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The power of urgency
In recent weeks, one of the new “buzzwords” I’ve heard from VCs is urgency. VCs have always admired people who work fast, break rules, launch products, and iterate quickly, but today, urgency seems to have taken on a new importance.
The rise of AI has given many investors a pause when judging the long-term viability of startups. Incredible ideas, solutions that solve real problems might not be investable today because investors know that once you gain a small amount of market share someone with more AI knowledge and capabilities can swoop in and steal your market creating a cheaper, better, automated solution.
What VCs are looking for today is urgency. They want to see that you understand that any non-AI (and even many AI) products need to capture significant market share quickly and build brand loyalty if they are to survive the inevitable onslaught of AI copycats.
So, how can you demonstrate urgency to VCs?
Hire offshore talent that come with impressive resumes:
Amira, a Fordham University grad and former JP Morgan associate. Anika, a Kenyon College grad and former Moody’s analyst.
Hire full-time, proactive, highly experienced individuals like these, for $3000/month.
Launch fast - With the availability of so many AI, No-Code, and other technologies, not launching a product is no longer acceptable. Investors are looking for you to launch and grow quickly. If you spend ages waiting to find a technical co-founder or perfecting the product, they also know you won’t have the ability to compete longterm.
Creat intensity - Many founders who move quickly have an aura around them that penetrates their company’s culture. I’ve worked for Jason Calacanis, and he has this. You know that when he wants something done, it needs to get done immediately. He doesn’t want excuses, he wants action. This way of thinking is exuded in every action he takes. Having this intensity around you, which is infectious within your company, shows investors that you can move quickly and motivate others to do the same.
Future-proofing - Thinking multiple steps ahead while still launching and growing in the present is a sign to investors that you will continue to act quickly as you grow. If you focus too much on the short term, you’ll never know what to do the minute after your launch or raise. Having that longterm idea (especially about the direction of your technology) and knowing when and how to implement it is key to capturing opportunities.
Do you convey a sense of urgency when pitching? |
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Onwards and Upwards,
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