Panel discussion: building blocks for growth - Thursday, February 6th

Yield Group is excited to host a panel discussion featuring three veteran executives in the software space, each with very different business models and paths to success.

Volumes of information is available about the journey for start-ups to product-market fit, the point at which a company, according to Marc Andreesen, is “in a good market with a product that can satisfy that market.” But what happens after that proverbial milestone is reached?

This is a rare opportunity to hear about the real life struggles and wins along the way to building an organization for growth. You'll get specific insight into what worked, what didn’t and how you can leverage what was learned to accelerate growth for your company. Here are a few of the specific questions we'll discuss:

• What happens after your company has reached product-market fit?
• How do you step on the gas for growth?
• What people, processes and systems are required?
• How do these strategies differ if you are relying on cash flow v. investor capital?

Panelists‍

Andy Horwitz, Former Co-CEO of Black Mountain Systems‍

Andy served as Co-CEO of Black Mountain Systems for over 10 years, leading its growth over that period to its recent acquisition by Vista Equity Partners, the largest private equity group in the world focused on software and technology-enabled services. Andy is now an active investor and advisor to tech-enabled companies in the U.S. and Europe. Check out Andy's LinkedIn profile.

Chris Halligan, Partner and COO at Payzer‍

Chris is an experienced and successful technology executive and entrepreneur. He currently serves as the Chief Operating Officer of Payzer, a fast-growing SaaS company based in Charlotte, NC that has raised nearly $20MM in 3 rounds. Chris is also an Operating Partner at IDEA Fund Partners and an advisor to several startups. Chris spent the 90’s working for Dell during which time he was Salesman of the Year and eventually had responsibility for over $2B in online revenues. Check out Chris' LinkedIn profile.

Matt McFee, Former Founding Partner of BriteVerify

Matt is the founding partner of BriteVerify, which he and his partners started in 2009 to help companies circumvent fraud and bad data through email verification. Matt and team grew BriteVerify without raising any external capital, a journey that led them to a successful exit with the acquisition by Validity, a large provider of compliance and data quality solutions to the enterprise. Matt started his early Internet years with 24/7 Media and Yahoo!, the beginning of what is now a 20-year career in email. Check out Matt's LinkedIn profile.

Moderator

Gary Schwake, Managing Partner, Yield Group Growth Advisory

Gary Schwake is the Managing Partner of Yield Group, a growth advisory firm that helps companies accelerate revenue by designing, implementing and optimizing marketing and sales technology, data and analytics. Gary is an experienced technology entrepreneur, having co-founded two companies, the most recent of which was acquired by Active Network, at the time a portfolio company of Vista Equity Partners and now a subsidiary of Global Payments. During Gary’s time at Active, he built a $40MM business unit that combined ecommerce, analytics and digital marketing services to the company’s clients across the globe. Checkout Gary's LinkedIn profile.

When and Where

Thursday February 6, 2020

Venture X - Ballantyne, 3540 Torringdon Way, Suite 200, Charlotte, NC 28277

The panel discussion, “What Happens After Product-Market Fit,” will be Thursday February 6, 2020 at Venture X, a premium workspace community in the brand new Torringdon 7 building at 3540 Torringdon Way, Suite 200, Charlotte, NC 28277.

Check-in starts at 7:30am and the discussion will start promptly at 8:00am. Coffee and bagels will be provided.

Venture X - Ballantyne

Venture X is a premium, membership-based workspace community that is inspired by boutique hospitality brands where relationships, consistent quality, and value-added offerings are the cornerstone of the membership experience. The Ballantyne location offers 25,000 square feet of best-in-class working space that is very appealing to corporate clients and professionals.