Fundraise or find profits with Benchmark and Cambly

This week’s TechCrunch Live features Sameer Shariff, CEO, and co-founder of Cambly, and Sarah Tavel, a long-time investor at Benchmark and previously Graylock. They’re the perfect guests to kick off the third season of TCL! Cambly looks like a sure bet right now, but as you’ll hear from Sameer, it was a struggle to get…

Published

4 years ago

February 1, 2023

CYBER TECH TV

Cambly looks like a sure bet right now, but as you’ll hear from Sameer, it was a struggle to get to this point. After failing to raise a Series A, the company had to change its model overnight. When VC after VC said no, Cambly had to find a way to make a profit to keep the doors open. Since then, the company went on to raise a $20m Series A and $60m Series B, but only because the company took the hard steps to seek profitability earlier than expected.

Cambly’s Series B fundraise went wildly different from its Series A, and I hope you can join the live event to hear the lessons Sameer learned from both rounds. Sarah Tavel led Benchmark’s investment and can speak to what made Cambly a perfect fit for the firm – and you’ll hear from Sameer on why Benchmark was an ideal fit for Cambly too.

Questions I want to ask:

How did the company mindset change following the failure to raise a Series A, and how did the founders keep the team focused and on target?

What steps should founders take when seeking profitable growth before raising venture capital?

Cambly is a unique marketplace, and how did the company initially acquire customers, and when did the company outgrow and replace the strategy for scale?

There are countless language learning marketplaces and services, so what Cambly metrics lead Benchmark to lead Series B?

Science & Technology

What it’s Actually Like at TechCrunch Disrupt, with Baukunst’s Kate McAndrew

You’ve seen the stages, the celebs, the coverage…but what is Disrupt actually like to attend? Venture Fund Baukunst’s co-founder Kate McAndrew explored the show floor and discovered a wealth of companies to meet with, a tour of the globe’s innovators, and most of all, a reminder that the community made there goes far beyond what…

Published

14 hours ago

October 23, 2026

CYBER TECH TV

You’ve seen the stages, the celebs, the coverage…but what is Disrupt actually like to attend?

Venture Fund Baukunst’s co-founder Kate McAndrew explored the show floor and discovered a wealth of companies to meet with, a tour of the globe’s innovators, and most of all, a reminder that the community made there goes far beyond what can be discovered via a screen.

CNET

Inside iPhone Duo Launch Day With Bridget

Something is different for this iPhone Duo launch. Bridget Carey takes you inside Apple’s Fifth Avenue store as fans get their hands on the first folding iPhone — which includes a personalized Hello-screen surprise. You can find the products mentioned in this video linked below Apple – iPhone Duo 256GB – Night Sky *Cnet may…

Published

15 hours ago

October 23, 2026

CYBER TECH TV

You can find the products mentioned in this video linked below
Apple – iPhone Duo 256GB – Night Sky
*Cnet may get commission on this offer.

Read more about the iPhone Duo on CNET.com
iPhone Duo Review: Late to the Foldable Party, but It Steals the Show

Timecode Chapters:
0:00 Do Not Separate Bridget!
0:06 iPhone Duo Launch Day!
0:16 The Early Risers
0:39 First People in Line
1:12 The Preorder Situation
1:19 Lines Across the Country
1:46 Personalized Duos Were a Nice Touch
2:38 iPhone Duo Success
2:43 More Apple Products to Come

Video Credits:
Host: Bridget Carey
Scripted by: Bridget Carey
Producer: Carly Marsh
Camera: Carly Marsh
Video Editor: Numi Prasarn
Thumbnail Designer: Tharon Green

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#iphoneduo #apple #foldablephone