Pitching to Investors - June 28, 2013

What we look for before investing in startups?

Transcript

1. Pitching to investors? June 28, 2013 @jpaine jeff@goldengate.vc
2. Thank you Elisha & Learnemy.com for organizing this TheHub.sg for the venue & All of you here tonight
3. Note best I will try to be helpful, but I am honest, and blunt I will not be politically correct I will swear, sometimes a lot Tweet/gram/book if you want
4. Agenda Part 1 Me, and what I do What we/I look for & why *10 slides (Dave Mcclure) *Term sheet dumbed down Part 2 Pitches (if any) Q&A
7. <advertisement> </advertisement>
8. Some context
9. Founders are the heroes
10. We say no >95% of the time
11. Company types Micro/Lifestyle Businesses >95% High growth - <5%
12. Investor types Friends, family Angels who are strategic Angels who are not Seed funds Venture capital funds New school Old school Value add, no value add, plain stupid/disruptive
13. What do we/I look for?
14. Investment focus Southeast Asia (primarily) + others Consumer Internet Mobile Games* Software as a Service Infrastructure ...others
15. Overview Team Market size Product hook Distribution Business model Secret Sauce - copy-unable
16. What we look for in the TEAM No asshole. 3 types** Ability to speak to anyone sincerely Stubborn but listens Grit - Hustles, scrappy and persevere Obsess with the product or the market Someone I would like to get drunk with It does take time to know you
17. What we look for in the MARKET SIZE Regional...? Global...? Basically means BIG $10-50m exits, not BILLIONS
18. What we look for in the PRODUCT HOOK Initial user experience hook (Popapp.in, Zipdial, Uber) Unique take Different Infatuation metrics
19. What we look for in DISTRIBUTION Channels of growth 10X-ing Easier, unique Any unfair advantage. Use it.
20. What we look for in BUSINESS MODEL Unit Economics Revenue Costs Profits CAC/LTV
21. What we look for in SECRET SAUCE How to be un-copyable?
22. Freebies
23. What to look for in an investor Investor is not fascinated about your product - usage, word of mouth, body language, suggestions to pivot etc. Person to person chemistry is important - real character, utter honesty, respect, trust, being equals/partners Networks and hustles for you Terms are too weird for comfort
24. Additional tips Research investors Meet all types of investors and build friendships Raise money as late as you can You don't all need to raise money.
25. PITCHES Q&A Your turn jeff@goldengate.vc