Jonathan Romley - Going Big, From Small - Startup AddVenture Middle East 2015

1. JONATHAN ROMLEY
CEO, CLEAR RESEARCH
going big, from small
^
relatively
@ROMLEY
#STARTUPADDVENTURE

3. Viewdle

4. Viewdle
Founded 2007
in Kyiv
University team
Diaspora angels
brighton beach
ukrainian photo

5. $18M
RAISED FROM US INVESTORS

6. $45M
SOLD TO GOOGLE FOR

7. Why did it work?
• Core tech, universal concept.
• Global business profile.
• Active M&A market demand.
• Dedicated investors.
• Management focused on liquidity.

8. How can I do it?

9. Here’s one way…

10. Unicorn free zone

11. Focus on incremental data points

12. Start, fund, sell, repeat

13. Pick a universal problem

14. JUST SAY NO
Consumer Internet Business Software
E-Commerce

15. Avoid first world problems

16. Work with experienced investors

17. No exits = Not helpful

18. Get Help

19. Hire non-founder execs

20. Establish a global footprint

21. 4 steps
• Pick a problem that is universal.
• Take outside capital that has experience.
• Recruit experienced management to take you
across the finish line.
• Establish global footprint, de-risk geographic
perception.

22. a blueprint for emerging markets
*
* for added fun, try
identifying the problem
before starting a company
Start
Company
Identify Universal
Problem
Add Experienced
Investors
Establish global
presence
Hire non-founder
execs
Exit Big
Success
Success
A
A
A
Y N
Y
N

23. There are lots of ways to do this