startups

The goal of a first pitch is not to close the round but to earn a second meeting with the right people in the firm. That second meeting is where diligence starts and champions emerge. Your deck, therefore, is a tool for clarity, credibility, and curiosity.

The most common mistake an early-stage founder makes is believing their first problem is awareness. They think, "If only people knew about my product, they'd sign up." This leads them down the expensive, premature path of paid advertising. But your first users shouldn't be acquired through a credit card; they should be recruited through conversation.

If you're sitting on an idea right now, wondering whether it has potential, the best thing you can do is stop thinking and start testing. It's time to see if the world would love what you're building.