Startup IQ

Revenue & Business Models with Founder Institute Caribbean Recap "Investors don't invest in products — they invest in scalable businesses with clear paths to revenue and sustainable unit economics." Key takeaways → Incorporate quantitative metrics to strengthen pitches and create urgency → Map the value chain to identify who controls budgets and purchasing decisions → Start investor updates early with traction metrics and growth insights → Avoid premature scaling and feature-focused pitches — solve pain, don't list features 🎤 Featured Presenters: Mollie Jahner – CEO, Spring & Forge, took founders through her three-stage GTM framework (build, grow, scale), emphasizing early customer conversations, understanding the value chain, and leveraging non-dilutive funding like government grants. Her key insight? "Execution beats ideas — 90% of startups fail, and only 2% secure funding. Focus on who benefits, who controls the budget, and who will actually pay." Bogdan S. S. – Principal, Startup IQ, delivered a masterclass on business model fundamentals, breaking down 12 revenue models from subscriptions and marketplace commissions to data insights and platform ecosystems. His message was clear: "Investors prioritize market size, business model, traction, and financials over the product itself. Build a full business, not just a product." 💡 Other mentors that provided feedback and insights: 🔹 Neil Sumaru – Blockchain, AI & Finance Specialist, Levuka Venture Lab🔹 Zahra Henry MSc., PG Dip., BA Hons. – Talent & Business Coach (Kingston)🔹 Johnathan Franklyn – Chief Investment Officer, Njord Investments Ltd 🔹 Kurtis Rudd – CEO, KReative Branding Solutions 🔹 Robert Paty – Retired Executive, Nestlé 🔹 Clement Johnson – Head of Growth, SixBerries 🔹 Shaaf Farooq – Founder, Health Tech Incubator (Canada) 🔹 Jean-Marc Holder – International Expansion & GTM Strategy (Paris) 🔥 Hotseat Founders brought the energy and ambition of our region: Darren T. 🇺🇸 – Boriken Futuro (community-owned solar microgrids cutting Puerto Rico energy costs by 40%) • Sam A. Carter, Ph.D. 🇨🇼 – Access 11 (digital accessibility consultancy serving an underserved Caribbean market) • Jasmine Greene 🇧🇧 – Studucate Inc. (AI-powered study companion using mastery-based learning for Caribbean students) • Silvia Guzmán 🇩🇴 – Mom's New Face (AI-driven support for mothers through pregnancy and early childhood) Each founder received targeted feedback on quantifying impact, clarifying market positioning, differentiating in competitive spaces, and structuring revenue models that scale. To all mentors and founders: thank you for showing up with insight, strategy, and determination. #FounderInstitute #FICaribbean #RevenueModels #BusinessModels #StartupMentorship #Entrepreneurship #CaribbeanTech #FIWorldwide

You might be surprised to learn that the single biggest Responsible AI miss I've seen is simply a lack of asking the right questions. I get it. We're in a hurry to deliver. As a result, we sometimes go with our first idea and quickly begin to code and iterate. When I facilitate cross-functional teams to explore our desired product goals, user needs, and AI risk profiles, I consistently hear, "I never thought about that." I know everyone is trying their best, and that a simple question can open the door to new, more humane and ethical ways forward. That's why an article I saved a while ago from MIT Sloan Management grabbed my attention: "Ethics as Conversation: A Process for Progress." (Link in comments.) In it, they ask 7 questions that I included in the doc below. I added my commentary and advice on how to tie them into product decisions. I can pretty much guarantee that asking even one of these questions of your team will yield needed critical thinking and new ways to innovate while benefitting people. Let me know what you think! What questions do you like best? What ethics questions have worked well to spark action? How have you acted on the answers?