Latest news with #Kunst
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Angel investor explains why it's hard — but not impossible — for startups to get funding right now
Listen and subscribe to Financial Freestyle on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you find your favorite podcasts. Obtaining funding for a growing business during times of economic uncertainty can be particularly difficult, one angel fund investor said. But despite the current market climate, it's not impossible if you take the right steps. "What [macro uncertainty] typically means is when the stock market's not doing super well, you are likely to have fewer new companies," angel fund investor and entrepreneur Sarah Kunst explained on Yahoo Finance's Financial Freestyle podcast (see video above or listen below). "And then because of that, it means that venture investors, like me, we're not getting those early investment dollars back, because we tend to get them back when companies get acquired through an M&A process, which has also been slower." This embedded content is not available in your region. Budding entrepreneurs can still obtain capital from angel investors like Kunst, but they will want to ensure their business plans are ironclad. For starters, it's important for entrepreneurs to know the growth potential of the sectors they're in. Kunst said she's keeping a close eye on the cybersecurity sector for potential new investments. If the market isn't large enough for your business to grow into and make immense profits, then it'll be harder to secure investment. "What it's a lot easier to do is to be a billion-dollar company in a trillion-dollar space, because that means you're still a big company," Kunst explained. "I, as an investor, might be investing at a $2 [million] or $5 [million] or whatever million valuation, but I can still make a ton of money because I can see a path where you can sort of mess up everything, hit lots of bad luck, and still become that billion-dollar company." Angel investors are also looking for an explanation of why you are the best person to found and run the company. Without experience in your given field to back up your idea, it may be harder to secure investors. When being pitched, Kunst said she wants entrepreneurs to be able to tell her about the knock-on effects, the problem they're solving, and the consumer base that will pay for their idea. Furthermore, she said, she wants entrepreneurs to tell her, "Here's why I'm a good fit for it. I've worked in this space for five years." "You typically see people have either education, lived experience, or professional experience in a space," she added. Ultimately, Kunst acknowledged that the current market situation is not ideal for investors to sign on to new ideas. Because of the consistent market fluctuations, Kunst said there's "less money to deploy and to invest in new companies," which will ultimately hurt an entrepreneur's chances. "Compared to what was happening a handful of years ago in terms of fundraising velocity for funds, there's a lot less money," she said. "And so because of that, it definitely has slowed down overall the speed at which most venture investors are writing checks." Every Monday, Financial Freestyle host Ross Mac talks with key guests to discuss their wealth-building journeys and what it takes to build a lasting financial footprint. You can find more episodes on our video hub or watch on your preferred streaming service.
Yahoo
28-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Angel investor explains why it's hard — but not impossible — for startups to get funding right now
Listen and subscribe to Financial Freestyle on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you find your favorite podcasts. Obtaining funding for a growing business during times of economic uncertainty can be particularly difficult, one angel fund investor said. But despite the current market climate, it's not impossible if you take the right steps. "What [macro uncertainty] typically means is when the stock market's not doing super well, you are likely to have fewer new companies," angel fund investor and entrepreneur Sarah Kunst explained on Yahoo Finance's Financial Freestyle podcast (see video above or listen below). "And then because of that, it means that venture investors, like me, we're not getting those early investment dollars back, because we tend to get them back when companies get acquired through an M&A process, which has also been slower." This embedded content is not available in your region. Budding entrepreneurs can still obtain capital from angel investors like Kunst, but they will want to ensure their business plans are ironclad. For starters, it's important for entrepreneurs to know the growth potential of the sectors they're in. Kunst said she's keeping a close eye on the cybersecurity sector for potential new investments. If the market isn't large enough for your business to grow into and make immense profits, then it'll be harder to secure investment. "What it's a lot easier to do is to be a billion-dollar company in a trillion-dollar space, because that means you're still a big company," Kunst explained. "I, as an investor, might be investing at a $2 [million] or $5 [million] or whatever million valuation, but I can still make a ton of money because I can see a path where you can sort of mess up everything, hit lots of bad luck, and still become that billion-dollar company." Angel investors are also looking for an explanation of why you are the best person to found and run the company. Without experience in your given field to back up your idea, it may be harder to secure investors. When being pitched, Kunst said she wants entrepreneurs to be able to tell her about the knock-on effects, the problem they're solving, and the consumer base that will pay for their idea. Furthermore, she said, she wants entrepreneurs to tell her, "Here's why I'm a good fit for it. I've worked in this space for five years." "You typically see people have either education, lived experience, or professional experience in a space," she added. Ultimately, Kunst acknowledged that the current market situation is not ideal for investors to sign on to new ideas. Because of the consistent market fluctuations, Kunst said there's "less money to deploy and to invest in new companies," which will ultimately hurt an entrepreneur's chances. "Compared to what was happening a handful of years ago in terms of fundraising velocity for funds, there's a lot less money," she said. "And so because of that, it definitely has slowed down overall the speed at which most venture investors are writing checks." Every Monday, Financial Freestyle host Ross Mac talks with key guests to discuss their wealth-building journeys and what it takes to build a lasting financial footprint. You can find more episodes on our video hub or watch on your preferred streaming service. Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
04-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
The Inner Circle acknowledges, Greg Kunst as a Pinnacle Professional Member Inner Circle of Excellence
SEATTLE, April 4, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Prominently featured in The Inner Circle, Greg Kunst is acknowledged as a Pinnacle Professional Member Inner Circle of Excellence for his contributions in the Biotech Industry. Greg Kunst stands at the forefront of the biotech industry, with over two decades of experience driving innovation and impactful advancements in patient care and global health. Currently serving as the president, chief executive officer, and board member at Aurion Biotech since 2021, Mr. Kunst has solidified his reputation as a leader in the field. In addition to his role at Aurion Biotech, Mr. Kunst serves on the board of Pr3vent INC since 2023 and acts as a strategic advisor at Oculogica since 2019. His strategic insights and visionary leadership have played a pivotal role in shaping the direction and success of these organizations. Mr. Kunst's educational background includes a Bachelor of Science in economics from Brigham Young University in 2002 and a Master of Business Administration in general management and strategy from Vanderbilt University Owen Graduate School of Management in 2006. He has also completed prestigious programs such as the Novartis Advance Program in Strategy and Communications at The Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth in 2014 and the M2 Leadership Program on the role of the leader at Novartis in 2013. Throughout his career, Mr. Kunst has achieved numerous accomplishments, including raising $132 million for Aurion Biotech over the last three years. He played a pivotal role in expanding Glaukos Corporation's revenue from zero to $300 million and expanding its presence to more than 20 countries. Currently, Mr. Kunst is focused on developing a new cell therapy to combat corneal blindness worldwide, demonstrating his commitment to driving impactful advancements in patient care. With affiliations in esteemed organizations such as Ophthalmic World Leaders and the American-European Congress of Ophthalmic Surgery, Mr. Kunst reflects a dedication to both professional excellence and personal fulfillment. His track record of leadership and innovation has earned him honors and awards, further solidifying his position as a visionary leader in the biotech industry. Looking ahead, Mr. Kunst is poised for continued growth and success, driving impactful advancements in patient care and global health within the biotech industry. His unwavering commitment to innovation and excellence continues to shape the future of healthcare for generations to come. Contact: Katherine Green, 516-825-5634, editorialteam@ View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE The Inner Circle Sign in to access your portfolio
