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Open Core Ventures Handbook/🌱Pre-Seed (First 18-24 Months)

Pre-Seed (First 18-24 Months)

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OCV’s coverage areas will evolve based on business needs and staffing capacity. This outline is subject to frequent updates.
 
Generally, milestones associated with the commercialization of the business are by phase: Pre-CEO and Post-CEO.
Before a CEO is appointed, OCV generally helps founders drive on commercialization strategy towards the following associated milestones, all of which will be iterated upon heavily.
  • Feature Set
  • Development Roadmap
  • Initial Acquisition of Customers
Once a CEO is appointed, they will take responsibility for driving an evolving commercialization strategy, grow customers, and establish product-market fit. OCV will support and help navigate pivots.

Pre-CEO

  1. Manage a process around HR functions and work with external HR teams to:
    1. Administer payroll & benefits
    2. Support hiring activities, for example:
      1. Source / negotiate fees with external recruiters
      2. Provide templates for offer letters
      3. Provide data / advice on compensation data and structure
    3. Provide recommendations on HR / People related topics for Company Handbook
  1. Provide guidance and support (based on availability) on content marketing activities. For example:
    1. Review company launch / product release / new funding announcements
    2. Website copy review
    3. Post / share Company announcements through OCV’s social media outlets
    4. Content strategy sessions for initial content creation & distribution
    5. Introduction to & management of contract writers
  1. Manage federal & state / local filings with external vendors
  1. Manage bank account connections, vendor payments with external finance team
  1. Coordinate legal needs with external counsel
  1. Provide guidance on finance / expense policies
  1. Manage monthly finance review process & annual tax reporting needs
  1. Coordinate board approval processes
  1. Advise on company building, metrics setting, and KPI reviews on biweekly calls
    1. See
      ⛸️
      Office Hours
  1. Hire CEO
    1. All OCV companies are incorporated in the U.S. We advise CEOs to be based in the U.S. after the first external fundraise (exceptions may be considered) for access to:
      1. Experienced functional leaders, especially sales and marketing
      2. Venture capital, most funds expect the CEO to be in the Bay Area
      3. Founder network for learning & experience sharing
      4. Media

Post-CEO

  1. Review items 1-6 above with CEO to establish new roles & responsibilities
    1. Also see specific items at:
      2. ☑️
      CEO Transition Checklist
  1. Guide company direction on biweekly calls
  1. Support finance review, budget, projections process, and annual tax reporting needs
  1. Advise on HR / People related topics
  1. Advise on content & marketing-related topics
    1. Handoff management of contract writers
    2. OCV will introduce the CEO 3-6 months after CEO onboarding to recommended public relations and analyst firms.
  1. Advise on fundraising activities
  1. Coordinate board approval processes