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Everything You Need to Know About the Investor Dog Whistle

Everything You Need to Know About the Investor Dog Whistle

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Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay

Basic to every startup/newco is having a pitch deck. An executive summaries as well, and while you know this, we wonder if we have pitch decks all wrong. Or if you believe that there’s a set order of slides to which you must strictly adhere.

Wrong.

Charlie O’Donnell of Brooklyn Bridge Ventures’ somewhat unofficial mantra is ‘Always Be Selling’ and truth be told, no matter what your official title is in your startup/newco, you’re doing sales. Especially in a lean company: unless you’re in a completely non-public facing role, you’re a salesperson for your company, which brings us to your investor presentation, your deck and everything in between. Read More...

How to Pitch to Investors (Trust Us, You’ve Got It All Wrong)

How to Pitch to Investors (Trust Us, You’ve Got It All Wrong)

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Image by Just killing time from Pixabay

We attended Peak Pitch last week, and thought we’d share some of the lessons that we gleaned from the experience. Namely, points about pitching to investors that every entrepreneur needs to know.

FYI, every year, Peak Pitch brings together 40 or 50 seed and series A investors (some of whom may come from finance, while others are recovering entrepreneurs themselves) and 40 to 60 curated founders for networking and informal pitches on the slopes. Skiing is not mandatory. Pitches can also be done fireside, speaking of warm introductions.  There is no shortage of investors there to listen, give constructive criticism or offer advice. The activities and shared experiences are enjoyable, to be sure, but at the end of the day (actually, all day long), everyone is there to do business.

We reviewed What Investors Are Really Looking For in a pitch deck just last week. Since Peak Pitch is the next stage – your deck has passed muster and you’ve moved up to the next level – what’s the drill once you have the ear of an investor – or 40? It’s not just a rehash of your deck. It’s the points that are going to pique and keep an investor’s interest. Read More...

Invaluable Lessons Startups Can Learn from Trader Joe’s, a Food Retailer Who Created a Whole New Category

Invaluable Lessons Startups Can Learn from Trader Joe’s, a Food Retailer Who Created a Whole New Category

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Ah, Trader Joe’s!

Ever notice the lines at TJ’s? We’re not talking about the ones at check-out. We’re talking about the ones that often spiral around the block, just to get into the store. You’d think that there was a celebrity inside perusing the avocados. Read More...