Another FKA Friday ● 3 November 2023#39

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3 November 2023 #39 807+280  Sarah gave a passionate pitch to FKA in 2021. However, we declined to invest due to the cumulative capital requirement over time. The writing was on the wall in May of this year. Then, in October the company is insolvent, the directors step down and leave the founder to carry the can at a very stressful time! Yeah, nah! Ben and Hadleigh. This here is an interesting reflection on the David vs Goliath constellation in this case, and others in the tech startup world in NZ and globally. Failure is tough, judging the reasons from the outside is easy. Strangely, when things go wrong most everyone likes to think they know why. But when we see great success we look to the founder for deep insights. Yet success in business is often an inexplicable combination of hard graft and fortuitous circumstances. Good to see that someone put up the money anonymously for the outstanding payroll of the 120 staff. Investors and suppliers always take calculated risks.  "Hey at this other firm young people are going on boards, can I be on a board?, I say you haven’t earned the right...just because you got an MBA and joined a venture firm doesn’t mean you’re qualified to advise an entrepreneur.” More here! Hear from expert panellists who will share their export stories, “warts and all”. Thursday 16 November 2023, 12:00-14:30, more here! NZ winemaker Invivio partnered with Graham Norton and Sarah Jessica Parker to sell wine and is now raising on Snowball. A little more here. The old adage SEX SELLS still holds! Reader Recommendation: Listen to this podcast! All about zero-dollar-marketing and leveraging network effects. Thanks Steve Hockey. Having launched multiple businesses throughout my 19 year journey so far, I would say... read on! Also, on LinkedIn and over 2,000 FKA GIFs on GIPHY.