Archive: Startup Update

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We recommended Bloomstack last June. We liked founder and CEO Eric Delisle’s idea of combining all the systems and platforms cannabis operators use into a single platform. Not only was it a great idea, but it also seemed to be working. Bloomstack was picking up new customers at a nice pace and seemed to be on its way to help make the fast-growing cannabis industry expand even faster.   That was then.
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VirZOOM Fights to Find Sustainable Growth

By Andy Gordon on March 31, 2022

It must be possible to feel very good and very bad about a company at the same time. Because that’s how I feel about VirZOOM. To refresh your memory, VirZOOM offers an app that can be used with just the Oculus Quest headset or in conjunction…
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Blendid Makes a Smooth Transition to the East Coast

By Andy Gordon on February 17, 2022

I first recommended Blendid in December 2020.  To refresh your memory, Blendid is not only the name of the startup, but also the name of the food robot that makes delicious and incredibly healthy smoothies. Blendid uses the latest technological advances…
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Startup Update: Turning Misfortune Into Opportunity

By Andy Gordon on December 30, 2021

We first presented Amsterdam-based Tradefox in 2017 (back when it was called Scrap Connection). We presented the company again in 2019. It provides a business intelligence and trading platform for…
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Aavrani Grows Sales and Sets Its Sights on Expansion

By Andy Gordon on December 2, 2021

I just got off the phone with Justin Silver, the co-founder and COO of Aavrani. He reported significant progress on several fronts.  We introduced Aavrani — a beauty company rooted in Indian tradition and rituals — to First Stage Investor…
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“We need decarbonization now, across every sector in every country,” U.N. Secretary General António Guterres tweeted earlier this week. Don’t kill the messenger here, but he’s spitting in the wind. A plea for governments to pick up the pace of decarbonization will do little good. Not…
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Pierre Rogers, the founder and CEO of First Stage Investor holding Yahyn, thinks he’s on to something very big and immensely disruptive. He thinks it will upend America’s incredibly convoluted alcoholic beverage industry. It should make life much better for…
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Illusio’s Future Remains Bright

By Andy Gordon on September 23, 2021

I first presented Illusio to First Stage Investor subscribers in April 2020. It was interesting timing, to say the least. We were finally realizing just how serious COVID-19 was. It certainly affected Illusio… and not in the best of…
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Cityzenith Continues to Meet High Expectations

By Andy Gordon on July 22, 2021

I first recommended Cityzenith in August 2019. The company enables users to design, monitor, control, analyze, optimize, predict, and collaborate on physical assets all from one application. In other words, it uses “digital twin” technology — 3D virtual replicas of buildings, infrastructure and other physical assets…
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Don’t Look Backwards In Startup Investing

By Andy Gordon on June 10, 2021

Over the past five years, the top 25 venture capital (VC) firms invested in around 1,600 early-stage startups.  According to CB Insights, the sectors with the biggest increase in investments from VCs are fintech, enterprise software, enterprise analytics, pharmaceuticals,…
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There’s an ancient adage I have leaned upon at certain times in my life: What doesn’t destroy you makes you stronger. It certainly applies to AlphaFlow, the startup I’m showing you today.  2020 was the ultimate stress test for AlphaFlow. And it survived. …
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I recently spoke to Chris Yerbey, the founder and CEO of Amsterdam-based Tradefox. We recommended TradeFox in 2017 (back when it was called Scrap Connection) and again in 2019. It provides a business intelligence and trading…
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Digital Brands Group (DBG) had its initial public offering (IPO) recently. And it generated some confusion and many questions from our members. So I’m taking the opportunity today to address some of the issues you’ve raised. To refresh your memory, DBG’s IPO incorporated a “reverse stock…
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New Pick: The Future of Bottled Juice

By Andy Gordon on May 20, 2021

Deal Details Startup: Genius Juice Security type: Crowd SAFE* Discount: 20% Valuation (cap): $14 million Minimum investment: $100 Where to invest: Republic Deadline: September 16, 2021…
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Important Correction: DBG IPO a Down Round

By Andy Gordon on May 10, 2021

We missed out on a big piece of information in last Thursday’s update on DBG (Digital Brands Group). And it led to some bad math. At First Stage Investor, we own our mistakes. And we made a big one.
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Note: This article contains incorrect information. Please read this correction piece instead. First Stage Investor sincerely apologizes for this mistake. DBG (Digital Brands Group) holds a unique distinction in the First Stage Investor portfolio. It’s the only company we’ve recommended three…