Dropping out to build a zero-knowledge identification solution for online privacy, securing $2.5M in 2 days after struggling for 2 years - Ana Pricop (Outdid.io) - S2 Ep10

Welcome to this new episode of Explore! 😎For those of you that have been here since the beginning, 1000 thanks, and welcome to the newcomers who have joined us in recent weeks. I receive a lot of encouragement on LinkedIn, the best way to send me some love is to follow this podcast and give it 5 stars. It will allow others to discover it. 🙏In this episode I sat down with Ana Pricop, the co-founder and COO of Outdid.io, a startup that provides zero knowledge identification solutions to improve online safety. We discussed Ana’s unique journey from dropping out of a top school, to surviving in London with little to no money and raising $2.5M in 3 days after struggling for 2 years. Ana shares the challenges of fundraising, the strategic pivot from Web3 to targeting broader industries, the importance of the people around you, the necessity to maintain a balance between work and personal life and much more! 🚀Early-stage founders and young entrepreneurs, this episode is for you.Have a great episode! Listen on Spotify.Listen on Apple Podcast.***** Thanks to our sponsor ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠OpenVC.app⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠! 🔥Use the code "EXPLORE" to get a lifetime 20% discount on their premium membership.Learn more about Explore on: ⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠, ⁠⁠Newsletter⁠⁠. Learn more about ⁠⁠⁠Ana ⁠⁠and ⁠⁠⁠Outdid.io⁠⁠⁠.*****Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction and Background01:00 Ana Maria's Love for School06:20 Starting Outdid.io10:08 Technical Challenges12:01 UC London Innovation and Enterprise Startup Program22:27 Seed Round Fundraising29:38 Explaining the Solution31:08 Fast Term Sheets32:13 Growing the Team36:48 Differentiation from Competitors42:23 Managing Relationships with Investors44:58 Finding Your Role in the Company46:10 Current State and Future Vision49:37 Sigma Squared Society53:21 Advice to Past Self This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit climateventuresvco2.substack.com