Academics · Entrepreneurship

Are there any events (similar to recruitment fairs) where entrepreneurs pitch their ideas to VCs for investment?

Tee Wyddyck Strategic Management PhD Candidate

August 12th, 2019

I intend to do some research regarding which founding team characteristics attract potential seed stage VC funding. Other than TechCrunch Startup Battlefield and Techstars Demo Day, are there other events where VCs and founders meet to develop potential investment opportunities? Ideally something that has taken place a number of times over a few years.

David Insro Founder & CEO, Serial Entrepreneur

August 12th, 2019

Seems like an odd approach. Why wouldn't you go talk to the VCs directly and ask them what characteristics they look for? If you look at the databases for funding rounds, you'll see that most startups never went to these events. Another way to look at it is that startups that fail to get seed funding then try their luck at these events. So I guess you can learn just as much by looking at rejects. Have a look at David Rose's talk on what VCs look for.

Paul Garcia marketing exec & business coach

August 13th, 2019

Yes, there are several, but getting invited to present isn't always a straightforward process or guaranteed. In the real world, "Shark Tank" doesn't exist. There's not a lot of benefit for VC's to participate in these events. They never lack for applicants. Such events are typically sponsored by co-working spaces and accelerator competitions when they load their next round of entrepreneurs each year.

But my first question would be why is VC right for you? There are seven different common investment types for startups. Each enterprise is typically best targeted for one of these, and usually not VC. So are you really sure you understand what VC money wants from you compared to other options, and that you're an excellent match? Don't make the mistake of calling all investment money VC money, because that misunderstanding will lower your credibility score with all investor types.

Clay Nichols Helping other startups grow after launching 2 successful startups.

August 13th, 2019

Yep. They are all over the place.

Does location matter?