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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

APRIL 29, 2020

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 an old article “ Adding Slides Does Not Enhance Your Investor Pitch. First, get their attention with your elevator pitch.

Technical Review 295

Technical Review Elevator Pitch Angel Investor Startup 295

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 27, 2010

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.

Angel Investor 241

Angel Investor Technical Review Intellectual Property Elevator Pitch 241

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

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

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

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 5, 2011

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. Don’t be negative.

Business Plan 242

Business Plan Elevator Pitch Technical Review .Net 242

YoungUpstarts

JUNE 18, 2020

We started the meeting going around the table and were each given two minutes to share what we did – our elevator pitch, a way to present our work in such a concise way that it could be shared within the span of an elevator ride. Reason #3: We make our elevator pitch about ourselves. It was a fiasco.

Elevator Pitch 289

Elevator Pitch New York Security Audience 289

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 4, 2011

Remember to aim the content of both of these at investors, not customers. They must amplify your “elevator pitch” to investors, as well as key points from the business plan and the financial model. Close at least one initial customer. Prepare an investment-grade business plan. Free trials don’t count.

Intellectual Property 249

Intellectual Property Angel Investor Technical Review Elevator Pitch 249

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 22, 2012

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 “ Limit an Investor Pitch to 10 Pages and 10 Minutes.” First, get their attention with your elevator pitch.

Technical Review 243

Technical Review Elevator Pitch Angel Investor Matching 243

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

Steve Blank

MARCH 8, 2011

It was designed to bring together many of the new approaches to building a successful startup – customer development, agile development, business model generation and pivots. Startups, are not about executing a plan where the product, customers, channel are known. Get Out of the Building and test the Business Model.

Lean 307

Lean Business Model Customer Development Guinea 307

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

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 29, 2011

Remember you are pitching to investors, not customers. Some entrepreneurs seem to think that their product pitch is also their investor pitch. First, get their attention with your elevator pitch. Investors don’t need to know the implementation details of your patent or customer support plan.

Technical Review 237

Technical Review Elevator Pitch Angel Investor Matching 237

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 23, 2010

Remember to aim the content of both of these at investors, not customers. They must amplify your “elevator pitch” to investors, as well as key points from the business plan and the financial model. Close at least one initial customer. Prepare an investment-grade business plan. Free trials don’t count.

Angel Investor 224

Angel Investor Intellectual Property Technical Review Elevator Pitch 224

Steve Blank

NOVEMBER 12, 2009

Rather than a traditional VC pitch I suggested that they do something unconventional and tell the story of their journey in Customer Discovery and Validation. The heart of the Cafepress presentation is the “ Lessons Learned from our Customers ” section. Your “Customer Development Process&# has really resonated for me.

Venture Capital 245

Venture Capital Silicon Valley RSS Hockey Stick 245

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Startup Magazine

DECEMBER 24, 2018

Enter the elevator pitch, a tried-and-true networking tool that is crucial for any successful business leader to master. What Is an Elevator Pitch? Forbes suggests that the speech should be around 30 seconds — the same amount of time it takes to ride up an elevator. Sales pitches. Networking events.

Elevator Pitch 133

Elevator Pitch Differentiation Campaign Design 133

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

JUNE 26, 2015

I see too many executive summaries that are simply heavy-duty customer pitches, or lightweight visions of the future. " Investors want to buy into an entrepreneur with a startup that can provide evidence of an ability to double customer productivity, at half the cost, with patented technology.

Intellectual Property 120

Intellectual Property Elevator Pitch Angel Investor Technical Review 120

Up and Running

APRIL 11, 2012

He defines the elevator pitch, video pitch, executive summary, PowerPoint presentation, and business plan as different forms. Talk about solving customer problems. Which customers will buy how much of your product. And I like Bill’s specific advice here as well. Do a bottom’s up analysis.

Business Plan 85

Business Plan Elevator Pitch Technical Review Due Diligence 85

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

VC Cafe

SEPTEMBER 26, 2010

If you can’t explain your idea in 2 sentences, your customers probably won’t either. Also, make sure you practice your elevator pitch. Get feedback from your customers. Ask customers how they would use your product – friends and family don’t count for this purpose. Articulate your idea.

Elevator Pitch 102

Elevator Pitch Incubator Technical Review Startup 102

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 26, 2012

An "elevator pitch" is a concise, well-practiced description of your startup and your plan, delivered with conviction and enthusiasm, that your mother should be able to understand in the time it would take to ride up an elevator. A good elevator pitch is not just for an elevator discussion.

Elevator Pitch 283

Elevator Pitch Startup Differentiation Distribution 283