| I do not mean to discourage you, but the fact that you are posting here a day before your trip means you are already at a disadvantage. The key to maximizing your chances in these meetings is preparation. Your story, your pitch, your funding request, your specific hooks for THE specific firm/partner and your strategy for setting the stage for negotiating the deal you can live with (should they want it at all). Since you are apparently going in less than 100% prepared, I highly recommend soft-pedaling the actual pitch. Last thing any investor wants is to be stalked by someone who they do not believe is ready for funding, but is asking for their money. If you do not have 100% bulletproof answers to all the questions raised in the comments here I would categorize you as "not ready" and recommend to use the following Plan B. Instead of pitching and setting a hard marker (e.g. we are raising $X by month Y), say that you are simply focusing on your business (product development / sales) and is just starting to "explore the possibility" of raising funding and "open to advice" on the best way to approach it. This would put any VC at ease, you'll be able to present your story and if they feel it to be compelling enough, they would want to follow up, buying you more time to prepare. If they are not interested, nothing is lost because you have not been "pitching" but merely "asking for advice". You'll be able to re-approach them at a later time saying you are "finally ready". Above all try to go in confident and relaxed. Be sure to look genuinely interested when "asking for feedback", because chances are you could put it to good use if they turn you down. Do not forget to ask for introductions too: "who do you think we should talk to about this". If you do not get any real interest, remember nothing is lost. Just focus on your product / business and try funding when you have a stronger hand to play. |