Retention is now the top exit metric. Loss-making businesses are hard to sell. PE has replaced large strategics as the primary M&A engine. Michael Ivanov, Partner at Carlsquare, is sharing what he sees in the market.
Continue readingHow to Get Recommended by AI – Content, Citations & Authority
Knowing AI search matters is one thing. Knowing what to actually do about it is another. This is the hands-on part — how to research what your buyers are asking AI, optimize your content to earn citations, build authority beyond your own website, and track whether it’s working.
Continue readingHow to Get Recommended by AI – Foundations, Tools & Quick Wins
Over 21% of Google searches now use AI. ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Copilot are answering the exact questions your buyers used to Google — and sending them straight to whoever AI recommends. If your brand isn’t in those answers, you effectively don’t exist for that user. Here’s what every founder needs to understand about AI search, and where to start.
Continue readingWhy CEE Founders Should Stop Looking West (And Start Looking East)
Most CEE founders default to US or Western European expansion. But Flaminjoy’s CEO discovered something counterintuitive: Southeast Asia and Brazil offer 20x larger markets, less competition, and don’t require massive VC funding. Here’s why looking East might be your smartest move.
Continue readingFind Your Frank! Lessons from Lars Rasmussen.
Eleven Ventures distills the biggest startup lessons from Lars Rasmussen—co-founder of Google Maps and early investor in Canva. From scarcity-driven innovation to “finding your Frank,” Lars’s journey shows how mindset, persistence, and belief can turn small beginnings into global impact. A must-read for founders building from Europe and beyond.
Continue readingBrand Building for Startups: What Matters at Each Stage
Brand building for startups isn’t a later-stage luxury, it’s what sets you apart early. This guide breaks down what to focus on at each stage, from first users to scaling traction.
Continue readingAI Product Development: Lessons on Building Smarter and Faster
AI product development is evolving. Here’s how founders are using it to ship faster, simplify UX, and solve problems — not just add features.
Continue readingTest, Don’t Guess: Data Analytics and Paid Ads for Faster PMF (Q&A)
Learn how startups can leverage analytics and paid advertising to validate ideas and reach product-market fit faster. Expert insights from data analytics specialist Yasen Lilov on making smarter, data-backed decisions for sustainable growth.
Continue readingTell a Story or Be Ignored: Why Your Marketing Is Failing
Learn how to run effective board meetings. Discover practical tools for structured agendas, board packs, and decision tracking.
Continue readingEffective Board Meetings: A Practical Guide
Learn how to run effective board meetings. Discover practical tools for structured agendas, board packs, and decision tracking.
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