Stephen Dalla Betta, CEO of Yaizy

Speaker: Stephen Dalla Betta, CEO, YaizY

Stephen Dalla Betta: We joined the 2023 started a SUGSV fundraising program for a variety of reasons. Uh Our company had reached a product market fit and had developed a number of different relationships in the market. So we were growing and we need to be able to access not only capital but additional expertise on how to think about uh our expansion within the US uh tech market, selling into schools. And so we were really delighted to be able to connect with a variety of different investor types from strategics to Ed Tech, uh V CS uh to uh others like uh publishers and other players in the emerging market. Um They all gave us different perspectives on what challenges we might face with. The opportunities were how to key in on the uh specific areas for the use of those funds, especially in our next stage of growth. And what was also really valuable was to connect uh peer to peer with other uh emerging ed tech players uh who were doing different um types of services and products uh for this Ed tech market. Uh So we were really excited to learn from all of them as a result of all this, we were able to gain follow on meetings with a variety of uh investors, uh players that could help us go to market uh partners and potential partners. Um more broadly speaking, where we complemented what they did and they had uh potentially different distribution or product offerings. And ultimately, I would highly recommend this for anyone who is looking at trying to really accelerate their shift into the tech space start runs a really, really great program. Um And so I'd say my tips for you would be number one, prepare in advance. Um Do your homework, uh read up on the different players and people you're going to meet. Number two, take advantage of that time by actively engaging the discussion and number three follow up uh as soon as you can right afterwards and uh see, uh if you can, you know, get some additional meetings. Um And certainly there are a lot of people out there who are supportive of tech companies and this is a great, great way to do that.

Stephen Dalla Betta: Really every aspect of the program was was very helpful. But I'd say the components that were particularly useful for our start up um were number one, the the kind of advanced look at the attendee list doing some strategic mapping to figure out who would be most valuable to meet with in terms of investors, uh potential customers, potential partners. Um that's just really helpful to have of that expertise and thought partnership. Second, um Certainly looking at the investor lead list and prioritizing which investors we should be talking to now for our current seed round, but also really in preparation for series A and really understanding their investment thesis and why they would want to be potentially looking at us. In our case, it was all about future work about K 12 learning credentialing. Um And ultimately, uh creating a new and inno innovative way to um get after uh doing K 12 education to connect learners with future jobs. Um And then third uh would be the roundtables, man, those round tables, they go fast, you have to be like high energy, ready to go engage actively. Um And we had some incredible talent from Super uh you know, high level c suite type, uh strategic uh players in the market from some of the larger uh both traditional and emerging tech players uh but also just uh venture capitalists. Um those who have worked in the system at very senior levels within districts. Um And it was super helpful to not only interface with them and get their thoughts, but also to talk to our peers at the table as we engage in these round tables to see what they were asking and also what they were running into. So, coming out of these sessions was great because from the round tables, we not only had contacts with a variety of different uh investors and those who, who work in the education system, but also with peers that are running uh different uh ed tech start ups. And uh I have formed some really strong relationships with those CEO S and uh other founders since then.

Stephen Dalla Betta: Yeah, so we, we had some great outcomes from the investment round tables. Uh I think we had uh over 15 different following meetings. These meetings were with um strategic uh potential investors and partners. Uh These were at very high levels, c suite individuals, those who are in positions of authority and corporate development, sales, product, et cetera, and kind of larger established education companies as well as emerging uh education uh providers that were, you know, well past the stage we're at in um in their own development. And in addition to that, we had a number of investor related conversations that have turned into longer standing relationships uh with those who are interested in the career connected learning space where we uh operate and provide solutions. And so we have developed those relationships in a of a series a round uh later this year. So it was extremely productive and uh very helpful and everyone was so nice and warm. Uh because I think they all understand that we're here to try and make the education system uh really strong outcomes for learners.