VC Minute
199. The Deck Stands Alone
Your pitch deck should be able to tell the story without voiceover. VCs are going to send it around externally and internally at a fund. Everyone needs to understand it without you presenting it.
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VC Minute
198. Master Three Pitches
To grow your skill in fundraising, master these three pitches: elevator pitch, the hero story, and your fit in greater market.
VC Minute
197. Fundraising Is A Core Skill
Liz believes that fundraising is not “on your to do list” but a core skill of a startup CEO, a deeply integrated part of your job.
VC Minute
196. Startup Maxims: Do Things That Don’t Scale
This is probably my favorite startup maxim of all. It ties in with the Lean Startup Methodology, and is core to figuring out what you should be building and for whom.
VC Minute
195. Not ABF. Instead, Always Be Cheerleading
The last episode of ABF. I promise. Maybe. But we’re definitely missing the founder’s perspective on this one, which is why I was glad to have Liz Giorgi’s input.
VC Minute
194. Startup Maxims: Invest in Lines, Not Dots? Investors Invest In Relationships.
What’s really at the core of the “lines, not dots” maxim? Relationships.
Mark Suster’s classic post: Invest in Lines, Not Dots.
VC Minute
193. Startup Maxims: Always Be Fundraising. Really?
ABF: Always Be Fundraising. Should you really always be fundraising? Here are some tips on how to evaluate if this is right for you.
VC Minute
192. Startup Maxims: Ask for Money, Get Advice
This week I’m covering startup maxims—tthose little phrases we all repeat to each other as common wisdom but may or may not be true, helpful, or relevant.
Today’s maxim: “Ask for money, get advice. Ask for advice, get money.”
VC Minute
191. The Purpose of the First Meeting
Just as the purpose of the deck is not to get a check, it’s to get the first meeting. The purpose of the first meeting is…
VC Minute
190. A VC’s Job Is Not To Write Checks
A VC’s job is to say “no.” Now knowing that, how do you adjust your approach?
VC Minute
189. Features: Don’t Sell Products
If you aren’t getting positive feedback from the market, don’t start adding things. Strip the product down to its core basic value prop.
VC Minute
188. #1 Killer of Startups
Founders are efficiency-seeking missiles, which is what compels them to start businesses, but it’s a double-edged sword.