How to Succeed at Speed Dating

Jun 06
Oscar Moralez, Managing Director
Oscar Moralez, Managing Director

Your palms are sweaty. Your legs are shaking. You can’t get the words out of your mouth fast enough. Finally, everything starts to flow. You’re in the zone. Then suddenly, without notice, the buzzer rings and you have to move on.

This is not the typical speed-dating scenario. I’m talking about the 70 entrepreneurs who will soon make investor pitches in search of the perfect match at the 2014 Innovation Showcase Thursday, July 10 at the Dallara IndyCar Factory in Speedway, IN.

Why the anxiety? First, they’re vying for more than $130,000 in cash and professional services that goes to the top presenter. With 69 equally motivated competitors, the competition will be fierce. Second, presentations will be made to an audience of more than 800 people, including potential investors like the VisionTech Angels. Finally, they’ve got 60 seconds in which to make their pitch. That’s not a lot of time.

Fortunately, VisionTech Angels and the IU Kelley School of Business are hosting the E3 Summit segment in partnership with The Innovation Showcase. Set for Thursday, July 10 at the same location, the E3 Summit is designed to introduce new and seasoned angel investors, entrepreneurs, and startup companies to the world of angel investing. This is not a sales event. Our focus is education and networking. In addition to the VisionTech team, VisionTech Angels from Indy, Bloomington, Lafayette, and Warsaw, as well the Hyde Park Angels and Queen City Angels will be present at The Innovation Showcase and available to speak one-on-one to participants about angel investing and what we consider an “investable company.” We anticipate 200 to 300 people will attend the morning segment. I hope you can join us.

Before I leave you, I promised to tell you how to succeed at investor speed dating. In 10-second snippets, tell the audience:

  • Who you are
  • Problem you’re solving
  • Your solution (technology/service)
  • Size of market
  • Push to your website for more information
  • Ask them to stop by your booth at The Innovation Showcase

Say it all in the most genuine, passionate, compelling manner possible. I know you can do it, but if you’re one of the entrepreneurs who will be pitching at The Innovation Showcase or future investor event, it helps to have a wingman. Join us at The Innovation Showcase, Thursday, June 10. Details are available at www.VisionTech-Partners.com or by visiting www.TheInnovationShowcase.com.