Hajj Flemings

𝐖𝐞𝐞𝐤𝐥𝐲 𝐒𝐩𝐨𝐭𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭: Unlocking Growth with a Grant Writer for Startups As a startup founder, you're constantly on the hunt for funding opportunities to fuel your growth and innovation. While many turn to venture capital or angel investors, there's a treasure trove often left untapped: grants. Here's where a professional grant writer can make a monumental difference. Meet Jasti Smythe, Founder of Celerity Solutions, Grant Writer specializing in tech startups, electric vehicles, climate tech, and clean energy. https://lnkd.in/eauRgUQk - mention my name in your connection note to Jasti as the referral source Why consider a grant writer for your startup? ✳️ 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐬𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐚 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐱 𝐅𝐢𝐞𝐥𝐝: Grant writing is specialized and intricate. A professional knows where to look, what to write, and how to align your startup’s vision with the grant’s objectives. ✳️ 𝐈𝐧𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐅𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐎𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬: Many startups, especially in tech and social innovation, are eligible for numerous grants. A skilled grant writer can unearth these opportunities, ensuring you don't miss out. ✳️ 𝐂𝐨𝐬𝐭-𝐄𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐜𝐞 𝐀𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: Investing in a grant writer frees up your team to focus on what they do best—innovating and growing your business—while the grant writer handles the funding applications. ✳️ 𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐝 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐚𝐥 𝐐𝐮𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲: Grant proposals need to be persuasive and professional. A grant writer crafts compelling narratives that resonate with funders, significantly boosting your chances of success. ✳️ 𝐋𝐨𝐧𝐠-𝐓𝐞𝐫𝐦 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐜 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠: A grant writer doesn’t just find funding; they align these opportunities with your long-term business strategy, ensuring that every dollar supports sustainable growth. #startups #funding #grantwriting #businessgrowth #innovation #entrepreneur #tech

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How do you build meaningful partnerships as a founder? I know I've been guilty of sending partnership agreements in hopes of the best In this episode of How I'm Building This podcast, Alex Witcpalek, the founder of Continuum AI, shares his unconventional path from playing football at the University of Louisville to working in commercial real estate and eventually joining the tech industry. Here are some sound bites from our conversation: ✔️"I'm going to build something on my own and I'm going to build it so that not only do I have a better life, but there's families that don't have to go through what we're going through." ✔️"We have so much pipeline that if we close this, I need to build a team to be able to go deliver it." ✔️"You need to be very upfront and transparent with your partner and have a plan together to cross pollinate your go-to-market motions." ✔️"We became thought leaders and our content now drive sour partner channel." ✔️"I don't think you can silo outbound partner and marketing, because we do a lot of partner marketing together too." ‍ Listen now: Youtube: https://lnkd.in/g5P3nkWZ Spotify: https://lnkd.in/gXUYA_ZF Other episodes as they release: https://lnkd.in/gkxQsmwH #startup #entrepreneurship

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🎙️ New ASOM Pod Episode Just Dropped! 🎙️ This week, we’re in costume for Halloween 🎃, and things get a little spooky as Jimmy Kim, Amer G., Bryan MacDonald, and I dig into the “scary” realities of startup life in today’s economy. Let’s face it: founders are facing new hurdles every day, but we’re here to talk about what’s behind the struggle — and share some insider tips to make it through. Episode Highlights 🔸 𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗪𝗶𝗻𝘀: Forget the fluff; customers see right through it. Real, honest connection is what matters, and we’re breaking down how to make it happen. 🔸 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗞𝗻𝗼𝘄-𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗜𝘀 𝗘𝘀𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗮𝗹: Staying afloat starts with understanding the basics. When it comes to budget cuts or resource allocation, financial literacy is the superpower every founder needs. 🔸 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗱𝘂𝗰𝘁-𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗲𝘁 𝗙𝗶𝘁 𝗜𝘀 𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴: Great product, wrong market? That’s a dead end. We dive into why adaptability is non-negotiable and how staying nimble can keep your startup alive. 🔸 𝗜𝗻-𝗛𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗢𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗔𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗲𝘀: No one’s closer to your brand than your own team. We’re talking about why handling things internally can often beat outsourcing and bring better results. 🔸 𝗧𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝗖𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘀 𝗔𝗿𝗲 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗚𝗮𝗺𝗲: Profitability sometimes requires hard choices. From budget adjustments to operational shifts, this episode explores what it really takes to keep moving forward. 🔸 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘆 𝗖𝗹𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗖𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗿𝘀: Feedback is priceless. We explore how founders can use customer insights to guide meaningful adjustments — and build lasting loyalty. 🔸 𝗙𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘃𝘀. 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝘁𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝘄𝗱𝗼𝘄𝗻: Choosing between outside funding or bootstrapping isn’t easy. We weigh in on both sides to help founders make the best call for their goals. This episode has the real talk, practical tips, and insights every founder needs right now. Episode links 👇 Shout out to Salvit Advisors, Recharge, and Creators Combine for being ASOM sponsors and making this all possible! #asom #ecommerce #podcast

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📢 Calling all sponsors, partners, and collaborators! 📢 🎉 Join us at the Asaba Vendors Hangout, where 400-500 passionate business owners converge for an event like no other! 🎉 🤝 As a sponsor, you'll gain: 1️⃣ Exposure: Reach a vast audience of motivated entrepreneurs eager to connect and collaborate. 2️⃣ Brand Visibility: Showcase your brand to a diverse crowd, boosting recognition and credibility. 3️⃣ Networking Opportunities: Engage with industry leaders, potential clients, and fellow sponsors to forge valuable partnerships. 4️⃣ Community Impact: Support local businesses and contribute to the growth of the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Asaba. Don't miss this chance to elevate your brand and make meaningful connections! 🚀 Drop us a message to secure your spot as a sponsor, partner, or collaborator today! 📩 #AsabaVendorsHangout #SponsorshipOpportunity #BusinessNetworking

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Founders In Residence Paid Program – Join Us! Hi Fellow Founders, I’m Jessica Black, founder of the Berry Bot Soap Maker—the first smart machine for natural soap making. As a hardtech founder in Michigan, I know how tough fundraising can be. That’s why I’m launching a Founders In Residence paid program. This program is for founders who need financial support for startup costs and living expenses while continuing to build their businesses. The program lasts 6 months to a year and connects founders with income-generating opportunities in various industries. In exchange founders in residence work with corporate partners, government agencies, startup ecosystems to bring their perspectives, and innovative experiences to established companies for a short term. I’m gathering interest from founders who want to participate. All private information will remain confidential and used solely for matchmaking. If you’re interested, please fill out the Google Form. Corporate partners and organizations are also welcome to reach out. https://lnkd.in/gCngNfrr Follow MICHIGAN FOUNDER FUSE for more updates on the Founders in Residence. Feel free to connect with Smruti Panigrahi, Ph.D. for more details. Looking forward to supporting each other on our entrepreneurial journeys! #forfoundersbyfounders Pete Martin Margarita Hernandez, PhD Andrea Hicks (Corey) Tanya Markos-Vanno John Bedz Joshua Tooker Dug Song

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The Assembly Summit is back in the City of Detroit! Last year's event in Landeshauptstadt München at IAA was outstanding... but I have a funny feeling 2024 is going to be even better. : ) The theme of this year's summit is 'The Geopolitics of Movement'. For those of you who know me well you know how important this topic is both personally and professionally. The continued bifurcation of West and East is driving unique and massive opportunities and threats throughout the mobility sector. It is critical that we define the strategies, partnerships, and technologies that will ensure the continued dominance of the Western world for the next century. This is exactly our aim. With all of our partners and portfolio companies (Apptronik, CesiumAstro, Metropolis Technologies, NAVIT , Our Next Energy (ONE), Sortera Technologies, Inc., Two Boxes and more) in attendance this year's Assembly Summit will be one of the most important events of the 2024 mobility conference calendar. Expect the usual level of deep in-person conversations with the Assembly Ventures' team (Jessica Robinson, Felix Scheuffelen, Sujoy Sarkar, John Cullen, Christian Saur, Genevieve Hummer, Christine Tash, Aleksandra (Aleks) Miziolek, Boaz Mamo, Brett Harwood, David Brophy, Dhani Jones, Fritz Demopoulos, John Moavenzadeh, Jody Kelman, Kathleen Ligocki, Kirk Steudle, Michael Dunne, Philipp von Hagen, Reuben Sarkar, Susan Heystee, Tony Posawatz, P. E., Wolfgang Bernhart and more), global opinion leaders from across the mobility sector, and perhaps a humanoid robot or two. 🤖 🚀 See you in Detroit. Move to win. Move the world. #movetowin #movetheworld #assemblyventures #assemblysummit #mobility #detroit #berlin #siliconvalley

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Will autonomous vehicles pick up speed off-road? Overland AI and Potential are pursuing, military, mining, and other off-road applications. These use cases are more compelling because they represent large markets, they are not as regulated as passenger transport roads, and they can address labor shortages. As Alexei Andreev of Autotech Ventures added, "And if you remove people, you immediately get a reduction in your insurance premiums." I would expect to more autonomous investments like these. #logistics #supplychain #autonomous #investments https://lnkd.in/ePERXSea

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Dive into the world of entrepreneurship with No.1 Coaching! 🌍 Gain the skills and mindset to thrive in the competitive business landscape. #Entrepreneurship #Success

We're teaming up with some amazing speakers for Chicago's free networking/panel event on May 15th: This time, we're going beyond founders, giving you access to investors, VCs, and industry experts. This is your chance to pick their brains, uncover insider tips, and make some quality connections. Roland Siebelink: Roland, founder & CEO of Midstage Institute, brings over 30 years of startup experience, having coached 2 unicorns and achieved 3 successful exits. As a certified Scaling Up facilitator and Forbes Coaches Council member, he specializes in helping early-stage startups grow into unicorn after the first product-market-fit. Roland, has been featured on prestigious podcasts like The Product Startup and Founders Space. Paulo J Machado: Paulo, Founder and CEO of Health Innovation Inc., is a seasoned entrepreneur and investor, with a keen focus on improving care and outcomes in healthcare, startups, Agetech, Femtech, and AI. Having invested in over 40 companies at What If Ventures, he brings a wealth of experience to the table. Paulo has also served as a mentor at esteemed programs like AARP, SXSW accelerator, and Techstars Austin, among others. Ibraheem Alinur: Ibraheem is a serial entrepreneur and venture fund/studio builder in biotechnology and digital health. As Vice President of 2Flo Ventures, he builds businesses and facilitates the bi-directional flow of resources to improve the health of communities. Ibraheem’s work has been featured in publications like the Obama Foundation and Forbes. At TheTechGiveBack's last event in SF, some of you said that there wasn't enough time to network with the panelists. So this time, we're limiting registration spots to make sure you get ample time to network and learn from our speakers. Make sure to grab your spot before spots fill up. 👇 Don't miss out—RSVP now, it's 100% free 🔗 https://lnkd.in/gRrkarhd 🗓️ May 15th, Wednesday 6PM to 9PM 🕴 Hosts: Jairo Garcia, Ricardo Olmos, Brian Lung Special thanks to: mHUB | Farley Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation | The Garage at Northwestern University | BlackRock #startup #entrepreneurship #founders #chicago #firesidechats

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🚨🚨🚨 Attention #DMVecosystem community! Are you an entrepreneur, investor or community leader who actively attends (or hosts) in-person events here in the region? If so, we want to hear from you! 👉 Do you wish there were more ecosystem events that YOU found interesting, valuable, and fun? 📣 Then fill out — and share — this survey to TELL us what you *actually* want to experience from local events! We're collaborating with ecosystem partners to learn what people love, hate, want, and need from in-person events in the region. 🎉 💁‍♀️ We are looking to gather all perspectives in this study, but are especially interested in hearing from women, so please spread the word with your female friends and contacts. 📚 We will be sharing all of the ideas and feedback we learn from you with our community partners so that they can host and design events that more people CAN attend, WANT to attend, and LOVE to attend. ✅ Survey takes just 7 minutes, and we're collecting community responses for a week. 🚀 After you complete your own survey, please share the link with 3-5 local contacts you know. Socially pressure them, as needed. 😅 The more data we collect, the better the insights we can use! 💃 #GreaterWashington #WashingtonMetro #WashingtonRegion #DMV #techecosystem #DCtechecosystem #DCcommunity #communityfeedback #DCstartups

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Are you an inventor looking to license your intellectual property? Learn how and why toy companies collaborate with inventors to bring innovative products to market. #InventorPath #LicensingIP #ToyCompanies #ProductDevelopment #ExpertiseMatters #ArtsAndCraftsRevolution #Innovation #Entrepreneurship #IndustryInsights #UnlockYourPotential

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linktr.ee/djskoob Overcoming Fear: The Key to Entrepreneurial Success! Join us as we tackle the pivotal topics of fear and failure in entrepreneurship. Discover how to transform setbacks into opportunities for growth and resilience. Learn from our dialogue about overcoming challenges and stepping boldly into your entrepreneurial journey! #Entrepreneurship #FearOfFailure #BusinessGrowth #Resilience #LearnFromFailure #OvercomingObstacles #SuccessMindset #EntrepreneurJourney #BusinessTips #Motivation

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ANNOUNCEMENT FROM VCs For REPRO: Abortion is your business. Abortion is my business. Abortion is their business. Abortion is everyone’s business. VOTE like it. The VCs For Repro coalition now consists of over 150 venture firms with signatories managing over $114B in private market assets. This diverse group of venture investors, and systemically important LPs and family offices, affirms that abortion access and the economy are deeply connected. Preserving and expanding human rights delivers outsized returns. Over the past two years we've convened hundreds of guests at virtual events featuring business leaders from public company CEOs to VCs and startup founders alongside Supreme Court experts, OBGYNs, and U.S. reproductive health leaders who are all aligned. We ALL have carried interest. The members of our coalition invest across sectors and stages. They deploy capital in commitments <$100k and greater than $100M. Yes, many of them are active investors in industries and sectors fueled by women and families. Yet, ALL of them understand - and are willing to publicly affirm - that access to abortion is imperative for innovation. We’ve heard from pop culture, we've heard from legal scholars, doctors, legislatures and career Republicans (with more men in the choir than ever before) that abortion is healthcare. But finance has been noticeably quiet on the topic, even when everything they claim is important to them is on the line. *If you're a VC, join the coalition here: https://lnkd.in/gr6wcCQy #vcsforrepro #carriedinterest #synastrycapital #abortionisyourbusiness Christie Pitts Tania Zaparaniuk 🇺🇦 Sydney Coleman Madelaine Holden Mandy Bynum (she/her)

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Before you launch a crowdfunding campaign, make sure your startup is up to the task. Our free readiness assessment helps you understand what you need to succeed. Crowdfunding offers more than funds; it's a chance to gain exposure and validate your idea. Sign up now to access our resources and prepare for a successful campaign.

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BDA IMPACT! Join Cohort 3 Starting on November 1st. One of my most impactful ventures this year was starting the Business Development Academy (BDA). So far, 80 entrepreneurs have been trained, and they have amazing testimonials of transformed lives and businesses. We are targeting to train 200 entrepreneurs in Cohort 3. The Registration Fee is N10,000 (Subsidized), and it will change to N20,000 by Cohort 4 starting in January 2025. · Do you need help in starting and growing your business? · Do you have some business challenges, and you need a solution to tackle those challenges? · Are you tired of your job, and would you like to resign to start your dream business? · Would you like to escape unemployment by learning how to start a proper business? Business Development Academy (BDA) is a comprehensive 30-day Online Business school designed to provide individuals and business owners with the essential skills and knowledge needed to excel in starting and growing their businesses. Cohort 3 Registration is going on and closes on 29th of October. Reg Fee N10,000 ( Discounted) At Business Development Academy, your No. 1 Online Business school, you will learn, unlearn, and re-learn business skills and principles to start and grow your business. Who is BDA for? · A Business Owner · Managers of Business · Business Development Manager · Sales and Marketing Manager · Business Development Consultants · Entrepreneurship ecosystem expert · NYSC Youth Corper · Students in Higher Institutions · Youths · Market women with Access to the Internet. · Freelancer · Retirees 100% online Classes A 30-day school You get a certificate You can use your phone to attend class No prior experience is needed Videos are released every week Review and webinars are done on weekends via WhatsApp and Zoom Curriculum We have over 100+ topics for YOU! Embedded in 14 Modules Module 1: Understanding Business Creation Module 2: Marketing and Sales Module 3: Sales Closing Module 4: Branding, Positioning and Visibility Module 5: Money Management Module 6: Pitching Module 7: Access to Finance Module 8: Adaptation to Industry Trends Module 9: Recruitment and Retaining of Staff Module 10: Employee Management Module 11: Business Plan Writing Module 12: Business Structure Module 13: The entrepreneur Module 14: Time Management for Business Owners Price: N10,000 (Subsidized Fee) Pay to: BANK: United for Africa (UBA) Name: Dayo Adetiloye Business Hub Account Number: 1019877638 After payment, Email: bdainfo247@gmail.com with your payment details. Or send your details to 08060779290 on whatsApp. *The deadline for Cohort 3 Registration is the 29th of October 2024. Classes start on the 1st of November 2024. Take Action Join our Free WhatsApp group where you learn more on Business Development and also access funding opportunities. Check the comment session for link https://lnkd.in/d2HY7F2Z

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When Founders don't get what they want → they can get HANGRY → I get it → 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗽 𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗱 But what I've LEARNED over the past 40 years as a faith-driven serial entrepreneur (6x) and leader of the first faith-driven venture studio and startup incubator in the world ... → there's the hard way → 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲'𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗶𝗲𝗿 𝘄𝗮𝘆 There's no easy button for sure I'm amused by the HANGRY comments I get when I write about startups and VC. Although every comment lubricates the LinkedIn algorithm (they help me), over time I can't stand to be around haters and victims — so I eventually block them. Pain makes us hungry 𝗨𝗻𝘀𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘀𝗳𝗶𝗲𝗱 𝗵𝘂𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗿 can make you hangry No one (Potential Customers & VC) wants to be around an hangry founder. They will run from you. For me, this pain led me to God. For the past 40 years of my entrepreneurial journey I've learned 𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗚𝗼𝗱-𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗲𝗱. What does that mean? God establishes His plans inside me, and my every step of the journey. 𝗛𝗲 𝗴𝘂𝗶𝗱𝗲𝘀 𝗺𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗼𝗯𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗰𝗹𝗲𝘀. → I answered His call → I am chosen → I have an unfair advantage → victory is mine (that's an old-school song) His Holy Spirit lives in me and gives me wisdom, understanding, and the know-how (the skills) to do everything in His plan for me. And I can have PERFECT PEACE along the entire journey. 𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗻 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗵*𝘁 𝗵𝗶𝘁𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝗮𝗻. That's why/how I rarely stay angry. Even through the worst moments of my life ... → the death of my 10 year old son Alec → cancer → business failures → the betrayals → losing everything at one point I got better, NOT BITTER Never got those HANGRY eyes 𝗜𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂'𝘃𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗳 𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗿𝘆, 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲'𝘀 𝗮 𝗯𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝘄𝗮𝘆 —  𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁'𝘀 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗜'𝗺 𝘀𝗮𝘆𝗶𝗻𝗴. Need help, visit our site. Like this? Follow Gerald Duran for daily Startup and VC advice, and sometimes — a kick in the nuts. #startups #founders #venturecapital #entrepreneurship

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