Day 1 Recap

Day 1 of the most diverse seed accelerator batch in the world. We had people in the room from every continent except penguins.

As we were waiting to begin, Hugh recorded the first of a series of video logs:

https://youtu.be/SgR7CY-CSK4

With everyone in, we introduced ourselves. We answered questions like Why are we here? To run some business experiments. To get funded. Or to close down gracefully. Or, somewhere in between, to pivot until it works!

Hugh reminded that we will need not one but four pitches: to the investor, to the customer, to talent hires, and to the public (sometimes via the media, sometimes via mom).

We watched a few videos on pitching (GoMiles and TechStars Founders Demo Day, and Carlin Gettliffe on what to expect). We watched Zach Kozick of Lumatic go up in a plane and fly around Boulder.

Every team pitched: 10 minutes. Most took less time. A range of fascinating businesses, all of which had some element of strangeness in the proportion. Francis Bacon would have approved.

The bad news: All of the pitches had problems.

The good news: all of the problems can be corrected with practice and rehearsal.

Most of the team from India were out sick with stomach problems, heh heh.

We met a few Floating Founders: Isaac and Khoi. Justin Lee. Stephan February.

Peter Browne of Intangible Communications gave some great advice: stand still! Neutral stance. Lunge about the stage only to make a point and interact with the audience. Don’t kiss the mic.

Hugh reminded us to make eye contact with, and talk to, one or two or three people in the audience. But don’t scan the entire audience: that makes contact with no-one.

Meng dumped a bag of HDMI / DVI / mini-displayport cables and adapters on the floor.

Then we all went into the Jungle!

Some of you may not find it bright enough. In the next few days Meng will hit Ikea for more TERTIAL lamps and brighter light bulbs. Everybody will get to customize their workspace to their satisfaction.

Friday, we do it all again, only in front of real investors.

Saturday we relax with a bit of shopping.