57 min

Dropping out to build a zero-knowledge identification solution for online privacy, securing $2.5M in 2 days after struggling for 2 years - Ana Pricop (Outdid.io) - S2 Ep10 Explore Podcast | Startups Founders and Investors

    • Entrepreneurship

Welcome to this new episode of Explore! 😎
For those of you that have been here since the beginning, 1000 thanks, and welcome to the newcomers who have joined us in recent weeks. I receive a lot of encouragement on LinkedIn, the best way to send me some love is to follow this podcast and give it 5 stars. It will allow others to discover it. 🙏
In this episode I sat down with Ana Pricop, the co-founder and COO of Outdid.io, a startup that provides zero knowledge identification solutions to improve online safety. We discussed Ana’s unique journey from dropping out of a top school, to surviving in London with little to no money and raising $2.5M in 3 days after struggling for 2 years. Ana shares the challenges of fundraising, the strategic pivot from Web3 to targeting broader industries, the importance of the people around you, the necessity to maintain a balance between work and personal life and much more! 🚀
Early-stage founders and young entrepreneurs, this episode is for you.
Have a great episode! 
Listen on Spotify.
Listen on Apple Podcast.
***** 
Thanks to our sponsor ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠OpenVC.app⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠! 🔥
Use the code "EXPLORE" to get a lifetime 20% discount on their premium membership.
Learn more about Explore on: ⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠, ⁠⁠Newsletter⁠⁠. 
Learn more about ⁠⁠⁠Ana ⁠⁠and ⁠⁠⁠Outdid.io⁠⁠⁠.
*****
Timestamps: 
00:00 Introduction and Background
01:00 Ana Maria's Love for School
06:20 Starting Outdid.io
10:08 Technical Challenges
12:01 UC London Innovation and Enterprise Startup Program
22:27 Seed Round Fundraising
29:38 Explaining the Solution
31:08 Fast Term Sheets
32:13 Growing the Team
36:48 Differentiation from Competitors
42:23 Managing Relationships with Investors
44:58 Finding Your Role in the Company
46:10 Current State and Future Vision
49:37 Sigma Squared Society
53:21 Advice to Past Self


This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit explorepodcast.substack.com

Welcome to this new episode of Explore! 😎
For those of you that have been here since the beginning, 1000 thanks, and welcome to the newcomers who have joined us in recent weeks. I receive a lot of encouragement on LinkedIn, the best way to send me some love is to follow this podcast and give it 5 stars. It will allow others to discover it. 🙏
In this episode I sat down with Ana Pricop, the co-founder and COO of Outdid.io, a startup that provides zero knowledge identification solutions to improve online safety. We discussed Ana’s unique journey from dropping out of a top school, to surviving in London with little to no money and raising $2.5M in 3 days after struggling for 2 years. Ana shares the challenges of fundraising, the strategic pivot from Web3 to targeting broader industries, the importance of the people around you, the necessity to maintain a balance between work and personal life and much more! 🚀
Early-stage founders and young entrepreneurs, this episode is for you.
Have a great episode! 
Listen on Spotify.
Listen on Apple Podcast.
***** 
Thanks to our sponsor ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠OpenVC.app⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠! 🔥
Use the code "EXPLORE" to get a lifetime 20% discount on their premium membership.
Learn more about Explore on: ⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠, ⁠⁠Newsletter⁠⁠. 
Learn more about ⁠⁠⁠Ana ⁠⁠and ⁠⁠⁠Outdid.io⁠⁠⁠.
*****
Timestamps: 
00:00 Introduction and Background
01:00 Ana Maria's Love for School
06:20 Starting Outdid.io
10:08 Technical Challenges
12:01 UC London Innovation and Enterprise Startup Program
22:27 Seed Round Fundraising
29:38 Explaining the Solution
31:08 Fast Term Sheets
32:13 Growing the Team
36:48 Differentiation from Competitors
42:23 Managing Relationships with Investors
44:58 Finding Your Role in the Company
46:10 Current State and Future Vision
49:37 Sigma Squared Society
53:21 Advice to Past Self


This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit explorepodcast.substack.com

57 min