Archive: Startup Update
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Bloomstack Pivots, Seems on Track to Survive and Thrive
By Andy Gordon on April 14, 2022
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.
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…
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…
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…
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…
Slow Governments Won’t Stop This Startup From Saving the Planet
By Andy Gordon on November 4, 2021
“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…
Yahyn Develops a Brilliant Method for Foreign Wineries to Reach U.S. Customers
By Andy Gordon on October 21, 2021
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…
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…
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…
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,…
Invest in the Transformation of Real Estate Loan Flow
By Andy Gordon on June 3, 2021
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. …
Tradefox Rides Virtual Business Trend to New Growth
By Andy Gordon on May 27, 2021
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…
Addressing Questions About Digital Brands Group’s IPO
By Andy Gordon on May 24, 2021
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…
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…
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.
Update: Big Things Are Happening for Digital Brands Group
By Andy Gordon on May 6, 2021
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…