There’s no such thing as ‘first mover advantage’
Discover why “first mover advantage” is a myth in startup strategy. Learn how being first to market often leads to costly mistakes, while competitors benefit from refining your ideas. Focus on real defensibility, like intellectual property and customer loyalty, to attract investors and build lasting success.
The art of building your investor lead list
Learn how to build a targeted investor lead list with tools like Crunchbase, NFX Signal, FounderSuite, and more. Discover step-by-step techniques for finding, organizing, and reaching out to the right investors for your startup’s fundraising goals.
Keep your pitch deck to under 20 megabytes
Learn why keeping your pitch deck under 20MB is essential for successful business communication. Discover how a smaller file size ensures quick delivery, easy access, and a professional impression, helping your proposal stand out.
What does ‘keeping it simple’ mean when fundraising?
When pitching to investors, simplicity is crucial. Focus on the big picture—your startup’s mission, the problem you’re solving, and the size of the market opportunity. Avoid overwhelming investors with too much detail or jargon. Instead, use a bottom-up approach to show how your business will realistically grow and capture market share. By keeping your pitch clear and concise, you can better engage investors and increase your chances of securing funding.
From Inbox to Investment: Mastering Cold Emails to VCs
Unlock the secret to winning over VCs by aligning your pitch with their investment thesis. Find out what VCs are looking for and how to make your startup irresistible.
Unlocking VC dollars: Understanding their investment thesis is your secret weapon
Unlock the secret to winning over VCs by aligning your pitch with their investment thesis. Find out what VCs are looking for and how to make your startup irresistible.
Top mistakes startup founders make in their pitch in July 2024
Avoid the most common pitch deck errors and elevate your startup pitch. This comprehensive guide provides data-driven insights and practical advice to help you secure funding in 2024
Vanity metrics vs. true traction: how to measure startup success
Understand vanity metrics and why they can mislead startups. Learn to focus on true traction and meaningful metrics to measure your startup's success and avoid common pitfalls.
Concierge MVP: the ultimate tool for testing your startup idea
Discover the benefits of a concierge MVP for your startup. Learn how this personalized, manual approach can validate your business idea, save costs, and help you understand customer needs without heavy investment.
Maximize your startup pitch deck with effective appendix slides
Should every pitch deck include an appendix? The answer is, of course, both yes and no. Find out when you need an appendix, when you don’t, and what should be in your pitch deck appendix.
The ‘previous investors’ question
When you’re putting together a pitch deck for a funding round, is it prudent to include the details of your previous investors? In some cases, it’s a must. In other cases, it doesn’t matter. Here’s why.
What do you need to show that your startup is ‘venture scale’?
Explore key insights on achieving venture-scale status for your startup, including market analysis, growth potential, problem-solving, and effective go-to-market strategies. Perfect your pitch deck with our comprehensive guide.
It’s hella rough out there in VC land right now
In the current economic landscape, venture capital (VC) investments have plummeted to their lowest since 2017, with a 70% decrease from the 2021 peak. This downturn is driven by heightened investor caution due to economic uncertainties, market corrections from past overvaluations, and a shift from zero interest rate policies. Despite these challenges, AI investments stand out, showing significant growth in deal numbers and valuations, particularly in Generative AI and cloud infrastructure.
Understanding the Scale and Expectations of Venture-Backed Startups
Explore the critical aspects of venture capital funding for startups. Understand what it means to be a 'venture scale' startup, the expectations of VC investments, and whether VC funding aligns with your business goals and growth potential
Startup fundraising stages
Unravel the complexities of startup funding stages, from pre-seed to Series A rounds. Discover key insights into navigating venture capital, understanding investment criteria, and identifying your startup's funding stage for optimal growth
Should you include a video in your pitch deck?
Video might feel like a convenient addition to a pitch deck, but founders should be wary of it. If you do want to make use of video, follow these golden rues.
How LinkedIn profile links boost your team page’s appeal
Adding LinkedIn profile links to your startup's team slide can transform investor perceptions, build trust, and significantly enhance your fundraising efforts. Learn the power of transparency, expertise, and personal connections in winning over potential investors.
Why using SMART goals is crucial for the use of fund slides
Discover how incorporating SMART goals into your pitch deck's 'Use of Funds' slide can clarify funding objectives, build investor confidence, and outline a clear path to growth. Learn the importance of specificity, measurability, achievability, relevance, and time-bound planning in securing investment.