Alex Kombos

🚀 𝗩𝗖 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗽 𝗦𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 — 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗝𝗼𝗰𝗸𝗲𝘆, 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗛𝗼𝗿𝘀𝗲, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗢𝗱𝗱𝘀 📑 𝘋𝘰𝘸𝘯𝘭𝘰𝘢𝘥 𝘔&𝘈 𝘗𝘳𝘰𝘮𝘱𝘵 𝘗𝘢𝘤𝘬 👉 https://lnkd.in/gvgqNTXe VCs know: the hardest part isn’t sourcing deals, it’s choosing the right ones. Here’s what the data tells us from a Midwest seed investor screening 8,000+ startups: 🔍 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀: 1️⃣ 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗝𝗼𝗰𝗸𝗲𝘆 𝘃𝘀. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗛𝗼𝗿𝘀𝗲 • Early wins (raising $1M+) are driven by the team. • Big outcomes ($10M+ raised, survival) hinge on market and product. • Translation: teams open the first doors, but business fundamentals drive scale. 2️⃣ 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗢𝗱𝗱𝘀 • Out of all startups screened, ~30% raised at least $1M, but only ~10% crossed $10M. • Screening works — the VC’s analyzed companies outperformed the rest. • Still, noise is high: most investments don’t hit outsized returns. 3️⃣ 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗙𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗟𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀 When scoring deals, this VC weighed: • Team • Market Size & Competition • Product & Innovation • Exit / Growth potential The mix predicts different outcomes. Teams matter early. Markets and products matter late. Strong scores across both? That’s where the real winners come from. 4️⃣ 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗧𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗮𝘄𝗮𝘆 VC selection is far from perfect. But structured screening, even at pre-seed, improves odds. The best investors balance conviction in founders with hard-nosed assessments of markets and products. Credit: Jang & Kaplan (2025) #VentureCapital #PrivateEquity #Finance Investment #FinancialServices — 💰 𝗠&𝗔 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗰𝗲𝘀 - https://lnkd.in/gsvG2eDh  📊 𝗜𝗕 𝗗𝗲𝗰𝗸𝘀 𝗗𝗮𝘁𝗮𝗯𝗮𝘀𝗲 - https://lnkd.in/gJEGnBC7  📚 𝗣𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗘𝗾𝘂𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗲 - https://lnkd.in/gNNZBude —

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More good news about CourtAvenue's acquisition of BotsCrew, a leading AI firm from Ukraine, strengthening our ability to deliver next-gen AI-powered solutions for global brands. 🤖 Why does this matter? AI is rapidly transforming how brands engage, operate, and scale. With BotsCrew’s world-class conversational AI and automation expertise, we’re unlocking new ways for our clients to drive efficiency, customer engagement, and business growth—at scale. Some examples: 🔹 Retail & CPG – AI-powered shopping assistants that provide instant product recommendations, automate customer support, and boost conversion rates in eCommerce. 🔹 Healthcare & Pharma – Conversational AI that enhances patient support, automates compliance-driven communication, and simplifies provider interactions. 🔹 Automotive – AI-driven customer journeys that streamline test drives, service scheduling, and post-sale engagement. 🔹 Financial Services – Intelligent virtual agents that provide real-time financial guidance, fraud prevention alerts, and seamless customer service. 🔹 Government & Public Sector – AI solutions that enable secure, automated citizen services and improve digital accessibility. 🌎 A Global Impact This isn’t just about growth—it’s about merging the best in AI, strategy, and customer experience to drive real impact for businesses worldwide. By combining CourtAvenue’s expertise in experience transformation with BotsCrew’s AI-driven automation, we’re creating the future of how brands engage. 📢 What’s next? We’re already integrating AI solutions into our clients’ ecosystems, driving measurable results in personalization, efficiency, and automation. Curious how AI can future-proof your business? Let’s talk. 🔗 Read the full story in the Cincinnati Business Courier here (behind paywall): https://lnkd.in/gf8VSyP2 Thanks Lonny Schwartz for the connection. Thanks Kenny Tomlin for driving, and welcome Nazar Hembara Max Gladysh Oleh Pylypchak and the entire Botscrew team! Thanks to Liz Engel and the Cincinnati Business Courier for their continuing coverage of us. #AI #Innovation #DigitalTransformation #CourtAvenue #BotsCrew #ConversationalAI #Marketing #CustomerExperience #Automation #BusinessGrowth #Acquisition Dan Khabie Julie Koepsell Bourke Kelley Rosie McGuire Jeannine Wheeler, CPA, CGMA Jana Roszkowski David Dettmer Clayton Massey Anders Hopkins Brett Koetsier Kayla Brodman Scott Hamm Alyssa Chico Ravine Caleb "Barbara" Hudson Tenley Marsteller Jenny Johnson Elijah Schneider Nico Coetzee Michael Maginnis Matthew Morey Lindsey Harris Jaime Kalb Antonio García Amy Pyles Kelli Owens Andrew Solmssen Marc Blaskey

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AI isn’t here to replace your agency... it’s here to help it grow. On the latest Agency Mastery podcast, Clutch CRO Tim Condon sits down with Jason Swenk to share how agencies are using AI to boost productivity, streamline delivery, and build trust with clients. This episode is for you if you want to learn about: ✅ Practical ways to integrate AI 📊 Why documenting your AI workflows matters 🔍 How Clutch Verified helps agencies stand out Whether you're just getting started or refining your AI strategy, this episode is full of insight. Check it out with the link below!

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The Craft and Calling Podcast with Ron Nussbaum Systems are one of the most important investments a trades business can make -- whether you're looking to scale or sell -- the backend organization is critically important. How you organize your data, your customers, and communications can be the fuel in the engine or the block in your growth. . Ron Nussbaum dives into why systems are the backbone of any trades business. Drawing on his experience leading teams and building BuilderComs, he unpacks how organizing your data, customers, and communication can either fuel growth. . Ron Nussbaum is the founder and CEO of BuilderComs, the messaging-first project management platform built specifically for construction teams. A former U.S. Marine turned entrepreneur, he helps builders communicate better and build faster. . Welcome to the Craft & Calling Podcast: a live series honoring the tradespeople, contractors, and service-based founders who lead with their hands, hearts, and values.

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Are your expensive ABX tools delivering real ROI? Many CMOs are questioning their investments—some are even canceling contracts. ABX expert Jon Russo (B2B Fusion) tackles this pressing challenge head-on in this week’s #WednesdayWisdom! Here's what you'll learn: ✅ Why Jon compares ABX tools to gym memberships (and why the expensive option isn't always better) ✅ The critical cross-functional alignment needed to make ANY ABX tool successful ✅ How to develop data-driven account selection that both sales AND marketing can agree on ✅ Why focusing on unified dashboards matters more than premium features ✅ The real reason your ABX investments might be underperforming (hint: it's not the technology) If you have an ABX tool you love, please share below! ⬇️

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How AI Helps Our VA Team Work Smarter and Better KeyInsights from Jon Klein Online Brand Growth Our VAs are already skilled, but using AI daily helps them work better and more efficiently. AI also helps reduce communication gaps, making it easier for everyone to understand tasks clearly. For roles like operations or logistics, AI can improve their negotiation by helping them write clearer and stronger messages to suppliers. Overall, AI closes the gap between a full Western skill set and what the team currently has, helping them perform at a higher level. #AIForBusiness #VirtualAssistants #WorkSmarter #AIEmpowers #TeamProductivity #EcommerceGrowth #SmartWork

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Why do I say @BrendanCarrFCC has given @EchoStar and off ramp ? Well, here it is. From 2022 through 2024, the @boostmobile Wireless segment reported a decline in revenue from $4.18 billion to $3.61 billion. This drop has brought with it a worsening in the firm's operating income from negative $888.2 million to negative $2.83 billion. Meanwhile, its OIBDA worsened from negative $599.6 million to negative $1.70 billion. During this time, the company saw a decline in the number of wireless subscribers from 7.98 million to 7 million. It also saw a drop in monthly ARPU from $37.72 to $36.57, going it alone to create a 4th Network won't work selling off some assets, divesting Retail and focusing on white labeled wholesale Network is the only way forward.

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Check out Aaron Shapiro on The CX & Culture Connection Podcast to talk about how AI is transforming marketing and customer experience, sharing insights on the biggest trends, future-proofing businesses, and scaling personalization.

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Couldn't agree more with Eddie Gonzalez on martech ROI ... "The real return on martech investment comes from how well it’s activated, integrated, and aligned to evolving business goals. 'Value realization' isn’t a one-time event; it’s a discipline." For those working on a martech transformation, this practical article offers insights on how to get ROI from the start: https://lnkd.in/gRNi-Jti #MarketingTransformation #Razorfish

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