We have tried a variety of tools to help improve our own internal productivity and where it helps our portfolio companies. We will continue to update this as we trial new tools. For avoidance of doubt, we don’t get paid to promote any of these tools. Nor are we trying to replicate the prowess of G2 Crowd, Capterra, TrustRadius or CB Insights.
Tool Category | Tool | Pros | Cons | Tags |
AI Tools | Mind Grasp | Advanced analytics for deal sourcing; tailored AI solutions. | Requires technical expertise due to complexity. | Deal Sourcing, AI, Analytics, Business Intelligence |
AI Tools | Vocalvideo | Simplifies creation of video testimonials; user-friendly. | Limited editing features; requires premium for full access. | Video Testimonials, Marketing, User-Friendly |
AI Tools | OpenAI | Cutting-edge AI research; versatile applications across sectors. | Implementation complexity; steep learning curve. | AI, Research, Versatility, Innovation |
AI Tools | Fireflies | Automated transcription of meetings; broad platform integration. | Variable transcription accuracy dependent on audio quality. | Transcription, Meetings, Integration, Productivity |
AI Tools | Synthesizer.io | Specializes in synthetic audio creation; suitable for diverse applications. | Focused on audio, limited visual content creation. | Audio Creation, Synthetic Media, Content Production |
AI Tools | Synthesia.io (analysis pending) | AI generated IT training video generating from text | Video Training, AI, Automation, Education | |
AI Tools | Remora Tech | Offers AI outreach and deal sourcing solutions; bespoke AI models for specific business needs like data mining from Pitchbook, LinkedIn, Bloomberg; proposed a demo for software sector with criteria like ARR, headcount, churn rate. | High initial setup cost ($6k-$8k for product scope); long development times; execution based in India, raising potential concerns about oversight. | AI Outreach, Data Mining, Lead Generation, Business Intelligence |
Finance Tools | Xero | User-friendly interface for ease of use. Comprehensive set of features for accounting tasks. Strong reporting and integration capabilities. Detailed guidance for setup and historical data migration. Support for custom templates and reports. | May require technical knowledge for advanced features. Customizability of reports could be limited. Setup and migration can be complex without accounting knowledge. | Accounting, User-Friendly, Reporting, Integration |
Finance Tools | Google Sheets | Highly versatile and accessible. Supports real-time collaboration. Extensive formulas and add-ons available. Best practices and shortcuts enhance efficiency. | Lacks advanced data processing and analysis features of specialized finance software. Security concerns for sensitive data. Limited compared to dedicated accounting platforms. | Collaboration, Real-Time, Accessibility, Customization |
Finance Tools | Financial Force | Integrates seamlessly with Salesforce for CRM and accounting functionality. Offers detailed inter-company and management reporting features. Supports multi-currency transactions and automated invoicing and cash collection processes. | Requires significant setup and Salesforce knowledge. May be complex for users not familiar with Salesforce. The integration depth means it's less standalone than other accounting solutions. Pricing information not provided in the notes. | Salesforce Integration, Accounting, Reporting, Multi-Currency |
eSignature | HelloSign | User-friendly interface for ease of signing or sending documents for signature. Supports multiple file sources like Dropbox, Google Drive, etc. Allows adding multiple signers and the option to drag elements for signing. It's more affordable, especially for single users and small businesses, providing all necessary features for quick, legally binding documents. | Lacks advanced features like document scheduling, payment collection, and enhanced security options including ID authentication. | Digital Signature, User-Friendly, Document Management, Legally Binding |
Sales and Marketing | Freshmarketer | - Lead Management: Capture, nurture, and track leads throughout the sales funnel.- Lead Scoring: Automatically qualify and assign scores based on lead quality.- Automation: Create and send automated email campaigns to a segmented audience.- Reporting & Analytics: Custom dashboards to track marketing efforts.- Onboarding checklist includes account setup, industry selection, contact import, lead scoring setup, email footer and font/logo configuration, email domain verification, and testing lead scoring with initial email campaigns.- Monitor campaign results with an Analytics Dashboard for necessary adjustments. | - Notes do not not specify challenges or limitations, but as with any tool, there may be a learning curve and integration requirements with existing systems. | Lead Management, Email Marketing, Automation, Analytics |
Sales and Marketing | LeadGen-Growthonics | - Offers Contact List building aiming to find 800-1,000 contacts per month.- Manages email campaigns to maximize engagement.- Conducts LinkedIn campaigns for engagement.- Staggered email timing for a more personalized approach.- Suggests mentioning outreach to multiple company members for increased transparency and response rate. | - Cost may be a consideration with list building at 900 GBP, email outreach at 500 GBP, and LinkedIn at 320 GBP per month.
- Positive response rate for LinkedIn campaigns noted to be lower, though the connecting rate is higher. | Lead Generation, Email Campaigns, LinkedIn Marketing, Personalization |
Sales and Marketing | AutoUp | - Focuses on B2B lead generation, particularly for sourcing targets for VCs and PEs.- Offers snappy message creation for the B2B software ecosystem.- Experience with VC clients and large deal sizes (up to $100m).- Demonstrated success in specific case studies, such as the largest solar company in the US and a fast-growing ARR company.- Deliverables include 10k emails a month with a guaranteed 4-month run.- High retention rates among clients. | - Limited to the US market with no UK market experience mentioned.- The cost of $3k a month for 10k emails might not be suitable for all businesses, especially smaller startups. | B2B Lead Generation, Messaging Strategy, Venture Capital, Private Equity |
Sales and Marketing | CRM-Hubspot Master | - Comprehensive CRM functionality with capabilities to manage email campaigns and track performance.- Lead scoring system to qualify leads based on engagement and demographic data.- Provides a detailed report on the performance of marketing emails including opens, clicks, unsubscribes, and interest level.- Predictive lead scoring to determine the likelihood of contacts closing in the next 90 days.- Allows for demographic and behavioral criteria to adjust lead scores.- Offers A/B testing for email marketing campaigns.- Marketing contacts management to comply with billing and contact tier limits. | - Setting up lead scoring for email marketing campaigns can only be done post-campaign, which may delay strategic adjustments.- Some users might find the management of marketing contacts in terms of billing and tier limits cumbersome. | CRM, Email Marketing, Lead Scoring, Marketing Automation |
Sales and Marketing | Freshsales CRM & Email Marketing | - Used for CRM and limited email campaigns, with a focus on new acquisition announcements.- Lead scoring setup captures recipient engagement and website dwell time.- Integration with Mailchimp and a variety of other tools. | - Freshmarketer's lead scoring capabilities and integration potential with Freshsales remain unclear, raising concerns about the effectiveness and ease of use. | CRM, Sales Automation, Email Marketing, Lead Scoring |
Sales and Marketing | Marketing-Marketo | - High configurability for branding and email domains.- Integrates with various platforms like GotoWebinar.- Utilizes smart lists for targeted campaigns.- Offers comprehensive SEO and LinkedIn linking capabilities.- Focus on data cleanliness and management within Salesforce.- Advanced tracking and analytics for email campaigns and website engagement.- Setup of DKIM and SPF to ensure email deliverability and authenticity.- Customizable forms and tracking scripts for comprehensive lead capture and analysis. | - Requires tidy data management in Salesforce, indicating a dependency on external CRM systems.- The complexity of setup and integrations might require dedicated technical support or knowledge.- The need for additional actions like feeding unsubscribes back to Salesforce may add to operational tasks. | Marketing Automation, SEO, CRM Integration, Email Marketing |
Sales and Marketing | LeadGen-SoPro | - Specializes in initial prospecting and qualifying leads to streamline the sales process.- Offers comprehensive services including market assessment, prospect identification, technical setup for personalized campaigns, and CRM integration.- Provides exceptional messaging crafted by assigned writers.- Tracks and optimizes campaigns for effectiveness.- Transparent pricing based on per prospect cost, with setup costs covering email template creation and GDPR compliance.- Utilizes Hubspot for lead tracking and management.- Adheres to respectful outreach guidelines, ensuring compliance and positive brand representation. | - Costs may add up, with £2 per prospect and a £1500 setup fee.- The approach requires careful coordination to avoid over-contacting individuals from the same company.- GDPR compliance necessitates an unsubscribe option, which may not align with all outreach strategies. | Prospecting, Outreach Strategy, CRM Integration, GDPR Compliance |
Sales and Marketing | LeadGen-Lead Forensics | - Offers comprehensive website tracking and scoring to identify prospects based on site actions.- Unique mail merge function for targeted follow-up based on specific web page interactions.- Integration capabilities with CRMs for seamless data management.- Installation involves a simple JavaScript, making setup relatively straightforward.- Uses a web-based portal for easy access to lead information and campaign management. | - Pricing details are not provided, suggesting potential variability or the need for custom quotes.- The focus on web tracking might not cover all lead generation needs, particularly for businesses seeking more proactive outreach strategies. | Website Tracking, Lead Identification, CRM Integration, Marketing Automation |
Sales and Marketing | LeadGen-Belkins | - Specializes in lead generation and setting up meetings with prospects.- Offers a dedicated team for each client, indicating personalized service.- Promises 10 qualified meetings per month with a performance-based work model, ensuring targets are met. | - The starting package is £5,500 per month plus a £1,200 initial setup fee, which might be expensive for smaller businesses.- Qualified meetings criteria are defined in the kickoff meeting, requiring clear communication and agreement. | Meeting Scheduling, Personalized Outreach, Performance-Based, Lead Qualification |
Sales and Marketing | LeadGen-LeadBase | - Focuses on deal origination and lead generation with comprehensive market research.- Personalized outreach for every email, often asking leads to share information before meeting, enhancing lead qualification.- Claims higher engagement from email reach-out due to short, interest-capturing subject lines. | - Pricing is based on a per-meeting book basis, with no refunds for fewer leads than targeted, potentially leading to unpredictability in costs.- Emphasizes email personalization, which may require significant content creation efforts. | Deal Origination, Email Marketing, Market Research, Lead Generation |
Sales and Marketing | Scribly.io | - Offers content marketing services from ideation to SEO, suitable for technical and niche topics.<br>- Flexible subscription packages available, including content rollover policies and comprehensive service covering keyword strategy.<br>- Provides a wide range of content types, from blog posts to whitepapers, with inclusion of royalty-free imagery. | - May require a significant upfront commitment to understand and align with your specific content needs.- The ad-hoc pricing model might be more expensive, especially if keyword strategies are needed outside of subscription packages. | Content Marketing, SEO, Blogging, Copywriting |
Sales and Marketing | Marketing/Brand-Deal Bridge Media | - Builds brand awareness for CEOs and companies, focusing on humanizing the brand.- Offers content creation based on interviews with management, aiming for engagement across Twitter and LinkedIn.- Engages with advertisers and runs firm newsletters, potentially enhancing visibility and market research efforts. | - Pricing starts at £3,500 for a minimum number of posts, which might be a considerable investment for smaller companies or startups.- The specific metrics for measuring success depend on the goals, requiring clear initial goal setting. | Brand Awareness, Content Marketing, Social Media, Public Relations |
Sales and Marketing | LeadGen - FunnelBoost | - Uses a 28-step system for lead generation, blending technology and human interaction.- Offers control to clients by requiring approval before handoff, ensuring quality of leads.- Personalizes emails to not feel automated, enhancing response rates.- Transparent dashboard and use of own software for sourcing data.- Targets specific businesses and individuals, avoiding mass email strategies. | - Requires a 3-month commitment with monthly invoicing, which might be a limitation for businesses seeking short-term solutions.- Focus on email as the primary channel might not suit all marketing strategies.- Comparison with SoPro suggests a need for specificity in targeting, which may require more initial input from clients.- The approach, including 'Lookalike' analysis, may seem less concrete without direct examples of success. | Lead Generation, Email Marketing, Sales Development, Market Analysis |
Sales and Marketing | VocalVideo | - Enables video testimonials as part of the marketing playbook, potentially enhancing authenticity and engagement.- Provides a user-friendly platform for recording, with the ability to re-record as needed.- Emphasizes quality in the recording environment, likely improving the end result. | - The need for a quiet, well-lit room and potentially multiple takes might limit participation from some clients.- Specifics on integration with marketing campaigns or platforms are not detailed, requiring further investigation. | Video Marketing, Testimonials, Engagement, Content Creation |
Sales and Marketing | Apollo (analysis pending) | Sales Intelligence, Data Enrichment, Prospecting, Lead | ||
CPQ, CRM & Email Tracking | Freshsales | - Auto-creation of leads from emails.- Customizable email domain exclusion.- View contacts within an account.- Automatic account creation on lead conversion.- Filter specific email addresses/domains.- Smart Forms included. | - Lack of hierarchy viewing and contact adding within accounts.- Cannot merge leads and contacts.- Some functionalities limited to Estate plan.- CRM functionality not as extensive compared to competitors. | CRM, Lead Management, Sales Automation, Email Tracking |
CPQ, CRM & Email Tracking | Hubspot | - Robust SalesHub and Marketing Hub integration.- Strong website and customer analytics.- Social media native integration.- Lead scoring and email marketing with GDPR compliance.- Multiple business management with Business Units feature. | - Professional level requires separate licenses for each business.- Higher cost for Enterprise level.- Additional costs based on marketing contacts number.- Onboarding and data migration costs. | CRM, Marketing, Analytics, Social Media Management, Reporting |
CPQ, CRM & Email Tracking | Pipedrive | - Integration with a vareity of tools.- Email marketing in development, potential for future integration with Freshmarketer.- CRM focused with upcoming marketing features. | - Currently lacks native email marketing functionality.- Dependence on Freshmarketer for email campaigns until marketing functions are developed.- Might require additional integration solutions during interim period. | CRM, Sales Pipeline Management |
CPQ, CRM & Email Tracking | Active Campaign | - Advanced email marketing and automation features.- Smart Forms for lead capture.- User-friendly interface and functionality. | - CRM capabilities limited compared to full-suite CRM systems.- Email marketing focus, may need to pair with another CRM for full functionality.- Support level concerns. | Email Marketing, Automation, Lead Capture |
CPQ, CRM & Email Tracking | Freshmarketer | - Part of the Freshworks suite, integrates with Freshsales.- Lead scoring and advanced email campaign tools.- A/B testing capabilities.- GDPR compliant for email marketing. | - May require the use of Freshsales for full CRM capabilities.- Additional cost for higher-tier features.- Could have a learning curve for complex marketing campaigns. | Marketing Automation, Lead Scoring, A/B Testing, Reporting |
CPQ, CRM & Email Tracking | Salesforce CRM | - Comprehensive CRM with advanced features.- Strong reporting and analytics.- Capable of handling complex sales processes and large datasets.- Wide range of integrations and customizations available. | - Can be expensive, especially for Enterprise level solutions.- May require additional investment in third-party applications for specific needs.- Typically involves a steeper learning curve and more complex setup. | CRM, Enterprise Solution, Analytics, Account Management |
CPQ, CRM & Email Tracking | Goldvision | - CRM tool with integration capabilities.- Focus on sales process management.- Potential for custom development to match specific needs. | - Lesser-known CRM, may have limited resources compared to larger platforms.- Details on specific pros and cons not provided in the notes, so hard to compare directly with other tools. | CRM, Customization, Sales Management, Account Management |
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