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paulg's profile
Paul Graham
Paul Graham
Paul Graham
Verified account
@paulg

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Paul GrahamVerified account

@paulg

paulgraham.com
Joined August 2010

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    Paul Graham‏Verified account @paulg 9 Oct 2014

    Investors are not looking for sexy in a startup pitch. They're looking for clear.

    11:19 AM - 9 Oct 2014
    • 134 Retweets
    • 170 Likes
    • Scott Weisman Anshu Śharma Paola Stoncius Rodrigo Martín Ortiz Kike Dbs judesue Nicole Leah Johnson Scott Edward Walker marina @ bliss
    12 replies 134 retweets 170 likes
      1. New conversation
      2. Ernest Rolfson‏ @ErnestRolfson 17 Oct 2014
        Replying to @paulg

        @paulg @katgleason aren't accelerator pitches all about flash over substance though?

        1 reply 0 retweets 0 likes
      3. Paul Graham‏Verified account @paulg 17 Oct 2014
        Replying to @ErnestRolfson

        @ErnestRolfson @katgleason At Demo Day? No; the opposite. The audience are pros. They have the least tolerance for flash.

        0 replies 1 retweet 1 like
      4. End of conversation
      1. New conversation
      2. Brian Gordon‏ @GordonBrianR 9 Oct 2014
        Replying to @paulg

        @paulg but this reflects a basic, deep asymmetry - entrepreneurs aren't trying to convey information, they are trying to persuade.

        1 reply 1 retweet 1 like
      3. Paul Graham‏Verified account @paulg 9 Oct 2014
        Replying to @GordonBrianR

        @GordonBrianR Sexy works when pros are trying to persuade amateurs, but not when amateurs are trying to persuade pros.

        3 replies 2 retweets 7 likes
      4. Brian Gordon‏ @GordonBrianR 9 Oct 2014
        Replying to @paulg

        @paulg agreed. When attempts at persuasion/argument start emphasizing form over substance, things can go bad.

        1 reply 0 retweets 0 likes
      5. Jake Kaldenbaugh‏ @Jakewk 9 Oct 2014
        Replying to @GordonBrianR

        @GordonBrianR @paulg Sexy is a hallmark of bubble tops as well. I've noticed much more sizzle than steak the last couple of years...

        1 reply 1 retweet 0 likes
      6. Brian Gordon‏ @GordonBrianR 9 Oct 2014
        Replying to @Jakewk

        @Jakewk @paulg interesting point. A coming together of 'opportunistic' entrepreneurs and 'irrationally exuberant' investors perhaps...

        0 replies 0 retweets 1 like
      7. End of conversation
      1. Erik Kjell‏ @erikkjell 9 Oct 2014
        Replying to @paulg

        @paulg content before creative is key.

        0 replies 0 retweets 2 likes
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      1. Greg Neufeld‏ @gregneuf 9 Oct 2014
        Replying to @paulg

        @paulg clear IS sexy. Lucrative IS sexy. Sexy is not clear nor lucrative.

        0 replies 0 retweets 1 like
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      1. Lucy-Rose Walker‏ @LucyRoseW 9 Oct 2014
        Replying to @paulg

        “@paulg: Investors are not looking for sexy in a startup pitch. They're looking for clear.” Listen up all @ESparkUK #GoDo

        0 replies 0 retweets 1 like
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      1. Stephen Aghaulor‏ @saghaulor 9 Oct 2014
        Replying to @paulg

        @paulg I was just saying this about recruiter pitches, sell me the company not a lottery ticket

        0 replies 0 retweets 1 like
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      1. Sergey Plotnikov‏ @SPlotnikov 13 Oct 2014
        Replying to @paulg

        @paulg @katgleason 2/2 You have to work hard to get your thinking clean to make it simple. Steve Jobs

        0 replies 0 retweets 0 likes
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      1. Sergey Plotnikov‏ @SPlotnikov 13 Oct 2014
        Replying to @paulg

        @paulg @katgleason 1/1 "That's been one of my mantras - focus and simplicity. Simple can be harder than complex:

        0 replies 0 retweets 0 likes
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      1. iandanforth‏ @iandanforth 10 Oct 2014
        Replying to @paulg

        @paulg There are no areas of human endeavor where we are not looking for sexy. Clear + Sexy will always win over Clear.

        0 replies 0 retweets 0 likes
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      1. Kurt Braget‏ @kurtybot 9 Oct 2014
        Replying to @paulg

        @paulg #thingsinvestorssay

        0 replies 0 retweets 0 likes
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      1. Michel Teivel‏ @michelteivel 9 Oct 2014
        Replying to @paulg

        @paulg I always thought that rational investors look for growth.

        0 replies 0 retweets 0 likes
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