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TechStars often accepts companies before they've got a ton of traction. If you're planning on raising money before you've got that traction, pitching and networ
by gyardley 15y ago
TechStars often accepts companies before they've got a ton of traction. If you're planning on raising money before you've got that traction, pitching and networking isn't nonsense, it's your job.
If you're not willing to go out and schmooze (which I completely understand - it's not particularly fun), that's absolutely fine. Just focus on a business that doesn't need to raise before it takes off.
- ilamont 15y agoSorry. "Nonsense" is too strong a word. I removed it. I also agree that for some companies pitching and networking is important, for raising money, building partnerships, or getting advisors. But when hundreds of applicants are being forced to spend lots of effort playing a game of schmoozing, and the criteria for acceptance depends more on how much someone likes you rather than what you're building, that screams "flawed system" to me. Disclaimer: We applied to TechStars and Y Combinator and didn't get in.