Old Pueblo, New Economy

Hosted by Aaron Eden and Nick Morin. Each episode we showcase the diverse entrepreneurs and leaders driving growth in the desert we call home. Stories span across the Sonoran region, from Sonora Mexico to Southern Arizona.

Lessons about the art of valuations:

– Listen to and take into consideration expert investor perspectives: Active angels are seeing 100 or more presentations a month, and as a result they know what valuations are normal, expected and reasonable.
– Ensure you are able to explain your valuation: Being able to back up the value of the company with evidence will be extremely important, especially if you are outside the realm of normal, expected or reasonable valuations.
– There needs to be room for growth: As Brian said, smart investors know not to eat the whole apple. If an investor takes half of the company, what’s left for the entrepreneur? “The best investors have a very open dialog with founders about a fair valuation and reasonable sized portion”. Ensure that as you’re putting together your valuation and offer you leave room for growth.

Episode Mentions:

– Books and Papers

– EARLY-STAGE FUNDING: OPTIONS, SOURCES, AND CONSEQUENCES: A community-based white paper for aspiring and first-time founders
– Startup Community by Brad Feld
– Hedge: A Greater Safety Net For The Entrepreneurial Age by Nicolas Colin

– Organizations

– Sunquest
– Madden Media
– University of Arizona
– FORGE
– UArizona Center for Innovation
– Desert Angels – Joann MacMaster
– Community Investment Corporation – Danny Knee
– Community Investment Corporation – Carie Davis
– Startup Tucson – Liz Pocock
– WeFunder – Johnny Price
– John Deerie – Center for American Entrepreneurship
– Kauffman Foundation
– UA VC – Fletcher McCusker