Funded, Now What?!

What if engineering teams had the same level of performance visibility as sales teams? In Episode 52 of Funded, Now What?!, Andrew Lee Miller sits down with Jirka Bachel, Founder & CEO of Navigara, to discuss how engineering leaders can finally measure AI ROI, developer productivity, and engineering performance using code-level analytics. After raising $2.5M and growing Navigara to $1M ARR, Jirka shares how the company is helping organizations understand whether their AI investments are actually delivering results. The conversation also explores category creation, engineering leadership, startup fundraising, and Andrew's latest playbook for GEO and AI-driven customer acquisition. What You'll Learn: ● Why engineering has historically lacked measurable KPIs ● How Navigara measures AI ROI through code analysis ● The creation of Engineering Throughput Value (ETV) ● Lessons from raising $2.5M and building a new software category ● Why AI search and GEO are becoming critical growth channels ● How founders can build authority in emerging markets Featured Guest Jirka Bachel Founder & CEO, Navigara 🌐 https://www.navigara.com 🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/in/jirka-bachel About the Show Funded, Now What?! is the world's leading podcast for startup founders and growth leaders. Hosted by Andrew Lee Miller, the show explores how venture-backed startups scale after raising capital. 00:00 Introduction to Navigara and AI Investments 01:52 The Journey of Fundraising and Company Origins 04:39 Understanding the Need for Performance Metrics in Engineering 07:47 The Concept of ETV as a North Star Metric 10:42 Target Customers and Market Dynamics 13:35 Employee Engagement and Performance Recognition 16:24 Top-Down Approach in B2B Sales 19:23 Inbound Marketing Strategies and Content Creation 26:43 Building Links and SEO Strategies 27:51 Content Creation for AI and ROI Tracking 29:56 The Role of AI in Business Decision-Making 31:46 The Importance of Being Found in AI Searches 33:34 Pricing Strategies and Customer Engagement 35:46 Targeting Small vs. Large Companies 37:58 The Future of AI in Sales and Marketing 40:19 Innovative Approaches to Lead Generation 42:11 Networking and Building Relationships in Tech 48:04 Outbound Strategies for Generating Meetings Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Funded, Now What?!, host Andrew Lee Miller sits down with Mark Miller (no relation, that we know of), the Founder and CEO of InsureVision — a UK-based startup pioneering the next generation of driver analytics and insurance intelligence through what Mark calls Telematics 2.0. InsureVision uses cutting-edge AI to analyze how drivers interact with the road — not just what they do behind the wheel. This new level of data insight allows insurance companies to price risk more accurately, improve underwriting, and enhance fleet safety — creating a seismic shift in how the industry thinks about behavior, data, and trust. In this episode, Mark breaks down: ✅ How InsureVision is using AI to redefine risk modeling ✅ Why understanding driver behavior, not just vehicle data, is the next frontier ✅ The evolution from telematics to Telematics 2.0 ✅ How fleet intelligence impacts underwriting and claims ✅ The startup challenges of selling innovation into conservative industries And, as always, Andrew dives in with strategic, post-funding growth advice tackling how B2B founders in “traditional” industries can build credibility, message their value, and launch smart go-to-market strategies that actually land customers. Whether you’re in AI, insurance, or any data-driven B2B startup, this episode offers rare insight into how to position breakthrough technology in an old-school industry — and scale it effectively. Funded, Now What?! is the only startup podcast where recently funded founders get expert-level, no-fluff growth advice from 20-year startup marketing veteran Andrew Lee Miller. Each episode dives into how they raised millions — then delivers tactical strategies on how to spend it to scale smarter and faster. If you’re a founder figuring out how to turn funding into traction, this podcast is like having a fractional CMO inside your company — for free. 🎧 Listen to more episodes: www.growthexpertz.com/podcast 📧 Get in touch: andrew@growthexpertz.com Founded by Andrew Lee Miller, GrowthExpertz is a global fractional growth consultancy helping startups scale fast without bloated full-time costs. With 20 years of experience, 3 exits, and over 100 startup success stories, Andrew and his team provide hands-on expertise in marketing, growth strategy, and go-to-market execution. Learn more at www.growthexpertz.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Funded, Now What?!, host Andrew Lee Miller speaks with Azeem Khan, Co-Founder of Miden, a blockchain project redefining privacy and compliance. Fresh off a $25 million seed funding round co-led by a16z crypto, Hack VC, and 1kx, with participation from Finality Capital Partners, Symbolic Capital, and angel investors like Avery Ching of Aptos, Miden is building a privacy-first blockchain designed to enable secure, confidential transactions. Powered by Polygon Labs’ Agglayer technology, Miden aims to balance privacy with compliance, a combination Azeem believes is essential for blockchain’s mainstream adoption. In this candid conversation, Andrew and Azeem explore the future of blockchain technology, long-term investment strategies, and the marketing tactics needed to educate the public on privacy-focused solutions. You’ll learn: Why privacy and compliance are critical for blockchain’s legitimacy and adoption How Miden is using Polygon’s Agglayer to power confidential transactions Strategies for building strong investor and stakeholder relationships in crypto Insights from raising $25M from top-tier VCs and industry leaders Marketing’s role in demystifying blockchain and driving adoption The future applications of privacy-focused blockchain in finance, healthcare, and governance How to adapt to rapid shifts in the crypto landscape while staying mission-focused About the ShowFunded, Now What?! is the ultimate startup podcast for founders, entrepreneurs, and growth-focused leaders. It’s the world’s only show that interviews recently funded founders to uncover how they raised millions — and gives them tactical advice on how to spend it wisely for maximum growth. Learn more: www.growthexpertz.com/podcast About GrowthExpertz The Startup Marketing Consultants You Deserve. Since 2016, GrowthExpertz has helped over 100 tech startups grow faster and spend smarter through expert marketing and growth consulting. Backed by nearly two decades of hands-on experience, we support founders at every stage—whether you're refining your strategy, building your team, or scaling execution. Ready to see what’s possible? Get in touch below or book a free, no-risk consultation to learn how we can help your startup grow. What do you have to lose? www.growthexpertz.com About Andrew: Andrew Lee Miller, known as @andrewstartups, is a startup marketing expert who has spent over 18 years helping early-stage companies grow with no funding, no full-time marketing team, and no time to waste. Having driven three VC-backed startup exits and advised nearly 100 companies worldwide, Andrew is passionate about teaching founders how to achieve sustainable growth through scrappy, data-driven strategies. Learn more about Andrew at www.andrewstartups.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Funded, Now What?!, host Andrew Lee Miller sits down with Bisrat Degefa, the UK-born founder of Trubuild, a cutting-edge AI startup transforming the construction industry in Saudi Arabia. Bisrat shares the story of relocating to the Gulf to capitalize on one of the world’s fastest-growing construction markets — but more importantly, he gets a live, tactical marketing consultation from Andrew. From refining Trubuild’s messaging to building a scalable outbound and event strategy, this episode is a masterclass in applying smart, lean startup growth tactics in a traditional industry. Whether you’re building tech for a legacy sector, looking to crack the enterprise sales cycle, or considering expansion into the Middle East, this conversation delivers valuable insights you can apply immediately. You’ll learn: How AI is modernizing project management across the construction lifecycle Why Saudi Arabia is an untapped goldmine for B2B startups The ROI of events and referral schemes in emerging markets Why personal branding and founder-led sales still win How to apply Andrew’s expert marketing frameworks to your startup Why fractional expertise can unlock scale faster and more affordably Follow the show: www.growthexpertz.com/podcast Connect With Andrew on Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/andrewstartups ### About the Show: *Funded, Now What?!* is the ultimate marketing podcast for founders, entrepreneurs, and growth-focused leaders. Each week, we interview recently funded startup founders to uncover how they raised millions — and then give them tactical, hands-on advice on how to spend it wisely for maximum growth. --- # GrowthExpertz: After scaling his third VC-backed exit in 2016, **Andrew Lee Miller (@andrewstartups)** launched **GrowthExpertz**, a Fractional Expert Consultancy helping early-stage startups scale without paying bloated full-time salaries. With over a dozen 8–9 figure valuations, exits, and nearly 100 global success stories, GrowthExpertz specializes in helping startups dominate in **marketing, product, hiring, operations**, and more. 💡 Learn more about how GrowthExpertz helps startups: www.growthexpertz.com Book a chat with Andrew: 👉 https://calendly.com/growthexpertz/letschat Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Funded, Now What?!, your host Andrew Lee Miller speaks with Victor Cho, the founder and CEO of Emovid a B2B software company rethinking how teams communicate. Emovid introduces asynchronous video messaging powered by AI, aiming to bridge the gap between digital communication and authentic human connection. Victor shares insights from his journey building Emovid and the unique challenges of driving adoption for video-based tools in a text-first world. They explore how AI can be used to summarize and transcribe messages without losing tone, intent, or nuance — a key advantage of video over email or chat. The conversation also covers practical strategies for fundraising, the importance of building trust with investors, and how clear, consistent messaging impacts user acquisition and growth. Andrew and Victor discuss the critical role of PR in establishing early credibility and share marketing lessons specific to introducing new communication tools to a skeptical market. Key takeaways include: Why asynchronous video is more effective than email for conveying emotion and intent How to simplify your value proposition to accelerate adoption Why PR and strategic storytelling matter more than ever in AI-driven markets The role of AI in enhancing — not replacing — human interaction What the future of work looks like when communication becomes more visual and personalized Whether you're a founder navigating early-stage growth, a B2B marketer launching a new product, or a startup preparing to fundraise, this episode offers a practical look at what it takes to build and scale an innovative communications platform in today's market. Listen now to hear how Emovid is helping businesses communicate with more clarity, authenticity, and impact. 🎙️ About the Show Funded, Now What?! is the only podcast that interviews recently funded startup founders and gives them real-time, tactical advice on how to actually spend their new capital for growth. Hosted by Andrew Lee Miller — aka @AndrewStartups — a globally recognized startup marketing expert, each episode delivers hard-won insights on scaling, customer acquisition, and startup marketing execution. If you've raised money, or plan to, this show will help you avoid costly mistakes and scale smarter. 🚀 About Andrew Lee Miller / GrowthExpertz🔗 Links After driving growth for his third VC-backed startup exit in 2016, Andrew founded GrowthExpertz, a boutique fractional consultancy for early-stage startups. With nearly 100 success stories and over a dozen 8–9 figure exits under his belt, Andrew specializes in helping funded startups scale fast — without bloated full-time teams. Some of the companies he’s helped scale: DataDistillr (raised $10M) CanWeApp (acquired) WithDouble (30% growth in 90 days) Retention.com ($30M ARR) CrownDating (acquired by Match Group) OpenInvest (acquired by Chase) Denizen.io (BBVA Incubator) Fly.com (300% traffic increase in 12 months) 👉 Want help growing your startup? Visit: www.GrowthExpertz.com Email: contact@growthexpertz.com Book a free call: www.growthexpertz.com Subscribe to the show: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube Watch full episodes: YouTube Channel Follow Andrew on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/andrewstartups Follow the podcast: LinkedIn Page Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of The Funded, Now What?! startup podcast, startup marketing expert and GrowthExpertz.com founder Andrew Lee Miller sits down with Elin Breitholtz, the visionary founder and CEO of Sakura, a wellness platform tackling the emotional health crisis through a two-sided mental health marketplace. Elin shares her journey from personal struggle to startup mission, and how she’s now bridging the gap between wellness practitioners and individuals, while also targeting B2B clients seeking scalable employee wellness solutions. But the real gold in this episode? It’s the marketing strategy teardown Andrew delivers, packed with practical, battle-tested tactics specifically for B2B and B2C mental health apps, two-sided marketplaces, and wellness-focused platforms. You’ll learn: -How to build both B2B and B2C funnels without burning out your team -Why SEO and ChatGPT-powered content are a force multiplier for early-stage startups -The do’s and don’ts of App Store Optimization (ASO) -How to use user intent signals to dominate paid ads and app discovery -When and how to activate practitioners as your marketing army -Why community building isn't just a nice-to-have — it's your long-term moat Andrew also breaks down: -Why most startups waste money on paid ads way too early -How to test messaging fast with lean, scrappy tactics -The real reasons apps fail to scale past 10,000 users -This is a must-listen for founders in wellness, mental health, SaaS, or mobile apps looking to sharpen their growth strategies and learn from one of the top minds in startup marketing. 📩 Want to work with Andrew? Visit www.GrowthExpertz.com 🎧 Listen now wherever you get your podcasts. Watch on Youtube: https://youtu.be/3x4mkJYAL_c Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Most founders can build. Some can fundraise. But almost none know how to market, until they get advice from someone who’s done it for 20 years. In this episode of Funded, Now What?!, startup marketing veteran and GrowthExpertz founder Andrew Lee Miller sits down with Matt Wampler a former restaurateur turned AI startup CEO and Founder of ClearCOGS who’s raised $3.8M to bring predictive analytics to restaurants. Matt is not only f*cking awesome, but after building a solid product and landing investors, Matt has some incredible questions for Andrew on marketing, hiring marketers and what channels to focus on, and even what Andrew thinks about "shitty linkedin messaging" and working with fractional consultants. That’s where Andrew steps in — with hard-hitting, high-ROI marketing advice based on 20 years of helping early-stage startups grow. In this jam-packed session, Andrew breaks down: Why automated outreach is NOT killing your brand The "casual copywriting" technique to increase email replies Why founders shouldn’t do their own marketing — and how to hire smart How to segment, message, and approach restaurant owners The difference between branding for tech vs. non-tech audiences What every founder misunderstands about “targeted spam” When to bring in fractional experts instead of wasting $$$ on bad hires If you're a startup founder who's still stuck on traction — this episode is your wake-up call. 🎯 👉 Learn more about how Andrew helps founders: www.GrowthExpertz.com👉 Learn more about Matt and his AI startup ClearCOGS.com 📩 Want fractional marketing firepower? Let’s talk. Book a call with Andrew here: https://calendly.com/growthexpertz/letschat Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices