Messaging startup SendHub continues to make news with the launch of its much-anticipated iPhone app today. The mobile app will allow businesses and individuals to access features offered on the web platform such as sending messages to large groups and adding contacts, among other elements.
Garrett Johnson, co-founder of SendHub, aimed to create a service that made it easier for businesses, educators, healthcare workers and virtually anyone to send texts to individuals and groups of any size. Well, he certainly has. At least that’s what his investors think. SendHub recently announced it scored $2 million in seed funding from venture capital heavy hitters like Kapor Capital and Menlo Ventures, among other public and private investors.
At the grassroots level of any startup, the top question posed is: What problem does my idea solve? For Johnson, the problem was, “How can teachers better communicate with students and parents?” His initial solution was to build a quick and easy-to-use text message-based communication system. (What kid do you know that can’t text?)
Using SendHub is as simple as creating a message, picking a free phone number, and sending out a text blast. Let’s say a high-school teacher wants to keep her students up to date on ACT/SAT testing dates, and college application/scholarship deadlines. The teacher can create a SendHub account, choose a local number, and send out the text messages via web interface or their phone to remind students (and parents) of the important dates.
Recipients can reply with a keyword to “opt-in” and receive future messages. The value add for the recipient is receiving up-to-the-second updates on their phone only from sources they approve. The sender can quickly build a contact/customer database without collecting emails, Twitter handles, or Facebook usernames.
While SendHub is a free service for users sending up
to 1,000 messages/month, paid plans with unlimited messaging start at $10/month. The service gained popularity when its simple yet effective communications platform transcended socio-economic barriers. (What person do you know without a phone?)Not to mention that SendHub didn’t have a huge launch or marketing blitz. Instead, the startup began small, but quickly grew to over a couple hundred paid users, who as of February sent close to 30,000 messages per month. That growth attracted the attention of the startup crowd. “Investors will be hesitant to give you funding if they don’t have some type of indication that they are going to get a return,” says Johnson.
Click here to see Johnson’s tips for raising venture capital funding…
Every upstart wants to know how they can raise money for their venture. Johnson offers three tips for catching the attention of VCs and gaining monetary support:
There is strength in numbers. At the seed stage, angel investors focus a great deal on your team. “[Investors] are betting on your ability to execute and succeed against the odds, as most startups will inevitably fail,” explains Johnson.
Have a great product. “A common phrase in the area is ‘code wins arguments,’†says the startup’s co-founder. “Having an amazing product–a truly amazing product–will get you attention. Build something people love, and you’ll become attractive really fast.â€
Show your social proof. Demonstrate social proof before approaching investors is critical. Having lots of users is great, but having lots of revenue is even better. “Lean Startup guru, Eric Ries, is one of SendHub’s investors/advisors now, but told us ‘no’ months ago because we didn’t have the ‘social proof,’ says Johnson. “We explained our ideas and assumptions. He simply replied, ‘That’s great, but I don’t believe you. Show me some numbers.’â€