Recent Project: Interactive Designer for the Microdrone 3.0-www.microdrone.co.uk– Raised over $3.5M on Indiegogo.com to fund Microdrone 3.0, It’s small, smart and streams HD footage to your phone.
What are you looking for in a pitch? I think the personality of the person, what can they bring to the table. How passionate he is about his project, his lifetime experiences. If you’re doing an app for photography, I’d hope you’d have some experience. I want to know why you’re good at it, how, your experience level. I want to see the story. Instead of codes or numbers, especially if it’s not a business idea I need to hear the story and make sure they are passionate. Other VCs want to know what your speciality is and why you think you are a good fit for this role. We look for sustainability. They [investors] want a long-term relationship with you.
What advice do you have for a first-time entrepreneur/pitcher? I think it’s really-to be brave, be shameless. A lot of people might look down on you or not trust you because you haven’t done anything like this- but if you like this idea bring it out. I think there is a world of resources- it’s all about persistence. Even if you don’t win, do it every day- keep yourself going to the goal. It’s what I do every day, I get out there and am persistent, even if the first answer is no.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/mpc_modal][mpc_modal frequency=”onclick” onclick_id=”lauren_bentle” max_width=”60″ max_height=”75″ alignment=”left” close_overlay=”true” mpc_icon__icon=”eti eti_close” mpc_icon__icon_color=”#000000″ mpc_icon__icon_size=”30″ mpc_icon__border_divider=”true” mpc_icon__padding_divider=”true” mpc_icon__margin_divider=”true” mpc_icon__margin_css=”margin-top:30px;margin-right:30px;” mpc_icon__hover_icon_color=”#496dbd” mpc_icon__hover_border_divider=”true” background_color=”#ffffff” border_divider=”true” border_css=”border-width:10px;border-color:#000000;border-style:solid;” padding_divider=”true” padding_css=”padding:40px;” margin_divider=”true” margin_css=”margin:30px;”][vc_row_inner content_placement=”top”][vc_column_inner width=”1/3″][vc_single_image image=”705″ img_size=”medium” alignment=”center”][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”2/3″][vc_custom_heading text=”Lauren Bentle” font_container=”tag:h2|text_align:left|color:%23000000″ use_theme_fonts=”yes” css=”.vc_custom_1516044296547{margin-bottom: 3px !important;}”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1516045328108{margin-bottom: -10px !important;}”]Tour and Interactive Content Producer- Lauren spent the first 8 years of her career in Losa Angeles, CA producing commercials, trailers, and other advertising content with a heavy focus on the video game and toy industries. This was followed by a brief stint with TBWA/Media Arts Lab (Apple) working on the iPhone 6 team. She has relocated to Cincinnati and Lightborne Inc where she produces content for artists like the Zac Brown Band, Halsey, Pink, and Meghan Trainor.
What are you looking for in a pitch? What I’d love to see in a pitch is passion and personality. I need to walk away just as excited as you are about your business, your ideas and you – and the best way to do that is to speak openly and honestly about what your business means to you or how you feel it can provide a needed service for your community. It sounds so cliché, but “Be Yourself.”
For someone giving a pitch for the first time- what advice can you give? Do your homework and practice your pitch beforehand! If you’re going to win people over, you have to know what you’re going to say and how you’re going to say it. It may not come as naturally as you’d like it to if you suffer from nerves like me, so take the time to get a few rehearsals under your belt.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/mpc_modal][mpc_modal frequency=”onclick” onclick_id=”kristen_cooper” max_width=”60″ max_height=”75″ alignment=”left” close_overlay=”true” mpc_icon__icon=”eti eti_close” mpc_icon__icon_color=”#000000″ mpc_icon__icon_size=”30″ mpc_icon__border_divider=”true” mpc_icon__padding_divider=”true” mpc_icon__margin_divider=”true” mpc_icon__margin_css=”margin-top:30px;margin-right:30px;” mpc_icon__hover_icon_color=”#496dbd” mpc_icon__hover_border_divider=”true” background_color=”#ffffff” border_divider=”true” border_css=”border-width:10px;border-color:#000000;border-style:solid;” padding_divider=”true” padding_css=”padding:40px;” margin_divider=”true” margin_css=”margin:30px;”][vc_row_inner content_placement=”top”][vc_column_inner width=”1/3″][vc_single_image image=”707″ img_size=”medium” alignment=”center”][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”2/3″][vc_custom_heading text=”Kristen Cooper” font_container=”tag:h2|text_align:left|color:%23000000″ use_theme_fonts=”yes” css=”.vc_custom_1516043591238{margin-bottom: 3px !important;}” link=”|||”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1516045421277{margin-bottom: -10px !important;}”]Current Project: CEO and Founder of The Startup Ladies- thestartupladies.org– The Startup Ladies identify, educate, connect and increase investment in women entrepreneurs starting up scalable businesses. The membership organization hosts programming for budding entrepreneurs and first time investors.
Recent Projects: VP of Operations and Corporate Development at Sticksnleaves, Exec Director of Corporate Partnerships &Membership Sales and Events at Indy Chamber. Launched Women in Business series. DOO at the Riverview Hospital Foundation, Major Gifts Officer at Butler University and University of California, Santa Barbara.
What are you looking for in a pitch? Especially since this is such a different format, with possibilities for non-profits, artwork, basically ANYTHING eligible to benefit Madison County?
Begin by clearly explaining how you and members of the community perceive the problem. Then, articulate how your solution will resolve the problem while providing additional benefits
What advice do you have for those selected to stand out on pitch night?
Be yourself and prove your concept.
What would be your words of wisdom to someone trying to start out, possibly for the first time, in a smaller market like Madison County? Think about the biggest version of yourself and your idea. Use this pitch session as an exercise to prepare for the entrepreneurial journey that you’re about to embark on.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/mpc_modal][mpc_modal frequency=”onclick” onclick_id=”mike_seidle” max_width=”60″ max_height=”75″ alignment=”left” close_overlay=”true” mpc_icon__icon=”eti eti_close” mpc_icon__icon_color=”#000000″ mpc_icon__icon_size=”30″ mpc_icon__border_divider=”true” mpc_icon__padding_divider=”true” mpc_icon__margin_divider=”true” mpc_icon__margin_css=”margin-top:30px;margin-right:30px;” mpc_icon__hover_icon_color=”#496dbd” mpc_icon__hover_border_divider=”true” background_color=”#ffffff” border_divider=”true” border_css=”border-width:10px;border-color:#000000;border-style:solid;” padding_divider=”true” padding_css=”padding:40px;” margin_divider=”true” margin_css=”margin:30px;”][vc_row_inner content_placement=”top”][vc_column_inner width=”1/3″][vc_single_image image=”708″ img_size=”medium” alignment=”center”][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”2/3″][vc_custom_heading text=”Mike Seidle” font_container=”tag:h2|text_align:left|color:%23000000″ use_theme_fonts=”yes” css=”.vc_custom_1516043661312{margin-bottom: 3px !important;}”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1516045488573{margin-bottom: -10px !important;}”]Currently working on: Co-Founder, COO, & CMO of WorkHere- WorkHere.com– We’re going to employers and say we’ll find hyper local as close as possible to your business. Our process leads to higher quality hires and less time. Nobody out there actually talks to job seekers. We are not just a form, but actually talk to job seekers. We help bridge the gap through clear expectations and job coaching that lands them the job, and the company receives a high value hire in less time. We are local to Indiana and branching out with national clients.
Brought you: Virtual Payment Systems
What are you looking for in a pitch? Total Allowable Market is a big thing. How many people can you sell your product to? That is really hard to figure out when you’re starting, but it’s the key to be able to get going. I don’t like sending people into a pitch night who don’t have the market size, or if they haven’t really thought that through. I also look at the founders, what they’re doing and who they are as people. I absolutely love entrepreneurs, and love to see them succeed so want them to have the tools going out.
What is your advice to first time entrepreneurs? Know your market. It’s so hard to do when you’re starting out, but it’s the key to be able to get going. The other thing is to start fast. Not build the perfect thing before you test the market. Go test it, see if people will go buy it. We did it with our community managers at WorkHere. If it works do it. Don’t do it in an imaginary way. Real world feedback will help you find something that will actually work.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/mpc_modal][mpc_modal frequency=”onclick” onclick_id=”nick_birch” max_width=”60″ max_height=”75″ alignment=”left” close_overlay=”true” mpc_icon__icon=”eti eti_close” mpc_icon__icon_color=”#000000″ mpc_icon__icon_size=”30″ mpc_icon__border_divider=”true” mpc_icon__padding_divider=”true” mpc_icon__margin_divider=”true” mpc_icon__margin_css=”margin-top:30px;margin-right:30px;” mpc_icon__hover_icon_color=”#496dbd” mpc_icon__hover_border_divider=”true” background_color=”#ffffff” border_divider=”true” border_css=”border-width:10px;border-color:#000000;border-style:solid;” padding_divider=”true” padding_css=”padding:40px;” margin_divider=”true” margin_css=”margin:30px;”][vc_row_inner content_placement=”top”][vc_column_inner width=”1/3″][vc_single_image image=”706″ img_size=”medium” alignment=”center”][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”2/3″][vc_custom_heading text=”Nick Birch” font_container=”tag:h2|text_align:left|color:%23000000″ use_theme_fonts=”yes” css=”.vc_custom_1516044373089{margin-bottom: 3px !important;}”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1516121134058{margin-bottom: -10px !important;}”]Currently working on: PropelUp- propelup.io– We’re launching a platform that is like google maps for learning. An educational tool for software developers. So much information is available, and it’s overwhelming. The challenge individuals and communities have is they don’t know how to navigate this information and what that path to learning looks like. We are building a tool that can build pathways for people, and how to build projects around that experience. They can identify the what and the when. We’re making this technology education accessible at all levels.
Recent Projects: Eleven Fifty Academy, Eleven Fifty Consulting
What would you do with the prize money? Generally, think about how am I going to learn as much as possible about this problem with as little output as possible. What lowest cost experiments can I set up to validate this is a real problem? I would put everything towards understanding the problem and the customers, if I’m still in the idea stage. If I want to build a $3,000 robot to walk a dog because it’s annoying that’s great- but is that a problem someone is willing to pay $3,000 to solve for themselves? Will it actually solve the problem?
What’s an important lesson to learn for entrepreneurs? It doesn’t take a whole lot of money and investment to learn. I’ve tried to optimize learning as much as you can for as little investment as possible. Frequently we build technology, and a year later they threw it out because it didn’t solve the problem. It’s easy to spend a whole lot of money to build something that doesn’t solve the problem. Talk to as many people as possible so you can correctly identify the problem you’re trying to solve and make sure your solution is relevant, useful.
What is the toughest part of being an entrepreneur? There’s a general path, but there’s no playbook or instruction for what you do next. In our case, what we’re building doesn’t exist. Nobody knows what’s going to happen or where do we go from here? Education is huge- so who is this for? Adults, kids, different sales cycles, decision processes are different. We have to decide all this, I can get input- but I have to decide it and make that call. Making those decisions- they could kill the company- you make the wrong one and it’s over. Not always, but the possibility is there.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/mpc_modal][mpc_modal frequency=”onclick” onclick_id=”FX” max_width=”60″ max_height=”75″ alignment=”left” close_overlay=”true” mpc_icon__icon=”eti eti_close” mpc_icon__icon_color=”#000000″ mpc_icon__icon_size=”30″ mpc_icon__border_divider=”true” mpc_icon__padding_divider=”true” mpc_icon__margin_divider=”true” mpc_icon__margin_css=”margin-top:30px;margin-right:30px;” mpc_icon__hover_icon_color=”#496dbd” mpc_icon__hover_border_divider=”true” background_color=”#ffffff” border_divider=”true” border_css=”border-width:10px;border-color:#000000;border-style:solid;” padding_divider=”true” padding_css=”padding:40px;” margin_divider=”true” margin_css=”margin:30px;”][vc_row_inner content_placement=”top”][vc_column_inner width=”1/3″][vc_single_image image=”710″ img_size=”medium” alignment=”center”][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”2/3″][vc_custom_heading text=”FX Jammes- COO- CMG WorldWide” font_container=”tag:h2|text_align:left|color:%23000000″ use_theme_fonts=”yes” css=”.vc_custom_1516044437853{margin-bottom: 3px !important;}”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1516198728897{margin-bottom: -10px !important;}”]Background: -A French native, FX came to the U.S. for his college education in engineering. Upon graduation he returned to France to work on the design of bridges and infrastructure. He returned to the U.S. once again to attend Standford for his MBA. FX became an integral part of raising over $150M for Beipei, an online app to sell used cars, in their first 18 months.
Advice to pitchers to stand out: It is so important to really believe what you’re saying, what you preach. Tell the audience why you’re the best fit to take the business to the next level. Your experience, it’s you, and it’s extremely valuable. Try to meet people with experience in the industry- the community is very helpful so really reach out and see how you can make it [your product] better. Take your feedback you get from the contest and bring it to the next level. Next, spend time with your customer, get out of the building. Make it more appealing and more valuable.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/mpc_modal][mpc_modal frequency=”onclick” onclick_id=”michael_buckley” max_width=”60″ max_height=”75″ alignment=”left” close_overlay=”true” mpc_icon__icon=”eti eti_close” mpc_icon__icon_color=”#000000″ mpc_icon__icon_size=”30″ mpc_icon__border_divider=”true” mpc_icon__padding_divider=”true” mpc_icon__margin_divider=”true” mpc_icon__margin_css=”margin-top:30px;margin-right:30px;” mpc_icon__hover_icon_color=”#496dbd” mpc_icon__hover_border_divider=”true” background_color=”#ffffff” border_divider=”true” border_css=”border-width:10px;border-color:#000000;border-style:solid;” padding_divider=”true” padding_css=”padding:40px;” margin_divider=”true” margin_css=”margin:30px;”][vc_row_inner content_placement=”top”][vc_column_inner width=”1/3″][vc_single_image image=”709″ img_size=”medium”][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”2/3″][vc_custom_heading text=”Michael Buckley” font_container=”tag:h2|text_align:left|color:%23000000″ use_theme_fonts=”yes” css=”.vc_custom_1516044882816{margin-bottom: 3px !important;}”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1516121155762{margin-bottom: -10px !important;}”]Currently working on: CEO & Co-Founder of Cadence, an app for events, meetings, and conferences. Cadence simplifies event management so that you can focus on what really matters: delivering the message to your audience. Cadence, a finalist in MassChallenge Boston 2017, is a platform that will have true purpose for event organizers and attendees around the world. Check them out at www.eventsthatflow.com[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/mpc_modal][/vc_column][/vc_row]