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

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

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. Identify the right people in the right venture firms.

Venture Capital 252

Venture Capital IPO Elevator Pitch Initial Public Offering 252

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

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

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. You lose in either case.

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. You lose in either case.

Business Plan 242

Business Plan Elevator Pitch Technical Review .Net 242

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

NOVEMBER 4, 2011

Build a prototype product. A conundrum for many frustrated entrepreneurs is that they need money from investors to design and build a prototype product, yet most angel investors expect to see at least a prototype before they invest. Remember to aim the content of both of these at investors, not customers.

Intellectual Property 249

Intellectual Property Angel Investor Technical Review Elevator Pitch 249

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

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

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

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

SEPTEMBER 23, 2010

Build a prototype product. A conundrum for many frustrated entrepreneurs is that they need money from investors to design and build a prototype product, yet most angel investors expect to see at least a prototype before they invest. Remember to aim the content of both of these at investors, not customers.

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

You must have a prototype or a minimum viable product (MVP). 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. To fund the sudden spike in production, funds will be required for additional inventory and wages.

Startup 150

Startup Entrepreneur Elevator Pitch Seed Stage 150

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. Not sales, product development, or fundraising. Be Specific.

Cofounder 164

Cofounder Elevator Pitch Hiring Dividend 164

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 20, 2016

Even if your product is a technological marvel, I look for balanced strength on the team in finance, marketing and operations. 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. Focus on prior results, not titles.

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? Your solution to the problem: How does your business solve a customer’s problem? What is your product or service? Make sure your product or service is addressing your customer’s needs. Your customer: Who is your ideal customer?

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

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 26, 2015

As a model, think high-quality marketing collateral, with text and graphics in columns and sidebars, but focused on the value of your business, rather than selling your product. I see too many executive summaries that are simply heavy-duty customer pitches, or lightweight visions of the future.

Intellectual Property 120

Intellectual Property Elevator Pitch Angel Investor Technical Review 120

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

VC Cafe

SEPTEMBER 26, 2010

Launch48 is a new kind of micro-incubator taking place over the course of a weekend, which enables entrepreneurs to pitch their concept in one minute, in order to find team mates who are interested in pursuing the idea. If you can’t explain your idea in 2 sentences, your customers probably won’t either.

Elevator Pitch 102

Elevator Pitch Incubator Technical Review Startup 102

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

Up and Running

APRIL 11, 2012

He defines the elevator pitch, video pitch, executive summary, PowerPoint presentation, and business plan as different forms. These suggestions are all excellent: Don’t spend too much of your time with investors talking about products and technology. Talk about solving customer problems. Do a bottom’s up analysis.

Business Plan 85

Business Plan Elevator Pitch Technical Review Due Diligence 85

YoungUpstarts

NOVEMBER 27, 2016

Take full advantage of your most productive times. Reflect on what your most productive hours in the day are, and set yourself up for success within those hours. Pin down your elevator pitch. Who are your customers? Put effort into your existing customers. Main points to hit: What do you value?

Elevator Pitch 100

Elevator Pitch Technical Review Affiliate Global 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 135

Elevator Pitch Differentiation Campaign Design 135

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 16, 2016

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 120

Technical Review Elevator Pitch Startup Angel Investor 120

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 19, 2015

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 120

Technical Review Elevator Pitch Angel Investor Matching 120

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

YoungUpstarts

DECEMBER 12, 2017

Seasoned brands tend to excel at minimalism, especially textual minimalism, because they’ve had years to hone their product descriptions and brand mission, while new companies experience a lot of verbal overflow because they’re still mastering their own brand narrative.

Web 113

Web Design Elevator Pitch Entrepreneur 113

Gust

SEPTEMBER 27, 2014

In order to be competitive, a company needs to have just about everything in place, from its product to its team to market traction, before it is ready to seek funding. At the very least, answer ALL the profile questions, include your company’s logo, create a two-minute elevator pitch video and upload your presentation deck.

Angel Groups 159

Angel Groups Elevator Pitch Software Review Deal Flow 159

Up and Running

MARCH 13, 2019

Whether you are trying to raise money from angel investors or venture capitalists for your business, or just want to perfect your business strategy, a solid elevator pitch is an essential tool for achieving your goals. How to build a winning elevator pitch in 7 steps: 1. Define the problem. Simple as that.

Elevator Pitch 140

Elevator Pitch Video Forecast Oregon 140

ConversionXL

JULY 16, 2021

This will help you gauge who your audience is and how to speak to them at every customer touchpoint. The point isn’t to complicate your content creation—it’s to ensure your messaging is aligned with the customer journey every step of the way. Figure out how your product uniquely fits into the market and drive that message home.

Audience 127

Audience Framework Differentiation Software Review 127

Austin Startup

OCTOBER 12, 2010

On October 14th Tech Ranch will be hosting a Venture Pitch event, where 10 entrepreneurs will be pitching their idea to a panel including a potential customer, a proven entrepreneur, and a seasoned investor. We asked him to tell about the Venture Forth program and his preparation for pitching. How did that happen?

Flash 77

Flash Elevator Pitch Bootstrapping Cofounder 77

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. Pitch your company, not your product. Net out the problem and your solution in the first 30 seconds.

Elevator Pitch 390

Elevator Pitch Entrepreneur Due Diligence Angel Investor 390