tectalks | miguel & uniplaces - things i learnt along the way

Thanks. But who am I?

Miguel…

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Equipa > Ideia(s) > Startup Portugal à América do Sul

UniPlaces will become the dominant property portal for accommodation in university cities.

Our vision involves building a strong brand in the university communities together with a strong technological platform, whilst raising quality & safety

standards in all markets we operate in.

Founding Team Ambitious. International. Diverse.

Mariano Kostelec (ARG)

Ben Grech (ENG)

Miguel Santo Amaro (PT)

Leo Lara (ES)

International team with strong technical and commercial experience Fluent in 5 languages, work experience with leading firms in Europe, Asia & North America, exceptional educational history

Prototype Value for all users – Lean Startup Model

Students

Property Managers

Universities

Solution Real search. Scalability.

Students

Property Managers

Universities

Technology Search accommodation near your university or faculty

Portugal, Spain, Brazil, Chile, Argentina

International Markets & Expansion

11.2m Students in our target markets

23%+ Students seek privately rented accommodation

265k+ Intl. students, quickly growing

610k+ Student homes

Selling synergistic products & services

Transaction commissions  

Future Growth Adjacent opportunities

Bootstrapping (Lean)

November Now

Gained over 4,500 property listings

25 exclusive partnerships

Proof of concept revenue from early users

Launched new platform

Closing seed Round $$$

South American launch in Chile

Established in-house product development team

The Vision International. Ambitious

Business Plan The Template: www.sequoiacap.com/ideas

A lot of precise info. Few words. 15-20 slides.

Business Plan But…

Biggest Challenge? Financing. Recruiting. Expanding. Business. Tech. Marketing. Pricing / Rev. Location. Funding

Location Does it matter?

Why starting in Lisbon? The most common question among VCs, friends, employees, etc.

Why not?

Starting your own business or

joining an established company?

Is it a good idea?

1.  +$1 billion addressable market 2.  Valid business model

3. <$2 million in seed / $15 million series A 4. Top player: geography, segment.

5. Scalable 6. No risk of disintermediation

7. Rapid growth market 8. You know how to execute

9. An idea that I like and want to do

Bootstrapping Competitions

Raising Too many myths.

Are there business angels in Portugal?

Smart Money

BA / VC / PE

54  “En'dades  Veículo”:  €42  million.    

Term Sheets

LOI

Is it the right time?

QREN?

Speak to them all at once? Should I approach them?

Valuation?

Location? International? Syndicated Investment

Shareholders Agreement

Reverse Vesting Preference Stock

Leaver Clause

Exclusivity

SA or LDA

The Nine Stepts to the Epiphany

1.   Team  2.   Market  

3.   Prototype  4.   Full-­‐'me  

5.   Advisory  Board  6.   Iterate  (Be  humble.  Listen  to  the  market)  

7.   Prove  the  model  8.   Scale  

9.   Enjoy  the  ride.  It  should  be  fun!  

Read! Free advice.

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Startup Heroes Celebrate Success. Role models in Portugal.

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“Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it.”

-Goethe

miguel.santo.amaro