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Extraordinary Pursuits by BIP Ventures is a conversation between some of the most accomplished and inspiring entrepreneurs, VC leaders, and economists working in the Innovation Economy. The podcast provides content for founders and investors. The ’golden thread’ is story-based education and information about the role of VC in the Innovation Economy. Each episode will simplify complex topics related to innovation, entrepreneurship, and private market investing.
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In a rapidly scaling startup, growth can feel like a wild ride—full of highs, lows, and moments of uncertainty. What many founders don’t realize is that the key to sustained success lies not just in having a great product but in building a strong, repeatable foundation. As teams expand and resources stretch thin, having clear objectives, aligned st…
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In this mini-episode of the Extraordinary Pursuits podcast, host Rachelle Kuramoto interviews Maija Ehlinger, editor-in-chief of Hypeopotamus. They discuss the nuances of storytelling in the innovation economy, the importance of timely news, and how entrepreneurs can effectively pitch their stories to journalists. Maya emphasizes the need for tailo…
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A well-optimized hiring process can be a significant growth catalyst for early-stage companies. To attract top talent, interviewers must be organized and prepared as the candidate. A streamlined and effective hiring strategy prioritizes flexibility and responsiveness to candidates' needs. The interviewer must be able to clearly define roles, keepin…
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In this mini-episode of the BIP Ventures Extraordinary Pursuits podcast, Colleen Hoke, co-founder and CEO of Objective Health, joins host Rachelle Kuramoto to discuss the significance of partnerships, the innovative business models that drive Objective Health's success, and the company's ambitious goals for scaling and improving clinical research. …
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Building and scaling in a thriving tech ecosystem demands a deep understanding of the relationship between venture capital, deal flows, and the marketplace. Founders striving to build traction in top innovation regions must focus on building strategic networks, partnering with the right investors, and collaborating across the ecosystem. The most su…
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Since 2017, the BIP Ventures State of StartupsSM in Southeast report has been a leading trend resource on the region's innovation and investment landscape. In this special episode of the Extraordinary Pursuits podcast, BIP Capital General Partner and COO Mark Flickinger joins us to give a preview of the 2024 report. Mark’s conversation with colleag…
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For high-growth startups, sales momentum and operational efficiency depend on streamlined, scalable Revenue Operations (RevOps)—but getting there is complicated and can easily go wrong. The balancing act of managing customer relationships, sales processes, and marketing strategies too often results in scattered data, misaligned teams, and cumbersom…
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Innovation is more than new ideas—it's about connecting with the right resources and networks to drive growth. To scale, you need a culture of creativity, collaboration, and access to talent, strategic partnerships, and capital. Successful innovators build ecosystems where entrepreneurs, corporations, and educators work together to promote growth. …
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In this mini episode of the Extraordinary Pursuits podcast, BIP Ventures talent expert and SVP of portfolio performance, Jacki Hertenstein, sits down with Renata Matheson, co-founder of aquesst. This brief, compelling discussion focuses on what startup leaders need to do to interview candidates well and hire strategically. Renata and Jacki explain …
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The Blueprint for a Thriving Startup Ecosystem: A Conversation with Venture Atlanta CEO Allyson Eman
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A thriving innovation ecosystem has many components that work together to create progress. They include the businesses building there, the visionary entrepreneurs, and the support system comprised of legal, financial, accelerators and incubators, consultants, and mentors. Among all the contributing factors to a startup’s ability to build and grow, …
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Scaling an innovative startup requires agility, particularly in an evolving marketplace. But agility comes second to establishing the right fundamentals for your startup – the ideal client profile (ICP), go-to-market (GTM) strategy, and product-market-fit (PMF). All of them require a willingness to listen to customers, but none more than PMF. Ensur…
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In this episode of BIP Capital CMO Tammy McQueen joins the VP of Content, Rachelle Kuramoto, for a short discussion about the most important key performance indicators (KPIs) for marketing and sales teams. Learn what to zero in on as you scale, including annual revenue (ARR), customer retention rate (CRR), adoption rates, and customer acquisition c…
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Outsourcing your CFO could be a game-changer for your company as it allows you to access expert financial guidance without the hefty cost of a full-time executive. An outsourced CFO can help you navigate complex financial challenges, optimize cash flow, make informed strategic decisions, and set a solid foundation for long-term success. This suppor…
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In this mini-episode of Extraordinary Pursuits, BIP Ventures financial performance authority Mike Vandiver talks with Stephen Bradshaw, a partner in Bennett Thrasher's state and local tax practice. They discuss ways that technology companies can navigate complex tax landscapes to stay compliant and gain advantages. In a few short minutes, you’ll le…
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Focusing your sales strategy on ICP, buyer personas, and market segmentation is more than just identifying basic demographics, behaviors, pain points, and decision-making processes. It involves gaining a personal view of your potential customers and dividing the broader market into distinct groups. This targeted approach enables businesses to alloc…
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In this mini-episode of the Extraordinary Pursuits podcast from BIP Ventures, successful serial entrepreneur Jan Heybroek shares a skill he’s built in his entrepreneurial journey: the ability to simultaneously work in the business and on the business. The capacity to strike this balance is critical for staying ready for known and unexpected opportu…
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Capturing earned media is one of the most powerful marketing tools a company can achieve. Positive, relevant, wide-reaching media coverage can literally change the trajectory of a startup’s future. But effective public relations is hard. In this episode of Extraordinary Pursuits, journalist and Hypepotamus editor-in-chief Maija Ehlinger offers stra…
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Investing in skilled sales professionals or managers is essential for business growth. Knowing the right qualifications and characteristics to hire for should happen before any interview takes place. In this mini episode of Extraordinary Pursuits, Christy Johnson speaks with John O'Brien, the founder, CEO, and managing partner of Sales Talent Group…
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Scaling a Startup from Vision to National Impact: A Founder Story with Colleen Hoke of ObjectiveHealth
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Building and scaling a business requires a builder's mindset and a willingness to embrace risk. As a founder, your ability to envision solutions that effectively solve problems for your target audience is the key to progress. This involves stepping into uncharted territory, navigating uncertainties with resilience, and venturing forward to drive in…
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Entrepreneur Support Organizations (ESOs) help people who want to start or grow their businesses. These organizations provide various resources such as advice, training, and funding. They might also offer workshops, mentorship programs, or networking events to connect entrepreneurs with experts and other business owners. In this episode of the Extr…
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Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) are essential metrics for any company. For startups – particularly those that are backed by private capital – KPIs are not only necessary for setting a path to manageable growth, but they also are critical indicators for investors. KPIs can include metrics like revenue growth, profit margins, customer acquisition c…
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To become a Top Five innovation community, Atlanta needs to produce 2000 companies per year—that's 10 times the number of companies we’re currently developing. Listen to this fascinating mini-episode of for an honest conversation between Donnie Beamer Jr., CFA and Mark Buffington. You'll learn how the ATL Tech Hub team from the City of Atlanta Mayo…
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As any seasoned entrepreneur will tell you, starting and running a business is challenging. In fact, almost 90% of new startups fail—10% of those fail within the first year. The causes range from poor product-market fit to ineffective marketing, talent issues, and cash flow problems. Even with a real challenge to solve and the desire and grit to tr…
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Building an Ideal Customer Profile (ICP) is a critical first step for startups. It forms the foundation for targeted go-to-market (GTM) strategies, building customer traction, and understanding how to evolve the brand as the company scales. In other words, the ICP is the guiding beacon for every aspect of sales, marketing, and customer success. The…
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Building an Ideal Customer Profile (ICP) is a critical first step for startups. It forms the foundation for targeted go-to-market (GTM) strategies, building customer traction, and understanding how to evolve the brand as the company scales. In other words, the ICP is the guiding beacon for every aspect of sales, marketing, and customer success. The…
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In this episode, Donnie Beamer, the Senior Technology Advisor for the City of Atlanta, discusses the ATL Tech Hub initiative and the city's efforts to become a top five innovation and technology investment ecosystem. The conversation highlights the importance of technology in creating a safe and effective city, as well as the need to provide opport…
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As startups grow and expand, they must comply with the ethical and tax laws of the state. Interestingly, taxation can be both an advantage and disadvantage for a company, which is why tax experts become so crucial for startups. In this episode, Stephen Bradshaw joins us to discuss key tax considerations for startups, including identifying when your…
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Welcome to Extraordinary Pursuits, a podcast from BIP Ventures. Each week, experts and entrepreneurs join host Rachelle Kuramoto for master classes and inspiring stories about the innovation economy. The first season focuses on founder fundamentals like knowing when to hire a CFO and how to build a winning go-to-market strategy. Our goal is to info…
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The secret to enduring success is not just a strong leader but the entire team. And that is especially true for fast-growing, small startups – which is why effective interviewing skills are so vital. Unfortunately, many startups struggle to grow because they lack adequate hiring practices and have not mastered the art of conducting interviews to re…
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Investing in hiring skilled sales professionals or managers is essential for business growth. They are critical in driving revenue, expanding market presence, building customer relationships, and staying ahead of the competition. In this value-packed conversation with John O'Brien of Sales Talent Group, we discuss the key considerations for sales h…
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For startup growth companies, recruitment is a cornerstone of success. Effective strategies are paramount in finding the right talents, building a cohesive team, driving innovation, achieving milestones, and scaling operations. Many startup founders need help attracting top talent due to limited resources and intense competition. A proactive approa…
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