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Ignite Markets: The Hidden Power of Microcaps and Why Big Investors Miss It with Steve Kann | Ep166

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Manage episode 486948972 series 3515266
Content provided by Brian Bell. All podcast content including episodes, graphics, and podcast descriptions are uploaded and provided directly by Brian Bell or their podcast platform partner. If you believe someone is using your copyrighted work without your permission, you can follow the process outlined here https://ppacc.player.fm/legal.

Steve Kann is a Partner at Ocean Street Partners, a prolific investor, capital markets strategist, and Amazon #1 bestselling author of Microcap Magic. With over 30 years of experience in investment banking, public markets, and entrepreneurship, Steve has advised or raised over $1 billion in deals. He’s known for uncovering massive value in overlooked public companies and helping growth-stage startups navigate IPOs, M&A, and strategic fundraising with precision. Prior to Ocean Street, Steve built and exited multiple ventures, ran a top-performing investment newsletter, and produced an indie film featuring none other than Kristen Wiig.

In Today’s Episode We Discuss:

00:00 Intro

01:15 Steve’s First “Illegal” Business and Early Sales Lessons

03:30 Breaking Into Capital Markets in the 80s Bull Market

04:45 Why Companies Staying Private Longer Hurts Everyone

07:00 The Flaws of Accredited Investor Laws & What Needs to Change

09:30 A $0.50 Stock That Became a $54 Exit

14:30 How Microcap Magic Came to Life After Newsletter Success

18:00 How Steve Picks Microcaps (and Why It’s Like VC)

21:00 TAM Blind Spots and What Founders Miss

23:30 Evaluating Founders: Coachability, Plans, and Pitfalls

27:00 Cap Table Nightmares and What to Watch Out For

30:00 “One-Call Steve” and the Art of Dot-Connecting

33:30 Steve’s CRM, Note-Taking Strategy & Network Building

37:00 Why He Moved Away from Early-Stage Investing

39:30 When Founders Should Call Steve (Hint: Not Just at IPO)

42:00 Going Public Early: Risks, Benefits, and Misconceptions

48:00 The Real Costs of Being Public (And When It’s Worth It)

52:00 Public vs Private Valuations: What Founders Get Wrong

53:30 Launch Velocity: Marketing Your Stock Like a Product

55:30 How to Choose the Right Capital Markets Advisor

57:00 The #1 Rule in Startup Finance: Don’t Run Out of Money

59:00 Rapid Fire: Biggest Wins, Books, Deals & Kristen Wiig

Subscribe on Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/show/6Ga6v0YUsHotLhjap67uu5

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ignite-conversations-on-startups-venture-capital-tech/id1709248824

Follow Brian Bell on X:

https://x.com/brianrbell?lang=en

Follow Steve Kann on LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephenkann/

Follow Steve Kann on Twitter:

https://x.com/SteveKann

Visit Our Website:

https://www.teamignite.ventures/

👂🎧 Watch, listen, and follow on your favorite platform: ⁠https://tr.ee/S2ayrbx_fL ⁠

🙏 Join the conversation on your favorite social network: ⁠https://linktr.ee/theignitepodcast⁠

  continue reading

166 episodes

Artwork
iconShare
 
Manage episode 486948972 series 3515266
Content provided by Brian Bell. All podcast content including episodes, graphics, and podcast descriptions are uploaded and provided directly by Brian Bell or their podcast platform partner. If you believe someone is using your copyrighted work without your permission, you can follow the process outlined here https://ppacc.player.fm/legal.

Steve Kann is a Partner at Ocean Street Partners, a prolific investor, capital markets strategist, and Amazon #1 bestselling author of Microcap Magic. With over 30 years of experience in investment banking, public markets, and entrepreneurship, Steve has advised or raised over $1 billion in deals. He’s known for uncovering massive value in overlooked public companies and helping growth-stage startups navigate IPOs, M&A, and strategic fundraising with precision. Prior to Ocean Street, Steve built and exited multiple ventures, ran a top-performing investment newsletter, and produced an indie film featuring none other than Kristen Wiig.

In Today’s Episode We Discuss:

00:00 Intro

01:15 Steve’s First “Illegal” Business and Early Sales Lessons

03:30 Breaking Into Capital Markets in the 80s Bull Market

04:45 Why Companies Staying Private Longer Hurts Everyone

07:00 The Flaws of Accredited Investor Laws & What Needs to Change

09:30 A $0.50 Stock That Became a $54 Exit

14:30 How Microcap Magic Came to Life After Newsletter Success

18:00 How Steve Picks Microcaps (and Why It’s Like VC)

21:00 TAM Blind Spots and What Founders Miss

23:30 Evaluating Founders: Coachability, Plans, and Pitfalls

27:00 Cap Table Nightmares and What to Watch Out For

30:00 “One-Call Steve” and the Art of Dot-Connecting

33:30 Steve’s CRM, Note-Taking Strategy & Network Building

37:00 Why He Moved Away from Early-Stage Investing

39:30 When Founders Should Call Steve (Hint: Not Just at IPO)

42:00 Going Public Early: Risks, Benefits, and Misconceptions

48:00 The Real Costs of Being Public (And When It’s Worth It)

52:00 Public vs Private Valuations: What Founders Get Wrong

53:30 Launch Velocity: Marketing Your Stock Like a Product

55:30 How to Choose the Right Capital Markets Advisor

57:00 The #1 Rule in Startup Finance: Don’t Run Out of Money

59:00 Rapid Fire: Biggest Wins, Books, Deals & Kristen Wiig

Subscribe on Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/show/6Ga6v0YUsHotLhjap67uu5

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ignite-conversations-on-startups-venture-capital-tech/id1709248824

Follow Brian Bell on X:

https://x.com/brianrbell?lang=en

Follow Steve Kann on LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephenkann/

Follow Steve Kann on Twitter:

https://x.com/SteveKann

Visit Our Website:

https://www.teamignite.ventures/

👂🎧 Watch, listen, and follow on your favorite platform: ⁠https://tr.ee/S2ayrbx_fL ⁠

🙏 Join the conversation on your favorite social network: ⁠https://linktr.ee/theignitepodcast⁠

  continue reading

166 episodes

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