Milad Alucozai’s Post

Two startups could be pitching the same problem-solution statement, but one will raise capital. Why? Due to the nature of what I do, I regularly meet founders and analyse their pitch decks. I'll focus on the pitch deck for this post. Saving my meetings with founders for another post. There's one thing that few founders do that make their pitch decks stand out. This thing is defined in creating a sense of urgency in the overall proposition. Two startups could be pitching similar products for the same market, but one would make the problem seem urgent and the opportunity bigger. Four things come to mind to create a sense of urgency in a pitch deck: -Problem-solution-market statement: saying "X improves employees' performances through cutting out ineffiecnt processes" is different from saying "X increases the performance of 100,000 employees by 70%“. Linking the problem, solution, and market is a good practice for startups to create urgency. -Golden thread: having a golden thread aspect in narrating the opportunity is important. What does this mean? you knew it: STORYTELLING. Adding a storytelling layer is usually done by having as many eyes as possible on your pitch deck. Getting feedback from exited founders, investors, and advisors is the way to go. -Why now: why is it a good time to do this? There could be a gap that you're bridging, it could be a blue ocean market, or it simply could be that the market is growing at a significant pace. -Why you: what aligns this team with solving this specific problem. Many things could make a team stand out, it could be: domain experience, business growth experience, technical experience, or startup experience. In the end, two founders could be pitching similar concepts for one investor, but the investor carry on the conversation with the founder that creates a sense of urgency. #venturecapital #VC #startupfunding #startups #venturefunding

Can we ditch startup pitch decks already? Hear me out... In the startup world, pitch decks have become the gold standard for securing investment. But let's pause and reflect. Are these PowerPoint presentations really the best way to evaluate a startup's potential? Here's a thought: Pitch decks can obscure more than they reveal. A well-designed deck can easily mask the absence of a solid plan or the lack of depth in a business model. It's high time we question: Are we investing in substance, or are we swayed by style? Why not shift to a more detailed approach? Imagine requiring founders to submit comprehensive, long-form business plans instead of slick presentations. This change would encourage deeper analysis and understanding, uncovering the true essence of the proposed venture. By focusing on long-form business plans, we're not just investing in ideas but in the people behind them. We get to see the founder's thought process, their understanding of potential pitfalls, and their vision's completeness. The goal? To foster a startup ecosystem that values thoroughness, insight, and genuine innovation over superficial appeal. As investors, this gives us a clearer window into the viability of a startup, ensuring our investments are sound and our contributions meaningful. Let's start a conversation about evolving our approach to evaluating startups. Could this be the key to unlocking a new era of more sustainable and successful ventures? What do you think? Is it time to say goodbye to the pitch deck and welcome a more detailed, written evaluation of startups? Drop your thoughts below. 👇 #Startups #VentureCapital #Entrepreneurship

📢Startups Fundraising📢 🛑 Watch out Don't overlook these 3 keys in your fundraising journey 👇👇👇

As I look back on my journey in the startup ecosystem, I feel immense gratitude for the opportunities I've had to work with and support over 5000 early-stage startups. Today, I want to share some valuable insights I've gained over the years, particularly on how startups can effectively pitch their ideas and businesses to potential investors. 1️. Clarity & Simplicity: Investors are approached by numerous startups, so it's crucial to capture their attention quickly and concisely. Clearly outline the problem you aim to solve and how your solution sets you apart from the competition. 2. Know Your Numbers: Investors love data that demonstrates the market potential and scalability of your venture. Be well-prepared with accurate financial projections, growth metrics & a well-thought-out business model. 3. Highlight the Team: Emphasize the expertise, experience, and dedication of your team members. Investors invest in people as much as they invest in ideas. 4. Address the "Why": Investors want to support ventures that have a purpose beyond just making profits. Show how your business aligns with meaningful societal or industry changes. 5. Be Coachable & Open to Feedback: Investors appreciate founders who are open to feedback and are willing to adapt their strategies. 6. Storytelling Matters: Weave a compelling narrative around your startup's journey. Investors connect with stories that resonate emotionally and intellectually. Remember, the pitching process is not just about securing funding; it's an opportunity to build valuable relationships with potential investors. Stay passionate, stay focused, and stay true to your vision. The startup journey is an adventure! #startups #startupcompany #entrepreneurship #startupslife #startupsuccess #startupbusiness #startupculture #startupsuccess #leadsandfeeds

🚀 Finding the Right Path for Startup Success 🚀 In today's fast-paced business world, startups often face a crucial decision: Go Big or Go Slow? 🤔 Some opt for rapid growth, while others take a more conservative route, focusing on sustainability. But what's the key to success? 🌟 It's all about balance! 🤝 Join the conversation on how to navigate these strategies effectively and maximize your startup's potential. 💡 Read more in our latest article: https://bit.ly/3ZOUFz3 #StartupSuccess #GrowthStrategies #BusinessBalance #LinkedInNetworking

🚀 Finding the Right Path for Startup Success 🚀 In today's fast-paced business world, startups often face a crucial decision: Go Big or Go Slow? 🤔 Some opt for rapid growth, while others take a more conservative route, focusing on sustainability. But what's the key to success? 🌟 It's all about balance! 🤝 Join the conversation on how to navigate these strategies effectively and maximize your startup's potential. 💡 Read more in our latest article: https://bit.ly/3ZOUFz3 #StartupSuccess #GrowthStrategies #BusinessBalance #LinkedInNetworking

Is your startup ready to make a lasting impression on potential investors? This article provides practical advice on how to position your startup for success in investor meetings, focusing on the importance of demonstrating a clear product need and market traction. It also highlights the challenges startups face in proving their product’s necessity and distinctiveness in a competitive market. In light of our previous discussion on the increasingly competitive investment landscape and recent downturns in funding, this advice is particularly pertinent. We previously highlighted the challenges in the Australian tech startup scene, where recent data indicates a significant downturn, with startup funding falling by two-thirds from its peak. This has created a challenging environment for emerging companies and underscores the need for startups to refine their strategies and enhance their appeal to investors. For those concerned about securing funding in this tightened capital pool, our investor readiness solution could significantly boost your chances. To understand the severity of the situation and learn how to navigate these turbulent waters, read the full article and feel free to contact LTV Partners. #StartupSuccess #InvestorReadiness #MarketTraction

The one thing startup founders CAN control when fundraising: As I navigated my VC career, working alongside countless founders, a glaring issue repeatedly caught my attention. I constantly encountered brilliant minds with revolutionary business ideas, yet they were shackled by the most lackluster stories imaginable. I affectionately dubbed this phenomenon "brilliant founders, sh*t stories." These entrepreneurs would eagerly send their meticulously crafted fundraising decks to investors, only to witness their efforts summarily dismissed. Investors would swiftly discard their decks, citing disinterest in further conversation. Not because the startup was a poor fit, not because the investors had specific criteria for market size, revenue, or team, and certainly not because the startup wasn't at the right stage for investment. The core reason for these rejections was surprisingly simple – the investors had no clue what these startups actually did. The story didn't make sense, or worse, there was no story at all. And investors, like anyone else, lack the emotional bandwidth to bring founders up to speed and explain why they're saying no. It dawned on me that **bad storytelling** stood out as the most counterproductive and unnecessary reason for investors to sideline brilliant founders and game-changing startups. → The same applies to you, startup founders: Your fundraising deck story, something you can refine significantly even with limited resources, being the stumbling block preventing that coveted call from investors, is 100% within your control to change. Before you rush to tweak your numbers or update product images after another investor says no, ask yourself: Could the way you tell your story in your deck be the difference? *** Do you agree? Disagree? What's your take on this? #storytelling #founders #startups #investors #pitchdecks #vc #deeptech

🌟 Investor Insights: Spotting a 10X Scale Startup 🌟 🚀 Dream of finding a startup that grows 10 times its size? It's possible! But, how do you spot these rare gems early? Here's a simple breakdown: 🔍 Strategy Check - Does the startup have a business model built for rapid growth? - Are they thinking ahead about partnerships to boost their scale? - Is their technology and process designed to grow effortlessly? 👥 Team Dynamics - Are their team roles set up to handle big growth? - Do the leaders have experience in scaling up big teams? - How's their culture? Do they attract and keep top talent? 📈 Execution Excellence - Are they using their funds smartly in development and operations? - Can they switch gears quickly if plans change? - Do they have a clear roadmap for going global? 🛠️ Supporting Transformation As investors, we play a crucial role in this growth journey. We need to provide: - Access to top talent, tools, and resources - Guidance on scalable strategies and playbooks - Connections to global partners and networks 💡 Remember: A 10X startup needs a 10X strategy, driven by 10X entrepreneurs, and backed by 10X investors 🌠🚀🌠 🚀 Join our community for exclusive insights and curated deals from Inovexus! Click the first comment to get started. 🌟🔗💼 #startups #entrepreneurship #venturecapital #investing #finance #crossborder #inovexus #startup #VC #earlystage