Angel Investor Gary Rubens and Seattle attorney Joe Wallin of Carney Law are collaborating on this event.
If you are an angel investor, or if you are a company looking for angel funds, you might like to come to this event.
-Mentoring, business insight, highly scalable infrastructure and more for startups.
The Idea behind the Event: Connecting Angels and Companies seeking funding
The idea behind the event is this: companies seeking funding spend a lot of time trying to meet angels. Similarly, angels spend a lot of time meeting with companies, shepherding deals to other angels, etc. The whole process is fraught with inefficiency, and is very time consuming.
At this event, we will try help connect Entrepreneurs with Active Angel Investors. We always have a good crowd of active angel investors (15 at the last event). We also hope to have a bunch companies seeking angel funds in attendance (40 at the last event)
What to expect: Show up on time (early if you plan to pitch), Sign-up (only people that plan to pitch need to sign-up), Get a name tag, and please enjoy the networking opportunities, drinks and some snacks while you wait. There is no guarantee you will get to pitch (there are only 15 spots), it depends on how many companies show up. Companies will be selected on a first-come first-serve basis (Please wait patiently while we set-up for the event, the sign-up line will start at the front desk at 4:30pm sharp). NOTE: sign-ups are taken on a formal list created and brought by us only!). However, if you do not come with the requirements listed below or if you've pitched recently you will not be allowed to pitch again until you show significant changes in your business status.
The list of companies pitching will then be posted outside the pitch room. Please arrive and wait outside the pitch room in advance of your pitch slot. You will be called in when it’s your turn.
Pitch Format: 10 minutes total, this includes set up, handing out your executive summary, your presentation/PowerPoint and Q&A. You will not be allowed to run over the allotted time. Angels will be able to follow up with you later if they wish to.
Pitches will be in a private room, not in front of the crowd, if you expect to watch other companies pitch to a crowd, this is not the event for you. We want the undivided attention of the Angels focused on the Companies who are pitching. There are also SEC rules regarding pitching in public. Please bring your own device to connect with all associated adapters, we have a large TV and projector for your presentation.
Requirements:
You MUST bring the following if you wish to pitch, no exceptions:
1-Presentation/PowerPoint - (Angels love demo's)
2-Executive summary sheet to hand out (15 copies)
3-Your own device and dongles
4- Business cards (optional)
NOTE: Presenters need to have a clear idea of how much money they are trying to raise and at what valuation. Term Sheets are not required, but would likely be very helpful in preparation for investor Q & A.
Remember, this is a no charge event and there is no guarantee you will get to pitch if time runs short. It should be fun event. Please tell folks about it. We hope to see you there.
Bonus: Practice Pitch
There will be opportunities to practice your pitch to seasoned entrepreneurs if you wish.
Additional Bonus: Kenny Byrne be at Surf every other week if you'd like to come by and either ask questions about your pitch or get feedback on a full-run through. It will be on a first-come basis. Please email him for exact dates.
If you can't make it in person but would still like to get feedback on your presentation prior to the event, please send your presentation to Kenny Byrne (Kenny@KKBi.com). He'll review as many presentations as he can prior to the event. Presentations will only be seen by Kenny prior to the event and will be held in the strictest of confidence.
A few "pitch notes" are included below from Mr. Rubens himself.
PRESENTATIONS
Gary has his 10 things that should be in a pitch deck
Note: Presentation should stand on its own legs without you talking to it
10 SLIDES (guide)
(1) What is the problem
(2) Solution
(3) Demographics/Market Size
(4) Go To Market Plan
(5) Financial Model (how do you make money)
(6) What is current traction (users/sales)
(7) Financial BS slide (forecast)
(8) Team (can be up front)
(9) IP
(10) Ask - funding, advisers, board members
(11) 12-15 slides MAX
Other pitch deck notes:
(1) Don't overwhelm angel investors with too many facts
(2) You have to get an angel investor interested right away... first slide or two i.e. What is the problem and how are you solving it?
(3) 5-year forecast is important but much less so than problem identification and solution
(4) Do NOT focus on exit strategy - "bullxxxx"
• You should NOT focus on who will buy you
• Gary never asks that question, doesn't like it in the pitch deck
• You should not worry about who's going to buy you, because you may never get bought.
• You should focus on building a really solid company.