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Social Leverage Letter | Issue #52
Sequel Series A, Embracing a 4-Day Workweek, Building Dyson, and Marketing Secrets
Pete Weishaupt
August 28, 2022
A weekly newsletter for early-stage seed startups and investors.
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UPFRONT
Social Leverage portfolio company Sequel (Fund III) just raised an $8M Series A round in what’s been a particularly difficult year for fundraising.
Sequel’s low-code and no-code options allow companies to host virtual events on their own websites without having to outsource to other platforms; companies retain customers on their own platforms, which maximizes engagement. In addition, Sequel offers solutions for companies to hold short-term, recurring virtual events that can increase community engagement.
The Series A round was led by Javelin Venture Partners with additional backing from Struck Capital, Social Leverage, and Alumni Ventures. Last year, Sequel raised $2.7M bringing total funding to $10.7M. The new funds will let Sequel expand geographically and focus on customer success. You can read more on Business Insider.
READING
Embracing a 4-Day Workweek
The on again, off again push for a 4-day work week has a slim chance of becoming the standard, even after the pandemic. But the demands for flexibility in work-life balance continue from younger generations rejecting the live-to-work ethos of previous generations.
"Work will fill the space you give to it. My bet is that we’re going to become vastly more efficient from Monday to Thursday.” ~ Ryan Breslow
Write Like Seth
“If you can’t state your position in eight words, you don’t have a position.”
WHAT ELSE WE'RE READING
Here are some other stories that caught our eye over the past week.
Web3 Is Here To Stay, And The Fashion And Luxury Market Is Going All In
LISTENING
How James Dyson Built This
In 1979, James Dyson had an idea for a new vacuum cleaner — one that didn't use bags. It took him five years to perfect the design, building more than 5,000 prototypes in his backyard shed. He then tried to convince the big vacuum brands to license his invention, but most wouldn't even take his calls. Eventually, he started his own company. Today, Dyson is one of the best-selling vacuum brands in the world.
WATCHING
Marketing Secrets
Ogilvy's Vice-Chairman and behavior economics genius Rory Sutherland discusses how we value things, why technology is making geography irrelevant, and personal branding.
DEAL FLOW
The latest venture funding from around the globe:
Upkid raises $1.7M pre-seed round to attack the labor shortage
'Buy to earn' fintech Hello Clever bags $4.5M seed round
AI and Neuroscience Startup Neurons Raises a $6M Seed Round
Inworld AI Closes $50M Series A to Populate Video Games and the Metaverse
WEB3 ROUNDUP
News on blockchain/web3:
Metaverse promises: Future of Web3 or just a market gimmick?
How Web3 Can Change Hollywood: Decentralized Pictures CEO
How blockchain technology is changing the way people invest
Reddit's CEO explains why he's still big on the blockchain
JOB BOARD
Explore openings at our portfolio companies:
Check out all of our portfolio companies at Social Leverage.
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Affiliate Disclosure: Social Leverage Group, LLC ("SLG"), Social Leverage Capital Fund I, LP ("SLC"), Social Leverage Capital Fund II, LP ("SLCII"), Social Leverage Capital Fund III, LP ("SLCIII") and Social Leverage Capital Fund IV, LP ("SLCIV") are all distinct entities from Social Leverage, LLC ("SL"). Social Leverage is not a registered investment advisor. SLC, SLCII, SLCIII, SLCIV, SLG and SL have used the logo and branding of Social Leverage with the permission of Social Leverage Group, LLC.