Scrushy on Business

What VCs Really Want in 2026: Traction, Runway, and the "Signal-to-Burn" Ratio

This week on Scrushy on Business, Richard Scrushy breaks down what investors actually look for when founders raise capital—especially in today's tighter 2026 environment. Richard explains the real-world meaning of traction (and why pilot customers and reference calls can make or break a raise), then goes deeper into the "behind-the-scenes" language VCs use: capital efficiency, runway, and the powerful signal-to-burn ratio—a simple way to think about what you produce for every dollar you burn. They also tackle listener questions like: * How much traction should you have before approaching institutional investors vs angels? * Are investors prioritizing growth or profitability right now? * How much does the founder matter compared to the product? * Which startup categories are attracting the most attention—and which are fading? Plus, Richard shares a cautionary lesson from legacy brands (including why Sears could have been Amazon) and why founders should avoid buzzword-heavy decks that don't clearly convert metrics into dollars. 📩 Have a question for Richard? Email: info@ScrushyOnBusiness.com Topics in this episode: Venture Capital, Startup Traction, Fundraising, Pitch Decks, Runway, Capital Efficiency, Founder-Market Fit, Valuation, Healthcare Innovation, AI, and VC Trends.

Business Plans 101: What Investors Really Want to See (And What Can Go Wrong)

Most business plans don't fail because the idea is bad—they fail because the plan is vague, unrealistic, or doesn't answer the questions serious investors will ask immediately. In this episode of Scrushy on Business, Richard Scrushy breaks down what a business plan is actually for (hint: it's not just a document to send lenders), the biggest mistakes first-time founders make, and how to build a plan that's clear, believable, and usable inside your company. Richard shares what he looks for when someone hands him a business plan, why "pie-in-the-sky" projections kill credibility, and the "trick question" sophisticated investors always ask: What can go wrong? If you can't answer that honestly and intelligently, you're not ready to raise money. You'll also learn: * Why you must define your customer (and your top customers) early * How to think about demographics, market size, and differentiation * Why the plan needs to be a living, breathing document (not one-and-done) * The #1 killer of small businesses: running out of money / being undercapitalized * Why you shouldn't outsource your plan—or let AI write what you can't defend * Why Richard prefers 5-year plans (even though years 4–5 will change) * The difference between a "good plan on paper" and real-world cash flow If you're starting a business, raising money from friends/family, pitching sophisticated investors, or trying to scale without losing focus—this episode is your roadmap. 📩 Have a question for Richard? Email: info@ScrushyOnBusiness.com 📲 Follow the show on social: @ScrushyOnBusiness ✅ Subscribe for weekly episodes and hit the bell so you don't miss what's next.

New Year Business Planning: Stay Focused, Fund Growth & Know When to Quit Your Job

Happy New Year and welcome to a brand-new episode of Scrushy on Business! Richard Scrushy to kicks off 2026 with a practical conversation about how entrepreneurs should think at the start of a new year—what to review, what to fix, and how to build a plan you can actually execute. Richard shares a real example from a listener who's preparing to take a company public, and why staying a "pure play" matters when you're pitching investors. They break down why over-diversifying can kill momentum, how smart founders think about growth rates and valuations, and when it's time to consider an exit strategy—before growth slows and markets react. The discussion also dives into the AI investment boom, where the money is flowing, and what that means for everyday business owners who aren't building an AI startup. Richard explains why investors still fund "regular" businesses—HVAC, plumbing, landscaping, retail, and more—when the model is proven and the path to scale is clear. Finally, Richard answers listener questions about the hardest decisions entrepreneurs face: When should you quit your full-time job to go all-in? How do you fund growth without putting your family at risk? How do you handle fear of failure when starting from scratch? 📩 Send your questions to: info@ScrushyOnBusiness.com [info@ScrushyOnBusiness.com] 👍 If you're watching on YouTube, subscribe and hit the bell so you never miss a new episode.

How to Raise Venture Capital: Pitch Deck, Traction, Burn Rate & Term Sheets

Thinking about raising venture capital for your startup or growing business? In this episode of Scrushy on Business, Richard Scrushy breaks down what founders need to know before pitching VCs—plus what investors look for (and what gets you turned down fast). Richard shares real-world lessons from building and backing companies, including why speed and scale often matter more than early profitability, and how to structure your company so you don't kill your deal before it starts. He also discusses how media is changing (radio vs. digital platforms), why hyper-local content matters, and how today's founders can adapt to a world driven by phones, streaming, and YouTube. What you'll learn in this episode: * What venture capital firms look for in a founder and a pitch * The pitch deck flow: problem → solution → market size → traction → go-to-market → financials * Why "Why now?" and "Why you?" can make or break your raise * How to explain market size, growth, and scaling strategy * What "burn rate" means and why VCs obsess over it * Why your cap table and company structure must be clean * How vesting equity can retain key leaders and reduce turnover * Term sheet red flags: board control, anti-dilution, authority limits, and founder protection * Why being prepared (down to details) matters in investor meetings * How founders should respond to rejection—and use feedback to improve Got a question you want answered on the show? Email info@scrushyonbusiness.com. Subscribe for more episodes on venture capital, entrepreneurship, leadership, deal-making, and building companies that scale. #VentureCapital #StartupFunding #PitchDeck #Entrepreneurship #TermSheet #BusinessStrategy #BurnRate #CapTable #Fundraising #Startups #VC

AI Unicorns, $3 Trillion VC Deals & 9 Must-Do Steps to Start Your Business | Scrushy on Business

In this episode of Scrushy on Business, Dave Greene and former HealthSouth CEO Richard Scrushy break down the real world of venture capital, sky-high AI valuations, and the practical steps every entrepreneur must take to start and grow a business the right way. From OpenAI's $300B valuation and SpaceX as the world's most valuable private company, to Databricks' bold claim it can become a $1 trillion AI company, Richard explains how investors actually think about valuation, dilution, and return on investment—and what that means for your startup. Then the conversation pivots from Wall Street to Main Street, as Richard lays out the traits of a true entrepreneur and his 9 key steps for starting a business: from researching your idea and naming your company to building your brand, website, and marketing plan. He also shares how to structure your company, attract investors, and avoid common mistakes that kill deals before they start. You'll also hear: * Why some biotech and AI companies raise millions without being profitable * How investors look at pre-money vs. post-money valuation * What anti-dilution clauses are and why they can cripple a company * Real-world stories from Richard's $1.7 billion acquisition experience * How to negotiate with owners who are emotionally attached to their business * Richard's daily habits and routines (including his 7-day-a-week workout) that keep him sharp as a leader * How entrepreneurs can find their purpose even when they're just trying to survive and pay the bills This episode is brought to you by: DraftKings: Download the DraftKings Sportsbook app and use code SCRUSHY. Bet five bucks and get $200 in bonus bets if your bet wins. 🔔 Subscribe to Scrushy on Business for more real, unfiltered conversations about building, buying, and scaling companies. 📩 Send your questions for Richard: info@ScrushyOnBusiness.com Follow & Connect: 📱 Social: @ScrushyOnBusiness 📩 Email your questions: info@ScrushyOnBusiness.com