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Exactly 
year ago, we joined @TinySeedFund and grew @ScrapingBee from $3k to $20k MRR while learning a ton!Lately I got asked often what was it really like to be in TinySeed?
Since batch 3 applications open soon, now is a good time to answer this question,
1. 
The application process
The application process was easy and fast, as promised by their terms.
11/7
Application sent
12/5 First call scheduled
12/13 Second call scheduled
12/17 Third call scheduled
01/06 We got accepted
04/22 We got the money
The application processThe application process was easy and fast, as promised by their terms.
11/7
Application sent12/5
First call scheduled12/13
Second call scheduled12/17
Third call scheduled01/06
We got accepted 04/22
We got the money
Time between being accepted and receiving the money was probably longer than expected because we were the first French company TinySeed invested in.
So some legal things needed to be figured out.
In the end process was way smoother and less stressful than I expected.
So some legal things needed to be figured out.
In the end process was way smoother and less stressful than I expected.
2. 
The money
So TinySeed's terms are clear about this.
But with the money, actually comes two things:
1) You get money to invest in your company and/or pay yourself a bit more.
2) You can actually make long term decision, without fearing bankruptcy every day.
The moneySo TinySeed's terms are clear about this.
But with the money, actually comes two things:
1) You get money to invest in your company and/or pay yourself a bit more.
2) You can actually make long term decision, without fearing bankruptcy every day.
The second point is the real game changer.
I used to do some freelance gigs while @SahinKevin handled everything to keep the company alive.
Shifting the focus to long term decisions, with peace of mind, was
.
@patio11 sums it perfectly. https://twitter.com/patio11/status/1190278128909729792
I used to do some freelance gigs while @SahinKevin handled everything to keep the company alive.
Shifting the focus to long term decisions, with peace of mind, was
.@patio11 sums it perfectly. https://twitter.com/patio11/status/1190278128909729792
3. 
The mentorship program
This part was the one I was the most curious about. Was it worth it? Was it really useful? Was is just empty words?
Short answer: it rocks!
The program has two parts
The mentorship programThis part was the one I was the most curious about. Was it worth it? Was it really useful? Was is just empty words?
Short answer: it rocks!
The program has two parts
The part is having, every 2-3 weeks, one expert talking to the whole batch about one particular topics.
We got one about pricing, recruiting, targeting, user-onboarding, marketing and more.
And it was incredibly useful and full of practical tips.
is having, every 2-3 weeks, one expert talking to the whole batch about one particular topics.We got one about pricing, recruiting, targeting, user-onboarding, marketing and more.
And it was incredibly useful and full of practical tips.
I recall that right after the session about pricing, at least 5 companies changed their pricing page, and had good results about it!
The part
is having access to a wide network of expert in every possible startup topics you could think of.
The part
is having access to a wide network of expert in every possible startup topics you could think of.
And it's not fluff, you really have access to it. Basically, the way it work is that you tell @tracymakes "Hey, I have a problem about X and I'd love to talk to Y to see if she/he could help"
And then,, you'll get your private 30 minutes consulting session with an expert.
And then,
, you'll get your private 30 minutes consulting session with an expert.
Or at least one long form email answering all your questions and more.
This year, every single time we needed a mentor, we got answers to our questions.
Answers that would have taken a substantial amount of time or money to get otherwise!
This year, every single time we needed a mentor, we got answers to our questions.
Answers that would have taken a substantial amount of time or money to get otherwise!
4. 
The community
This was also a point I was curious about. There are so many awesome bootstrapping communities out there, I wondered how TinySeed would be different.
Well, it is, and I think it comes down to 2 thing: closed community and incentive
The communityThis was also a point I was curious about. There are so many awesome bootstrapping communities out there, I wondered how TinySeed would be different.
Well, it is, and I think it comes down to 2 thing: closed community and incentive
Because the TinySeed slack is only accessible to mentor or companies in the batch there is a sense of close community that allow people to share "hard to share" things.
Think: difficulty about your business, sharing precise CPC number, *this* competitor move and so on.
Think: difficulty about your business, sharing precise CPC number, *this* competitor move and so on.
And it means that the TinySeed slack is one of the most transparent and helpful communities I've ever been a part of.
And I learned as much by reading others' questions and answers than by reading my own.
And I learned as much by reading others' questions and answers than by reading my own.
The "advice-needed" channel is where the magic happens.
It is really invaluable to have one place, where you can ask any kind of question, and to know that you'll get the answer from an expert right away.
And very often, you'll get an investor or a mentor helping you directly.
It is really invaluable to have one place, where you can ask any kind of question, and to know that you'll get the answer from an expert right away.
And very often, you'll get an investor or a mentor helping you directly.
But there is also more to it, @tracymakes really makes an awesome job at bringing life to the batch by regularly organizing mastermind, virtual retreat, casual slack thread and getting sure that everyone is getting the answer they need to their questions.
5. 
Pressure
One thing that often comes with funding is the pressure to grow at all costs.
Well, not this time.
It was made pretty clear from day one that their goal is not to fund unicorn but rather profitable mid-size businesses
PressureOne thing that often comes with funding is the pressure to grow at all costs.
Well, not this time.
It was made pretty clear from day one that their goal is not to fund unicorn but rather profitable mid-size businesses
And it means that never once, we had felt any pressure to make any move to grow faster.
Never have we been told that we should hire at all cost or spend $ X,XXX in marketing next month.
Never have we been told that we should hire at all cost or spend $ X,XXX in marketing next month.
5. 
Conclusion
TinySeed was really a game changer for @ScrapingBee
It allowed us to grow faster, while keeping ownership of the company, meeting awesome people and learning a ton on how to run a profitable business.
100% would recommend
ConclusionTinySeed was really a game changer for @ScrapingBee
It allowed us to grow faster, while keeping ownership of the company, meeting awesome people and learning a ton on how to run a profitable business.
100% would recommend
If you are a SAAS owner, and are between $500 and $20k MRR there are really no reasons not to apply.
Application for batch 3 will start next week!
Don't miss it https://tinyseed.com/apply
Application for batch 3 will start next week!
Don't miss it
https://tinyseed.com/apply
