Jesse Middleton @srcasm Twitter profile

Last Seen Profiles

@Yolissendikasi

@ECAbuildsYEG

@TheCoachSpeaks

@jupssstar

@Shanoozeing

@marcozannoni

@W_Night4444

@slaycjslay

@TobyShort_art

@lightingmccussy

@DeeWilly89

@HNCHDynamite

@FootballMidwest

@Daniel_White46

@BP49145920

@Agdh722

@WillDeLucaRP

@TheUnionUCL

@Punchli71064507

@EmmaMizfit

@Rapmoarning

@bokeplokalmalam

@Prometusa_

@izezozad69

@DailyQuran_bot

@kayisadoll

@happyroadkill

@acarter1111

@anacampagnolo

@LauraHook144782

@GeckGec

@xtnkt_

@thefump

@kamumau76

@MyManRoxan

@bokeplokalmalam

Jesse Middleton

@srcasm

1 year

Basic human needs (for founders): 1. Sleep

27

62

775

Jesse Middleton

@srcasm

2 years

Are you in NYC next week for NYC Tech Week ( #nyctechweek )? We're throwing a party on Wednesday evening -- hit me up for an invite. It'll be a great group of old friends and new!

145

17

359

Jesse Middleton

@srcasm

1 year

I typically reserve this space for my sometimes thoughtful, sometimes goofy, sometimes relevant, sometimes on-point professional posts. But today, I have something special and personal to share.

29

19

315

Jesse Middleton

@srcasm

1 year

🧵 The biggest mistakes founders make: 1. Hire poorly • hire purely on resume • play favorites • hire clones of themselves

16

24

211

Jesse Middleton

@srcasm

4 years

Hey look, we launched something new today! I couldn't be more excited to announce the launch of The Community Fund with @lolitataub ! We're looking to grow our founding investment team so follow the thread below or learn more over at !

Home

We’re an early-stage fund that invests in community-driven companies.

www.thecommunity.vc

Lolita Taub

@lolitataub

4 years

🥳AWESOME NEWS! Today @srcasm + I soft-launched The Community Fund, a $5M fund focused on early-stage community driven-companies. Yeah, I'm a GP now! Thx all. 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽 And, we’re looking for founding members for our investment team! Learn more + apply. /2

132

116

801

16

14

196

Jesse Middleton

@srcasm

1 year

Leaders are like athletes. They turn obstacles into opportunities. Time for a story…

17

22

184

Jesse Middleton

@srcasm

5 months

I'm excited to announce @NextWaveNYC , a new pre-seed fund from @Flybridge designed to catapult NYC's most innovative startups into the global spotlight. With a focus on AI, we're here to back the game changers. #NextWaveNYC Meet the whole team at

18

9

181

Jesse Middleton

@srcasm

1 year

Shutting down a business is the most difficult decision a founder will make. But entrepreneurs lack an effective framework, and most investors won't give a straight answer. Here's how to decide if it's the right time to shut down a business:

6

26

172

Jesse Middleton

@srcasm

1 year

This entrepreneur dropped out of college when his mom was diagnosed with stage IV lung cancer. 5 years later, he and his dad built a car company and a YouTube channel with 350,000+ subscribers. Here’s their story…

15

22

166

Jesse Middleton

@srcasm

7 months

The venture capital winter accelerated into a full downturn in 2023. Both deal volume and funding fell to levels not seen since 2016/2017. Here are 8 key data points that capture the depth of the pullback:

38

9

135

Jesse Middleton

@srcasm

1 year

Five attributes I look for in founders: 1. Miracle workers: Sometimes, founders achieve feats that seem impossible. It could be hiring a former CTO from a renowned company, or securing a major contract with an industry giant. Miracles turn obstacles into opportunities.

14

19

159

Jesse Middleton

@srcasm

11 months

🧵 This is the story of how a former lawyer and ex-banker ditched the rat race to build a $750 million barbershop app.

14

23

158

Jesse Middleton

@srcasm

8 months

Raised by a single Peruvian immigrant mother, Cheryl Campos learned from a young age that her best chance to escape poverty was through education. This is her story:

8

23

156

Jesse Middleton

@srcasm

1 year

The market for creative tools grew 30% last year, from $30 billion in 2021 to over $40 billion in 2022. The rise of AI tools foreshadows even greater expansion within the Creative Economy in 2023. Let's break it down...

12

21

157

Jesse Middleton

@srcasm

7 months

This is the story of how Ilir Sela built a $1B app for mom-and-pop pizzerias and became one of the largest employers in Macedonia:

12

11

145

Jesse Middleton

@srcasm

7 months

From cashing out her $27,000 pension to selling her startup to IKEA, this is the story of Leah Busque…

9

14

152

Jesse Middleton

@srcasm

1 year

Irving Fain grows crops with 95% less water, no pesticides, and no dirt. Tended by algorithms, pollinated by modified bees, and overseen by robots. 🧵 This is the story of his $2.3 billion urban farming revolution…

12

24

145

Jesse Middleton

@srcasm

1 year

🧵 150+ investors rejected this entrepreneur before she raised $12 million. Today, her software helps 20,000+ freelancers earn $100,000+.

13

25

138

Jesse Middleton

@srcasm

1 year

A former architect sold his company to WeWork. While serving as Chief Growth Officer, he increased WeWork’s revenue 100% YoY. Five years later, mass layoffs reignited his entrepreneurial spirit. Time for a story…

5

17

137

Jesse Middleton

@srcasm

7 months

The #1 priority of any first-time founder is to learn faster than your startup grows. Here’s how…

7

19

138

Jesse Middleton

@srcasm

9 months

🧵 A full breakdown of seed rounds: In 2023, pre-money valuations for seed-stage deals remained steady at $14 million. Per Carta, the median cash raised from April to September was $3 million. Renewable energy, biotech, and cybersecurity led the pack.

12

27

139

Jesse Middleton

@srcasm

1 year

This designer went from near-broke to building a $10 billion business. 🧵 Here’s how a cult-like product took on Google and Microsoft:

13

15

134

Jesse Middleton

@srcasm

10 months

🧵 7 ways the VC landscape is shifting: 1. Competition: Capital influx intensifies competition, pushing firms to offer unique value, better pricing, favorable terms, and quick decisions. Yet the race to close deals fast should always uphold the importance of due diligence.

13

19

133

Jesse Middleton

@srcasm

1 year

Remote startups generate 3 1/2 times LESS revenue than those that returned to office. Elon Musk, Paul Graham, and Sam Altman have expressed their belief that remote work is a mistake. But what’s fact (and what’s fiction)? Let’s break it down…

8

10

129

Jesse Middleton

@srcasm

7 months

Closing a round of capital is an accomplishment, but the real work starts afterward. 8 ways founders can tap their VC network:

8

12

133

Jesse Middleton

@srcasm

8 months

From 0 to 500,000 high school developers, this is the story of Major League Hacking:

10

12

129

Jesse Middleton

@srcasm

4 years

Just hit send on a term sheet that might be *the* most exciting one I've got to send in my four years in venture (and seven years as an investor). It's definitely in my top 3!

9

1

134

Jesse Middleton

@srcasm

10 months

🧵 This is the story of how two college students turned a dorm room idea into a $525 million EdTech business:

5

18

130

Jesse Middleton

@srcasm

1 year

🧵 Startups, illustrated 1. Product Market Fit

8

21

118

Jesse Middleton

@srcasm

4 years

@lolitataub Stage: Pre-seed/Seed Thesis: Community-driven companies and founders Criteria: Post-idea/research and, sometimes, prototype Check-size: $500k-$2m Contact: j @flybridge .com

9

6

129

Jesse Middleton

@srcasm

9 months

This is the story of Andrew Yeung—the 27-year-old Gatsby of Silicon Alley:

8

7

117

Jesse Middleton

@srcasm

1 year

These three friends were two weeks away from bankruptcy. 🧵 This is their story from near-broke to $1.5 billion.

11

16

124

Jesse Middleton

@srcasm

1 year

🚩 How to ruin a pitch 1. Be unprepared

13

18

122

Jesse Middleton

@srcasm

1 year

🧵 7 types of moats: 1. Customer Data • Companies like Facebook built moats with customer data • Benefits company/advertisers and increases switching costs • Personalization makes it hard for users to switch

8

22

120

Jesse Middleton

@srcasm

1 year

This former dairy farmer rubbed shoulders with Steve Jobs and Bill Gates. Today, he’s raised over $22 million to help small-town farmers. Here’s his story from farmhand to CEO:

3

6

123

Jesse Middleton

@srcasm

6 months

It was a Monday morning in July 2006. Mark Zuckerberg gathered early investors Peter Thiel and Jim Breyer for a board meeting. The topic was Yahoo's staggering $1 billion offer to acquire Facebook.

2

1

71

Jesse Middleton

@srcasm

6 months

Certain industry applications are too complex for standalone AI components. Instead, they require system-level solutions integrating software, hardware, and data. Here are a few examples:

2

1

72

Jesse Middleton

@srcasm

1 year

Ten years ago, this economist predicted AI would replace 47% of US jobs by 2023. He now says ChatGPT is the equivalent of Uber disrupting the taxi industry. Let’s take a closer look…

5

121

Jesse Middleton

@srcasm

1 year

This entrepreneur was the first data engineer at Salesforce before helping WeWork scale its data team from 2 to 100+ employees. 🧵 Today, he’s tackling a new challenge—this is his story…

9

13

115

Jesse Middleton

@srcasm

1 year

This entrepreneur overcame a cease-and-desist from Facebook to transform how brands create content. Here’s his story…

15

113

Jesse Middleton

@srcasm

7 months

This entrepreneur, on the heels of ChatGPT Mania, launched a military-grade solution to bring SLMs to enterprises:

10

9

116

Jesse Middleton

@srcasm

9 months

This entrepreneur lost his 8-year-old brother to a rare childhood cancer. Today, he’s on a mission to break society’s silence around grief. 🧵 This is his story…

15

11

113

Jesse Middleton

@srcasm

10 months

Since 2015, these two college students have rescued over 175 million pounds of ‘ugly’ food. 🧵 This is their story from dorm-room idea to $1 billion startup:

6

13

117

Jesse Middleton

@srcasm

10 months

In a world rapidly reshaped by COVID-19, Suman Siva and Nick Freeman noticed a fracture in human connection. They launched Marco to keep teams connected, employees engaged, and workplace culture thriving. 🧵 This is their story…

6

11

107

Jesse Middleton

@srcasm

9 months

How Casper’s founders went from $100,000 in debt to building a billion-dollar mattress start-up:

11

10

112

Jesse Middleton

@srcasm

11 months

Only 18% of US adults have used ChatGPT. • Usage higher among younger adults under 30 • College grads more likely to have used it • Men more likely than women 🧵 Let’s break it down:

10

17

112

Jesse Middleton

@srcasm

4 months

Just got an angel investment update. Consumer company going from $0 -> $12M in ARR in month three of operating with way less than $1M in spend (in total!) Who says consumer is dead? 🚀

18

2

116

Jesse Middleton

@srcasm

1 year

In April, Dropbox joined other tech firms in announcing layoffs. The company revealed its decision to reduce its workforce by 16%, which equated to approximately 500 employees. The rationale stemmed from slower growth and the "AI era of computing."

2

0

114

Jesse Middleton

@srcasm

1 year

Amid the pandemic, this entrepreneur transformed a video conferencing tool into a lifeline for businesses, schools, and families. But with success came a dark underbelly—a battle against hackers that threatened to shatter the trust of millions. Time for a story…

3

4

110

Jesse Middleton

@srcasm

11 months

🧵 How Notion hit 30M users and 150M visits per month: 1. Community-led growth: Notion adopted a laser-focused approach by nurturing a small group of enthusiastic users. Notion provided these users w/ status ("Ambassadors") and opportunities to earn ($).

12

14

111

Jesse Middleton

@srcasm

1 year

🧵 The impact of stress on the well-being of startups. 1. The startup grind takes a major toll on founder health

12

14

109

Jesse Middleton

@srcasm

1 year

How do companies like Dropbox, Slack, Calendly, and Loom manufacture virality? 🧵 Product-led growth: 1. Sharability: A sticky product amplifies user growth. Viral growth loops tap into human psychology.

11

15

112

Jesse Middleton

@srcasm

1 year

This the Egypt-born entrepreneur was forced to lay off half of his company. Since then, he raised $13.6 million from investors like Y-Combinator. Time for a story…

3

11

110

Jesse Middleton

@srcasm

1 year

Experts predict AI will automate two-thirds of job roles across different industries. However, history has shown that as jobs are replaced by automation, new occupations emerge to compensate for the loss.

2

5

111

Jesse Middleton

@srcasm

1 year

Marco Experiences, founded in 2019 by former SoftBank investors @SumanSiva and @NickaFreeman , specializes in helping companies foster genuine culture-building, particularly in remote work.

2

1

108

Jesse Middleton

@srcasm

1 year

These two entrepreneurs set out to change the face of leadership. But as their community soared, challenges threatened to derail their mission. Time for a story…

5

19

105

Jesse Middleton

@srcasm

10 months

🧵 How to manage a down round: Step 1: Prevention Prevent a down round before it happens: • Slash cash burn • Cut non-essentials • Focus on core business Weather the storm.

14

16

105

Jesse Middleton

@srcasm

11 months

In 2011, John Foley stood at a crossroads of his life. A successful executive at Barnes and Noble, he gazed at his packed schedule and realized that he was struggling to find time to exercise. 🧵 His vision to get healthy (but bypass the gym) became an obsession...

8

15

108

Jesse Middleton

@srcasm

8 months

From opening for Wu-Tang Clan in the nightclubs of NYC, to founding a billion-dollar startup, this is Noah Kerner’s story:

11

12

108

Jesse Middleton

@srcasm

2 years

🚀💰 I’m really excited to share that we’ve closed our sixth fund at @Flybridge ! We raised $150m across two funds including our $110m seed/pre-seed fund, and our first Flybridge Opportunities fund for backing up the money truck in our late stage winners.

Flybridge 2022

We are pleased to announce that Flybridge has raised a pair of new, oversubscribed funds with aggregate commitments of $150 million to…

medium.com

20

1

110

Jesse Middleton

@srcasm

9 months

🧵 The power of human connection: In the age of AI, it’s crucial to celebrate what makes us human. AI excels in impersonal, linear, and generalized thinking. Here’s where we (as humans) compete:

9

12

105

Jesse Middleton

@srcasm

10 months

How much should early-stage founders pay themselves? 1. Salaries Pilot analyzed 750 startups. • Median Salary: $115k • Salaries increased +15% compared YoY • 40% pay themselves < $100k • No-salary up +30%

7

12

106

Jesse Middleton

@srcasm

4 months

When it comes to investing in founders, there's one trait that I always look for: paranoid optimism. I know that might sound like a contradiction. But hear me out. The best founders are the ones who have deep conviction that they're going to change the world.

3

105

Jesse Middleton

@srcasm

11 months

🧵 How startups can compete for talent: 1. Know Who's In (and Who's Out) If a candidate's motivation is a salary, a startup may not be their best next step. Focus on candidates with high growth potential that resonate with your mission.

14

21

105

Jesse Middleton

@srcasm

1 year

In March, Canva introduced new features, including a suite of AI-powered tools, and a new Brand Hub. The AI Assistant lets users search for design elements and quickly access features.

1

0

106

Jesse Middleton

@srcasm

1 year

Recent data from Gallup shows that good friends at work have become even more significant during the pandemic, despite the rise of remote and hybrid work arrangements.

1

5

106

Jesse Middleton

@srcasm

3 years

I lost someone close to me this week, unexpectedly. I’m sorry if I wind up pushing a meeting or two to next as we navigate this all as a family.

20

0

106

Jesse Middleton

@srcasm

5 months

As some of you may know, my daughter is about to turn 9 months old. I've been reflecting a lot lately on how much she's taught me in such a short time. It's amazing how someone so small can have such a big impact on your life.

10

0

105

Jesse Middleton

@srcasm

1 year

Whether you want to work at a startup or are contemplating diving into a new field, you must ensure your resume is in tip-top shape. If you need to dust off your old resume, technological advances like artificial intelligence have made honing an ideal resume easier.

3

0

105

Jesse Middleton

@srcasm

1 year

It’s been 1 year since Sequoia’s 52-page “crucible.” 🧵 Where are we now? 1. Global venture funding has fallen to its lowest since 2020

9

14

102

Jesse Middleton

@srcasm

5 years

I've said this before but I'll say it again. Some of the best humans I've ever met and worked with were at @WeWork and I'm here to help. Whether it's a role in one of our portfolio companies or you just want to talk, hit me up. DMs are open as is email – j @flybridge .com

3

12

103

Jesse Middleton

@srcasm

1 year

This Nigeria-born entrepreneur was rejected by so many VCs that he gave up on fundraising and bootstrapped his business to $100 million in revenue. Today, he’s one of America’s most successful immigrants. Time for a story…

4

12

100

Jesse Middleton

@srcasm

8 months

Founders typically face 10-25% dilution at the Seed funding stage. In Series A rounds, dilution ranges from 20-30% as companies expand. Series B dilution runs from 15-30%. In later stages, dilution depends on company needs and valuations. 🧵 Let’s talk about dilution:

8

12

103

Jesse Middleton

@srcasm

1 year

This university dropout built a $20 billion business. (And sold it to his arch-rival). Here's his story...

11

14

99

Jesse Middleton

@srcasm

1 year

Our present obsession with automation and increased efficiency will lead to a future of decreased job prospects. To beat the competition, start mastering skills that are irreplaceable by machines.

3

2

100

Jesse Middleton

@srcasm

6 months

Vertical SaaS companies integrating AI into their industry-specific offerings have a $1T opportunity. AI-native startups building SaaS products for niche industry segments will capture large shares in these markets. Here's a quick breakdown:

3

2

97

Jesse Middleton

@srcasm

1 year

Your business can't grow if you self-destruct. Take time outside the business for self-reflection and mental wellbeing. Your success is correlated with your mental health. If you need to talk to someone, see a therapist (I do). Reach out to a friend, or even me.

3

1

100

Jesse Middleton

@srcasm

11 months

Behind every overnight success is a decade of hard work.

4

11

102

Jesse Middleton

@srcasm

1 year

The "Great Resignation" is the "Great Regret." A new study reveals that 80% of those who left their jobs in 2021 for better opportunities feel remorseful about their decision. The anticipated benefits and changes in their work lives did not meet their expectations.

3

0

101

Jesse Middleton

@srcasm

6 months

In the next five years, AI will force every software vendor to choose evolution or extinction. By 2030, every tech company will be an AI company. Here’s why:

2

94

Jesse Middleton

@srcasm

9 months

This is the story of how an Italian water polo player took on the $17 billion adult diaper industry:

12

99

Jesse Middleton

@srcasm

4 years

I just got to pilot something that blew my mind. ☎️ 📞 📱 It's going to change how I take phone calls. (I hope this tweet ages well.)

3

0

99

Jesse Middleton

@srcasm

9 months

An analysis of 916 priced equity rounds demonstrates a healthy seed-stage market (despite what’s happening at Series B and beyond). Renewable energy and biotech raised the highest median cash amount ($4.1M). Medical devices and EdTech lagged at $1.4M and $1.1M, respectively.

1

36

99

Jesse Middleton

@srcasm

11 months

🧵 How to price a round in today's market: 1. Timing VC activity slowed in 2023. Data shows an 11% QoQ in Q3 after the slowest quarter in four years. Early-stage startups defy this trend, suggesting a shift (rather than a burst) of the bubble.

11

16

92

Jesse Middleton

@srcasm

1 month

Dear Charlie - happy birthday, It's hard to believe that a whole year has flown by since my daughter came into our lives. As I sit here and reflect on our recent trip to the Philippines, I'm struck by how much she's grown — and how much I've grown alongside her.

2

0

100

Jesse Middleton

@srcasm

1 year

Deel, a fintech-turned-HR company based in San Francisco, achieved $295M in annual recurring revenue (ARR) by the end of 2022. Founded in 2019 by Alex Bouaziz and Shuo Wang, this represents a 417.5% increase from its $57M ARR at the end of 2021.

2

1

96

Jesse Middleton

@srcasm

1 year

Here's how this former gamer turned a passion for Minecraft into a $450 million business...

10

15

94

Jesse Middleton

@srcasm

1 year

This entrepreneur served as an EMT in Harlem to self-finance his Columbia education. Here’s his wild story from fighting forest fires in Montana to serial entrepreneur.

10

18

90

Jesse Middleton

@srcasm

9 months

🧵 The WeWork Mafia Since 2019, ex-WeWork employees have raised over $1 billion across 59+ startups. 1. Acquco - Jerel Ho An e-commerce platform that focuses on acquiring and growing Amazon Marketplace businesses. Total Funding: $160,000,000

9

15

94

Jesse Middleton

@srcasm

7 years

Four key things we look for in a pre-seed startup team: - Massive vision 👓 - Resiliency 💪🏻 - Huge, sleeper markets 📈 - Nice people we'd like to work with for a long, long time 👐🏻

4

12

96

Jesse Middleton

@srcasm

7 months

Getting strategic advice can be invaluable, but how much equity do advisors get? Data from Carta on 47,000+ advisor grants shows most fall well below 1%. Key benchmarks: • Pre-seed advisors: 0.25% median equity grant • Seed stage: 0.1% median • Series A: 0.07% median

2

3

95

Jesse Middleton

@srcasm

3 years

Started from the bottom now we’re here. $WE is finally making to the exchange. What a wild ride it’s been @ms , @MiguelMcKelvey , @WeWorkAdam , and everyone else who was on this journey! 📸 Eyad

32

2

96

Jesse Middleton

@srcasm

28 days

It’s been a great summer for Next Wave NYC 👏 We've made 5 investments, with more in the pipeline. Nearly our entire portfolio is based right here in NYC. This isn't by accident. We believe in the unique energy and potential of the New York City tech scene.

2

1

97

Jesse Middleton

@srcasm

6 months

In less than ten years, every company will be an AI company. Here’s how companies are rebuilding systems around the new “AI Stack”:

4

0

91

Jesse Middleton

@srcasm

7 months

ChatGPT ignited executive enterprise AI interest. But will OpenAI own the space? Or can alternatives carve out share?

9

0

94

Jesse Middleton

@srcasm

2 years

I’ve finally decided to sit down to watch #WeCrashed . I’ve not read or watched one bit of this story up until now. But I lived and loved it for the first 6 years of @WeWork ’s life. AMA.

21

3

95

Jesse Middleton

@srcasm

1 year

In 2019, the U.S. Census Bureau reported that the average one-way commute to work was 27.6 minutes. That’s 230 hours a year—the equivalent of 29 eight-hour workdays. Since 2006, the average travel time to work has slowly increased.

1

92

Jesse Middleton

@srcasm

1 year

Despite Canva's substantial valuation of approximately $26 billion, startups still find ample opportunities in "easy-to-use design platforms." This perception may stem from the fact that professional Adobe tools can be challenging for many individuals.

2

0

90

Jesse Middleton

@srcasm

1 year

The future of work isn't about robots taking away our jobs. It's about us creating incredible new opportunities that don't exist yet.

2

4

91

Jesse Middleton

@srcasm

1 year

“According to the map we've gone about four inches.” - Harry Dunne

0

1

89