How to launch an operator-led fund with Brianne Kimmel - Product Hunt Radio Recap

Podcast: Product Hunt Radio

Published: 2020-02-26

Duration: 41 min

Summary

In this episode, Brianne Kimmel shares her journey from angel investor and operator at Zendesk to launching her own operator-led fund, WorkLife Ventures, focusing on enterprise SaaS. She discusses the significance of no-code tools for startups and the challenges of finding technical talent in the industry.

What Happened

Abidesi, the host of Product Hunt Radio, welcomes Brianne Kimmel, who discusses her transition from a full-time role at Zendesk to launching WorkLife Ventures, a $5 million seed fund for enterprise SaaS. Brianne reflects on her active involvement in the startup community while working at Zendesk, which included connecting with entrepreneurs and identifying trends in productivity tools. This experience laid the groundwork for her venture into angel investing and ultimately led to her desire to manage a fund full-time.

Brianne emphasizes the importance of no-code tools in democratizing access to product development. She points out that only 0.5% of the global population can code, which creates significant barriers for aspiring entrepreneurs. With the rise of no-code solutions, she highlights how these tools empower a broader range of individuals to build businesses without the reliance on technical co-founders. Brianne shares her excitement about investing in companies that utilize no-code technology, noting the potential it has to streamline processes and enhance innovation in the startup landscape.

Key Insights

Key Questions Answered

How did Brianne Kimmel transition from Zendesk to WorkLife Ventures?

Brianne Kimmel described her transition from being an operator at Zendesk to launching WorkLife Ventures as an exciting journey. While working full-time, she was also engaging with startups during lunch breaks and weekends. This dual role allowed her to build connections and gain insights into the startup ecosystem, ultimately leading her to write small checks as an angel investor, which paved the way for her to manage a SaaS-focused fund.

What is the significance of no-code tools in the startup landscape?

Brianne Kimmel emphasized that no-code tools play a crucial role in making product development accessible to a wider audience. She noted that only a small fraction of the population can code, which presents a barrier for many aspiring entrepreneurs. With no-code solutions, more individuals can launch their products without needing a technical co-founder, thereby fostering innovation and reducing dependency on scarce engineering talent.

What trends in enterprise SaaS did Kimmel identify during her time at Zendesk?

During her tenure at Zendesk, Brianne observed trends in self-serve workplace products that were gaining traction in the market. She mentioned companies like Zoom and Slack, which leveraged viral growth and self-service models. This observation, combined with her experience in building the Zendesk for Startups program, motivated her to focus her fund on enterprise SaaS.

How did Brianne Kimmel start investing as an angel investor?

Brianne Kimmel began her investing journey by writing small checks to startups she was passionate about. Her involvement with the startup community through Zendesk and her personal network led her to identify promising companies early on. One notable investment she made was in Webflow, which she discovered while at Zendesk when the design team used it to create landing pages.

What advice does Kimmel have for non-technical founders looking to build MVPs?

Brianne Kimmel advised non-technical founders not to wait for a perfect technical co-founder to build their MVP. She highlighted that there are numerous no-code tools available that can help them test their hypotheses and bring their ideas to life. By leveraging these resources, they can launch products and iterate quickly, thus accelerating their path to market.