PitchBreakfast -February
PitchBreakfast is about providing area startups a chance to practice their most crucial pitch in a challenging but supportive environment. PitchBreakfast is a safe, supportive environment where entrepreneurs go to connect, learn, and grow. They feature local founders/entrepreneurs/startups getting expert feedback on one of their most valuable assets – their pitch – in order to help get them investor-ready.
They’re big believers in Brad Feld’s philosophy that events that engage the entire entrepreneurial stack are important. So they created one! From the entrepreneurs that take the stage, to the distinguished investors and entrepreneurs that sit on their panels, to the community that makes up their audience, they create a great atmosphere where you can get connected without fear.
The event is free, they just ask for your email address to keep you up to date with future events. They always want their attendees to get the most out of each event.
At each event (monthly in Charlotte, quarterly in Asheville and Charleston), they feature 3-4 startups who pitch their companies to the audience and a panel of experts they put together. In their standard format, each startup is given 5 minutes with slides to pitch followed by 10 minutes of feedback and Q&A with their panel and audience. Breakfast and coffee are provided, courtesy of their sponsors.
Once a quarter in Charlotte, they host a special format with their partners at IDEA Fund Partners, the most active seed-stage investor in the southeast (with combined exits of over $1 Billion). This IDEA Pitch is only 2 minutes long and does not use slides. As Lister Delgado says, “if you can’t get my attention in two minutes, you’ll never do your full presentation.” If a presenter nails their 2-minute elevator pitch and the Q+A session to follow, the IDEA Fund Partners may bring them to Durham to do their pitch for the assembled investment team.
They think everybody can benefit from applying to pitch at PitchBreakfast. The point is to support each other, ask good questions, supply good feedback and get the buzz going on Wednesday mornings. They welcome startup companies at most levels to pitch at PitchBreakfast, from prototype and beta users to companies that are making revenue and already have some funding. However, the format is that of an investor pitch, so you should present your idea along with a business model, even if you are not yet ready for funding. This is NOT a forum to try and sell your product or service to the audience.
What To Include in the PitchBreakfast :
If you’re struggling with what to include in your pitch, consider including the following 5 elements that their panelists consistently ask about. Feel free to reach out to the team if you need help.
- What problem are you solving, and who are you solving it for (who is your market)?
- How does your business work? Where do you find customers, and how do you make money?
- Who are you (and your team) and why does it matter? What makes you qualified to do this?
- What is your ask? What do you need to get to the next level? This could be introductions, feedback on your pricing model, co-founders, money to run a marketing campaign, etc
Eligibility
- Seed-stage and series A level tech startups looking to raise a round of funding
- Early-stage tech startups looking for feedback on their local business model
Benefits
- Practice their most crucial pitch in a challenging but supportive environment
- Startup companies at most levels to pitch at PitchBreakfast, from prototype and beta users to companies that are making revenue and already have some funding
- Get supports from the Pitch
- Good feedback and get the buzz about your business
Application Process
Fee information: Free