Mat Sherman @Mat_Sherman Twitter profile

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Mat Sherman

@Mat_Sherman

4 years

I don't know who needs to hear this, but you don't need venture capital to start a startup.

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Mat Sherman

@Mat_Sherman

3 years

Anyone want access to Crunchbase for pre-seed startups?

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Mat Sherman

@Mat_Sherman

3 years

Looking to give 5 people $500/mo to start their own podcast on any topic they want. Anyone want it?

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Mat Sherman

@Mat_Sherman

3 years

Hey @garyvee . 6 years ago at Venture Madness in Arizona, you told a flustered young adult on the 2nd floor that he should stop caring about what investors think of him and just build. Wanted to let you know that this is still the best piece of advice anyone's ever given me 🙏

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Mat Sherman

@Mat_Sherman

3 years

The no bullshit guide to raising angel funding/venture capital as an outsider.

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Mat Sherman

@Mat_Sherman

3 years

SV is about to be disrupted by a guy who got rejected from YC 9 times and rejected from every venture capital firm and scout program he applied to. God bless their souls.

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Mat Sherman

@Mat_Sherman

3 years

A founder from Nigeria with under 100 followers asked to be scouted. I thought their thing was cool so i did. In a matter of 5 min they: - Were added to our slack of 1,000 global founders - Booked to interview to come onto a US podcast - Are exposed to US investors Wow.

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Mat Sherman

@Mat_Sherman

3 years

If you're a VC or angel looking for deal flow for great companies raising at under a $15M post money valuation, DM me to intro yourself. I don't charge cash or carry on either side. And I send out deals daily. And there's no algorithm, it's all relationship based so say hi :)

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Mat Sherman

@Mat_Sherman

5 years

In 100 years, @ycombinator will be considered more powerful of a school than @Stanford .

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Mat Sherman

@Mat_Sherman

4 years

There are 1,000 viable startups that would take investment at a $3,000,000 valuation right now. The challenge is, SF VCs don't know how to find them, and they don't even WANT to find them. There is a whole class of maker/hacker, not tier 1 school founders who are left in dust.

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Mat Sherman

@Mat_Sherman

4 years

I deleted my @Medium account and have moved 100% of my old posts @SubstackInc , and all new posts will be hosted there as well. This was not an easy decision, as I have been writing on Medium since 2015 and had a presence + consistent traffic there. Here's why I did it:

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Mat Sherman

@Mat_Sherman

4 years

Ok, I'm going to formulate a my next newsletter through Twitter threads. The title of the post will be "Venture Capital Isn't Built For Outsiders". I've never done this format before but if people like it, I may do it more often.

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Mat Sherman

@Mat_Sherman

4 years

The future of VC will be built by a founder, not an investor.

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Mat Sherman

@Mat_Sherman

4 years

So No Code tools have been in vogue the last few years, and lord knows a lot of venture capital has gone into these co's. I've heard feedback from investors that they don't know what the next wave of no code looks like in 2-3 years. I have some thoughts. 👇👇👇

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Mat Sherman

@Mat_Sherman

4 years

The initial pre-seed startup database is done. There are 209 companies on here that have raised less than $10M, all categorized by sector. Anyone want access?

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Mat Sherman

@Mat_Sherman

4 years

A lot of people ask me about my last company, @PubLoft . They ask how we grew it to $24,000 MRR in 7 months with no investment. And of course, they ask how only 10 months later, PubLoft was dead. The journey was long and painful. Today, I share you the PubLoft post mortem.

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Mat Sherman

@Mat_Sherman

2 years

Got married last night! 🍾🕺💃💍

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Mat Sherman

@Mat_Sherman

3 years

Taking my stimulus check and sending 14 startups $100 , no strings attached. Will include: - A blog post featuring the 14 startups - Discounts to software/services - A Twitter group chat with everyone - Access to my Calendly. Interested? DM me and share what you're working on.

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Mat Sherman

@Mat_Sherman

4 years

I've interviewed way too many white dudes in the last 2 weeks on my podcast. Who are some incredible PRE SERIES A founders who are either female, POC, or latinx? If that's you, slide into my DMs because i'm ready to interview you as soon as tomorrow.

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Mat Sherman

@Mat_Sherman

1 year

@TheHoopCentral

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Mat Sherman

@Mat_Sherman

2 years

A VC firm deploys 20-30 checks per fund over the course of 1-3 years. Seedscout is going to write 20-30 checks before the end of the week. Watch this space.

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Mat Sherman

@Mat_Sherman

4 years

Great distribution > great product. The first one takes care of the second. If you distribute a product and no one buys, you know you have an issue. If you build a great product that actually isn’t, you won’t know you’re wrong until the market tells you. You aren’t Steve Jobs.

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Mat Sherman

@Mat_Sherman

3 years

Many people wait to start a startup until they can get funded by VCs. If you just start building, you may realize you never needed venture capital in the first place.

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Mat Sherman

@Mat_Sherman

2 years

Got a startup based out of Mexico City with a $1M run rate growing 43% MoM raising a seed round rn. Who wants an intro?

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Mat Sherman

@Mat_Sherman

3 years

In 2017, I quit my job with no savings (and two credit cards) to pursue full time entrepreneurship. Life since then has been a struggle, with finances in particular. This is the first birthday in 5 years where I feel financially sound enough to just enjoy the day.

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Mat Sherman

@Mat_Sherman

4 years

Because I interview very early stage startups on my podcast, most people don't realize many of my guests find success in the years to follow. Due to that, this is a public thread of me tracking the early success of some of my podcasts guests and their startups.

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Mat Sherman

@Mat_Sherman

2 years

We're starting a IRL event network. If you live in NYC, SF, Miami, LA or Phoenix and want to join, comment here so I can add you to the email list when we put out event announcements.

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Mat Sherman

@Mat_Sherman

4 years

Who are the most badass female seed stage VCs you know?

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Mat Sherman

@Mat_Sherman

4 years

Founders...If a platform existed that: 1. Taught you how to fundraise 2. Introduced you to VCs (when ready) 3. Helped get you discounts on products 4. Helped you find the best service providers 5. Helped connect you to other founders in same stage Would you use it?

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Mat Sherman

@Mat_Sherman

3 years

I think @HustleFundVC is the new YC. And I like it.

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Mat Sherman

@Mat_Sherman

4 years

If your kids' schools are shut down but you still want them to get an education, we created a guide to help you set up a microschool in your home. It's on product hunt today. Check it out here --->

Microschooled - Product Information, Latest Updates, and Reviews 2024 | Product Hunt

Microschooled shows you how you can set up a school at home to keep your kids' learning, no matter what happens Prenda is running similar programs in Arizona very successfully, and decided, because...

www.producthunt.com

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Mat Sherman

@Mat_Sherman

3 years

Twitter, I need your help. I need 19 more founders looking to raise capital who want to get scouted by Seedscout. Get interviewed in a podcast, get access to a great founder community, and get the resources you need to win. I need 19 more!!! DM me.

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Mat Sherman

@Mat_Sherman

2 years

Got to meet @Wainright24 tonight, the star of the @Suns Summer League game! Ready for the season 🏀

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Mat Sherman

@Mat_Sherman

2 years

Most successful VC backed founders come from elite institutions because generally these are the types of founders getting funded at seed. Start funding the common folk who attended state schools and then you’ll see who is truly capable of greatness. My bet is on the latter.

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Mat Sherman

@Mat_Sherman

7 months

Micah Leo Sherman has arrived on the scene. He was born on December 18th at 6:30am. He + mom are healthy as can be. So filled with love ❤️ 👨‍👩‍👦🙏

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Mat Sherman

@Mat_Sherman

4 years

If you're an outsider reading this and you want help breaking in: - Email me: Mat @matsherman .com - DM me on Twitter - Follow my newsletter: And lastly, remember, YOU make the VCs their money, not the other way around. You have the leverage. Always.

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Mat Sherman

@Mat_Sherman

3 years

Today is my 28th birthday 🥳

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Mat Sherman

@Mat_Sherman

3 years

After beta testing for 8 months, I am excited to publicly launch @seedscout Alpha. Alpha is a startup accelerator that takes .25% of equity in exchange for access to our deep network of investors, founders, and mentors.

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Mat Sherman

@Mat_Sherman

2 years

Every VC has a different application, forcing founders to fill in the same data 50 times for different firms. Seedscout is building the common app. One app, hundreds of investors. Welcome to the future of VC.

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Mat Sherman

@Mat_Sherman

3 years

In 2021, I solidified myself as the best startup scout in the world. In 2022, I am going to train the world's next top 100 scouts.

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Mat Sherman

@Mat_Sherman

4 years

Excited to announce that @withfwd has raised a pre-seed round from @ericries and @davegoldblatt . We also have rebranded from Forward Thinking City to FWD. Read more here:

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Mat Sherman

@Mat_Sherman

4 years

Twitter is a better Linkedin than LinkedIn.

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Mat Sherman

@Mat_Sherman

8 months

Very grateful today because my wife and I are expecting a baby boy at any point in the next couple of weeks. Becoming a dad really puts a lot in perspective, for the better. Thankful for this blessing. Happy Thanksgiving all!

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Mat Sherman

@Mat_Sherman

2 years

Companies I see that could be the next big consumer thing: - @seedscout - @beondeck - @vercisocial - @brexHQ Supper Club Spinout - @contrarycapital spinout - @Stonks_dot_com - @launchhouse w/ new leadership - @LumaHQ - @DayOneD1 - @NomadList - @PraxisSociety - @culdesac

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Mat Sherman

@Mat_Sherman

4 years

For three years, I’ve been working at a plastic fold up desk because I haven’t been able to afford a real desk. Yesterday, I bought a $300 desk by using my revenue from Forward Thinking, and I feel damn good about it. Thank you @SubstackInc for everything 🙏

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Mat Sherman

@Mat_Sherman

4 years

It’s my 27th birthday today 🥳

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Mat Sherman

@Mat_Sherman

1 year

Venture capital isn't built for outsiders. One person didn't decide that they were going to exclude outsiders. There isn't an internal group of VCs that petition other VCs to not answer cold emails. There's none of that. What it comes down to is incentives and business models.

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Mat Sherman

@Mat_Sherman

3 years

Who wants to join a startup fantasy investing league?

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Mat Sherman

@Mat_Sherman

4 years

Anyone else wonder how college grads can raise $2M on a napkin idea in SF, and nowhere else? Anyone confused why it seems like every 20-something in tech in SF is writing $5k angel checks? I have a thought. SF has a massive blindspot that only outsiders can see. Thread 👇

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Mat Sherman

@Mat_Sherman

2 years

Founders think they need traction to get funded. Truth is, they don't. More importantly, they need to understand "the game". In other words, they need to understand social capital, how it flows, and how to bend it to get what they want. Here's how it works. 👇👇👇

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Mat Sherman

@Mat_Sherman

4 years

Adalo + LinkedIn + Mailshake = Literally anyone's first $5,000 for under $100/mo.

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Mat Sherman

@Mat_Sherman

2 years

Good morning to everyone except VCs who host pitch competitions consistently with no intention of investing in any of the companies.

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Mat Sherman

@Mat_Sherman

2 years

I'm building a team of venture partners for Seedscout. The commitment is 4 meetings with founders a month, in 30 minute increments. We pay in Seedscout equity. I can't think of a better way to break into VC. Comment or DM me and let's chat.

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Mat Sherman

@Mat_Sherman

4 years

Ok @pipe is game changing. Absolutely mind-blowing.

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Mat Sherman

@Mat_Sherman

3 years

What do you predict the future of venture capital will look like?

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Mat Sherman

@Mat_Sherman

4 years

1. Start a podcast. 2. Talk to anyone you want to 3. Don't look at your analytics, ever 4. Repeat 2-3

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Mat Sherman

@Mat_Sherman

4 years

@abarrallen @_infopop , @soraschools , @gather_town , @HearHeredotcom , @savewithtenth , @founderpools , @Lendtable , @StoryCreatorApp , @callinglyapp , @hirekanna Cadoo, Mainstreet, @Levels , @project_wren , @mailbrew , @OthersideAI , @tryPico , @StadiumLiveApp , @AvenifyHQ , @learnarist , @bottomless .

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Mat Sherman

@Mat_Sherman

4 years

Plot twist: I’m getting off Twitter until I raise my seed round OR cross 25k MRR. I need to prove to investors (and to myself) that I can get users in a more scalable way than hype posts on twitter. See you in a few months 👋.

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Mat Sherman

@Mat_Sherman

4 years

Got rejected from a VCs scout program. Their last big investment came onto my podcast two months before they invested 🙃

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Mat Sherman

@Mat_Sherman

4 years

I went from idea to paid customers in 72 hours. What could I do in 3 months? 🤠

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Mat Sherman

@Mat_Sherman

3 years

Applying to YC for the 10th time. Anyone want to take a look at my app?

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Mat Sherman

@Mat_Sherman

4 years

I want to write a post about the Atlanta startup scene. Who should I talk to?

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Mat Sherman

@Mat_Sherman

4 years

I think @beondeck is probably going to win their space. They have too much momentum and too little competition. Good for @david__booth , @eriktorenberg , and co.

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Mat Sherman

@Mat_Sherman

3 years

Help a first time founder today. Try their app. Follow them on social. Give some feedback. Become their first paying customer. Give a review on the App Store. It means more than you know.

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Mat Sherman

@Mat_Sherman

3 years

First off, understand that the world of startups is not charity. People are trying to make real money in this industry. And there are many options for them to do so. So if you're an outsider building, you don't just get money because you want it. It needs to want you.

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Mat Sherman

@Mat_Sherman

1 year

I feel severely undervalued in Phoenix. I have been putting in consistent work into this startup scene since 2014. I have gotten several companies funded here, singlehandly. I myself have been backed by luminaries like Jason Calacanis, Eric Ries, and employees at Google,

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Mat Sherman

@Mat_Sherman

3 years

Having an off day today. I’m allowing it. Startups are hard.

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Mat Sherman

@Mat_Sherman

4 years

Anyone want to make $1,000/mo just by talking to cool founders 2-3 hours a day?

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Mat Sherman

@Mat_Sherman

3 years

Understand before asking rich people for money: 1. You will be more work for investors 2. The data doesn't support investing in you 3. This game is not fair at all 4. It will be a struggle And by understanding this, you have passed the first test.....Test? Wtf? What test?

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Mat Sherman

@Mat_Sherman

3 years

I am about to get paid from a scout program for the first time ever. After $1.9M invested in startups because of Seedscout's intros, it feels absolutely incredible to finally have a firm carve out a little upside for us. I don't forget these things. I suggest more firms do this.

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Mat Sherman

@Mat_Sherman

3 years

And as an outsider, life is going to be harder for you. You will be overlooked. You will need to work harder than insiders and get less recognition. It's going to be hard for all of you. All genders, races, and nationalities. It is going to be hard for every single one of you.

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Mat Sherman

@Mat_Sherman

3 years

If you want to join the @seedscout founder network, comment here and i'll send you a link to join :)

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Mat Sherman

@Mat_Sherman

3 years

I’m excited by all the new followers from Africa. I would like @seedscout to be very integrated into the different African startup hubs. If any of my new followers can help me with this, DM me. Let’s get your startups funded 🚀

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Mat Sherman

@Mat_Sherman

3 years

So the first step to raising capital is mentally accepting it and being okay with it. Understanding it. REALLY understanding. Too many people complain about how things works, & I used to as well. But the truth is, no one has time for that. Understand the game you're playing.

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Mat Sherman

@Mat_Sherman

4 years

who's the @sequoia of pre-seed investing?

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Mat Sherman

@Mat_Sherman

3 years

On this weekend in a year, we will be married! :)

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Mat Sherman

@Mat_Sherman

2 years

Seedscout has done with $400,000 what some Bay startups can't even do with $4M. This is the value of funding outsiders. We're more resourceful. We're more persistent. We're more resilient. And we are just better founders. The best founders are outliers, start looking for them.

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Mat Sherman

@Mat_Sherman

3 years

Instead of spending 6 months convincing investors your idea is amazing, build and prove out your idea for 5 months, then spend 1 month telling investors what you accomplished (and learned). This is the way.

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Mat Sherman

@Mat_Sherman

4 years

To bring everyone up to speed, I like to equate no code to a stack, so developer can understand how I am relating the two. The stack i've chosen is the WATZ stack. W = @webflow A = @airtable T = @typeform Z = @zapier + special guest of of recent, @memberspace

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Mat Sherman

@Mat_Sherman

3 years

If this isn't the future of the global startup pool, I don't know what is.

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Mat Sherman

@Mat_Sherman

2 years

I think I’m gunna start a VC firm.

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Mat Sherman

@Mat_Sherman

1 year

@LegionHoops

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Mat Sherman

@Mat_Sherman

3 years

If you think you need $1M to build a full stack app, see if you can build it with no code first. Worst case, you learn a cool new no code tool and realize you still need the $1M. Best case is that you realized you can do 80% of it and raise $200,000 (or $0) instead.

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Mat Sherman

@Mat_Sherman

4 years

I've applied for YC 8 times since 2015. I could have made it #9 for this upcoming app, but decided I am finally at a point where I don't need them. So i'm simply not applying. It's ironic, because i'm best positioned now than ever to get in. This feeling is liberating.

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Mat Sherman

@Mat_Sherman

4 years

I don't need investors, I have @pipe :)

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Mat Sherman

@Mat_Sherman

4 years

I started the tweet thread this way intentionally. Many times, as founders, we are angry at the rejections. Or the no responses. Or the "it's not a good fit"s. But, It's VERY important to remember, that VCs are playing a very similar game to you. They are a startup in way.

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Mat Sherman

@Mat_Sherman

4 years

If you’re 25-30 years old, do whatever TF interests you. Be curious. Don’t waste your life.

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Mat Sherman

@Mat_Sherman

2 years

If you’re a founder and you’ve been working on your thing for 5+ years without any objective progress, I give you permission to free yourself and quit. Sometimes we need to lose battles to win wars.

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Mat Sherman

@Mat_Sherman

1 year

Setting a public goal of getting myself to a weight of 250 by July 1st. I am 6’2 with a large frame. I haven’t weighed 250 in 5+ years. It’s time.

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Mat Sherman

@Mat_Sherman

3 years

2.5 years ago, I started a podcast from my bedroom in Phoenix, Arizona. 700 episodes later, I am now a different person, with a different circle, on a steeper slope. Here are 10 lessons I've learned from 10 of my former guests from Forward Thinking Founders.

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Mat Sherman

@Mat_Sherman

4 years

I should put out a top pre seed startup list every month.

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Mat Sherman

@Mat_Sherman

3 years

Can't code? No problem. Use the WATZ stack W - @webflow A - @airtable T - @typeform Z - @zapier Been building on the WATZ stack since 2018! Has taken me places for little cost. I suggest you learn WATZ if you're not a technical founder. Will literally give you superpowers.

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Mat Sherman

@Mat_Sherman

4 years

How to be a good pre-seed investor: - Know market trends - Spot talented people exploring - Be interesting enough so they want to talk to you - Create wide luck surface area to find more of these people - be able to evaluate values, motives, and incentives - Write check quickly

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Mat Sherman

@Mat_Sherman

3 years

Twitter has changed my life. As a total outsider living in Arizona, I have amassed of following consisting of hundreds of top tier VCs, thousands of founders, and millions of internet citizens. Here are 10 tactics I'll use to leverage Twitter in 2022. A thread 👇

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Mat Sherman

@Mat_Sherman

3 years

This sure isn't your standard "fundraising process" advice thread, but tbh, that's too complicated imo. Building amazing products. Talk about them with investors. Don't be too transactional. And if it doesn't work out, you can try again. Good luck :)

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Mat Sherman

@Mat_Sherman

3 years

Low key @jmj is an insanely good investor, and more importantly, he invests in missionaries.

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Mat Sherman

@Mat_Sherman

4 years

@Austen People buy and sell stocks

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Mat Sherman

@Mat_Sherman

5 years

@shimpokh @zebulgar Basecamp

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Mat Sherman

@Mat_Sherman

3 years

In the news today

The Innovators: Seedscout founder Mat Sherman connects startups to global capital

Scottsdale native Mat Sherman founded Seedscout after struggling to connect to his startup capital needs to interested investors. Now he's bringing his solution to startups across the world.

www.bizjournals.com

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Mat Sherman

@Mat_Sherman

4 years

Sending out a newsletter tomorrow covering happenings in early-stage tech so far this week: 1. @JamesCurrier and @NFX launching a new product for seed startups 2. @briannekimmel going public with her new firm 3. @pioneerdotapp hackathon 4. @Jason 's slack community What else?

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