The second most common request I receive is for feedback.
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⚠️ Please read through the Commonly Asked Questions below before reaching out. High chance your question is answered in this section.
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Commonly Asked Questions
Will you check out my deck and give me feedback?
Can I schedule time to pick your brain?
Am I too early to ask for feedback?
How to ask for my feedback
What’s your objective by getting my feedback?
If you’re looking for funding, I’m unlikely the right person for you to talk to unless you want feedback related to funding. Most people reach out asking for feedback, when they really want funding but are afraid to ask for it. Be straightforward with what you need and you’ll get there faster.
Understand my focus.
I strictly prioritize my time and energy on underrepresented entrepreneurs and ecosystem builders. Sorry, I’m not interested in your game changing crypto-trading energy-producing web3 platform. Don’t take it personal. I don’t have a vertical-focused (fintech, edtech, etc) approach to startups. I have a founder-focused approach to support those with fewer resources.
Know that I am not a guru.
I operate in a sweet spot with early-stage founders, but am not the be-all to everyone by a long shot. I’ve met some people that seem to come close, but I’m not one of them. I know my boundaries and where I can add value. Part of my value add is 1) knowing my limitations, and 2) being incredibly resourceful with my network when I don’t have the answer.
Keep it short.
Don’t write an essay. If it takes more than a sentence to tell me what your company does, you might want to do some editing (or disclose in your message that you’re working on it). Nothing wrong with a work-in-progress.
Do you have a 2-pager instead?
If you hit all of the criteria above, I’m happy to check out your deck, but I much prefer a shortened 2-pager if you have one. Definitely don’t create one just because I asked for it, but I find them much easier to digest and more telling about how the founder(s) can articulate their venture. Not easy to do.