What’s the Right First Round Valuation Today?

Your valuation isn’t your value. This blog breaks down the myth of “perfect” first round valuation with real-world examples, investor insights, and what founders should prioritize instead.

How A VC Really Thinks About RPP

Revenue per person (RPP) startup benchmarks and more. Valor’s Lisa Calhoun shares how courageous founders use RPP, burn ratio, and the magic number to win.

From CTO to Chief Automation Manager

"What we need to do now is, I think, no more looking for a very good coder, but for a very good prompter: people that are able to put the…

Enterprise AI Sales Too Slow? Here’s How Top Founders Fix That 

Most AI startups sell too low in the organization, missing the executive buy-in required for enterprise adoption. With tactics from Valor’s portfolio and new data from McKinsey, it offers startup…

UpDraft Ushers in a New Era for AI Technical Accounting

Valor Leads First Round in AI Technical Accounting Firm UpDraft  AI-Driven Workflow Automation Is Transforming Complex Financial Reporting Recognized by Accounting Today as a Top Accounting Tool of 2024, UpDraft…

How Founders Can Be Acquisition Ready From Day One

The line between a 4 × and a 15 × ARR exit is rarely technology. It's preparation.    Half of all VC‑backed SaaS acquisitions close before a Series A. That's…

AI and the Emerging New Era in Venture Capital

Pushed by artificial intelligence, the next era of venture capital is almost here. It may be the best yet. Here’s how it's shaping up.

Navigating First Financings in the South: Q2 Current Reality

The early-stage venture landscape in the South is evolving—and founders who act with focus and courage are finding new momentum. Explore the key trends in first financings this quarter, learn…

AI Startups in the South - Q1 2025 Report

Valor’s Q1 2025 snapshot of Southern AI startups reveals a fast-maturing ecosystem, with specialized innovation, early enterprise traction, and strong regional growth. Hot takes inside on trust, jobs, SaaS, and…

10 Proven Startup Sales Growth Hacks

Founder-led sales? Amazing! This post gives you the roadmap from scrappy founder-led deals to a smooth, scaling revenue machine. Let's level up your startup's sales right now.