He went from $0 to $1M in 16 Months; we invested immediately

Welcome to the 14th edition of The Get Funded! Newsletter—proudly serving over 2,589 founders! Here, we break down the latest insights from our weekly VC Office Hours sessions on Twitter/X and equip you with tools to help you ‘Get Funded’.

Missed this session? Listen to the recording here.
Want to join the next session? Check out the upcoming VCs and register here.

1. Overview:

This week, we hosted two insightful sessions with our fantastic guest investors:

• Session #1: Christopher Langford, Managing Partner at Home Technology Ventures
  ​Home Technology Ventures is a North Carolina based VC firm investing in companies building the Future of Homes and the industries that support them.

• Session #2: Justin Bell, Investor at Detroit Venture Partners

  ​​​Detroit Venture Partners is a Detroit, Michigan based Family Office that has been committed to backing and founding early stage tech companies that they believe move the world forward.

Good Read: How I Went From $0 - $1M In 16 Months

Leander Howard, Co-Founder & CMO at WriteSea (a Serac Ventures Portfolio Company), dives into the story of how WriteSea turned an idea into a thriving business, generating $1M in revenue in just over a year. This article is a true masterclass for founders, breaking down actionable strategies like leveraging industry specific conferences and tips to building unique partnerships that scale effectively. Read here.

2. Office Hours Recap:

Key Takeaways from the VC Office Hours on December 27th:

• Session #1 - Christopher Langford, Managing Partner at Home Technology Ventures:

  • Stage: Pre-Seed & Seed
    Industry: PropTech, with a focus on housing and related technologies

    Check Size: $100K
    How to Apply: Submit on the HTV website at https://www.htv.vc/contact or contact Christopher directly.

    Key Takeaways from Session:

    • Focus on Real Problems: Founders must demonstrate a deep understanding of the housing market and validate the pain points they aim to solve with research and industry insights.

    • Team Dynamics Matter: A founding team with industry expertise is critical for success in PropTech. Chris emphasized the importance of having someone on the team who deeply understands the nuances of the housing industry.

    • Pitch with Conviction: Exceptional pitches focus on storytelling and passion, showing a clear vision of solving problems in housing. A strong pitch isn’t just about data—it’s about enrolling the listener into a new future shaped by the founder’s vision.

• Session #2 - Justin Bell, Investor at Detroit Venture Partners:

  • Stage: Pre-Seed - Series A
    Industry: PropTech, FinTech, HealthTech, Consumer Products, and others (industry-agnostic with a focus on Michigan/Ohio companies)
    Check Size: $250K - $3M
    How to Apply: Submit using DVP’s Pitch Form here or reach out to Justin directly via LinkedIn or email.

    Key Takeaways from Session:

    • Leveraging Relationships: Engage with associates and analysts first, as they are often the ones scouting for deals and can advocate for you internally during investment meetings.

    • Speed of Process: The investment process can accelerate significantly for "hot deals" with strong traction and clear urgency.

    • Validation through Customers: Highlight logos of current customers, partners, or stakeholders in your pitch deck. This builds credibility and demonstrates traction, especially in industries where the fund lacks domain expertise.

3. Funding Resources:

Resources of the Week:

• Greentown Labs ACCEL Accelerator

  ACCEL provides up to $25K in non-dilutive grant funding to support BIPOC founders building in climatetech.

  Deadline: 1/7/2025

• NewSchools

  NewSchools provides unrestricted grants ranging from $150K to $250K to the ideas and energy of education leaders and entrepreneurs who are advancing innovative solutions that expand the definition of what works.

  Deadline: 1/8/2025

• The National a2 Pilot Awards Competition

  Provides up to $200K in non-dilutive grant funding for technology projects that utilize artificial intelligence (AI) approaches and technology to improve care and health outcomes for older Americans.

  Deadline: 1/15/2025

• 757 Accelerate

  A 9-week-long mentorship-driven, milestone-based program; receive $20K in funding.
  Deadline: 1/24/2025

• Midwest House '25 SXSW Midwest Madness

  An opportunity to pitch during SXSW for a $10K prize and travel stipend.

  Deadline: 1/31/2025

• VOA Futures Fund Community Health Incubator

  A 14-week accelerator with partnership opportunities for ventures in community health that provides a $15K grant and business training to help you scale.
  Deadline: 3/5/2025

• OHUB’s Climate Tech Bootcamp

  A 10-week pre-accelerator program for climate tech and new energy entrepreneurs from around the country that have an interest in building in or expanding to South Louisiana; opportunity to receive a $100K investment.

  Deadline: 3/28/2025

Book of the Week:

• Brand It Like Serhant: Stand Out from the Crowd, Build Your Following, and Earn More Money
  Written by Ryan Serhant, a top real estate broker and branding expert, Brand It Like Serhant is a practical guide to building a personal and professional brand that stands out in a crowded market. Packed with actionable tips and insights, the book explores how to craft a compelling brand narrative, leverage social media effectively, and turn your unique story into a powerful asset for success.

• Why I recommend it: Whether you're pitching investors or building a community around your product, branding is key to standing out in the startup ecosystem. Ryan’s approach provides clear strategies that founders can use to build trust, create memorable impressions, and amplify their startup's presence—regardless of industry. You can get your copy here.

Alternative Funding Sources:

• Access up to $2,000 in non-dilutive debt financing. Request funding here.

• Raise up to $5M in equity capital through a Community Round. Request information here.

• Get $10,000 to move to Tulsa, Oklahoma. Apply here.

Serac Ventures has made 8 investments in 2024 and is beginning to look for investment opportunities for our 2025 pipeline. We are looking to invest $250K - $500K initial checks into 8-10 companies building in FinTech, SaaS, and the Future of Work in 2025. Learn more and consider submitting your company here.

4. Founder Spotlight:

Featured Founder: Leander Howard, Co-Founder & CMO of WriteSea

• Overview:
  Leander Howard is revolutionizing the job-seeking landscape with WriteSea, a platform that streamlines the job application process for candidates and connects them with resources to land their dream roles. As Co-Founder and CMO, Leander leverages his expertise in marketing and storytelling to make job hunting more accessible and efficient.
  

  Their Success Story:
  Under Leander's leadership in marketing, WriteSea has achieved significant milestones, including helping job seekers save hours of time while increasing the effectiveness of their applications. The company stands out by offering an intuitive platform that simplifies the process of creating professional resumes and cover letters, setting candidates up for success in competitive markets.
  

  Future Plans:
  WriteSea is looking to expand its offerings by integrating AI-powered tools to further enhance job application personalization and optimize candidates’ chances of success. The company is also planning strategic partnerships to scale its reach and provide value to more job seekers worldwide.

What we can take away:
Leander's story highlights the importance of identifying a pain point and building a solution that truly addresses users' needs. Founders can learn from his ability to combine technology and storytelling to create a platform that resonates with both individual users and the broader market.

5. Tweet of the Week:

That’s all for this week’s edition of The Get Funded! Newsletter. We hope you found these insights valuable as you continue your journey to securing funding.

What’s next?

Be sure to join us for the next Get Funded! VC Office Hours session. You can view and register for upcoming sessions using this Calendar.

Be on the look out for our newsletter next week where we’ll bring you more actionable advice, resources, and success stories.

Let’s All, Get Funded!

Best,
Darrel Frater
Investor at Serac Ventures
Twitter/X | Linkedin | Preneur

P.S. If you enjoyed this newsletter, forward it to a founder you know who could benefit from these insights!

P.S.S. Got ideas or suggestions for Get Funded? Shoot me an email at [email protected] for us to discuss!

About Serac: Serac Ventures is an early-stage venture capital firm that targets companies at the seed stage writing checks between $250K - $750K. Our core sectors include fintech, SaaS, and Future of Work. Learn more at SeracVentures.vc.