Resource for Preparing for VC's?

Jordan Plosky Co-Founder and CEO at ComicBlitz LLC

October 15th, 2015

So, my topic of discussion is a little more pinpointed than the subject would have it seem. We are a startup that has just launched, and we are preparing our financials to start to pitch to VC's for investments.

However, we would love a resource, or a consultant to step in, and let us know if what we are preparing is in the ballpark of what VC's are looking for. For example, is our CAC to high? Are we giving ourselves too high a valuation? Things of this nature, we would be happy to pay someone to walk us over certain specific financial hurdles. We just want to be sure that what we are presenting will be met with enthusiasm, and realism.

Thanks for any help on this!

John Elkaim

October 15th, 2015

Hi Jordan, I recommend you talk to Bernard Slede: https://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=AAkAAAADFE4BhWZbEtJQ20UJ_w9zqzaDgElqNeM&authType=NAME_SEARCH&authToken=RC1y&locale=en_US&trk=tyah&trkInfo=clickedVertical%3Amynetwork%2CclickedEntityId%3A201806%2CauthType%3ANAME_SEARCH%2Cidx%3A1-1-1%2CtarId%3A1444968624435%2Ctas%3Abernard%20 Best, John

Peter Johnston Businesses are composed of pixels, bytes & atoms. All 3 change constantly. I make that change +ve.

October 16th, 2015

I sense fear, uncertainty and doubt here. FUD many mentors and advisors are happy to profit from.

But the answer is simple. Don't be frightened of VCs - go and talk to some. They love to be open in telling people what they want - it helps them as they get better pitches which tick all the right boxes. Along the way you'll find lots of tips on what they're looking for, ways to present and how to make yourself stand out.

A.J. Lawrence Data focused revenue growth executive from startups to Global1000s

October 16th, 2015

Before you talk to someone, you might want to check http://foresight.is for their material on preparing financial models (good industry metrics included) also compass.co has great benchmarks. I started with both these resources and then talked with someone and my ability to understand and use their advice was much, much higher. Good luck!

Brett Fox Respected, Results-Oriented CEO, Entrepreneur, Author, and Coach

October 15th, 2015

Hi Jordan,

I'd be happy to talk to you about this. I've raised VC funding and I've been inside a VC firm as Entrepreneur in Residence.

Best regards,

Brett

Michael Lipson Executive Coach & Strategic Consultant

October 15th, 2015

Jordan Valuation is always tricky. Create demand for your deal - that's the best antidote to this concern. And that happens from how you story and pitch what you're about, grounded in facts and analysis and inspired by vision, personality and c I've been involved in 300+ start ups, CEO'd some of them, and have been coaching founders and CEOs for quite some time. Reply and I'll send you my linked in when I'm on my laptop. Sent fr phone - excuse typos pls

Michael Lipson Executive Coach & Strategic Consultant

October 15th, 2015

Whoops. Wasn't finished. Read this one. Sent fr phone - excuse typos pls

Andrew Lockley Investments & consulting for tech startups

October 16th, 2015

Happy to help you FOC (for a while) Your CAC is what it is. Don't ask for permission from VCs for empirical facts. Use your preparation time to test market, to make sure you can prove your numbers. Your valuation is what the market clears at. No harm in trying reasonably high, at least at first. Best approach is to get to the point where you can prove you don't need money urgently before you look to raise it. That massively strengthens your hand in negotiations. Connect via my site Andrewlockley.com Thanks Andrew

Michael Lipson Executive Coach & Strategic Consultant

October 16th, 2015

My earlier responses got truncated - had said happy to give you some time & perspective (I like to pay it forward) even tho my biz is coaching founders/CEO’s. contact @ lipson@comcast.net

Kevin Carney Content Marketing works, but needs better tools.

October 16th, 2015

I can recommend a pitch coach as well. He works with The Founders Space in San Francisco. His name is Steve Austin.

http://www.foundersspace.com/mentors/steve-austin-founders-space-instructor/

Rob Kornblum

October 16th, 2015

Jordan
I agree with Peter Johnston. I don't think you need a consultant. Just about everything you need to learn about preparing a pitch you can find online. If you want to see great pitches, try pitchenvy.com.

By the way, with regards to valuation, you aren't going to set it. The investors are. You will get the best valuation by creating competition for your deal.

Also, understand that most investors want to build a relationship, so you aren't preparing for a single great performance. Build the relationship, let them see you have a great product and great company.

Good luck.

Question stats