In my 17 years advising startups, I've discovered a truth that transformed how I view successful pitching: authenticity isn't just important—it's essential.
Too often, founders approach pitches like performances. They polish slides until they gleam, memorize scripts word-for-word, and practice...
When I first began coaching startups, a crucial lesson emerged that too many founders overlook: understanding the investor’s perspective is not just important, it's everything.
Ignoring this can cost you not only potential funding but valuable partnerships that could propel your business forwa...
I've watched hundreds of founders lose investor interest before they even get to their solution. The painful truth I've learned? You have just 30 seconds to captivate investors before their minds start wandering. Failing to nail this crucial opening moment doesn't just cost you their attention...
Do you like to take your time to really explain the problem thoroughly?
And do you like to state ALL the problems you are solving?
Trust me - after 1 years in this business - you are not alone!
I see it all the time—founders getting trapped in a negative spiral without even realizing it.
It st...
The Lesson: Celebration is Not a Luxury—It's a Necessity
The other day, a startup I know closed a really big funding round. It was a moment that should have been filled with excitement and recognition. But when people from their cohort walked past their office, they saw the team just sitting...
Let’s get straight to it: You don’t have to raise money to build a successful startup.
We’ve been flooded with stories of billion-dollar startups that scaled overnight thanks to VC money. The reality? Most startups don’t need outside capital.
Some of the most successful companies—Mailchimp, Te...
What if your sustainability focus could become your strongest revenue driver, not just a cost center?
When I started out as a pitch coach - sustainability startups were still seen as charity cases. There was no way anyone would even consider making money off making the environment better - t...
It's high season for startup events. Your calendar is probably filling up with pitch competitions, investor meetups, and industry conferences - each one holding the potential for that game-changing connection or perfect investor match.
While these events can be incredibly energizing, my 17 y...
A few months ago, at a major event, something extraordinary happened. A former student approached me, asking if he could give me a big hug.
His eyes were bright with excitement – a clear contrast to the nervous, shivering person I'd coached months earlier. During our first two sessions, he ...
A few months ago ago, I found myself in a familiar position that I just love – coaching another batch of promising startups in a global accelerator program.
After guiding more than 1,100 startups, of which several hundreds through various accelerators and incubators worldwide, - as you can ...
Imagine this:
After months of cold emails, LinkedIn messages, and tapping into every network you could find, you finally land that investor meeting.
Your heart races as you walk into their office. You've practiced your pitch endlessly. Your slides are polished, your numbers are solid, and yo...
Have you ever felt your heart racing just before stepping up to give a presentation?
You're not alone - over 70% of Americans fear public speaking more than death itself, as revealed by a study conducted by the National Institutes of Mental Health.
And I was one of them.
I can still remember...
