Startups: The In-Crowd

Feb 27, 2015

CROWD15 - Copenhagen, Denmark

Founding Team, Startups.co / Fundable

Chris Justice

What is Startups.co?

• World’s Largest Startup Launch Platform

• Provide Clarity to Entrepreneurs

• A suite of tools + sites focused on helping

entrepreneurs launch and grow startups.

The Startups.co Platform

Our Community

13.9m users

825k startups

More stats @ startups.co/about

1. Entrepreneurs are Awesome. And Damn

Resourceful.

2. The Crowd is Your Compass.

3. Momentum Above All.

TL;DR

Rising Goliath’s

+Millions of David’s

CHEAP ONLINE RESOURCES

LOWER COST OF PROTOTYPING

SHARED ECONOMY

OF THE CROWD

The Rise of the Entrepreneur

$47.3B

3,617 deals

Startup Funding in the US

Case Study – Uncharted Play

Case Study – Uncharted Play

Build a Network. Simplify and Amplify. Execute.

Rewards: $95,000 Equity: $475,000

Rewards Crowdfunding

It‘s about much more than money

Prove Demand Test Price Points Test Messaging

Rewards Crowdfunding

Don’t get caught with your hand in the cookie jar

Be upfront on status and delivery

Set up fulfillment before raising

Build in a buffer for delays

Rewards Crowdfunding

Know Your Audience (Like The Back of Your Hand)

Personalized Messaging

Suggest One Flagship Reward

Create TONS of Value

The Kickstarter Problem

So you just raised $$$ on Kickstarter…

now what?

Transition from selling product to

building a business.

Paul Singh – Dumbbell Model

Equity Crowdfunding

Your Story Matters

Investors WANT to care

Momentum

FOMO

Equity Crowdfunding

All About The Money!

How will you spend it?

What milestones will you hit?

Do your financials tell your story?

Equity Crowdfunding

Deal Structure

Equity vs. Convertible Debt

Getting to a Valutation

Sell, sell, sell!

Coming to America

JOBS Act –Can anyone invest?When?

Three most important factors in your decision to raise in the US:

1. Marketability – Cool factor.

2. Company and IP Structure – What are Investors actually getting?

3. Can the Market Handle it? Do your homework.

Gaining Ground

Europe & Asia gaining ground on US startups

More funding available

Equal playing field in online funding – lean mentality

Easier access to US investors

Takeaway #1 – Build Light, Test Hard

Before crowdfunding, create your outcome.

Launch Page

Have an MVP – It’s cheap. Do it.

Gain Commitment

Utilize Resources

Spend now to save later

Takeaway #2 – Failure is a Privilege

Failure happens all the time. Use it to stay the course.

Test messaging and value props

Encourage Feedback on everything

Refine your messaging and audience

Takeaway #3 – Death Valley

You’ve done everything right. Well done.

Now, avoid Death Valley.

Don’t burn & churn too early

Don’t get blinded by recent traction

Don’t get sucked in by red herring deals.

I love startups.I am endlessly curious.

I travel to see the world differently.

cjustice@startups.co www.clarity.fm/chrisjustice

Come talk to me.