//Mining Wells Resources

Marketing guides, investor directories and company research.

Work through a marketing question, research companies and investors, or check the steps for opening a business. Sources are linked so you can check the details.

Marketing guidesUnderstand the marketing work before deciding what belongs in your plan.Browse marketing guides
Venture capital firmsCompare stated investment stages, sectors and locations, with links to the sources.Browse investor directories
Y Combinator DirectoryFind any YC company by name, industry or city, and browse every batch by size, status and industry.Search YC companies
Starting a businessFind local registration steps, permit information and official contacts.Find your city guide

Worksheets and checklists

Free working files with their sources linked and dated. Each one is offered on the page it belongs to, where you can ask for it by email.

A page from the Investor Research File.
Investor Research File
Every firm we profile, with stages, sectors, sources and check dates, plus a printable shortlist.
Get it on: Venture capital firms in San Francisco and the Bay Area: a 2026 guide
A page from the Company Research Sheet.
Company Research Sheet
Record who would use a product, the evidence behind it and the questions still open, with YC batch and Southern California tabs.
Get it on: Y Combinator's Requests for Startups, Fall 2026: all 13 ideas explained
A page from the Program Comparison Sheet.
Program Comparison Sheet
Compare accelerators and pre-seed programs on their published terms, eligibility and time commitment.
Get it on: Y Combinator alternatives: accelerators and pre-seed programs worth knowing
A page from the Funding Research Notes.
Funding Research Notes
Official definitions of funding terms and requirements, each with its source, the question still open and who can answer it.
Get it on: How to get venture capital: a first-time founder's playbook
A page from the Agency Comparison Sheet.
Agency Comparison Sheet
Compare agency proposals on the work, the people and the evidence, not just the fee.
Get it on: How to choose a SaaS SEO agency: questions, red flags and pricing
A page from the Marketing Priorities Worksheet.
Marketing Priorities Worksheet
Put the goal, the evidence and the proposed work on one page before deciding what comes first.
Get it on: SEO vs AEO vs GEO: what each one is, and which one your business needs
A page from the Search Checks Workbook.
Search Checks Workbook
Launch, SaaS, progress and Google Business Profile checks, each with the documented basis for it.
Get it on: SEO for startups: what to do in your first 12 months
A page from the AI Search Observation Record.
AI Search Observation Record
Record what AI search tools answer and cite for your questions, and how that changes over time.
Get it on: How to rank in ChatGPT: getting your business mentioned and cited