From Idea to Impact: Insights from our NYC Brunch & Learn

At Innovatemap, we help leaders build exceptional products and define go-to-market strategies that drive growth. Through our work, we see firsthand how founders navigate the complexities of scaling—balancing product development, customer acquisition and investor expectations.

I’ve had so many recent conversations where founders have shared the challenges of standing out in a crowded SaaS market. And while everyone has unique strategies and circumstances, no founder should build in a vacuum. 

The best strategies come from shared experience. 

That’s why we host our Brunch and Learns. Our goal is to bring together experts who have successfully built, funded and scaled companies—to give founders real, actionable advice to apply to their own company.

With insights from some of the smartest leaders we know in New York City, we discussed the realities of building, funding and differentiating in today’s competitive market.  Thanks to our friends for joining us:

• Mike Cardamone, CEO and Managing Partner at Forum Ventures
• Correy Faciane, Founder at The Scope Fund
• Sarah Ganzenmuller, CEO and Co-Founder at rediem

Here’s What We Learned

1. Growth Needs More Than Just Capital—It Needs a Strategy

Mike emphasized that growth at all costs is no longer the default. Startups today are proving they can scale without relying on an endless fundraising cycle. AI-driven efficiencies and capital-conscious decision-making are helping founders achieve high growth with leaner operations.

VCs are looking for businesses with clear market pull, strong customer traction and efficient use of capital. The takeaway? The focus goes beyond raising money — it’s building something customers can’t live without.

2. Customer Insights Matter More Than Your Hypothesis

Sarah shared how she secured her first customers before even having a product. She pitched a vision, gathered feedback, and refined her offering based on real customer needs. The key? Talk to prospective buyers early and often.

Many founders, she noted, make the mistake of validating their idea with their immediate network—which often results in overly optimistic feedback. Instead, founders should cold outreach to potential customers, listen to their pain points, and refine their product accordingly.

3. The “Aha” Moment is Everything

Correy explained that investors and customers alike are looking for that moment when a product becomes indispensable. A great startup isn’t just solving a problem—it’s creating a solution that people can’t imagine living without. Would the user would leave their job if your tool didn’t exist? That’s when you know you’ve found a good idea.

So how do you get there?

• Start by offering value, even before selling your product.
• Consult potential customers on their existing workflows.
• Test and refine until your product becomes mission-critical.

He also noted that rapid growth can be dangerous if internal operations and processes don’t scale alongside revenue. Startups should prioritize strong foundations over fast growth to avoid bottlenecks later.

4. Building the Right Network is a Game-Changer

Founders often think they have to figure everything out alone. But as all of our panelists highlighted, having the right advisors, investors, and community makes the journey smoother and more successful.

Mike and Correy emphasized that mentorship isn’t just about strategy—it’s about support. Founding a company can be lonely, overwhelming, and filled with imposter syndrome. Surrounding yourself with people who’ve been there before can help you stay focused, motivated, and on track.

Putting Insights into Action

Here’s a roadmap for founders who need to accelerate growth, now:

1. Start with deep customer discovery — Go beyond your network and listen carefully to what potential customers really need, not just what validates your idea.
2. Build the product people can’t live without — As Correy emphasized, focus on creating something where customers say, “I would quit my job if they took this away” or “I would pay for this out of pocket if my company stopped.”
3. Communicate your vision effectively — Sarah was able to convey her vision to customers before her product was even built. If you have a strong story, that will carry you through. Her experience demonstrates how powerful the right positioning can be.
4. Surround yourself with the right support — Find mentors who can provide both tactical guidance and emotional support through the inevitable challenges.
5. Stay flexible and persistent — Be prepared to refine your approach based on market feedback, but don’t give up too quickly if timing is the main issue.

Scaling your company is a mix of vision, execution and adaptability. This Brunch & Learn reinforced that success isn’t just about having a great idea—it’s about making strategic moves that set your business up for sustainable growth.

We’re Here to Help

Our team is equal parts expert and partner, specializing in the unique intersection of strategy and design. We love working with founders who have deep industry knowledge but perhaps lack product or go-to-market experience. Regardless, we’re always here to talk it out. 

There’s no greater compliment than when someone tells me their conversations with the Innovatemap team feels “like therapy”. That’s a responsibility we don’t take lightly.

We understand that product success isn’t just about what you build—it’s about deeply understanding your market, crafting the right positioning and establishing GTM strategies that resonate with customers.

If you’re working towards revenue growth goals and need a partner to help you reach them faster, we’d love to learn how we can help.

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