Meet Marty Ringlein, CEO & Co-Founder at Agree:

Marty Ringlein is a seasoned entrepreneur, tech visionary, and investor with over 20 years of experience in the startup ecosystem. As the CEO and co-founder of Agree.com, Marty is reimagining digital agreements by integrating e-signatures and payments into a seamless fintech platform. Agree.com raised $3 million in pre-seed funding, offering free e-signatures to everyone and solving the complexities of contract payments.

Before Agree.com, Marty built and sold multiple companies, including exits to Twitter and Brax, solidifying his reputation as a prolific founder. As an investor, he has backed some of the world’s most iconic startups, including Stripe, SpaceX, Roblox, Coinbase, Deel, and Uber. His ability to spot transformative opportunities in tech and fintech has made him a respected leader among tech founders and investors.

Marty’s passion lies in simplifying complex processes, and with Agree.com, he’s creating a platform that transforms how businesses and individuals handle agreements globally. Whether it’s hiring, contracting, or compliance, Marty’s experience brings invaluable insights into building global-first, remote-friendly solutions.

Listen Up: Marty Ringlein, CEO & Co-Founder at Agree — Full Podcast Episode on Spotify

Watch Now: Vit’s In-Depth Talk with Marty Ringlein

Quick Read: Marty Ringlein, CEO & Co-Founder at Agree, Interview Highlight

When I first heard about Agree.com, I was admittedly puzzled. The initial impression was another e-signature tool in a crowded market. Yet, after diving deeper, the scale of what CEO Marty Ringlein is building became clearer. As Marty described it, the e-signature is a “wedge” into a broader fintech vision. While many stop at signatures, Agree.com aims to streamline the entire financial transaction process, tackling a significant pain point in sales—money movement.

Taking On Industry Giants

I asked Marty how they plan to compete with giants like DocuSign and Microsoft Word. He acknowledged DocuSign’s dominance but outlined a different approach: allowing users to retain their preferred tools while enhancing post-signature processes.

Marty humorously stated:

“I’m not going to fight Microsoft Word.”

Instead, Agree.com focuses on simplifying document edits and integrating financial transactions directly from contracts.

Facing Startups’ Goliaths

In the startup world, the challenge is often about taking on established players. Marty shared that investors look for attempts at solving big problems. He emphasized that while incumbents might have the technical skills, startups persist with a “solve it or die” mentality.

“Your JIRA ticket is don’t die,”

He explained, highlighting the urgency startups live by.

Mastering the VC Pitch

I asked Marty about controlling the narrative in investor pitches. He advised founders to practice extensively, learning to captivate VCs’ attention. A critical lesson came from using relatable yet misleading examples, such as leasing agreements, which inadvertently pigeonholed Agree.com into an unwanted niche. His advice: be clear and manage expectations effectively.

Fundraising Strategy

Marty’s rapid pre-seed fundraising—closing in three weeks—can be attributed to sustained relationships and readiness to seize opportunities. He advises founders to continuously build network ties, dismissing the notion of only engaging VCs when explicitly fundraising.

“Traction builds traction,”

He stated, stressing incremental success as a catalyst for larger achievements.

Being Both Founder and Investor

As both a seasoned founder and investor, Marty offers a unique perspective on fundraising. He advises avoiding “bullshit” claims that don’t sell. Instead, focus on clear, compelling narratives. He also emphasizes being a self-aware early adopter, predicting future trends and capitalizing on them—a skill he honed with companies like Stripe and Uber.

Advice for Future Founders

Finally, I sought Marty’s advice for founders raising funds in 2024. He emphasized differentiation, using oneself as the first user to ensure genuine problem-solving, and remaining adaptable. “Have no babies,” he counseled, urging a willingness to pivot when necessary.

This conversation with Marty Ringlein unveils a strategic vision that transcends traditional industry models, offering valuable insights for aspiring entrepreneurs. In a world where disruption is constant, Marty’s journey underscores the importance of innovation, perseverance, and strategic foresight.