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Conversation
Highlights
Welcome to another episode of Category Visionaries — the show that explores GTM stories from tech’s most innovative B2B founders. In today’s episode, we’re speaking with Armon Sharei, CEO & Founder of Portal, a cell engineering platform that has raised $5 Million in funding.
Here are the most interesting points from our conversation:
- Navigating the IPO Process: Armon shares the intense experience of taking a company public, emphasizing the numerous meetings with investors and the unique challenges posed by COVID-19, including navigating interactions over video calls with limited visibility.
- Dealing with Stock Price Fluctuations: He discusses how stock price volatility can impact focus and morale, offering insights into maintaining discipline and guiding a team to stay mission-focused despite the pressures of public market performance.
- Public vs. Private Company Dynamics: Armon explains the differences between running a public and private company, highlighting the increased transparency, regulatory burden, and efficiency of financial transactions as some of the factors that influenced his preference for public company leadership.
- The Role of Forced Transparency: He reveals how being public reduced the opportunity for “smoke and mirrors” tactics, providing a clearer view of peers and competitors and increasing the efficiency of financial dealings.
- Impact of Being Public: Armon appreciates the sharper, more informed nature of public investors and the accelerated pace of financial transactions, though he acknowledges the challenges and paperwork involved.
- Motivation for Building and Innovation: Reflecting on his personal drive, Armon attributes his commitment to improving the world to his experiences growing up in Iran and witnessing global disparities, which fuels his work in advancing cell therapies.
Actionable
Takeaways
Prepare for Intense Scrutiny During IPO:
The IPO process involves extensive meetings with investors, often with limited feedback visibility. Prepare to manage the intense scrutiny and maintain focus on long-term goals amidst the immediate pressures.
Focus on Long-Term Goals Despite Stock Price:
Regularly remind your team to concentrate on the company's mission and long-term objectives rather than short-term stock price fluctuations, which can be influenced by factors beyond your control.
Embrace Transparency for Better Market Positioning:
Use the increased transparency of being a public company to your advantage by showcasing genuine achievements and differentiating your company from competitors who may still rely on less transparent practices.
Leverage Public Market Efficiency:
Take advantage of the faster and more efficient financial transactions available to public companies, which can streamline fundraising and operational adjustments compared to private market processes.
Cultivate a Resilient Team Mindset:
Encourage a team culture that remains resilient and mission-focused, even in the face of external pressures and market volatility, to sustain long-term innovation and success.
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