Chris Heaslip: Global from Day One

Chris Heaslip, founder of global donation platform Pushpay, doesn't mince words. Speaking with The Raise, he candidly admitted: "The customers we had in New Zealand didn't matter for anything."

This bold statement isn't about downplaying Pushpay's Kiwi roots, but rather highlighting his global vision from day one. However, the road to global success was far from smooth. Heaslip, an accountant by training, had already attempted and failed at 18 startups before Pushpay. It took years of "pain," as he puts it, to finally crack the code. Heaslip's journey offers valuable lessons for aspiring entrepreneurs building scalable startups.

* Embrace the False Summit - Great founders thrive under pressure. Heaslip acknowledges the mental health burden of leading a company, especially after raising money and facing constant expectations.

* Importance of Co-founders in the Trenches - Complementary skills are key. Heaslip credits his success to his partnership with Elliot Crowther, a non-technical co-founder with a fierce drive and sales expertise.

* Think Beyond the Current Round - Don't just plan for the next raise. Heaslip advises looking far ahead, ensuring the current funding will propel you towards bigger milestones, paving the way for future fundraising.