1. What do you need (as an entrepreneur, as an investor, or as a geek), that is currently not available?

2. What frustrates you about investment forums or pitching events that currently exist?

3. How can we best help you prepare to give a compelling pitch at this kind of event? (Webinar, coaching session, workshop, YouTube video, etc.?)

4. Who should pay to attend or sponsor these events and how much should they pay? (Or, should the events be free-- and why?)

5. How can this event be structured in a way that motivates serious, active investors to attend this event?

6. What kind of screening process should be in place to make sure that presenters are qualified?

7. Which local individuals/organizations should be brought on board to expand the effectiveness and reach of these events?


#1

The amount of time spent looking for and finding angels that fit your deal is ridiculous. I could spend that time running the company instead of searching online, on LinkedIn and going to countless coffee meetings.

As an entrepreneur, I’d love different venues for:

1. Connecting with other entrepreneurs
2. Connecting with angel investors
3. Connecting with VCs
4. connecting with potential business partners (not service providers) and people interested in joining startups. I think these need to be separate venues.

#2

Amount of money to be paid, recutting the business plan 20 times to fit different criteria (like 200 words on the Marketing strategy), changing Power Point 20 times for the same reason. Again, I have better things to do.

Too many service providers, not enough active investors, not focused on early stage funding, irrelevant and detached from reality

# 3

Coaching one-on-one sessions work best.

I'm not so concerned about that

#4

I would say service providers should pay, it should be free to investors to get them to come, free to entrepreneurs to get them to come.

Investors should pay, or they should be free if it’s feasible. For venues 1-3, everyone needs to be vetted in some way.

#5

Stories - you need to tell them credible stories from other angels investors - so do video interview on real angels talking about their experiences, and have it available on the website, plus stats - I have invested this much, have gotten back 3x rerun, or something like this.

I think a small, possibly invite only group of serious entrepreneurs that grows over time. If there are quality entrepreneurs, quality investors will be attracted.

#6

Start with one page executive summary, then I believe the best screening is from personal meetings. The summary is enough to rule out complete fakes, but personally I would say pitching in an elevator is the best screener - pitching in 1-2 minutes. Or, in one sentence - if it is not clear what you - next. Then you can come back and try again.

Not sure who you mean by presenters. If attendees, they should probably be screened by one of the current members

#7

Keiretsu Forum, Alliance of Angels

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