"Unlocking Business Success: Keith Newman & Brian Smith Share Key Strategies

Summary

In this engaging discussion, Brian Smith, co-founder of Red Crow and The Main Stage, talks with Keith about the innovative platform, The Main Stage. The software helps startups streamline their fundraising efforts by organizing investor interactions and creating compelling, dynamic company stories using video and AI tools. Brian highlights the importance of video in building authentic relationships with investors and discusses challenges startups face in crafting strong narratives. He also touches on AI integration, affordable subscription models, and his personal passion for photography. The conversation emphasizes the future of fundraising and storytelling for startups.

Takeaways

• 💼 Brian Smith co-founded Red Crow, a crowdsourcing platform, with bandmate Jerry Harrison of Talking Heads.
• 🎬 Mainstage helps companies tell their story with a focus on video content, providing a dynamic and interactive tool for investor outreach.
• 📈 The platform provides analytics to track investor interactions with company materials, allowing founders to target engaged investors more effectively.
• 📹 Mainstage emphasizes the importance of videos for authentic communication between founders and investors, especially in a post-pandemic world.
• 💡 Founders often struggle with creating tight, compelling content, so Mainstage offers tools, coaching, and templates to help streamline storytelling.
• 🛠 The platform integrates third-party tools, including AI for content refinement and DocuSign for seamless document signing during fundraising.
• 🚀 Mainstage is not a marketplace like Red Crow but a software tool to support fundraising platforms, incubators, and venture capital groups.
• 💰 Many companies using Mainstage have raised significant amounts of money thanks to the streamlined process and improved investor communication.
• 📝 Mainstage offers a 30-day free trial and charges a $99 monthly subscription, which is considered affordable for its value.
• 🎤 Jerry Harrison is currently on tour, but he played an integral role in co-founding Red Crow and supporting Mainstage’s growth.

Q & A

Who is Brian Smith and what is his connection to Red Crow?

Brian Smith is the co-founder of Red Crow, a crowdsourced funding platform. He launched it alongside his bandmate Jerry Harrison, who is known for being a member of the Talking Heads.

What is 'Mainstage' and how does it help startups?

'Mainstage' is a platform designed to streamline the investment process for startups. It provides tools like LinkedIn integration, timeline tracking, video updates, and analytics to help startups communicate more effectively with investors.

What are some features of Mainstage that assist startups in connecting with investors?

Mainstage offers features such as LinkedIn integration for team visibility, a timeline tab that tracks company progress, video updates, and investor analytics that show how much time investors spend on deal documents.

Why is video content emphasized on Mainstage?

Video is emphasized because it provides a more authentic and engaging way for founders to tell their stories, especially in virtual environments. It allows potential investors to connect with founders on a personal level.

How does Mainstage assist in optimizing outreach efforts for startups?

Mainstage provides analytics that track investor engagement with the content. This helps startups focus their efforts on investors who show a higher level of interest by spending more time on key materials.

What challenges do startups face when using Mainstage, and how does the platform help overcome them?

A common challenge is that startups may not have a compelling or tight story to tell. Mainstage addresses this by offering coaching, scripts, and tools to help founders craft and refine their narrative.

How is AI being integrated into the Mainstage platform?

Mainstage is implementing AI to help startups refine and edit their written content. This ensures that the summaries and other written materials on the platform are polished, concise, and professional.

Can investors search for specific companies or sectors on Mainstage?

No, Mainstage is not a marketplace. Companies on the platform are segregated, and investors cannot search for specific sectors like healthcare. However, specific companies can be showcased if requested by investors.

What pricing model does Mainstage use for startups?

Mainstage operates on a subscription model, charging $99 per month after a 30-day free trial. This model is designed to be affordable for startups while offering valuable fundraising tools.

What is Brian Smith's other passion outside of Mainstage, and how does he balance it with his startup work?

Brian Smith is passionate about photography, which he enjoys as a hobby. However, he remains focused on Mainstage, hoping to turn photography into something more once the startup achieves further success.