What It Means to Speak VC | Paul Ford, CEO of Acin (Series A)

What It Means to Speak VC | Paul Ford, CEO of Acin (Series A)

Author: Dave Bailey December 2, 2020 Duration: 41:30

How many languages do founders need to learn? Meet Paul Ford, CEO of Acin, a SaaS tool that helps banks manage their operational risk.

In this episode, Paul and I discuss why raising money is like learning a new language, Paul shares how the army helped him become more resilient, and we talk about what it was like to step down as CEO of his previous company. We also explore how to find topics that resonate with end users.

Key links:

Acin website: https://acin.com/

Open job positions: https://acin.com/company/careers/

Paul Ford profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-ford-56b509/

Key timestamps:

[02:03] How did the army help you stay resilient?

[12:42] Why did you step down from your previous company?

[16:20] Why did you decide to raise a Series A now?

[20:20] What was it like to raise VC having worked in a bank?

[26:18] What are some of the things that you still struggle with as a CEO?

[37:08] Dave describes the messaging matrix

Thanks to Simon Ball and Rocket for their great input.

Got feedback? Email us on podcast@foundercoach.co. And don't forget to hit follow/subscribe so you don't miss out on new episodes.


Behind the polished success stories and press releases, there's a messier, more human reality to building a company. The Founder Coach Podcast pulls back the curtain on that process. Hosted by Dave Bailey, a top CEO coach whose writing reaches millions of founders annually, these conversations get into the granular, often unspoken challenges that tech leaders face after the initial excitement fades. You’ll hear scale-up CEOs speak candidly, not about their victories, but about the difficult decisions, the personal doubts, and the operational grit involved in steering a growing business. Each episode feels like a private coaching session, focusing on pivotal moments like navigating the complexities that follow a Series A round-figuring out how to scale a team effectively, managing the relentless pressure of the board, and maintaining a clear vision amidst daily fires. This isn't about abstract theory; it's a series of raw, practical dialogues that reveal what the title of CEO actually demands day-to-day. For any entrepreneur or business leader who wants to learn from the real experiences of their peers, this podcast offers a rare and invaluable perspective. Dave facilitates a space where his guests can share the unvarnished truth, making each discussion a resource for anyone on the demanding path of leadership.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 22

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