The State of Venture Funding in 2023 with OMERS Ventures

In this episode of The Role Forward, Joe Michalowski hosts a deep dive into the world of venture funding. The guests — Joe Garafalo, Marissa Moore, and Eugene Lee — share their insights and experiences.

The conversation revolves around the importance of good financial modeling practices, the current state of venture funding, and the future outlook. The guests also discuss the importance of understanding the customer base, assessing risks, and the role of metrics in investor conversations.

The episode concludes with advice for companies planning to raise funds in the future. The key takeaways include the need to build relationships with investors, the importance of adaptability, and the value of clearly understanding future expectations. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in venture funding and financial modeling.

Guests-at-a-Glance
💡 Names:  Joe Garafalo / Marissa Moore / Eugene Lee

💡What they do: Co-Founder and COO / Investor / Principal

💡Company: Mosaic / OMERS Ventures / OMERS Ventures

💡Noteworthy: Joe is a seasoned entrepreneur with a strong background in strategic finance. He's known for his deep understanding of financial modeling and venture funding. Marissa is a self-proclaimed numbers nerd with a passion for financial models. She started her career on Wall Street and has since worked in equity research and private market research. She's known for her project, the Green Room, a platform for founders to practice their pitches in front of real VC investors. Eugene started his career in M&A banking and has since worked in various roles in startups, including being part of two founding teams. He's known for his expertise in analyzing key drivers and metrics to help scale businesses.

💡 Where to find them: 

• Joe: LinkedIn
• Marissa: LinkedIn (and check out The Green Room, a safe space for founders to practice their pitch, risk free, in front of current investors and subject matter experts. 
• Eugene: LinkedIn