Talking to Investors

December 2014

Dalton Caldwell - Michael Seibel - Qasar Younis

What  we  will  discuss:

-­‐ Before  the  meeting  (Michael)  

-­‐ During  the  meeting  (Dalton)  

-­‐ After  the  meeting  (Qasar)  

-­‐ Q&A  

Overview

1.    30 second pitch

2. 2 minute pitch

3. When to fundraise

4. How to setup investor meetings

0/4How to Pitch

30 second pitch1How to Pitch

What does your company do?

How big is the market?

How much traction do you have?

1/4

2 minute pitch

• Clear 30 second pitch

• Unique insight

• How you make money

• Team

• The Big Ask ($$$)

How to Pitch

2/4

When to FundraiseHow to Pitch

Growth

Real World :(

Ideal World :)

3/4

How to Setup Investor MeetingsHow to Pitch

Think Parallel

$

1 Team Member

$

Warm Intros

$

4/4

What  we  will  discuss:

-­‐ Before  the  meeting  (Michael)  

-­‐ During  the  meeting  (Dalton)  

-­‐ After  the  meeting  (Qasar)  

-­‐ Q&A  

Mock  pitch  sessions

-­‐ The  goal  is  to  highlight  good  and  bad  behavior    (not  mimic  a  real  conversation)  

-­‐ Focused  on  seed  stage  capital,  first  time  founders  

-­‐ Dalton  =  Investor,  Qasar  =  Founder  

-­‐ 2  sessions:  weak  pitch  and  a  good  pitch  

Avoid  common  mistakes

Introduction:    Make  sure  the  listener  understands  what  you’re  working  on.

Progress:    Know  your  numbers!

Market  size:    Ideally  build  bottom  up  analysis

Insights:    You  should  understand  something  that  is  counter  intuitive  

Team:    Your  team  should  be  uniquely  suited  for  this  business

Asking  for  money:    Drive  the  conversation  to  a  conclusion  

Hallmarks  of  a  good  pitch

-­‐ Capture  interest,  told  an  interesting  story,  engage  with  the  listener

-­‐ Demonstrate  insights  and  command  of  the  market,  passionate  not  dismissive

-­‐ Collaborative  meeting  more  than  an  interrogation

-­‐ Actually  ask  for  money

What  we  will  discuss:

-­‐ Before  the  meeting  (Michael)  

-­‐ During  the  meeting  (Dalton)  

-­‐ After  the  meeting  (Qasar)  

-­‐ Q&A  

After  the  meeting

-­‐  Follow  up    (anything  by  a  check  is  a  “No”)

-­‐  Work  on  creating  deal  heat    (supply  /  demand)

-­‐  Do  diligence  on  the  investors  

-­‐  Know  when  to  stop  (addicted  to  fundraising)

-­‐  Build  your  company!  (fundraising  is  not  the  goal)

What  we  will  discuss:

-­‐ Before  the  meeting  (Michael)  

-­‐ During  the  meeting  (Dalton)  

-­‐ After  the  meeting  (Qasar)  

-­‐ Q&A  

Thank you.