By Riley Kaminer
Are you Connectd?
Of course, success in the startup game is all about who you know – and effectively pitching yourself to new folks. British startup Connectd can lend a hand on both fronts.
The SaaS platform that helps startups streamline investor relations and find the right experts to support their growth. It leverages data and AI to enhance business connections and optimize outcomes for its users.
Connectd expanded to the US through Miami last December. “It’s been an amazing journey,” founder and CEO Roei Samuel [pictured above] told Refresh Miami. “Miami has proven to be a fantastic landing point for international expansion.”
Since launching here, Connectd has seen major growth, gaining over 400 paying U.S. customers already (plus many more on the free plan). It has managed to achieve $600k in ARR organically.
Partnerships have played a key role in Connectd’s success thus far. “We’ve partnered with some amazing accelerators and incubators in Miami,” Samuel explained. “The businesses they touch far outnumber similar partnerships in the UK. This allows us to invest time, money, and resources more effectively.”
Connectd has sponsored popular tech meetups like Brickell Tech Tuesday and Startup Grind, running pitch competitions and offering incentives such as free memberships and masterclasses. “We just want to be a positive influence. In the early-stage ecosystem, many are competing over equity or transaction fees. We aim to be complementary and supportive, especially for pre-seed startups,” Samuel said.
Samuel was also excited about the technological advancements Connectd is making. The company is leveraging AI to help businesses understand their data better, enhancing their ability to connect with the right experts and talent. “Our ecosystem is powered by data. Now, we’re using that data to help businesses understand themselves better and make more informed decisions. It’s all about adding value to every user,” he said.
As for the future, Samuel sees immense potential. Connectd is already seeing small communities popping up in other US cities like Atlanta and New York, driven by their technology’s network effect.
“We’re letting the community guide our growth. Each ecosystem has its nuances, and we want to serve them in the best way possible,” he explained.
Reflecting on his experiences as an entrepreneur in both the UK and the US, Samuel noted the differences in the startup ecosystems. “The US market is 20 years more mature, and there’s a higher base level of knowledge about startups. The approach to risk in the US is also more aggressive, which I love. In the UK, the tax benefits for investors are a massive advantage, powering the early-stage ecosystem. But we’re learning as we grow, adapting to the nuances of each state,” he said.
Samuel is particularly excited about the size of the US market and the opportunity to help more people. “Running a startup can be one of the most fulfilling experiences, but also one of the most painful when things go wrong,” he said.
“With Connectd, we aim to streamline behaviors critical to success, like investor reporting and finding the right experts. The bigger the market, the more people we can help. A rising tide lifts all boats.”
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