Jahn Karsybaev’s Post

The #1 reason founders don’t get funded (and it’s not what you think). Most founders believe: 👉 “I need a better idea.” 👉 “I need a perfect pitch deck.” 👉 “I need more investor connections.” Wrong. The #1 reason founders don’t get funded? They can’t show proof. Investors don’t gamble on possibilities. They invest in progress. ⚡ 10 paying customers > 100 slides ⚡ $1,000 in revenue > $100,000 in projections ⚡ Clear execution > Big vision So if you’re still polishing your deck… Stop. Go prove your business. Because when you do, investors stop ignoring you— and start chasing you. 💡 Are you still chasing investors, or building proof they can’t ignore?

💡I’ve been meeting with a lot of founders lately, and one theme keeps coming up: the power of a clear, simple story. You might know every detail of your tech or process, but if you can’t explain your product and why it matters to someone with zero background, you risk losing potential investors in the first 30 seconds (yes, I know, 30 seconds is not very long...) Great pitches don’t just inform the listener...they inspire. They capture attention right away and make people believe in the vision, even if they don’t know the industry inside out. Before your next investor conversation, ask yourself: **Could a friend outside my field repeat my product’s value back to me in one or two sentences?** If not, keep refining until they can. Psst: Accelerating Angels has a bootcamp coming up on November 7th to help with this if you are in Columbus. 😉 #StartupEcosystem #Founders #InvestorReadiness

𝗜𝗻𝘃𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿 𝗣𝗶𝘁𝗰𝗵 𝗦𝗲𝗰𝗿𝗲𝘁𝘀 (𝗕𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗧𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗨𝗻𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗸𝘀 𝗖𝗮𝗽𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗹) Most founders talk features. Top founders pitch momentum, proof, and upside. Here’s the pitch narrative great founders follow—step by step: 1. Prove Timing • Why now • Market shift or inflection point • Urgency of the opportunity • What’s changed 2. Show Proof • Traction numbers • Customer growth • Revenue validation • Real results > bold vision 3. Win Distribution • Scalable GTM engine • CAC vs LTV dynamics • Early sales motion • Proof it can scale 4. Expose Your Edge • Moat that competitors can’t replicate • Defensibility > speed • Unique insight • Long-term advantage 5. Nail The Ask • How much you’re raising • Why now • Use of funds breakdown • Path to next milestone When your pitch hits all 5, investors lean in. Miss even one—and they lean out. Which of these is the hardest for founders to get right? PS. check out 🔔 for a winning pitch deck the template created by Silicon Valley legend, Peter Thiel https://lnkd.in/eQFrsUnE

Investor conversations: round two. In my last post, I shared how those early meetings weren’t just about pitching — they were about stress-testing the business. Since then, I’ve had many more conversations, and a new layer of lessons has emerged. Here are the takeaways that stand out this time: 🔹 Investors track momentum, not just milestones. It’s not just about “Did you hit your ARR target?” but “Are you moving faster this quarter than last?” They’re looking for compounding velocity — evidence that the engine is getting stronger, not just bigger. 🔹 The narrative must scale as fast as the numbers. Early on, a simple story is enough. But as the pipeline, team, and roadmap grow, so must the sophistication of the narrative. One investor put it well: “You don’t just need a good story; you need a story that scales.” That forced me to rethink how I present both the micro (customer impact) and the macro (market vision). 🔹 Proof beats potential — but potential still matters. Investors love vision, but they underwrite proof. They want customer logos, revenue retention, and usage data. The art is showing how today’s proof points are early signals of tomorrow’s scale. 🔹 Strategic fit is a two-way due diligence. In some conversations, it became clear we were qualifying them as much as the reverse. Do they understand our space? Do they open doors in markets we can’t reach alone? Are they aligned on exit horizons? I’ve learned to ask sharper questions upfront. It saves time on both sides. 🔹 Process is part of the pitch. How we run the conversation — the prep, the follow-ups, the clarity of data — is itself a signal. Sloppy process equals red flag. Disciplined process earns trust. Investors aren’t just backing the product, they’re backing the operating system of the company. 🔹 The “wrong no” is still useful. A rejection without reasoning is frustrating. But when an investor explains why they passed — even if it stings — that’s gold. I’ve started capturing those insights systematically, almost like customer feedback. Over time, patterns emerge that shape both product and fundraising strategy. 👉 For other founders: The first wave of investor conversations sharpened my pitch. This second wave is sharpening my judgment. Curious to hear from you: What’s one investor insight that permanently changed how you run your business?

Investor conversations aren’t just about raising capital — they’re about sharpening your business. Every conversation is a real-time stress test: your story, your strategy, your execution. The lessons go beyond funding — they refine your growth, your product, and your priorities. - Momentum matters more than milestones - Proof today unlocks potential tomorrow - The right partner isn’t just capital — it’s conviction + doors opened Hear from our Director of Product & Strategy, Sidd Nigam on how these discussions are helping ExpenseOnDemand build stronger processes, smarter strategies, and long-term partnerships — not just a pitch deck!

The first 3 minutes of your investor meeting matter more than your pitch deck. Most technical founders from emerging markets don't know this. They see "small talk" as a waste of precious time. They want to jump straight into metrics, product demos, and growth projections. I understand why. In many cultures, efficiency equals professionalism. Getting to business quickly shows respect for someone's time. But here's what I've learned coaching hundreds of founders for US investor meetings: ❗ American VCs aren't just evaluating your business in those first 3 minutes. They're evaluating YOU. That casual conversation about the weather, your background, or last night's game? It's not filler. It's their first layer of due diligence. The truth? Technical brilliance gets you the meeting. Human connection gets you the check. This is one of the most underrated skills for international founders entering the US market — and it's completely learnable. Watch if you want to understand the unwritten rules of American business culture. 👇 #VentureCapital #StartupFunding #CrossCulturalBusiness #FounderSkills #USMarket #MebertGlobalLaunchpad

𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙗𝙞𝙜𝙜𝙚𝙨𝙩 𝙢𝙞𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙠𝙚 𝙄 𝙨𝙚𝙚 𝙥𝙧𝙚-𝙨𝙚𝙚𝙙 𝙛𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙙𝙚𝙧𝙨 𝙢𝙖𝙠𝙚? Thinking that VC meetings = investor interest. Here's the reality: Pre-seed VCs take calls. It's literally their job. They meet 20+ founders a week. That "great conversation" you had? They had 19 others just like it. I learned this the hard way during my first fundraising round. Spent 3 months chasing "warm" VCs who were just being polite. Meanwhile, the angels who actually wrote checks were the ones asking tough questions from day one. The signal isn't the meeting. It's the follow-up questions, the intro requests, the "can we see your data room?" If you're pre-seed with modest traction, focus on angels first. They move faster, ask better questions, and actually close. P.S. If you're struggling with your pitch deck positioning, I'm offering free reviews this week. DM me - I can spot the red flags VCs will catch in 30 seconds.

Struggling to stand out in investor meetings? You’re not alone. One of the biggest challenges I see founders face is clearly articulating what truly makes their startup different. With so many pitches landing on an investor’s desk, it’s easy to blend in instead of standing out. Here are three practical steps you can take to craft a tailored value proposition - and secure stronger competitive positioning in your next funding round: 1. Get crystal clear on your real differentiation. Skip the buzzwords and dig deep: what is the specific problem you solve, and how is your approach unique from competitors? Test it with people outside your sector to see if your USP is truly obvious. 2. Align your story with investors’ priorities. Every investor is looking for something slightly different. Do your homework. Research their portfolio, past investments, and stated interests. Then tailor your company narrative so it highlights the value you bring to their specific area of focus. 3. Show, don’t just tell, your impact. Instead of only talking about features or technical specs, illustrate your traction with customer stories, results, or metrics. Real-world evidence is what investors remember. I’ve watched founders go from unremarkable to unforgettable in the eyes of investors simply by sharpening their positioning and communicating it in a way that lands. If you’re preparing for a raise, don’t overlook this step - it could be the difference between being politely passed over or starting a conversation that leads to a deal. Do you feel your pitch truly sets you apart, or is this an area you’re still working on? I’d love to hear your experiences or tips below.

𝟗 𝐃𝐚𝐲𝐬. 𝟗 𝐖𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐏𝐢𝐭𝐜𝐡 𝐌𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐲 | 𝐃𝐚𝐲 𝟑 Trying to fit your entire journey into the pitch? For investors, it's like trying to drink from a firehose. Nobody gets a good sip. Your pitch isn’t a list of facts. It’s a carefully crafted story spark that ignites curiosity. Stop summarizing. Start captivating. stotio helps you find the moments that matter and put them center stage. Because the best pitches don’t inform, they inspire. #FoundersJourney #PitchStory #StoryOverSlides #InvestorReady #GrowWithstotio

Your pitch deck introduces your vision; your updates prove your ability to deliver. Investors engage with compelling narratives, but they commit to founders who provide transparent, data-driven insights on growth, milestones, and execution. Combining a strong deck with consistent updates establishes credibility, builds trust, and drives long-term investor confidence. #StartupInsights #PitchDeckStrategy #InvestorConfidence #FounderLeadership #VentureCapital #BusinessExecution