TechCrunch+ Roundup: Growth Activation Metrics, 3 Keys To Series B, Pitch Deck Teardown

In a recent TC+ post, development expert Jonathan Martinez discusses the harsh realities of user acquisition. The reality is that few people are motivated enough to go through the registration process that creates any value.

"95.87% of iOS users quit after 30 days," Martinez wrote. "As a startup founder, how do you avoid leverage by committing significant resources to getting people on top of the fund?"

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To begin, the product team must determine the best activation metrics that identify the right users, find them useful, and are satisfied with their offerings.

"This could be the number of minutes the platform has been used, the number of messages the user has sent, the number of people the user has followed, the number of times the user has customized their avatar, or anything that indicates how the user finds value in your product".

Investors I've talked to recently are still open to great ideas, but they feel more confident when they come from founders who are working on product-market fit.

Small tweaks like changing the login process or changing the lifecycle email can help close the next round.

Thanks for reading

Walter Thompson, Editorial Manager, TechCrunch+@yourstar

3 Investors explain why startups with access to the revenue list are ready to pay extra checks

Image credit: Liya Galimzyanova (opens in a new window) / Getty Images

Workers in low-wage jobs face cash flow problems.

With too little credit or savings, more and more people are turning to once predatory lenders to access their past wages through the Earned Wages Access (EWA).

"The potential for this model is huge, but the industry is still in its infancy," reports Karan Bhasin, who interviewed three active EWA investors to learn more about where the industry is headed.

The story continues

Jennifer Ho, Partner, Integra Partner

Aris Xenofontos, partner at Seya Ventures

Aditi Maliwal, Partner at Upfront Ventures

Dear Sophie! Is there any way to continue working in the US after my J-1 visa expires?

Image credit: Bryce Durbin/TechCrunch

Dear Sophie,

I am a Fulbright Scholar on a J-1 visa. After I finished my J-1, I was told I would have to come home for two years.

Is there any way for me to live in the United States? Can I apply for a green card or Form O-1A even if I have to go back to my country?

- Do you want to stay?

Taking Series B Seriously: 3 Documents That Help Founders Control the Narrative

Image credit: davidf (opens in new window) / Getty Images

Investors with an entrepreneurial background have a unique understanding of the fundraising process, which is why we have two posts from Gaetano Cruppi, partner at venture capital firm Prime Movers Lab.

Kruppy spent the pandemic backing Series B startups, which is why he shares articles explaining how strategy analytics, pitching platforms, and predictive models work to guide investors through due diligence.

"It's a great way to control the narrative and make sure the other side gets what they mean."

Launchpad Teardown: $9.8M Series A Platform Helu.io

Image credit: Helu (opens in new window)

Helping SMEs with tracking, reporting and budgeting might sound daunting, but the storytelling capabilities of Austrian fintech startup Helu.io enticed investors to raise a $9.8 million Series A in July.

Except for some details related to the division's economy and revenue, Helu shared their overall victory speech. As this slide shows, the founders took a hands-on approach:

START UP: Edith Yeung, Seed Capital + Laela Kokoh, Capital G