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September Box
Wait, you should pay up on a deal? + September box brands
Welcome to our 162 new subscribers since our last newsletter. I'll keep this fun, light, and informative. Did a friend forward you this? Subscribe here.
Kumusta! (βHiβ in Tagalog)
Welcome back. Letβs jump in.
Funding Announcement π€
Congrats to Sea Monsters on raising $30,000 from a FirstLook investor! This team is highly talented, and the product tastes great. I am 100% getting this for my kids, itβs a way healthier snacking option.
Join The Rocket Ship That Inspired SpaceXβ
FirstLook is hiring a Social Media and Marketing Intern. Iβm looking for an absolute killer. An βA-Playerβ that wants to use FirstLook to springboard their career into Venture Capital. This is a paid role with a stupid dumb big amount of room to grow.
Wow, the response I got from our last newsletter unpacking the pitfalls of investing in hot deals was incredible. Apparently fighting for the 99.9% of founders struck an emotional chord. Whoβd a thought?!
I had such a good time unpacking the contrarian bets of Siete, Liquid IV, and Halo Top that I think Iβll make that a more regular segment. Who should I do next, AG1?
A quick note- contrarian investments can later become hot deals. Liquid IV started out contrarian, but later rounds turned into what the industry calls βparty rounds.β Everyone starts jumping in including celebs and athletes which is usually a signal itβs a party round. Unclear whether the risk was worth the ROI in that round. Nevertheless, a return is a return and we should all be happy when a consumer brand exits.
Are There Times We Should Pay Up?
There is an argument to be made for when investors should in fact pay up on a hot deal. The debate is fascinating, and is as old as time. Itβs one of Harry Stebbings favorite questions on the 20VC podcast. He even created an entire episode on it. Letβs break this down, and then Iβll give you my opinion in relation to consumer goods (CG) investing.
There are primarily two camps here, the 'Yes, pay upβ types and the βNo, not worth itβ folks. Then one subgroup weβll call the βIβm paying up?β people.
There are also a lot of nuances to consider here. For the sake of keeping this newsletter short and sweet just like you asked, Iβll try to distill things down.
The βNo, Not Worth Itβ Crowd
These investors are very price discipline, and tend to skew later stage. If a valuation is too high, even if itβs a great opportunity, they pass. They are very numbers driven and feel the risk isnβt worth the potential ROI.
Their math is largely drive by them underwriting to what they believe the investment outcome will be, coupled with the fact that many startups who appear to be great still go on to fail or not reach pinnacle success. For VC firms, they only have so many shots on goal, and so itβs not worth taking the shot as the math doesnβt math in relation to their portfolio construction strategy.
Overall Iβd say these folks are so numbers driven that they approach venture investesting as more of a science than an art, and they donβt succumb FOMO. From everything Iβve gathered over the years, this group is the minority.
βEveryone who says price doesn't matter hasn't been around long enough to experience that it does matter.β
The βYes Pay Upβ Crowd
This group is driven by all the exceptions on why to pay up. This makes sense given how the VC power law works, and essentially every massive winner seems to be⦠an exception or outlier.
The most common argument is that massive winners essentially blow the doors off so much that it doesnβt matter if you overpaid to get in. Whether you got a 2000x return instead of a 3000x return, who gives a sh!t, youβre rich! This pic from a recent Rex Woodbury post is a fun reminder, and this is only just a few recent consumer tech IPOs:
They key argument for the βYes Pay Upβ crowd is that VC is an outlier business, and the βNo Not Worth Itβ crowd is failing to underwrite just how massive some exits can become.
All that said, the βYesβ crowd typically only pays up when they believe there is a strong reason or exception to pay up. Otherwise most investors follow discipline strategies where they regularly pass on hot deals with inflated valuations.
To all the anti-pay up folks whoβve made it this far and still think you should never pay upβ¦here is a quantitative analysis of why you should. I shared this with a very price sensitive angel onceβ¦they got so fired up π¬
The βIβm Paying Up?β Crowd
These can be new investors who donβt quite have their valuation compass calibrated yet. They get lucky enough to see a hot deal, feel an overwhelming sense of excitement because it has many great signals, the cap table or current round is plentiful, and thus FOMO sets in.
This doesnβt happen to just new investors either. It can sometimes be the majority of investors. 2021 and 2022 are years where valuations went bonkers, but folks kept paying up! Why? Because everyone was doing it, and so it felt normal, and fireworks were exploding all over, and it was just a wild time to be investing. All this culminates into BUBBLES (like whatβs happening in AI right now).
Hindsight is always 20/20. It can be tough to reel in emotions during bubble times. When an investment later goes bust, wise investors realize their mistakes. Amatures, meanwhile, chalk it up as a fluke. βSo many others jumped in, and thereβs no way all of us could have been wrong? Right? Right?!β WRONG. It was a hot deal, and folks didnβt take the time to ask themselves if it was the right one to pay up on.
βWhenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it is time to pause and reflectβ β
So How Should You Play Your Cards?
If youβre going to pay up, there are a few key things to consider:
First, does the startup play in a very large market? If theyβre in a small market, it becomes quite difficult to have a blow-the-doors-off sized exit. The startup must capture an excessively large part of the market, and the nature of capitalism makes that difficult to achieve.
Second, ask why the price is high. Is it because of the current cycle/bubble of the market, because other smart investors maybe see something special, or because the other investors are big dogs like a16z or Insight who can overpay because theyβre playing a different game?
Lastly, and maybe most importantly, are the founders a once-in-a-generation type? Do we have another Zuck or Jeffy Bezos on our hands? Is this founder borderline delusional, but in a good way like AirBnBβs Chesky? Are they a ruthless killer like Uberβs Kalanick? The only way to find that out for yourself is to meet them.
Itβs funny how literally everything about venture investing ALWAYS comes back to meeting and investing in exceptional founders. If this meme makes you feel frustrated, itβs because youβre in the middle π
Paying Up in Consumer Goods Investing
FirstLook is your #1 destination for consumer goods investing, so letβs cover our world.
In my opinion, itβs rarely wise to pay up in CG like it can be in tech. Exits here can be wicked massive, but typically have easier outcomes to predict versus tech. If you start a new mac & cheese brand, itβs unlikely there will be a big enough shift in consumer behavior where mac & cheese magically becomes a way bigger deal.
The only exception here is whether the odds of an exit are substantially stronger. Then the risk-to-reward ratio remains neutral. Otherwise, to jump in a hot round where the odds of an exit arenβt that much more likely is just a poor investment imo.
There are exceptions though, and when I would in fact consider paying upβ¦
New Category - are they creating a total new category where itβs relatively unknown how many people will become customers? Ex: Oatly ($10B), Vital Proteins ($1B)
Breakthrough - Has there been a breakthrough in production, technology, or a business model that will become a big unlock? Ex: Hims & Hers ($1.6B), Dollar Shave Club ($1B), Warby Parker ($6B), Allbirds ($2.2B at IPO), Juul ($12B)
Tech Mixed In - Is there a tech aspect mixed into the product? Ex: Oura Ring ($5B val), Ring ($1B), Nest ($3.2B)
Complete Overhaul - Is the startup completely overhauling a quiet or boring category? Ex: Beats by Dre ($3B), Figs ($4.4B), Away ($1.45B), Yeti ($1.6B)
βBrandβ - Is the startup creating a true βbrandβ that can transcend categories and thus expand the types of products they sell? Ex. Supreme ($2.1B), Glossier ($1B+), RedBull ($19B)
Founder - is the founder truly remarkable? Ex. Liquid Death ($1.4B), Oculus VR ($2B)
In Conclusion
For early-stage investing, there are instances where it may make sense to pay up. If you feel there is a generational exit potential, then sometimes it makes sense to jump in even if the round is a little hot and pricey.
What is NOT worth investing in is a pricey deal that is simply pricey because itβs hot and driven by FOMO. Pause and ask yourself why that price is high, and why folks are jumping in.
Paying up in consumer is a harder sell given outcomes are traditionally easier to predict. Amazing outcomes do happen though, and that largely stems from meeting and investing in incredible founders with big visions!
And to officially wrap up, here is Nick Woodmanβs favorite VC scoreboard:
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Founder Pro Tip of the Month π‘
Founders, for the love of sanity, please stop with the unnecessarily high valuations. Iβm begging you. Hereβs why itβs a bad idea despite your desperation to hold onto more equity:
It makes investors think youβre not serious. Investors will invest in crazy, but then you and your vision must be crazy. Otherwise if you have a high valuation and they canβt smell crazy anywhere, then youβre simply βnot a serious person.β - Logan Roy
The ROI to risk ratio is off. Investors will experience dilution in subsequent rounds, which kills their ROI. Starting out with a high valuation already puts them behind the 8-ball, and they then consider risk more serious.
You create an unnecessarily high bar for what you must grow into. Founders should always aim to double their previous valuation. If your starting number is high, the magic of doubling creates a very difficult road ahead.
THE MOST IMPORTANT REASON - a high valuation means it will take you longer to raise, which means it will take longer to get back to building, which means it will take you longer to exit! This compounds with each round. Please re-read that again.
I get it, you want to become rich. I feel you. But trust me, basic math and father time are not on your side. I will dedicate an entire newsletter to this soon as itβs worth unpacking with numbers and examples.
Did a friend forward you this and now you want to join?
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August Box Brands πββ
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allyoos
Founded by Samantha Denis |βββ πNYC - Shop / Instagram / Linkedin / Launch Video
How We Met Them: Via our bff Ally Case!
One Liner βοΈ β We are the Sunday dinner of clean hair care.
Discount Code: Use βFirstLookβ to get 20% off sitewide
βββββββWhat made them stand out: Sam spent 18 years as a stylist and colorist and 5 years on the Product Development team at Bumble and Bumble. Her skill set is diverse which is helpful in the early days of building a brand where founders have to do a lot with a little. allyoos products are made with clean ingredients for multiple hair types, and for under $30, which makes it accessible for mass market. Lastly, Sam has a knack for striking strong partnerships such as launching in Rumble Boxing studios, and key activations including events at Soul Cycle, The Well, Gurney's Montauk, TEREZ x TORCHD, SWOON, Little Words Project, and Beyond Yoga among others. Iβm excited to see where this brand goes.
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Ashunta Sheriff Beauty
Founded by Ashunta Sheriff-Kendricks |βββββ βββββπNYC - Shop / Instagram / TikTok / Linkedin / Founder Video
How We Met Them: Via their signup on the FirstLook.vc
One Liner βοΈ β Empowering Ageless Beauty with Inclusive, Innovative, and Life-Proof Essentials.
Discount Code: Use ILOVEFIRSTLOOKVC20 for 25% off sitewide
What made them stand out: Ashunta is the real deal in the celebrity makeup world having worked with countless A-List celebs like Alicia Keys, Rhianna, Zendaya, Kim K, and so many others. Her deep connections create a great marketing and endorsement opportunity. Itβs also a common theme for successful makeup brands to be founded by celebrity makeup artists and later get acquired. Celebs look beautiful and thus consumers want to know how they get that look. Examples include Pat McGrath Labs ($2.2B), Charlotte Tilbury Cosmetics ($1.2B), Laura Mercier ($700M), Million IT Cosmetics ($1.2B) and Too Faced Cosmetics ($1.45B). All this is to say Ashunta is in a very advantageous spot to build the next big celebrity makeup artist driven brand. Very few folks hold this position which is ultimately her strong moat.
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BΔKIT Box
Founded by Shelley Gupta |βββββ βββββπChicago β Shop / Instagram / TikTok / Linkedin
How We Met Them: Via their signup on the FirstLook.vc
One Liner βοΈ β STEM-based baking activity kits for kids
Discount Code: Use βILOVEFIRSTLOOKβ for 20% off sitewide
What made them stand out: I love BΔKIT Box. Itβs exactly what parents desperately need right now. Having recently become a father, I can tell you my little boy is already captivated with screens. All parents reading this are likely nodding their head right now thinking, βJust waitβ¦it gets worse!β
BΔKIT Box is the answer. They fill a unique gap in the market by combining cultural education, STEM-based learning, and baking into a family-focused experience that meets the growing demand for diverse and educational products. I love how it gets parents involved too which strengthens family bonds. I think BΔKIT Box will become one of those startups that quietly reaches $30-50M in revenue in a few years. The timing (or βWhy Nowβ) is on point, theyβre solving a real pain point, and creating a memorable experience that people naturally want to share.
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Beam
Founded by Mat Franken + Vanessa Holfert |βββββββββπPortland β Shop / Linkedin
How We Met Them: Via an intro from Sara Brooks of Goldilocks!
One Liner βοΈ β Beam is the first full spectrum buttcare brand, covering cheeks to crevice, and everything in between.
What made them stand out: I liked Beam for two main reasons. First, they are waking up a very sleepy yet quite large category that hasnβt seen much of any innovation in 2+ decades. Their use of FDA-approved OTC medicinals also creates a substantive moat against competitors. Second, cofounder Mat is quite the jockey! The past 9 years he built the natural homecare and wellness products brand Annie Fannie into a profitable 8-figure revenue/year business which has since been acquired. Safe to say he knows his stuff when it comes to brand building and navigating all the landmines in eComm + wholesale. Beam is early, but they have all the right ingredients to go the distance.
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Sea Monsters
How We Met Them: Via my friend Ankit Agarwal!
One Liner βοΈ β Seaweed snacks for kids of all ages.
What made them stand out: This product actually tastes good. Lots of BFY brands using semi-exotic ingredients always seem to miss the mark on taste which is a hard-stop on ever becoming a winner. Sea Monsters uses seaweed in their puffs which I really canβt detect when I eat it. This means their puffs are more nutrient-dense, and they align with global trends toward sustainability. On top of a great product, Jiae and John are quite the duo. Jiae's background is in technology and design having worked at the lauded design firm, Pentagram. John previously served as the creative director for PokΓ©mon and Equinox. Before starting Sea Monsters, they founded the branding studio EMEHT. All this is to say they have a very talented and balanced team which will help them do more with less. I 100% will be serving this to my son as he grows.
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Singular Care
Founded by Santiago + Ignacio |βββ ββββπNYC - Homepage / Instagram / TikTok / Youtube / Linkedin / Brand Video
How We Met Them: Via their signup on the FirstLook.vc
One Liner βοΈ β Reshaping oral care through design and sustainability
Discount Code: Use βILoveFirstLookβ for 20% off sitewide
What made them stand out: I really like the βrazor - razor bladeβ model that Singular Care has. Thatβs always an investor favorite. The product screams high quality when you hold it. Itβs actually heavier than youβd expect which comes from using really high quality materials. For the 2 minutes of brush time I actually feel like a rich person. Singular Care also does a solid for the planet. The number of PLASTIC π€’ toothbrushes throw out each year is disgusting. This brand solves that, and I was also happy to hear they have some IP around the product which creates a bit of a moat. If youβre in the need for a new toothbrush, I canβt recommend this one enough. Even the bristles part feels great on your teeth.
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Verse
Founded by Carlos Liverani + Chris Tracy + Vinny Patalano |βββ ββββπMiami - Shop / Instagram / Linkedin
How We Met Them: Via cold outreach!
One Liner βοΈ β Verse is a functional mixer beverage brand, our drinks are the fruit juices & tonics traditionally used in cocktail culture as mixers or mocktails, but healthier βzero sugar, enhanced with electrolytes, nootropics, and adaptogens so people can celebrate tomorrow's dreams.
What made them stand out: So much to love here. First, the team is stacked. Carlos, Chris, and Vinny all have specialties that create balance team to divide and conquer. Second, they made breakthroughs in formulation regarding the mechanism that ingredients are delivered and absorbed into the body. Love me some good science.
Lastly, I like their launch strategy. Theyβre going after key on-prem accounts such as clubs and bars where the influential types hang out. Think Tau in NYC, or E11EVEN in Miami. Getting the right folks to back a drink brand is crucial, but tough to achieve. Luckily this team is well connected and hustles hard. If things go according to plan, I think they will become that darling we all wish we put a small check into early. Also, how about these bottles?! Absolutely stunning.
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That's all she wrote folks. October box is next. Keep on building my friends.