article thumbnail

Both Things Can Be True: Bias and Bad Fundraising Advice

This is going to be BIG.

She was pitching for a pre-seed round of $400k. The startup ecosystem is a terrific manufacturer of bad fundraising advice. Founders hit the street with their pitch deck, some make it, and some don’t, but nearly all of them ascribe a lot more human influence over the process than there probably is. I’m a female founder.

advice 407
article thumbnail

How to pitch me: 5 investors discuss what they’re looking for in April 2023

TechCrunch

After attending TechCrunch Early Stage last week, I was cheered to meet so many first-time founders and experienced investors who are looking for opportunities. But dealmaking is idiosyncratic: a few investors might be content to make a deal over coffee, but early-stage teams still need a sturdy pitch deck or memo they can leave behind.

Insiders

Sign Up for our Newsletter

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

article thumbnail

Only one week until TechCrunch Disrupt 2021 opens a world of opportunity

TechCrunch

You’ll hear from iconic founders, unicorn makers, boundary-benders — all of it served up with a gigantic side of DIY tips, actionable advice, encouragement and inspiration. And, because Disrupt is highly interactive, you’ll have plenty of opportunity to engage, ask questions and receive answers. Who’s ready for Startup Battlefield?

article thumbnail

TechCrunch+ roundup: 7 VCs who are taking pitches, AI best practices, zero-based budgeting

TechCrunch

If you’re a recently laid-off worker considering striking out on your own , an H-1B employee who’s had it up to here or just looking for tips and advice that can help you connect with early-stage investors, please read and share. There’s plenty of tactical advice here, and much more to come.

article thumbnail

How to pitch me: 4 VCs share what they’re looking for in March 2022

TechCrunch

But the rules are different in startup-land: although there are basic best practices for putting together a pitch deck or term sheet, there are no hard rules for approaching potential investors. What kind of opportunities are you looking for in Q1 2022? Tell us how you’d like to be approached by a founder with their initial pitch.

article thumbnail

For your pitch, last impressions count almost as much as first impressions

TechCrunch

Your first slide is obviously important for a pitch deck; first impressions count, and having a solid introduction goes a long way. As a founder, you have an opportunity to influence how someone summarizes your company. You need a closing slide When pitching, you start with your best stuff first and go from there.

article thumbnail

Successful People Know the Value of Advice

Entrepreneurs' Organization

Psychology Today notes that taking advice somehow feels like admitting that we don’t really deserve our high status. But truly successful people understand that the advice and knowledge of people who have been-there, done-that is priceless. Whose advice would you seek out? What would you ask them? What would you ask them?

advice 130