Navigating Uncertainty

This is clearly an extraordinary time. First and foremost, I hope you and your families are safe and healthy. 

Second, like all of you, I've been thinking about the impact of the current economic situation on our annual plan, cash burn, resource requirements, and more. I've read about the slowdowns in 2000 and 2008, but I wasn't in a role that required me to make critical decisions in a situation like this. I am now. 

I'm fortunate to have access to some very experienced CFOs, CEOs, investors and other business leaders, and my first thought was to talk to them to get their feedback on lessons learned that can be applied *now*. As I was making the list of topics I wanted to talk about, and the people I wanted to engage with, I realized there are likely to be a lot of people who would also want to hear those conversations and benefit from any insights and advice they might offer.

So, to that end, we are launching a new online series called Navigating Uncertainty for finance professionals. Our goal is to discuss actionable tactics for issues businesses are confronting today, with ideas on how to navigate this economic storm. We will get insights from finance and business leaders who have weathered, and learned from, previous economic shocks, and suggestions on how to plan for uncertain economic times. 

Our first two sessions are scheduled and more will follow. Please keep abreast of them as they are added here.

Planning & Forecasting - Investor Perspective

Friday, March 27th at 10am PT / 1pm ET

This will be an in-depth discussion about how investors are viewing the current situation, what they’re hearing from their portfolio companies, and how to build confidence with the board. The panel will focus on approaches to planning and forecasting in volatile and uncertain times. 

Speakers

• Ravi Gupta, former COO/CFO of Instacart and current Partner at Sequoia Capital 
• Ajay Agarwal, Partner at Bain Capital Ventures
• Thejo Kote, Founder and CEO of Airbase

Sign up for this session here.

Extending Runway & Emerging Stronger

Monday, March 30th at 10am PT / 1pm ET

This discussion will consider ways startup finance leaders can protect their runway by containing costs while positioning for future growth during the recovery. 

Speakers: 

• Mike Dinsdale, CFO of Gusto
• Bill Trenchard, Partner at First Round Capital
• Thejo Kote, Founder and CEO of Airbase

Sign up for this session here.

As I mentioned, we will be adding more sessions as we’re able to schedule them, so watch this space. Here’s to sharing and learning together.

I know we will all emerge stronger and I wish you all the very best.

Thejo Kote
Founder and CEO
Airbase