Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 26, 2020

A business plan is the outward facing definition of the business you hope to drive with your hardware solution, with a hardware overview in the intro to highlight customer value and competitiveness. Use non-fuzzy terms to quantify customer value. Provide specifics on the customer business model.

Business Plan 423

Business Plan Product Intellectual Property Elevator Pitch 423

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 4, 2019

You need to build business relationships with partners, team members, investors, and of course customers. As an introvert myself, I remember worrying that I could never be comfortable giving a sales pitch, or networking to find clients. Develop and practice your business vision and story.

Entrepreneur 261

Entrepreneur Elevator Pitch Angel Investor Incubator 261

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 31, 2015

Passionate entrepreneurs tend to talk on and on about their disruptive technology, their intent to change the world and free services, but if a business can’t provide quantifiable value to real customers, the dream will likely turn into a nightmare. Investors worry about competitors more than customer features.

Elevator Pitch 120

Elevator Pitch Angel Investor Differentiation Business Plan 120

Steve Blank

NOVEMBER 5, 2009

Chasing funding versus chasing customers and a repeatable and scalable business model, is one reason startups fail. Chasing funding versus chasing customers and a repeatable and scalable business model, is one reason startups fail. Are there customers for what you are building? How many are there? Can it scale?”

Customer Development 270

Customer Development Developer Customer Silicon Valley 270

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 27, 2020

As an aspiring entrepreneur, one of the most important things you need is a memorable “ elevator pitch ,” to communicate your startup value proposition and leave a great first impression on friends, investors, employees, and future customers. Lead with your best marketing pitch and conviction.

Elevator Pitch 317

Elevator Pitch Intellectual Property Cost Technology 317

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 4, 2019

In my experience, the key steps I look for always include the following: Testing the idea against customers who have money to spend. Prepare your marketing story for customers and investors. Start by developing an “elevator pitch,” that you can deliver in thirty seconds to hook a potential customer or investor.

Intellectual Property 235

Intellectual Property Elevator Pitch Harvest Technical Review 235

Up and Running

NOVEMBER 13, 2012

Whether you are trying to raise money for your business or just want to perfect your business strategy, a solid elevator pitch is an essential tool for achieving your goals. An elevator pitch can be delivered either verbally, ideally in 60 seconds or less, or as a one-page overview of your business. Simple as that.

Elevator Pitch 166

Elevator Pitch Forecast Oregon Differentiation 166

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 17, 2013

That story has to begin with a painful problem shared by a large collection of viable customers, with your competitive solution. Additionally, you need to be able to communicate the essence that story and value to investors in a couple of sentences – your elevator pitch. Lack of clear objectives/goals.

Software Review 265

Software Review Due Diligence Elevator Pitch Startup 265

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 15, 2018

His focus is primarily on improving the results for traditional sales professionals, but I’m convinced that the same principles are equally critical for entrepreneurs selling their startup to investors, strategic partners, and customers. It’s even acceptable to make up a place with a “what if.” Every story needs a main character.

Elevator Pitch 211

Elevator Pitch Technical Review Boston Sales 211

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 11, 2023

Savvy entrepreneurs start testing their ideas on potential customers even before the concept is fully cooked. I still hear too many excuses for not working early on the elevator pitch, like wanting to fly under the radar, don’t have the team together yet, or can’t afford an agency. Craft and hone your elevator pitch early.

Elevator Pitch 315

Elevator Pitch Public Relations Social Media Startup 315

ReadWriteStart

JUNE 1, 2020

The primary source of your funds should be your paying customers, i.e., your business should generate enough revenues and profits to fund the growth and expansion. Any custom manufactured IoT device would require software development as well as hardware customization. Both of which are expensive and time-consuming.

Startup 150

Startup Entrepreneur Elevator Pitch Seed Stage 150

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 10, 2012

That story has to begin with a painful problem shared by a large collection of viable customers, with your competitive solution. Additionally, you need to be able to communicate the essence that story and value to investors in a couple of sentences – your elevator pitch. Lack of clear objectives/goals.

Software Review 250

Software Review Due Diligence Elevator Pitch Entrepreneur 250

YoungUpstarts

NOVEMBER 29, 2017

You’re in discussions with strategic partners and potential beta customers. Think of your first B2B web site as one step beyond your elevator pitch. It’s the first place a potential customer will go to check you out. What value will customers receive from doing business with your company? Plan to iterate.

Elevator Pitch 100

Elevator Pitch Web Portfolio B2B 100

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 9, 2011

That story has to begin with a painful problem shared by a large collection of viable customers, with your competitive solution. Additionally, you need to be able to communicate the essence that story and value to investors in a couple of sentences – your elevator pitch. Lack of clear objectives/goals.

Software Review 246

Software Review Due Diligence Elevator Pitch Early Stage 246

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 22, 2013

Can concisely explain the unique, compelling value of the proposed venture in written terms and in oral presentations (elevator pitch), recognizing that some investors rely more on one than the other. Successful entrepreneurs already have a visible network of trusted suppliers, potential customers, partners, and even investors.

Technical Review 273

Technical Review Intellectual Property Angel Investor Elevator Pitch 273

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 9, 2021

Here is my outline of key deliverables that could convince me that you are a cut above the “average” entrepreneur that approaches me with nothing but a dream and a prayer: Personal video introduction with elevator pitch. Successful startups are all about the right people with the right stuff.

Elevator Pitch 390

Elevator Pitch Entrepreneur Due Diligence Angel Investor 390

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 7, 2023

Young entrepreneurs often are so excited by new technology or their latest invention that they forget to translate it into a value proposition that their customers or potential investors can understand and relate to. Customer data integrity and security. This priority applies to big companies, as well as startups.

Elevator Pitch 272

Elevator Pitch Social Network Agile Technology 272

Up and Running

OCTOBER 22, 2014

The problem you are solving: How are you helping your customers? Make sure your product or service is addressing your customer’s needs. Your customer: Who is your ideal customer? A great exercise is to create a buyer persona, but you can just jot down some notes at this stage about who your customer is.

Business Plan 130

Business Plan Elevator Pitch Forecast Partner 130

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 6, 2013

Investors tell me that startup success is all about execution, all while facing determined competitors and overcoming customers’ resistance to change. With a for-profit startup, it’s all about solving a problem that embodies real pain, for real customers who are willing and able to pay for a solution. A startup is not a parlor game.

Elevator Pitch 303

Elevator Pitch Entrepreneur Matching Leadership 303

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 20, 2016

It starts with having a vision and an ability to get the message across in your elevator pitch, in a written business plan and one-on-one with potential investors. Fundable entrepreneurs have to feel comfortable talking and listening to engineers, financial people, marketing and especially customers.

Sweat Equity 152

Sweat Equity Entrepreneur Elevator Pitch Startup 152

YoungUpstarts

APRIL 17, 2018

Think of it as an elevator pitch for recruiting. impactful work (we point to specific features that are being used by 100s of customers) and 3. impactful work (we point to specific features that are being used by 100s of customers) and 3. As an example, the reasons we provide to prospective engineers are 1. Be Specific.

Cofounder 164

Cofounder Elevator Pitch Hiring Dividend 164

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 18, 2012

Can concisely explain the unique, compelling value of the proposed venture in written terms and in oral presentations (elevator pitch), recognizing that some investors rely more on one than the other. Successful entrepreneurs already have a visible network of trusted suppliers, potential customers, partners, and even investors.

Technical Review 294

Technical Review Intellectual Property Angel Investor Elevator Pitch 294

YoungUpstarts

NOVEMBER 27, 2016

Pin down your elevator pitch. Everyone knows what an elevator pitch is, but many underestimate the importance of investing the time and energy into getting it right. Who are your customers? Put effort into your existing customers. Maintain honesty and loyalty to your brand and customers.

Elevator Pitch 100

Elevator Pitch Technical Review Affiliate Global 100

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 8, 2020

Savvy entrepreneurs start testing their ideas on potential customers even before the concept is fully cooked. I still hear too many excuses for not working early on the elevator pitch, like wanting to fly under the radar, don’t have the team together yet, or can’t afford an agency. Craft and hone your elevator pitch early.

Elevator Pitch 312

Elevator Pitch Public Relations Marketing Social Media 312

A Smart Bear: Startups and Marketing for Geeks

JULY 11, 2010

No significant route to customers (coming soon.)? We've all heard of the elevator pitch, but when asked to produce it almost no one succeeded. This is important whether or not you're raising money because it means you understand your customers and why they buy your stuff. Building for yourself instead of the market.

Elevator Pitch 325

Elevator Pitch RSS Startup Software Review 325

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 15, 2020

Young entrepreneurs often are so excited by new technology or their latest invention that they forget to translate it into a value proposition that their customers or potential investors can understand and relate to. Customer data integrity and security. This priority applies to big companies, as well as startups.

Technology 412

Technology Elevator Pitch Social Network Agile 412

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 3, 2010

That story has to begin with a painful problem shared by a large collection of viable customers, with your competitive solution. Additionally, you need to be able to communicate the essence that story and value to investors in a couple of sentences – your elevator pitch. Lack of clear objectives/goals.

Software Review 239

Software Review Due Diligence Elevator Pitch Startup 239

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 30, 2013

Remember you are pitching to investors, not customers. Some entrepreneurs seem to think that their product pitch is also their investor pitch. I outlined what investors expect to see in another article “ Adding Slides Does Not Enhance Your Investor Pitch. First, get their attention with your elevator pitch.

Angel Investor 256

Angel Investor Technical Review Elevator Pitch Matching 256

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 7, 2013

Practice every step, including the elevator pitch to get the first meeting. Use friends, family, and angels, if possible, to get a product, revenue, and customers first before the VC connection. Remember you only have one chance for a good first impression. Don’t try to talk your way to a deal before you have the documentation.

Venture Capital 252

Venture Capital IPO Elevator Pitch Initial Public Offering 252

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 29, 2012

Investors tell me that startup success is all about execution, all while facing determined competitors and overcoming customers’ resistance to change. With a for-profit startup, it’s all about solving a problem that embodies real pain, for real customers who are willing and able to pay for a solution. A startup is not a parlor game.

Entrepreneur 286

Entrepreneur Elevator Pitch Matching Leadership 286

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 23, 2023

Your concept has to be understood by customers and investors in 30 seconds or less, and everyone needs to immediately see how awesome it would be, or that they would be nuts not to have it. I’m looking for the “hook” right up front, or I lose interest quickly, just like every customer and investor these days.

Intellectual Property 240

Intellectual Property Elevator Pitch Algorithm Social Media 240

Gust

JULY 23, 2014

So even if my own mother asked me to meet with you, and you were pitching me a biotech opportunity for a $10 million investment at a $90 million valuation, I might take the meeting, but it wouldn’t be particularly useful for either of us. In this case, it’s not a lack of interest, just a lack of time and efficiency.

Angel Investor 153

Angel Investor Elevator Pitch Pre-Money Valuation Technical Review 153

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 30, 2014

Young entrepreneurs often are so excited by new technology or their latest invention that they forget to translate it into a value proposition that their customers or potential investors can understand. Customer data integrity and security. business customer values entrepreneur startup technology solution'

Technology 245

Technology Customer Elevator Pitch Social Network 245

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 25, 2023

Shy introverts may be great technologists, but they won’t be entrepreneurs until they learn to nurture relationships with friends and family, practice their elevator pitch and respectfully ask for funding. Waiting for someone to give you a gift with no specific objective is likely to be a long wait.

Sweat Equity 274

Sweat Equity Elevator Pitch Startup Equity 274

YoungUpstarts

DECEMBER 12, 2017

Kristy Campbell, COO of Rev1 Ventures, describes your first website as a “step beyond your elevator pitch.” Out of an excess of eagerness to impress customers, entrepreneurs may impulsively choose elaborate navigation tools, add unnecessary animations , or otherwise create what’s known as friction in user interactions.

Web 113

Web Design Elevator Pitch Entrepreneur 113

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 4, 2020

Your concept has to be understood by customers and investors in 30 seconds or less, and everyone needs to immediately see how awesome it would be, or that they would be nuts not to have it. I’m looking for the “hook” right up front, or I lose interest quickly, just like every customer and investor these days.

Intellectual Property 416

Intellectual Property Elevator Pitch Startup Algorithm 416

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 2, 2012

An Executive Summary is a one page elevator pitch of the whole plan (may be separate from the plan), which gives an investor a net perspective on the key business parameters. Don’t say things about your competitors or customers that you wouldn’t be able to defend if they were in the room with you. Trash your competitors.

Elevator Pitch 244

Elevator Pitch Technical Review Business Plan .Net 244