Q3 Snapshot: The Startup Ecosystem

Q3 Snapshot: The Startup Ecosystem

Author: Burkland October 7, 2025 Duration: 17:46
With Q3 behind us, the headlines continue to be pessimistic—but Steve Lord,  Burkland's COO and Head of Knowledge Share, says the story is more complicated and less alarming.

Steve joins us at the close of each quarter for an update on the startup ecosystem. This quarterly episode is another must-listen, providing a much-needed reality check, insights into the current state of the economy, and guidance on what founders need to know about the venture capital landscape as we approach the end of 2025.

We cover:
  • The real story behind the Fed’s recent rate cut—and what’s next
  • Why the U.S. economy is stronger than headlines suggest
  • The lagging impact of interest rates and tariffs
  • What founders should NOT do in this fundraising environment
  • Smart bets for raising capital right now
  • How to adapt your pitch deck to today’s market realities
Don’t buy into the hype that venture is broken. Steve reminds us that this industry is inherently cyclical. What feels like a slowdown today is part of a larger pattern. Founders who recognize macro trends, prepare early for their next raise, and aren’t afraid to communicate with their investors will be best positioned for the upswing ahead.

----
Stay connected with our host, Kate Adams, here on LinkedIn!
Learn more about Burkland at burklandassociates.com.

Tuning into Startup Success: A Podcast for Founders & Investors feels less like attending a formal lecture and more like pulling up a chair in a room full of people who have actually built and funded companies. Hosted by the team at Burkland, the conversations here move beyond theory to focus on the tangible, often messy, realities of scaling a business. You’ll find episodes that feel timely, addressing the specific challenges and opportunities that founders and investors are navigating right now. The dialogue is driven by guests who have lived it-founders recounting pivotal moments from their journey and investors explaining the nuances behind their decisions. This isn't about generic advice; it's about the operational details that make or break growth. Each discussion naturally narrows in on a single, critical pressure point, whether that's untangling a complex financing round, refining a go-to-market strategy, or building a culture that can withstand rapid hiring. The value of this podcast lies in its specificity and the credibility of the voices featured. It serves as a practical resource for anyone actively involved in the lifecycle of a startup, offering perspectives that are immediately applicable to your own work. By focusing on real stories and current trends, the series provides a grounded, actionable look at what genuine progress requires from both sides of the founder-investor relationship.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Startup Success: A Podcast for Founders & Investors
Podcast Episodes
PR for Your Startup — Everything You Need to Know [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:38
Want to know the secret to getting your startup noticed by big publications and industry media sites? You’re going to need Public Relations.In this episode, Nicole Osmer, CEO of Health+Commerce, shares expert advice for…
Built to Scale: The Best Optimizations for Startup Founders [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:49
As a Founder, it’s easy to get lost in the day-to-day chaos of growing your startup. Often, you end up taking shortcuts and sacrificing the well-being of yourself and your team — to the detriment of your company as a who…
Founders - How to Stay Focused on the Path to Success [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:13
As a Founder, staying focused is key to achieving your startup’s success. In today’s episode, Kirin Sinha, Founder, and CEO, at Illumix, joins us to discuss how Founders can stay focused on their product, team and path a…
Inside a Startup’s Success - From Funding to Product Fit [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:01
Rithvik Venna, Co-Founder & COO at OROS and member of the Forbes 30 under 30, joins us to discuss how a climb up a mountain in the Swiss Alps inspired a major change in outdoor apparel which led to groundbreaking innovat…