Feel the Boot

Trying and failing to raise funds for your startup business? In this episode I answer a viewer question asking for suggestions. Learn what it takes to get funding from early stage investors.

Video: http://bit.ly/finding-investors-vid
Blog: http://bit.ly/finding-investors
Links mentioned in the podcast:
The Angel Capital Association https://www.angelcapitalassociation.org
Blog on Why Angel Investors need high returns https://www.feeltheboot.com/blog/greedy-angel-investors
Two lists of Community Development Financial Institutions https://fitsmallbusiness.com/community-development-financial-institutions-cdfi-list/ https://about.bankofamerica.com/en-us/partnering-locally/cdfi-list.html
My previous video on how to build a presentation: https://www.feeltheboot.com/blog/2019/4/1/bad-presentations-can-scuttle-your-startup-make-yours-soar

Your investor pitch may be failing because you are using the wrong deck! I have seen many otherwise good investment pitches fall flat because the speaker used a deck that was not optimized for the environment. Sometimes you will pitch in person, and sometimes your deck will be read alone. In this episode I cover how to triumph in both scenarios.

Blog: https://www.feeltheboot.com/blog/startups-need-two-pitchdecks

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d-QhA47gWmg

Asking for an NDA up-front can kill your chances for investment. Non-disclosure agreements have their place but they can stop a conversation with angels or VCs before it starts. Handle this situation correctly and you will have nothing to fear.

Blog: https://www.feeltheboot.com/blog/no-nda-before-pitch

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZyI34GCDUj4

Angel investors demand massive potential returns. Understanding why is the key to a successful pitch. Entrepreneurs in startups need to know the economics that drive angel investors and the harsh reality of how many startups fail.

Blog: https://www.feeltheboot.com/blog/greedy-angel-investors

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J7tnKZW7TXg

Engineer entrepreneurs love their technology, but that can be their downfall. In an investor pitch, when and if you talk about your technology can make a huge difference. Leading with, and focusing on, technology is the biggest mistake I see many engineer entrepreneurs make. The technology is often what they are most passionate about and was the reason they created the company. Technology is also where they feel most comfortable and can speak most confidently. Unfortunately that comes at the expense of focus on customers and their pain points.

Read the blog version of this episode here: https://www.feeltheboot.com/blog/angel-pitch-deck-not-technology

Watch the video version of this episode here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BLpHXWGQsrE

Are you having trouble getting your big project off the ground? I had a hard time finding the time to launch Feel The Boot. Eventually I realized that I would have to take some time away from my day job to just make it happen. I suspect that this is a very common experience. If you have a question, topic suggestion, or feedback, message me on Twitter @LanceCottrell or contact me through the https://FeelTheBoot.com website

Blog: https://www.feeltheboot.com/blog/unsticking-your-passion-project

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=apK2eGBiiOY

Whether raising capital, selling customers, or establishing thought leadership, presentations are at the core of many of the most important interactions in any business. Unfortunately most presentations are terrible, and few of us have had the training to do them well.