unique approach 28:13 How Simple Closure assists with legal and tax requirements 37:45 Common mistakes founders make when shutting down 42:25 The emotional journey of letting go and moving on 45:14 Advice for founders to maintain investor relationships during closure ABOUT DORI YONA Dori Yona is an experienced founder and CEO with a decade of experience in the entrepreneurial world. After successfully building and exiting multiple companies, Dori encountered the hidden complexities of closing down a business, an experience that inspired him to launch Simple Closure. Simple Closure offers founders a streamlined solution to wind down their companies, ensuring they can protect their reputation, maintain investor relationships, and transition smoothly to their next ventures. Dori is passionate about supporting founders through difficult times and providing them with the tools they need to move forward confidently. Connect with Dori on: Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dori-yona-b8369877/ X : https://x.com/doriyona Website: https://simpleclosure.com/ Email: dori@simpleclosure.com ABOUT JASON Jason Kirby is the co-founder of Thunder VC. He is a serial entrepreneur with 4 multi-million exits and decades of experience in fundraising and business building. He has coached hundreds of entrepreneurs in his career on fundraising, investing, capital strategy, and business development. You can reach out to Jason through: Email: jason@thunder.vc LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonrkirby/ ABOUT FUNDRAISING DEMYSTIFIED Our goal is simple: to equip you with the knowledge, inspiration, and guidance to navigate the labyrinthine world of fundraising. Whether you're a budding entrepreneur seeking seed funding or an established founder looking to scale your business, this podcast will provide you with the tools you need to conquer the fundraising landscape. Thank you for being a loyal subscriber to Fundraising Demystified. We appreciate your support and are excited to continue bringing you more inspiring stories from successful founders.
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    53 mins
  • EP 61: Interplay's Mark Peter Davis Busts the Biggest VC Myths

    EP 61: Interplay's Mark Peter Davis Busts the Biggest VC Myths
    Oct 31 2024
    This episode is sponsored by ThunderVC, an investment bank for founders by founders. Raising capital? Get a list of vetted VCs for FREE here: https://web.thunder.vc/list-of-investors-vcs-for-founders Raising debt? Find the perfect lender in minutes here:https://debt.thunder.vc Get the latest fundraising insights, news, and tips -https://join.thunder.vc ---------------------- In this eye-opening episode of Fundraising Demystified, host Jason Kirby sits down with Mark Peter Davis, Managing Partner at Interplay Ventures, about the realities of venture capital and smart fundraising strategies for founders. Mark challenges the "VC or bust" mentality, offering founders a fresh perspective on building sustainable businesses. He shares practical advice from his book "The Fundraising Rules" and reveals what Interplay looks for in potential investments. Don't miss Mark's parting words of wisdom – a powerful reminder that while fundraising is a crucial skill, it's ultimately about building a great company that can stand on its own merits. Here's what you're in for: 00:00 Trailer 01:10 Introduction to Mark Peter Davis and Interplay Ventures 06:30 The mission and structure of Interplay's startup ecosystem 09:03 Notable successes and exits from Interplay's portfolio 13:35 What Interplay looks for in potential investments 14:40 Insights from Mark's book "The Fundraising Rules" 22:38 Why most companies shouldn't raise venture capital 25:59 Differences between raising capital as a founder vs. a GP 28:23 Interplay's investment criteria and portfolio construction 30:50 How founders can get Interplay's attention and the investment process 35:34 Interplay's unique approach to due diligence 40:35 Mark's parting advice for founders raising venture capital ABOUT MARK PETER DAVIS ⁠Mark Peter Davis⁠ ("MPD") is a veteran venture capitalist, serial entrepreneur, and author with a track record of success across multiple facets of the startup ecosystem. He is the Founder and Managing Partner of Interplay Ventures, a unique venture capital and incubation firm that has invested in unicorns like ⁠Coinbase⁠ and ⁠Warby Parker⁠. MPD co-founded several startups, including ⁠Kohort⁠ and Zotspot, and has invested in over 40 companies. His book, "The Fundraising Rules," is a go-to guide for entrepreneurs navigating the capital-raising process. Mark is also the founder of influential networking groups like the NY Venture Community and Columbia Venture Community. Mark is active on social media, sharing insights from his extensive experience in venture capital and entrepreneurship. His unique perspective, shaped by both successes and challenges, makes him a valuable voice in the startup community. ABOUT JASON Jason Kirby is the co-founder of Thunder VC. He is a serial entrepreneur with 4 multi-million exits and decades of experience in fundraising and business building. He has coached hundreds of entrepreneurs in his career on fundraising, investing, capital strategy, and business development. You can reach out to Jason through: Email: jason@thunder.vc LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonrkirby/ ABOUT FUNDRAISING DEMYSTIFIED Our goal is simple: to equip you with the knowledge, inspiration, and guidance to navigate the labyrinthine world of fundraising. Whether you're a budding entrepreneur seeking seed funding or an established founder looking to scale your business, this podcast will provide you with the tools you need to conquer the fundraising landscape. Thank you for being a loyal subscriber to Fundraising Demystified. We appreciate your support and are excited to continue bringing you more inspiring stories from successful founders.
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    46 mins
  • EP 60: From Bootstrapping to Venture Capital to $30M Exits

    EP 60: From Bootstrapping to Venture Capital to $30M Exits
    Oct 24 2024
    This episode is sponsored by ThunderVC, an investment bank for founders by founders. Raising capital? Get a list of vetted VCs for FREE here: https://web.thunder.vc/list-of-investors-vcs-for-founders Raising debt? Find the perfect lender in minutes here: https://debt.thunder.vc Get the latest fundraising insights, news, and tips - https://join.thunder.vc Raising capital? Get a list of vetted VCs for FREE here: https://web.thunder.vc/list-of-investors-vcs-for-founders Get the latest fundraising insights, news, and tips: https://blog.thunder.vc/funding-101 We're thrilled to have Nick Telson-Sillett in the hot seat taking us through his remarkable journey, from bootstrapping Design My Night to a £30+ million exit, to raising venture capital for his SaaS venture, Trumpet, and building Sequel, an investment fund for professional athletes. His unique perspective offers a practical guide on when to bootstrap, when to seek VC funding, and how to execute an exit strategy effectively. This episode is a must-listen for founders at any stage, offering a blend of strategic advice and real-life stories for building and scaling successful startups. Here's what you're in for: 00:00 - Trailer / Introduction 05:34 - The story behind Design My Night and bootstrapping to a £30+ million exit 18:15 - Raising venture capital for Trumpet 19:15 - Strategies for creating traction without a product 26:45 - Current seed funding landscape 30:07 - Introduction to Sequel, a unique investment platform for professional athletes 36:03 - Angel investing and what Nick looks for in founders 38:10 - The importance of non-ego founders and realistic growth projections ABOUT NICK TELSON-SILLETT Nick Telson-Sillett is a seasoned entrepreneur with success in both bootstrapped and VC-backed startups. He co-founded Design My Night, which he bootstrapped to a £30+ million exit, and is currently leading Trumpet, a venture-backed B2B SaaS company. Nick is also involved with Sequel, an innovative platform connecting professional athletes with startup investment opportunities. With his diverse experience, Nick offers a unique and valuable perspective on the startup ecosystem. He's active on LinkedIn, regularly sharing insights and lessons from his entrepreneurial journey. ABOUT JASON Jason Kirby is the co-founder of Thunder VC. He is a serial entrepreneur with 4 multi-million exits and decades of experience in fundraising and business building. He has coached hundreds of entrepreneurs in his career on fundraising, investing, capital strategy, and business development. You can reach out to Jason through: Email: jason@thunder.vc LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonrkirby/ ABOUT FUNDRAISING DEMYSTIFIED Our goal is simple: to equip you with the knowledge, inspiration, and guidance to navigate the labyrinthine world of fundraising. Whether you're a budding entrepreneur seeking seed funding or an established founder looking to scale your business, this podcast will provide you with the tools you need to conquer the fundraising landscape. Thank you for being a loyal subscriber to Fundraising Demystified. We appreciate your support and are excited to continue bringing you more inspiring stories from successful founders.
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    41 mins
  • EP 59: Master the 12-Month Plan That Will Get You Funded Faster

    EP 59: Master the 12-Month Plan That Will Get You Funded Faster
    Oct 17 2024
    Get your free list of AI-matched VCs: https://web.thunder.vc/list-of-invest... Subscribe to our weekly newsletter: https://join.thunder.vc/ In this episode of Fundraising Demystified, Jason Kirby, a seasoned entrepreneur who has raised over $145 million and completed four exits, breaks down the strategic steps required for a successful 12-month fundraising process. Whether you’re a first-time founder or an experienced entrepreneur, Jason offers actionable advice on how to build relationships with investors, craft a winning pitch, and navigate the often lengthy due diligence process. Jason's insights cover everything from building relationships before you need the money, to sustaining growth, and closing the deal. His practical tips on managing investor relations, leveraging networks, and preparing a solid growth trajectory are invaluable for anyone looking to secure equity capital for their startup. Here’s what you can expect in this episode: 00:00 Introduction 00:55 Why fundraising is a marathon, not a sprint 02:49 The importance of building investor relationships before you need them 04:41 Identifying the right experts and investors for your startup 05:49 How to nurture relationships and maintain momentum through updates 07:05 Preparing your pitch deck and ensuring continuous growth 08:09 Why 6 months of consistent growth is crucial before starting your fundraise 09:53 How to get warm intros and create a hyper-targeted investor pool 11:40 Mapping out your calls and securing in-person meetings with investors 14:39 The "magic number" of 30 meetings with investors and why it works 15:18 Final steps: Negotiating term sheets and completing due diligence If you're aiming to raise equity capital for your startup, this episode is packed with the advice you need to execute a successful fundraising process. This episode is sponsored by ThunderVC, an investment bank for founders by founders. Raising debt? Find the perfect lender in minutes here: https://debt.thunder.vc ABOUT FUNDRAISING DEMYSTIFIED Our goal is simple: to equip you with the knowledge, inspiration, and guidance to navigate the labyrinthine world of fundraising. Whether you're a budding entrepreneur seeking seed funding or an established founder looking to scale your business, this podcast will provide you with the tools you need to conquer the fundraising landscape. Thank you for being a loyal subscriber to Fundraising Demystified. We appreciate your support and are excited to continue bringing you more inspiring stories from successful founders. ABOUT JASON Jason Kirby is the co-founder of Thunder VC. He is a serial entrepreneur with 4 multi-million exits and decades of experience in fundraising and business building. He has coached hundreds of entrepreneurs in his career on fundraising, investing, capital strategy, and business development. You can reach out to Jason through: Email: jason@thunder.vc LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonrkirby/
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    18 mins
  • EP 58: From Air Force Mechanic to $25M Fintech Founder with Edrizio De La Cruz

    EP 58: From Air Force Mechanic to $25M Fintech Founder with Edrizio De La Cruz
    Oct 10 2024

    Join us as we sit down with Edrizio De La Cruz, founder of Arcus (formerly Regalii), a fintech company that revolutionized bill payments in Latin America.


    Get your free list of AI-matched VCs: https://web.thunder.vc/list-of-investors-vcs-for-founders

    Subscribe to our weekly newsletter: https://join.thunder.vc/


    Edrizio shares his journey from Air Force mechanic to Wall Street, and ultimately to successful tech entrepreneur. He offers candid insights into founding, funding, and selling a startup.A real underdog to man-on-top story.


    Edrizio emphasizes the importance of perseverance, adaptability, and maintaining conviction in your vision, even in the face of seemingly insurmountable obstacles. Drawing from his experience, Edrizio provides great advice for founders at various stages of their journey, making this episode a must-listen for any tech entrepreneurs out there.


    Here's what you're in for:

    • 00:00 Introduction
    • 02:54 Edrizio's background and the genesis of Arcus
    • 06:28 The Y Combinator experience and early funding challenges
    • 11:34 Pivoting the business model and subsequent growth
    • 16:22 Navigating the Series A fundraising process
    • 24:54 The decision to sell to Mastercard
    • 29:17 Behind-the-scenes of the acquisition process
    • 31:19 Edrizio's post-acquisition journey and new ventures
    • 32:30 The Founder School and supporting diverse tech founders
    • 37:36 Common mistakes early-stage founders make
    • 39:37 Edrizio's unique approach to pitch deck


    ABOUT EDRIZIO DE LA CRUZ

    Edrizio De La Cruz is a Dominican-born entrepreneur and fintech innovator. After immigrating to the US at age 12, he served in the Air Force as an airplane mechanic before transitioning to Wall Street and then pursuing his MBA at Wharton. Edrizio founded Regalii (later rebranded as Arcus) to address inefficiencies in cross-border money transfers and bill payments in Latin America.


    Under Edrizio's leadership, Arcus raised over $25 million in funding and was ultimately acquired by Mastercard. His journey from immigrant to successful tech founder has been documented in his book, "The Underdog Founder."


    Currently, Edrizio runs The Founder School, a 12-week program dedicated to helping diverse tech professionals launch successful startups. Drawing from his experience in founding, scaling, and selling a tech company, he's passionate about creating opportunities for underrepresented founders in the tech ecosystem.


    ABOUT FUNDRAISING DEMYSTIFIED

    Our goal is simple: to equip you with the knowledge, inspiration, and guidance to navigate the labyrinthine world of fundraising. Whether you're a budding entrepreneur seeking seed funding or an established founder looking to scale your business, this podcast will provide you with the tools you need to conquer the fundraising landscape.


    Thank you for being a loyal subscriber to Fundraising Demystified. We appreciate your support and are excited to continue bringing you more inspiring stories from successful founders.


    ABOUT JASON

    Jason Kirby is the co-founder of Thunder VC. He is a serial entrepreneur with 4 multi-million exits and decades of experience in fundraising and business building. He has coached hundreds of entrepreneurs in his career on fundraising, investing, capital strategy, and business development.


    You can reach out to Jason through:

    • Email: jason@thunder.vc
    • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonrkirby/
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    45 mins
  • EP 57: Mastering the First Investor Call with Jason Kirby

    EP 57: Mastering the First Investor Call with Jason Kirby
    Oct 3 2024

    In this special solo episode, Jason Kirby, serial entrepreneur and Managing Director of Thunder.VC, shares his invaluable insights on how to make a lasting impression during your first investor call. With four successful exits and over $135 million in transactions under his belt, Jason reveals the secrets that can make or break your fundraising efforts.


    Jason walks through the critical steps founders should take before, during, and after that crucial first investor meeting. He emphasizes the importance of thorough preparation, setting the right tone, and focusing on relationship-building rather than immediate fundraising.


    Here's what you're in for: 00:00 Introduction

    00:45 How to Nail Your First Investor Meeting

    01:53 Doing your homework before the call

    04:31 Setting the agenda and tone for the meeting

    09:24 Balancing talking and listening during the call

    10:24 The importance of booking the next meeting

    12:45 Quick highlights and key takeaways.


    This episode is sponsored by ThunderVC, an investment bank for founders by founders.


    Raising capital? Get a list of vetted VCs for FREE here: https://web.thunder.vc/list-of-investors-vcs-for-founders


    Raising debt? Find the perfect lender in minutes here: https://debt.thunder.vc


    Get the latest fundraising insights, news, and tips - https://join.thunder.vc


    ABOUT FUNDRAISING DEMYSTIFIED Our goal is simple: to equip you with the knowledge, inspiration, and guidance to navigate the labyrinthine world of fundraising. Whether you're a budding entrepreneur seeking seed funding or an established founder looking to scale your business, this podcast will provide you with the tools you need to conquer the fundraising landscape.


    Thank you for being a loyal subscriber to Fundraising Demystified. We appreciate your support and are excited to continue bringing you more inspiring stories from successful founders.


    ABOUT JASON Jason Kirby is the co-founder of Thunder VC. He is a serial entrepreneur with 4 multi-million exits and decades of experience in fundraising and business building. He has coached hundreds of entrepreneurs in his career on fundraising, investing, capital strategy, and business development.


    You can reach out to Jason through:

    • Email: jason@thunder.vc
    • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonrkirby/
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    16 mins