Key to an entrepreneur’s success is confidence in oneself, and in one’s powers and abilities. Self confidence inspires confidence of others. After all, we hesitate to back an idea presented by someone who is nervous and overly apologetic. However, we are likely persuaded to support a project pitched by one who speaks clearly, answers questions with […]
You are a startup looking for a VC and a VC is looking for a startup. So how do you convince a VC to take your call or meet with you? You send them a deck—make sure it is stacked in your favor. Start by developing and refining the reasons why the VC should meet […]
Finalists will advance to a three-day live event in March, 2016 PHOENIX (February 1, 2016) – Invest Southwest, in partnership with the Arizona Commerce Authority, has selected the top 16 companies that will advance to the final elimination round of the 2016 Venture Madness competition. The competition launched in January, giving 64 early stage companies […]
Final elimination round will determine top 16 finalists by February 1, 2016 PHOENIX (January 20, 2016) – Invest Southwest in partnership with the Arizona Commerce Authority have selected the top 32 startups who are advancing to round two of the 2016 Venture Madness competition. Voting for the online ‘bracketology’ competition is now open to the […]
Field Narrows to Top 32 by January 20, then Top 16 by Early February PHOENIX (January 7, 2016) – Invest Southwest and the Arizona Commerce Authority have chosen the top 64 startups for the 2016 Venture Madness competition. Starting tomorrow, January 8, online ‘bracketology’ voting will open to the public where votes will be cast […]
Your speech is great. You opened with a hook and hit all your main points. Now, you’re about out of time, and you need to wrap it up. So what do you say? Don’t blow your close. Don’t end with Q&A. The problem: you leave your audience remembering someone’s question instead of giving them a […]
Submissions will be accepted until December 17, 1015 PHOENIX (December 10, 2015) – Entrepreneurs looking to submit for the 2016 Venture Madness competition will have until 3:00pm MST on December 17, 2015 to enter their company for a chance at the $100,000 shared prize. In partnership with the Arizona Commerce Authority, Invest Southwest will select […]
Anyone in Arizona’s startup community knows that we have an electric entrepreneurial scene going on here. From ingenious new ventures to whipsmart founders to experienced investors, there’s a reason one VentureBeat article said, “Arizona is becoming the next hotbed of startups.” As a Phoenix startup founder on my second business, I’ve seen the rich potential […]