A valuation cap is the maximum valuation at which a SAFE or convertible note will convert into equity, protecting investors from dilution if a startup achieves a very high valuation in its next round. While a valuation cap doesn’t prohibit the valuation of the company from exceeding a threshold, it does limit the amount that can be used in determining the conversion of the note to stock. In doing so, it protects the initial investors from receiving a smaller percentage of the company in exchange for their investment. It also acts as an incentive for investors to contribute capital to nascent a ..read more

By Luke Sophinos and Matt Shapiro In our last report, we examined growth equity investors’ interest in vertical SaaS companies. To get to that point, companies first must navigate the landscape of early-stage venture capital. So today we’re looking at recent VC investments by vertical at the Pre-Seed, Seed and Series A stages. New software, new technologies and AI are applicable across all industries, but each industry is not primed for the same amount of explosive growth and digital disruption. So what are the market factors that early-stage investors are looking for in vertical SaaS companie ..read more

From the earliest days of York IE, we knew we needed to develop competency in technology, data and research to achieve our vision. When looking for engineering support on the consulting marketplace Upwork, our CTO Mike Veilleux met a full-stack developer from Ahmedabad, India named Kalrav Parsana. They immediately hit it off. And the more that Kalrav completed high-quality work, the more work we sent his way — so much so that he needed to bring on additional resources. Kalrav eventually formed his own company, All Cloud Works Technologies, to accommodate all these requests. Kalrav and the init ..read more

As marketers, we’re storytellers for the brands we represent. At York IE, we’re launching a new series spotlighting the individuals crafting stories, orchestrating go-to-market strategies, and executing across all channels. They embody their brand, laying the groundwork for scalability. Join us as we uncover the story behind the story with the top marketers in SaaS. Here, we talk to Sherri Schwartz, head of marketing at OvationCXM: As marketers, we often are storytellers for the companies and brands we work with and for. But everyone has a story. What’s yours? I started in sales by accident ..read more

A funding announcement press release will help you amplify one of the great milestones in building your company. Raising money is a big deal for growing tech companies. Once your investors have signed their paperwork and the funds have been wired, it’s time to let the world know that you’ve secured new funding. Writing a press release is straightforward, but it’s merely the starting point for a successful campaign. An effective funding announcement requires plenty of planning and coordination. In the United States alone, 4,720 companies raised money in Q1 of 2024, according to York IE Fuel. Th ..read more

Effectively building a website for your startup is an important step in establishing your brand and acquiring new customers. Early-stage tech companies typically rely on word-of-mouth marketing. But as you scale, a website gives you a singular hub for anyone looking to explore your product, learn about your company and organically discover your brand. Whether you’re messaging a potential investor on LinkedIn or handing off a business card at a conference, a URL to a clean, crisp website will go a long way to establishing your brand’s credibility. Three out of every four internet users judge th ..read more

As marketers, we’re storytellers for the brands we represent. At York IE, we’re launching a new series spotlighting the individuals crafting stories, orchestrating go-to-market strategies and executing across all channels. They embody their brand, laying the groundwork for scalability. Join us as we uncover the story behind the story with the top marketers in SaaS. Here, we talk to Carolyn Jackson, a director of marketing: As marketers, we often are storytellers for the companies and brands we work with and for. But everyone has a story. What’s yours?   Born and raised in St. Louis ..read more

(MANCHESTER, N.H., April 9) — York IE, an advisory and venture capital firm that helps technology companies grow, today announced its investment in JUICER, the pioneer in restaurant revenue management and pricing solutions. York IE led JUICER’s $5.3 million Seed round, which also included investments from Augment Ventures, Mudita Venture Partners and several restaurant and hospitality industry luminaries. “JUICER is at the forefront of a fundamental shift in how restaurants operate and compete,” said Marshall Everson, vice president of investments and strategy at York IE, who will also join JU ..read more

Don’t forget about building landing pages as part of your SaaS website! Most websites contain the high-priority pages: Homepage, Product, Pricing, About Us, etc. These generic pages are designed to appeal to a wide audience. They’ll tell the story of your company: who you are, how your product works and why your customer should choose you as their provider. Building a landing page allows you to be more targeted. Instead of painting the broad strokes, you’ll focus this page on a specific use case and persona — and do everything you can to convince them to take action. Landing pages can be conve ..read more

(MANCHESTER, N.H., Apr. 4) — York IE, an advisory and venture capital firm that helps technology companies grow, today announced its investment in Völur, a global software company in meat industry optimization. York IE participated in Völur’s $2.8 million funding round, as did Serra Ventures and Völur’s corporate partner, SARIA. Existing investors Idékapital, Fusion Fund and Fortress Fund followed on with additional investments. Völur also announced the appointment of Anna Turvoll as its new CEO. “Völur stands out with its innovative approach to making the meat industry more optimized and sust ..read more