Matthew Burris’ Post

The elevator pitch isn’t just an exercise — it’s your introduction. It’s your first and most important pitch. The point of the elevator pitch is not to get someone to write a check. It’s to get them interested in receiving your pitch deck. So relax and stop trying to stuff your entire story into 30 seconds. Instead, tell us the one thing that will to get us excited and yearning to learn more. Here’s how to nail the elevator pitch and hook investors. Today's article in Entrepreneurship Handbook https://lnkd.in/gRumWrxw

Correcting the False Venture Studio Narrative. Matthew Burris shared a great chart on the strength of Venture Studios, link below. The main challenge is that industry misconceptions have become the norm, primarily due to a lack of understanding. This behavior harms the startup industry holistically by mistreating startups, hindering global innovation, and reducing ROI for investors who invest capital into VC firms. Research shows that Venture Studio startups outperform traditional ones; we should embrace this change, and not resist it. Take a look below at the great insights on Venture Studios, unpacking what people should know. #venturestudio #startup

7 Must-Have Slides In Your Startup Pitch Deck According To Y-Combinator (2 min read) What Every Investor Wants to See in Your Pitch Deck Building a pitch deck that secures investment requires clear, concise slides that answer investors' critical questions. Start with a compelling problem statement that makes the pain point undeniable, and then show how your solution uniquely addresses that pain without unnecessary jargon. Define the market opportunity by demonstrating real revenue potential, then highlight a business model that shows precisely how you plan to generate profit. Prove traction with solid numbers and validate demand, then introduce a robust, cohesive team with experience and chemistry. Lastly, realistic financial projections should be laid out to show a clear growth path. Y-Combinator, among others, emphasizes these seven essential slides to grab attention in a brief investor scan and increase your chances of funding. My Take Creating a winning pitch deck is as much about focus as substance. Investors want clarity and evidence, not fluff, so delivering straightforward, data-backed slides is critical. It’s also essential to convey a team dynamic that shows investors they’re investing in capable, motivated people who can bring their vision to life. Overall, approach your pitch with humility and strategic thinking; it’s about communicating your startup's potential in a way that speaks to investors' priorities. #StartupFunding #PitchDeck #VentureCapital #YCombinator #Entrepreneurship #Investment Link to article: https://lnkd.in/e2ScuKVP Credit: Forbes Get Ahead with the Latest Tech Insights! Explore my blog: https://lnkd.in/eWESid86

You can watch the full interview or read the summary on Dev.by (links in the original post) ⬇️

WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT QUALITY THAT INVESTORS LOOK FOR IN A FOUNDER?   PASSION   That’s right. Everything else follows from passion for what you are doing.   For instance, if you have passion, you’ll work day and night to build your startup. And you will love doing it – it won’t be a burden.   If you have passion, you’ll figure out ways to overcome crises, such as Covid, shortage of funding, the global financial crisis, or anything else that hits your business. You won’t give up.   If you have passion, you’ll learn all there is to learn about your business, the environment, your competitors, etc.   Yes, my friends, passion is the most important trait a founder must have. If all you want is to make money and sell off your business one day – sorry it won’t work. The day your business hits a road block, that’ll be the end.   And that is what investors look for as well. Of course, there are other things as well, but passion is right at the top. So don’t create a start-up unless you are really, really passionate about it.   And if you have a start-up which you are really passionate about, and also have decent revenues and gross margins (very roughly, annualised gross margins of Rs 50 lakhs), do let me know. I’ll put you up to @Lead Angels for possible funding   All the best   Dhruv  

Startup owners, every time you fail to secure funding, you are convincing future investors on why they shouldn’t invest either. Funding isn’t a try and improve game. It’s a one-shot hit. You hit it or lose it. → Lose the funding. → Lose reputation. → Lose the passion for your business. I am sure you don’t want to lose it all, do you? So, what’s the solution? Having a solid - → Pitch deck → Financial model → A sound Business Plan Now, if you want to win the game with a one-shot hit, DM me “funds” and I will send you the link to book a FREE strategy call.

You will never get funded If you are not adding this to your Pitch deck Securing funding requires more than just showing numbers; it demands connecting with your investors emotionally. Your pitch deck should not only inform but also inspire and evoke emotions. Here’s how: 1. Storytelling: Your startup's journey is unique. Share your challenges, victories, and the profound impacts your solution brings to real people. This narrative will help investors see your vision and feel the passion behind your venture. 2. Unique Value Proposition (UVP): Your UVP should resonate deeply with potential customers and, by extension, your investors. Here's a concise method to refine it: ✅Conduct in-depth interviews with potential customers to understand their preferences and pain points. ✅Identify what your startup does exceptionally well—both functionally (how it works) and emotionally (how it makes customers feel when it works). ✅Analyse your competition honestly to pinpoint what you do better or differently. ✅Use this information to create a compelling UVP emphasising a unique benefit only you offer, which is crucial to your customers. Use this format below if it helps you articulate this: Name of company → What, Why = Word that captures value → Market-facing value proposition phrase My UVP- Built as a bridge between young, growing businesses and private equity investors, we build genuine financial partnerships. Earlyseed ventures → Funding, to grow a business = returns → Bridge between young, growing businesses and private equity investors Create your UVP today ensure your pitch deck goes beyond mere data, striking a chord that resonates with the hearts and minds of your potential investors. #StartupFunding #Entrepreneurship #PitchDeck #Storytelling #ValueProposition #Innovation

Your pitch deck will sit in a pile with 1,000 others; The best way to stand out? Just get to the point. I get it. You want to make sure every crumb of detail is sprinkled into the pages of your designer presentation. It's been a labour of love, & you want to make it special. The fact is, Whilst you may have intended for your deck to be read in a Sunday dressing gown... With a cup of tea.... And a biscuit. The reality is, You have to be make it sing, In fact, no. You have to make it scream. Scream, so loud... that it is unavoidable, immutable, to the point it... Demands attention. There is really only one script that does that successfully: 1. Why you? 2. Why now? 3. Who's in your team? 4. Why will customers pay? 5. Why will customers stay? - - - Whoops, Did I just cut your deck down to 7 pages? (Your investors will thank me.) ⬇️ What specific detail do you think makes or breaks a pitch? ⬇️ Share in the comments below. ♻ Repost today to save your fellow founders time and win faster. ************************************************ 📌 Follow me, Asif Ahmed for more insights. 📌 I advise venture backed founders of early stage start-ups.

I often get asked about my experiences at Entrepreneur First (EF) and Antler, and yes — everyone loves to mention that 10% equity stake! 💸 But here’s what those 10% really get you: emulation and competition. 💪 When you pay $100 to run a marathon, you’re not just paying for the route right ?  You’re paying for the energy of everyone around you, the crowd, the challenge, the feeling that pushes you to go further. That’s what these incubators and founder matching programs offer.  Each week, you see other teams landing LOIs, signing new customers, hitting their milestones.  It’s like a constant reminder that you have to step up.  You’re surrounded by ambitious founders who drive you to stay sharp and reach higher. Can you do it alone? Yes.  Can you keep 10% more equity? Sure. But imo, being in an environment where everyone around you is pushing the limits has its own value — and sometimes, that extra drive is worth a small amount of your company. 💬 Curious to hear from others who have gone through similar programs: Was it worth it for you? 👇

Nail Your Seed-Stage Startup Pitch: Investors are busy people (Agree)! Ditch the jargon and complicated slides. Explain your company's purpose in two sentences with a relatable example. Structure is Your Ally: - Organize your pitch logically. Here's a recommended order: - What you do: Clear and concise explanation (2 sentences + example) - Your Team: Expertise, experience (mention impressive accomplishments) - Traction (if any): Show progress, not perfection. Highlight momentum. - Unique Insights: Non-obvious learnings about your problem/solution. - Market Size: Educate investors on your potential user base and revenue streams. - The Ask: Clearly state the funding amount and goals you aim to achieve. Engagement is Key - Don't lecture! Draw investors into a conversation. Use their facial expressions as cues to adjust your pitch and address their interests. - Forget Fancy Slides - Simple slides with minimal design keep the focus on you and your message. Investors are there for your ideas, not a designer's portfolio. Bonus Tip: Practice your pitch! The more comfortable you are, the more engaging you'll be! #pitchdeck #investors #seedfunding