Molson Hart

Founders worry too much about highly funded competitors. Usually funding matters less than the founders' ability. In the short term, a highly funded competitor can hurt you by e.g. lowering prices. But if you survive long enough, it will ultimately become a test of ability.

It’s fascinating that founders can be stronger in general yet worse at fundraising. Though seemingly luck has a ton to do with fundraising success.

I’m 0 for 9 at raising money and startup competitions. I don’t think it’s bad luck (maybe a tiny bit). It’s my personality and how and what I present. There is definitely a personality type for the person who kills it at raising money but cannot do operations.

I've found coaching helped me get better. Started my pitches with "friendlies" or folks I assumed were insta-no's. I asked them at the end for no-holds-barred feedback. Most provide it.

Great technique. You want to go to the people who are the best bets last, after you've worked out the bugs in your presentation. I'm hoping that I won't need to learn these skills and I can just leverage recommendations from my network and evidence of past performance.

Also, I want to be clear. This isn't just the presenter's fault (it's best to think it is so you get better). I have seen some TERRRRRRRRRIBLE companies get funded over mine. A lot of these judges and investors make bad calls.