Kim Kaupe

Weather delays. Compliance gaps. Lost days and lost dollars. Every contractor knows the pain. Pavewise, based in North Dakota and built by operators who’ve lived it, has just raised a $2.5M seed round led by C2 Ventures Fund II, alongside Connetic Ventures, Service Provider Capital, M25, gener8tor 1889, and Broadwater Capital. Their platform brings real-time compliance, weather, and production tracking to road construction, helping crews make better calls, cut rework, and keep projects on time. This is exactly what we mean when we talk about our thesis, Dirty, Dull, and Dangerous innovation: solving real operational problems in essential industries with durable tech. https://lnkd.in/eecPMHdN

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🚀 Every.io partners with Capital Factory The Texas startup ecosystem is thriving, and I'm excited to announce Every.io's partnership with Capital Factory to support their growing community of entrepreneurs. Through this collaboration: - Every's back office platform integrates with multiple CF's incubation programs. - We'll be bringing workshops, office hours, and constant founder back-office support. - Our team will support the CF community at upcoming events. - We will reduce the barrier of entry and provide special offers on formation, banking, payroll, accounting, taxes, and much more. These founders need the back-office infrastructure that scales with them. Want to learn more about what we offer? Chat with us here: https://lnkd.in/ggjPP43x Looking forward to supporting thousands of companies annually across Capital Factory's communities. #CapitalFactory #TexasStartups #Austin #BuildWithEvery

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“The attention should be on small businesses.” That belief has guided how Josh R., co-founder and CEO of Gusto, has built the company from day one, starting with seeing what was broken for small businesses and deciding to fix it. In conversation with Derek Andersen on the Divot Podcast, Josh shares lessons on leadership, scaling with discipline, and why helping small businesses survive and thrive matters more than chasing short-term wins.

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Growth doesn’t always mean progress. Sometimes, it just masks the flaws a little longer. In tech I've seen it in every category of business. I’ve seen it as a builder, a fractional exec, and many times as the mentor guiding start-ups in the Houston ecosystem. Startups hit a spike. Users show up. Investors get hyped. And suddenly, everyone talks about “scale.” But here’s what often goes unsaid: Scaling a product that’s not built on solid ground? That’s just speeding towards entropy. Because: → A feature roadmap isn’t a product strategy → Revenue bumps don’t prove product-market fit → More headcount won’t fix fundamental misalignment What I’ve learned (and had to unlearn): Some startups don’t fail because they move slow. They fail because they move fast in the wrong direction. That’s where fractional CTOs and CPOs become game changers. Not by building faster, but by asking the tough questions early: ✅ What are we really scaling...value or volume? ✅ Do we have clarity, or just velocity? ✅ Are we solving a core problem or just chasing attention? If any of those questions make you uncomfortable, good. That’s usually where the real work begins. Don’t let your growth be a smokescreen. Ask the hard questions. 👋 If you’re new to my page, I’m Ram. I work with founders and growing tech companies to help them build, scale, and operate smarter by placing high-impact fractional CTOs and CPOs exactly where they’re needed most. Recently, I had the chance to speak on Masala Radio about leadership, growth, and what it really takes to build a tech product. Here’s a short clip from that conversation.

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Fika Ventures pours more than capital. It pours intent. A Los Angeles seed firm founded in 2017, Fika Ventures was built by former operators who know the grind isn’t theory. General Partners TX Zhuo, John Chen, and Arteen Arabshahi turned founder scars into a #B2B strategy. They grew a small team into 11 professionals, scaled to $500M+ across 4 funds, and kept cadence sharp. Think pour over, not cafeteria coffee. Precision heat. Measured flow. No bitterness, just velocity. The roster reflects this ethos. Operating Partner Matt Hersh, Principal Gabriella Brignardello, Senior Associate Olivia Pittard, Associate Julia Puzzo, Head of Marketing and Community Ju-Djuin Csontos, CFO Natalie P., and Venture Partner Aaron Szekel work founder hours without applause. Principle is simple: be extra hands, eyes, and signal. Earn the right to be a thought partner by doing the work. The thesis is tight. Fika backs subject-matter experts building B2B software, #fintech, #marketplaces, and #healthcare across North America, primarily at pre-seed and seed. They lead and co-invest with conviction, but the filter is sharper than a ristretto: domain mastery, go-to-market clarity, network effects. Each check comes with recruiting, business development, and capital strategy support from day one. Proof stacks quickly. Since inception, Fika has backed 80+ companies, achieving over 10 exits. BuildOps reached unicorn status with a $127M raise. Edge Impulse (a Qualcomm company) joined Qualcomm. Spinwheel, Payabli, Noyo, and Papaya are building category leadership. Over 60% of follow-on capital has been led by investors introduced by Fika, a stat that speaks volumes in quiet rooms. The market bets are pragmatic. #Embeddedfinance and #verticalSaaS where workflow wins. AI-driven #automation in #compliance and ops where accuracy pays. Healthcare procurement and #digitalhealth marketplaces where policy, process, and payment collide. Through line: tie intelligence to the transaction, put analytics where decisions are made, build inside regulated complexity, not around it. Dedicated recruiting sources 10x talent. A 40,000+ network opens warm doors. Capital strategy is co-planned against milestones, not mythology. When nights run long, Fika runs with them. That is founder-hour commitment, treating portfolio as team, not inventory. Values anchor everything. Clarity before conviction. Service first with humility. Those values show up in the LA First Look Retreat connecting builders and backers, the The Pour Over podcast and Medium insights, and the LA Tech Community Cares Fund directing relief when it matters most. Fika Ventures portfolio companies are hiring and open to partnerships 👇 Follow this firm. Study their founders. Track their plays. #VentureCapital #VCSpotlight #VCFirm #Startups #FounderJourney #StartupFunding #Technology #Innovation #TechEcosystem #StartupEcosystem #Hiring #TechHiring If software engineering peace of mind is what you crave, Vention is your zen.

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𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲𝐨𝐧𝐞’𝐬 𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠. 𝐍𝐨 𝐨𝐧𝐞’𝐬 𝐛𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠. Last week, I sat in a founder-investor mixer. Every second conversation started with: “We’re raising a pre-seed.” “Closing our bridge.” “Soft circled 60% of our $2M round.” I asked one founder, “Cool—what’s working in the product?” Silence. Then slides. Let’s be clear: Decks don’t build companies. Customers do. Retention does. Relentless problem-solving does. But today, the dopamine comes from “announceables,” not “unsexy wins.” Here’s what I deeply believe. 👇 ➡️ Raising a round is not a milestone. ➡️ Getting 10 paying users to become 100 is. ➡️ Being in love with the problem, not the pitch, is. Don’t fall for the funding FOMO. Fall in love with building. Because when the hype dies down, It’s not your investor memo that’ll save you. It’s your product.

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Last year at Pavilion's annual conference, 1,000 GTM executives descended on Austin. For three days, we were able to make genuine human connection. Cut through the noise. Engage more deeply. Talk about our jobs, our companies, and how to grow. The energy was electric. For many people, it was the moment their entire community experience finally came to life. For communities like ours, there is simply no substitute for a global membership convening in one place at one time. Our conferences feel more like college reunions than work trips at this point. Even though they are incredibly valuable. Because here's what nobody's saying: AI is stealing genuine human connection. And replacing it with a gauzy layer of numbness - the clear feeling you are no longer talking someone that feels anything but a breezy shallow optimism, devoid of wisdom, context, or meaning. Hell - we have well known influencers bragging about how they’re offloading almost every customer interaction to a bot. And they’re proud of it! While their souls die in the name of efficiency.  Every day, AI is pushing us further away from each other. Every automated email, every AI-generated post, every chatbot interaction adds another layer between us and genuine connection. The irony? The more efficient our digital communication becomes, the more valuable our inefficient human moments are. Think about it. When everyone can generate "personalized" outreach at scale, when every LinkedIn post sounds suspiciously polished, when you can't tell if you're talking to a person or a prompt... Showing up in person is your competitive advantage. So, assuming you’re joining me in DC next week at GTM2025 or you’ll be on the concert circuit over the next few months Here's how to maximize every in-person event: Before You Go: - Research 3-5 specific people you want to meet (not just "whoever's there") - Prepare one genuine question that shows you've done your homework - Set a clear intention - Your ROI is measured based on a relatively small number of high quality conversation. You’re looking for 2-3. At any reasonable ACV, that should cover the cost of the event. At the Event: - Ask "What brought you here?" instead of "What do you do?" - Participate in all the stuff happening AROUND the event to get the full experience - Take handwritten notes. Your brain processes them differently - Follow the 70/30 rule: Listen 70%, talk 30% After: - Send a voice note, not an email. Stand out by being human - Reference something specific from your conversation - Follow through within 48 hours or don't bother In a world of infinite AI noise, your physical presence is the ultimate signal. Use it wisely. P.S. I really want to see you next week in person. I’ve got a significant discount to GTM2025 for those that haven’t picked up their ticket yet. Just DM me.

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Harpoon Ventures + Black Flag is teaming up with Microsoft for Startups to provide founders with access to up to $250,000 in Azure credits, empowering builders to scale faster, train models more efficiently, and access world-class AI infrastructure. What’s included: ⚡ Up to $250K in Azure credits (usable across Azure OpenAI, Grok 3, Llama 4, and more) 💻 On-demand GPU VMs for model training and fine-tuning 🧠 Access to GitHub Enterprise + Microsoft 365 Business Premium 🤝 Dedicated Microsoft technical + GTM support This partnership is designed to give deep-tech and dual-use founders the tools and resources they need to win. To keep pace with an increasingly hostile near peer environment, we need the complete resource stack: political, capital, technological. This is a great addition.

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🚨 VC Fund Alert: Creative Capital Ventures Launched €18M to Back Bold Ideas in Tech, Media & Consumer Innovation 🚀 In a time when capital efficiency and strategic value-add matter more than ever, Creative Capital Ventures Group (CCV) stepped in with an ambitious new €18 million fund — and a vision to raise €50 million by Q1 2025. Backed by Saratoga Capital Partners, Anthill Ventures, and a network of institutional & private investors, this Lisbon- and London-based venture studio brought a bold new model to early-stage VC. 🔥 🎯 What’s the play? 18 initial investments + 11 follow-ons by the end of 2024 Sectors: Tech, Digital Media, Consumer Products High-growth focus on: sports tech, entertainment, immersive IP, and wellness 💡 Why it matters: As CCV’s John D. put it: “The fund provides critical capital and helps scale innovative startups. We aim to foster long-term success for ambitious entrepreneurs.” But this isn’t just another VC fund... 🎥 Immersive IP & Creative Capital: Rich Britton is doubling down on entertainment innovation: “This fund comes at the right time — immersive content and music rights are redefining how we consume and create.” 🔧 Execution-focused Acceleration: With Pivotal, CCV’s venture studio, the fund promised “hands-on tactical support from strategy to execution,” said Dominic Joseph. 🧠 CCV’s track record is real: 150 startups impacted 20 companies founded 6 successful exits 📈 With structured investment in early-stage tech and IP assets, this fund blends venture-like returns with enhanced downside protection — a playbook that speaks directly to today’s LP mindset. 💬 If you're an LP looking to diversify into high-upside, creative-led ventures, or a founder innovating at the crossroads of tech and culture — this is the fund to watch. 🎧🎮📱 #VentureCapital #TechStartups #ImmersiveMedia #IPInvesting #ConsumerInnovation #SportsTech #WellnessEconomy #CreativeEconomy #LPs #VCFunds #EarlyStageVC #Fundraising #StartupAcceleration #CreativeCapitalVentures #PivotalStudio

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I'm excited to announce the official launch of Silicon Slopes Chapters — a comprehensive network of community-driven groups connecting entrepreneurs and professionals across every corner of Utah. For years, we've watched Utah's tech ecosystem become one of the nation's premier innovation hubs. But the real strength of our community isn't measured by unicorns and funding rounds alone — it's measured by the quality of relationships we build and the opportunities we create for everyone. That's why we're launching Chapters. Two Types of Chapters: Community Chapters bring together people who share common interests or industries — AI, FinTech, Sales Leadership, Women in Leadership, Blockchain, and more. Go deep with others facing similar challenges in your field. Regional Chapters serve specific communities across Utah — from Logan to St. George, Vernal to Cedar City — ensuring innovation and opportunity aren't confined to the Wasatch Front. Our 29 Community Chapters: Agile • AI • Angels • Blockchain • Community Builders • Consumer Products • Cybersecurity • EdTech • Education • Energy • Environment • Executive Training • Finance • Financial Planning • FinTech • Founder • Go To Market • Growth Strategy • Health & Wellness • HealthTech • Latino • Leadership Development • Public Policy • SaaS • Sales Leadership • Sports Business • Startup • Technology Law • Women In Leadership Our 13 Regional Chapters: Cedar City • Farmington • Lehi • Logan • Ogden • Park City • Price • Provo • Salt Lake City • Sandy/Draper • St. George • Tooele County • Vernal How to Get Involved: Join a Chapter (Free) — Find chapters that align with your interests or location. Access private communities and monthly events across the state. Lead a Chapter — We need passionate leaders to facilitate these communities. No cost, just commitment to serve. 5-10 hours/month to organize events, moderate discussions, and create value for others. Why This Matters: Communities thrive when people invest in relationships, not transactions. Utah has something special — a culture of collaboration over competition, where people genuinely want to see each other succeed. But culture requires intention. It requires people willing to do the work of bringing others together. Chapters are the heartbeat of our community — spaces where relationships form, knowledge is shared, and opportunities are created for everyone. The only requirements to join or lead: ✅ Give more than you take ✅ No one matters more than you, and you don't matter more than anyone else ✅ Care about Utah's tech community and its long-term success Join the chapters that speak to you. Show up. Contribute. If you're called to leadership, step up and lead. Together, we're building the strongest, most inclusive tech community in America. Welcome to Silicon Slopes Chapters. This is your community. Learn more and join: https://lnkd.in/gKWu4Feg #SiliconSlopes #UtahTech #Community #Leadership #Entrepreneurship

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Founders & builders- a new episode of The Further, Faster Podcast is live 🚀 In this episode, Allen Kramer, Co-Founder & COO of Crux, breaks down how he and his co-founder built a $77M-backed, profitable company in just three years. Listen now 👉 https://lnkd.in/emZHynww

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Founders: Qualify the people giving you advice. I was at a roundtable in Austin. Five of us in the room, plus the founder. The founder gave his pitch and had the opportunity to get feedback from everyone for a total of one hour. I was last in the queue. By the time it got to me, there were only 5 minutes left. So I ask one simple question. "Let's go around the table and answer, 'What's the biggest company you've built and the most money you've raised?'" Person 1: None and zero. Person 2: None and zero. Person 3: None and zero. Person 4: 1 (small) company and $5M. The founder spent the majority of their time listening to the first two people who had zero experience in the domain they were giving advice on. Meanwhile, I had built five companies that raised hundreds of millions of dollars, but there were only 5 minutes left. Lesson: It's the founder's job to qualify who they spend their "mentee" time with.

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What 54 Founders & LinkedIn's Top Creator Taught Me in Austin I had a mind-expanding experience at the Austin Mastermind with 54 founders and Matt Gray (arguably LinkedIn's top creator) that completely shifted my perspective on business growth. The single most profound revelation? There is no perfect way to grow a company. Each of the 54 founders carved entirely unique paths: - Some scaled through aggressive acquisition - Others leveraged product-led growth methodologies - Many created hybrid approaches that evolved with market conditions Meanwhile, Matt Gray shared his remarkably systematic content creation framework: 1. Data-Driven Foundation: He built an entire year's worth of content from customer survey data—going extraordinarily deep where most creators merely scratch the surface. 2. Relentless Refinement: What appears effortless actually involves 20+ edits as a starting point—beginning where most content creators consider themselves finished on step 3. The depth was so impressive that even the previous Leader of Alex Hormozi and Gary Vee's content team’s highlighted it as exceptional. 3. Audience Obsession: Every piece designed with laser-focused intention to attract precisely the right buyers. The East Austin setting provided the perfect environment to absorb these insights—removed from daily operations, surrounded by strategic thinkers who challenged conventional wisdom.  A special thanks to Brandon Taylor for showing me around.  Awesome work!!!! Most valuable takeaway? The "One Thing" framework that's now reshaping my approach. While competitors get lost in complexity, the highest performers ruthlessly eliminate distractions to focus on the single lever that creates maximum impact. My eyes are wide open and I can’t wait to see what happens as I grow by elimination over addition.

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