TLDR:
- Murli Ravi, co-founder of Tin Men Capital, shares insights on hiring the right talent for startups and attracting funding.
- Ravi emphasizes the importance of strategic hiring driven by business objectives and the need for an effective board of directors.
Murli Ravi, co-founder of Tin Men Capital, a B2B tech venture capitalist, discusses the key elements of hiring the right talent for startups and attracting funding. Ravi’s investment philosophy is centered around avoiding mistakes and nurturing B2B tech startups that may not seem trendy but are essential to various industries. He believes in focusing on ‘boring but important’ businesses that can make a significant impact globally.
Ravi emphasizes that hiring for startups should align with top-down business objectives and address existing gaps in the team’s capabilities. He points out three inflexion points in a startup’s evolution based on the number of employees and the increasing need for specialization and defined processes as the company grows.
Building a successful startup, according to Ravi, requires meticulous preparation, embracing the unexpected, maintaining stamina, and resolve. He draws parallels between preparing for a startup journey and climbing a mountain, highlighting the importance of being ready for unforeseen challenges.
Ravi also discusses the challenges of building an executive board, advocating for lean boards with no more than five members. He recommends leveraging advisory boards to access diverse expertise without relinquishing control. He emphasizes the importance of a resilient team that is customer-focused, rather than relying solely on the product, especially in the early stages of a startup.
