📊 Valuation 101

🔔 Your campaign updates feed

• New launch: Flower Turbines is live on FrontFundr, and over $100K has already been raised! This award-winning company is revolutionizing small wind energy with its patented, bird-friendly turbines designed for urban spaces. Join the 55 investors in the clean energy movement with a minimum investment of $420 USD and be part of the future of sustainable power.

• New(-ish) launch: Stay Wyld Organics is back on the platform! Having raised $791K from 481 investors (the highest number of investors on a campaign in 2023), they are opening a new round to raise money for new production and expansion.

• Tumbler & Rocks, the brand by The Fort Distillery is making waves! From launching in Colorado and opening 45 accounts to being the exclusive in-flight cocktail provider for Porter Airlines, Fort Distillery has seen significant sales growth and further opportunities for expansion.

🔔 Alumni updates

• Container Brewing has been recognized as one of this year’s top craft breweries! Winning 5 Growlies (including best brewery in BC), they’ve been voted by the beer and cider-drinking public, making the win extra memorable. Congrats team!

• HEMPALTA just recently became one of only 200 companies in the world to earn a presentation slot at the 21st annual New York Venture Summit. As a Top Innovator recipient, CEO, Darren Bondar will be speaking!

• Ashley Paterson from Healthy Hippo reflects on the past couple of years of the business as a founder. Check out some of her key insights in her most recent post.

✍ What’s on our mind?

As students across Canada settle into the new school year, they’re encountering a significant change—cellphones are now banned in many classrooms. While the goal is clear—minimizing distractions and improving focus—this new policy is sparking debates, but for anyone who’s ever felt the pull of their smartphone while trying to concentrate.

According to child psychologist Todd Cunningham, even when phones are hidden away in backpacks, they’re still a mental distraction. Schools hope that by removing phones, students will be better able to engage, both academically and socially. Think of it as a forced “silent mode” for their brains, giving them the space to actually absorb what’s in front of them instead of what’s on their screens.

Of course, some parents aren’t thrilled. Phones are safety nets, after all—how else can you ensure your kid survived the bus ride or isn’t lost in the labyrinth of after-school plans?

But here’s the bigger picture: whether in the classroom or the boardroom, we all struggle with balancing technology and attention. This classroom experiment might just hold a lesson for the rest of us. Mastering the art of being present—without the lure of instant distractions—is a skill that’s more valuable than ever, and schools are simply at the forefront of that conversation

In the end, it’s not just about banning phones; it’s about creating room for focus, discipline, and real connections—skills that will benefit these kids long after the school bell rings.

☕ Our coffee reads

Rea is reading: and catching up on the movies and stars, like Barry Keoghan, Will Ferrell, and Jennifer Lopez, who will soon be gracing the streets of Toronto for TIFF 2024.

Trieste is reading: Nvidia’s investment in Wombo, a Toronto-based generative AI startup that might just make it easier to fool your friends into thinking you’ve actually met those stars at TIFF 2024.

Jyoti is reading: and planning a trip to Montreal to check out the Royalmount Mall, aka the largest project of its kind in Canadian history.

🧠 Brain dump

Investing in startups can be thrilling but how do you know if you're making a smart choice? It all starts with understanding startup valuation. Our latest blog post, "Understanding Startup Valuation: How to Assess a Startup’s Value," breaks down some of the essentials you need to make informed decisions.

Why is valuation so crucial? Think of it as the price tag on a startup’s potential future success. A solid valuation helps you determine if the equity stake you're buying is worth the investment. The article guides you through simple yet powerful valuation methods like Discounted Cash Flow (DCF), Market Multiple Approach, and Scorecard Valuation, tailored for both revenue-generating startups and those still in the early stages.

But it’s not all about the numbers. Elements like evaluating the team, market potential, and assets like intellectual property, are all key factors when deciding where to put your investment dollars. Plus, it highlights how platforms like FrontFundr provide transparency and market validation, making your investment journey smoother.

Dive into the full article to equip yourself with the tools to assess any startup's value confidently and make your next investment smart!

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