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Episode 212:

Scaling Startups with Purpose: Jonathan Bragdon’s Blueprint for Capital-Efficient Growth

October 23, 2024

This week on The Data Stack Show, Eric and John welcome Jonathan Bragdon, Founding Partner and CEO of Capacity, a venture capital firm. Jonathan shares his journey from consumer packaged goods (CPG) and data technology to venture capital, emphasizing the importance of understanding customer interactions and the challenges of funding early-stage startups. The conversation explores the venture studio model, operational expertise, and the evolving landscape of data usage in business. Jonathan provides insights into the complexities of raising capital, the significance of founder passion, the need for innovative funding strategies in the startup ecosystem, and so much more. 

Notes:

Highlights from this week’s conversation include:

  • Jonathan’s Background in Data and VC (1:05)
  • Working with CPG Data (3:45)
  • Details of Purchase Data (6:20)
  • Funding Fast-Growth Companies (12:21)
  • Venture Studio Model (16:34)
  • Learnings from Consulting and Incubation (19:35)
  • Founder Obsession (21:54)
  • Capital Stack Introduction (24:18)
  • Capital Efficiency in Startups (28:05)
  • Value Creation in Venture Capital (33:37)
  • Revenue-Based Financing (38:43)
  • Exit Aperture and Dilution (39:39)
  • Importance of Fit in Investment (41:51)
  • Setting Expectations Early (44:06)
  • Aligning Financial and Problem-Solving Goals (46:21)
  • Technical and Process Focus in Startups (49:21)
  • Identifying Tech and Process Debt (52:39)
  • Advice for Aspiring Founders (54:53)
  • The Craft vs. Problem Focus (57:09)
  • Final Thoughts and Takeaways (58:48)

 

The Data Stack Show is a weekly podcast powered by RudderStack, the CDP for developers. Each week we’ll talk to data engineers, analysts, and data scientists about their experience around building and maintaining data infrastructure, delivering data and data products, and driving better outcomes across their businesses with data.

RudderStack helps businesses make the most out of their customer data while ensuring data privacy and security. To learn more about RudderStack visit rudderstack.com.

About the Podcast

Each week we’ll talk to data engineers, analysts, and data scientists about their experience around building and maintaining data infrastructure, delivering data and data products, and driving better outcomes across their businesses with data.

To keep up to date with our future episodes, subscribe to our podcast on Apple, Spotify, Google, or the player of your choice.

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