April 5, 2014

Gimlet 1: How Not to Pitch a Billionaire

by StartUp

Background show artwork for StartUp


The Story Alex explains how he got the idea to document the starting of his own company. He talks with his wife about what shoes to wear to his first investor pitch. And he meets 

Chris Sacca, silicon valley legend, early investor in Twitter, Uber, Instagram and Kickstarter. Chris talks about the first 25 thousand-dollar check he wrote to Twitter, explains the importance of conviction when pitching to investors, and discusses FOMO, the fear of missing out, which lurks in the hearts of all investors. Alex makes his pitch to Chris, disastrously, near a highway overpass along West Pico Boulevard in Los Angeles. Chris then gives Alex's pitch back to him, the way Alex should have done it in the first place. Chris then lists all the reasons not to invest in Alex's company. Alex is confused, but all is not lost. Chris invites Alex back to LA to pitch Chris's partner, Matt Mazzeo


The Facts We played two songs in this episode, Elephant and Choke California, both by 

Tyler Strickland. Our theme song was written and performed by Mark Phillips. He also mixed the episode. The special ad music was written and performed by Build Buildings

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