Introduction

In this blog post, we will delve into the conversation between Alex and Brian. Alex is interviewing Brian about his career path from a data analyst to a venture capitalist to VP of Finance at Continu, a learning management platform. The conversation also covers Brian's experience in dealing with investors and how it has evolved over the years, especially in light of the pandemic and the economic recession.

Brian's Career Path

Brian started his career as an accountant in the audit gap, and later on, pivoted to private equity real estate, where he worked as a CFO for Stillwater Equity Partners. After this, he worked as a part-time CFO for various seed to series B companies, ranging from cosmetics to biotech to entertainment to software as a service (SaaS). Currently, Brian is the Vice President of Finance at Continu, a learning management platform that is disrupting the LMS space.

Brian's Experience as an Investor

Alex asks Brian about how his background as an investor has helped him in his current role as VP of Finance at Continu. Brian talks about how he understands what VCs are trying to accomplish because he has been in that space himself. He notes that while VCs believe in their portfolio companies, they also have external pressures related to time and risk, which they need to manage. He helps them understand the value and timing of Continu and the associated risks while empowering them to help the company mitigate those risks.

Changes in the Investing Landscape

The conversation then turns to the macro changes that have occurred over the past three years, including the pandemic and the economic recession. Alex wonders how the reporting with investors has evolved during this period. Brian notes that the pandemic initially caused a lot of worries, but the tech sector performed well. Now, with the onset of the recession, investors are looking more closely at the timing and risk associated with their investments. Brian emphasizes that it's important to have empathy for investors and understand their goals and pressures.

Challenges Startups Face When Raising Capital

As the conversation continues, Brian talks about the challenges that startups face when raising capital. He notes that startups need to have a good understanding of their business model and their financials before approaching investors. They should also be aware of the investor's investment thesis and understand how they can fit into it. Brian also stresses the importance of having a good relationship with investors and keeping them informed about the company's progress.

Brian's Role as VP of Finance

The conversation concludes with Brian talking about his role as VP of Finance at Continu. He notes that his primary responsibility is to manage the company's financial resources and help it achieve its growth goals. He also talks about the challenges of managing finances in a startup environment, where resources are limited and cash flow is critical. Brian emphasizes that it's important to have a solid financial plan and to be able to adjust it as needed to adapt to changing market conditions.

In conclusion, the conversation between Alex and Brian provides valuable insights into the world of venture capital, startups, and the challenges that they face. Brian's experience as an investor and CFO has given him a unique perspective on these issues, and his insights are valuable for anyone looking to raise capital or manage finances in a startup environment. With the pandemic and the recession creating new challenges, it's more important than ever to have empathy for investors and a solid financial plan that can adapt to changing market conditions.

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