I’ve just finished reviewing 180 business pitches for muru-D and will look at another 100+ for Startmate over the next few weeks.
I’ve whipped together my thoughts on the written applications submitted:
- Writing less material is easier to digest and more likely to be digested at all, i.e. write less. Be specific and don’t use buzzwords.
- Do something to stand out from the other 179 applications.
- Show revenue. If you can’t show revenue, show traction, if you can’t show traction, show tenacity. If you can’t show tenacity, go be tenacious.
- Give me a hugely ambitious vision and a believable starting point.
- Show us why this is more to you than something you thought about over the weekend.
- When talking about your team, tell us what each of them will do.
- Give us a video that lets us get to know you, not just a walk through.
- Come to events or contact us. If you connect with us 4+ times then we’ll remember you.
- Be aware if people have tried this idea before. (Hint: 99% of the time they have.)
- Give something back. Create some content or do something that shows you’re prepared to share.
- We’re after digital technology businesses, so show us you live and love technology.
- We’re about people, so do anything you can to show us personality and emotion.
- Read about the companies that got in last time. What were they like? Contact them?
- Get someone who has built a tech business to read your application before you submit it.
- Again, write less. It takes more time to write less, but it’s worth it.
Mick Liubinskas is co-founder of Pollenizer, mentor/investor in Startmate and entrepreneur in residence for muru-D.
