The Silver Lining for Startups
October 12, 2008
Enough with the bad news. Dare Obasanjo had a great point, and I will be taking his advice. Entrepreneurs, like me, outside of San Francisco or New York lament that there isn’t a venture capital scene in their area. Suddenly there isn’t a Venture Capital firm willing to invest ANYWHERE. So startups in Houston, Austin or Dallas - take heart - you suddenly have a level playing field to compete on. Most of us have been ‘bootstrapping’ our startups for years, now that skillset will give us an advantage over our friends on either coast. Don’t let the current economic climate get you down. Don’t be an idiot, but don’t put your dreams on hold or your passions on the side. Get started right now. The news will get worse before it gets better, but there is more room for your success than their has been in eight years. My own biggest failure, turned into my biggest success after the bubble burst.
Christopher St. John and I are hosting Pitch Camp this coming Saturday (October 18th). In light of the current conditions we are expanding our coverage to include ‘pitching to the press’. Angela Shah from the Dallas Morning News has agreed to speak at the morning session where she will describe how to pitch to the press. Additionally, Chuck McCoy the Executive Director of the North Texas Angel Network will be explaining how to get in front of his group and how to convince them to fund your deal. Here is the scedule:
- 10:00 – 10:30 How to pitch to angels - Chuck McCoy, Director North Texas Angel Network.
- 10:45 – 11:15 When to use a deck and when to demo.
- 11:15 – 11:45 How to pitch to journalists - Angela Shah.
- 12:00 – 1:00 Lunch/Networking
- 1:00 – 2:00 Pitching workshop (the group assists 1-3 entrepreneurs prepare a pitch)
- 2:30 – 3:00 Real live pitching (1-3 entrepreneurs, prepared by group will pitch)
- 3:00 – 3:30 Pitch feedback from panel of 1-3 real live venture capitalists and angel investors
- 3:30PM - TBD Beer, snacks and Networking at the High Tech Bar
Please join us, just RSVP on Upcoming.org here.
