Expert on fundraising decks possibly building a tool: Startup ecosystem partnership
Based on the Reddit post and the previous analysis, here's a breakdown of potential collaborators, suggestions, and expected benefits:
Summary of the Influencer (Reddit User u/12tp9c):
- Expertise: In-depth knowledge of early-stage startup fundraising, especially in creating pitch decks and avoiding common mistakes.
- Experience: 2-3 years of reviewing decks for accelerators, pitch competitions, and fundraising preparation.
- Current Project: Working on a solution, likely a tool (possibly AI-enhanced, given mentions of "ChatGPT" and "warmth setting"), to make deck creation less of a guessing game.
- Value Proposition: Offers practical insights and potentially a new tool to help founders create more effective fundraising decks.
Potential Collaborators, Suggestions & Expected Benefits:
-
Venture Capital (VC) Firms & Angel Investor Groups:
- Who: Associates, Partners, or Platform Managers at VC firms; organizers of angel investor networks.
- Collaboration Suggestions:
- Webinar/Workshop: Invite the user to host a webinar for their portfolio companies (or prospective companies) on "Common Pitch Deck Mistakes and How to Fix Them" or "Crafting a Winning Seed Stage Deck."
- Content Contribution: Co-author a blog post or guide on pitch deck best practices for the VC's/Angel group's website or newsletter.
- Tool Beta Testing/Feedback: Offer their portfolio companies as beta testers for the user's upcoming tool, providing valuable feedback.
- Office Hours: Host the user for "pitch deck review" office hours for their network.
- Expected Benefits:
- For VCs/Angels: Improved quality of pitch decks they receive, value-add for their portfolio companies, association with practical fundraising expertise, and a potential early look at a useful tool.
- For User: Access to a highly relevant audience (founders seeking funding), validation for their tool, expert feedback, and increased credibility and visibility.
-
Startup Accelerators & Incubators:
- Who: Program Managers, Mentors, Managing Directors.
- Collaboration Suggestions:
- Guest Speaker/Mentor: Invite the user to deliver a masterclass on pitch decks to their current cohort.
- Curriculum Integration: If the user's tool is developed, explore integrating it as a recommended resource within the accelerator program.
- Judging Panel: Invite the user to be a judge for internal pitch days or demo days.
- Resource Creation: Co-create a "Pitch Deck Template & Guide" specific to the accelerator's focus.
- Expected Benefits:
- For Accelerators: Enhanced program value for their startups, better-prepared founders for demo days and investor meetings.
- For User: Direct access to early-stage founders actively working on their decks, user acquisition for their tool, and potential case studies.
-
Startup Communities & Founder Networks (Online & Offline):
- Who: Community Managers, Organizers of founder groups (e.g., on Slack, Discord, LinkedIn, local meetups).
- Collaboration Suggestions:
- AMA (Ask Me Anything): Host an AMA session focused on pitch decks and fundraising.
- Content Sharing: Share the user's insights or articles (with permission) within the community.
- Tool Showcase: If the tool is ready, arrange a demo or special offer for community members.
- Expected Benefits:
- For Communities: Valuable, actionable content for their members, expert engagement.
- For User: Increased reach, direct engagement with target users, feedback, and brand building.
-
Platforms & Service Providers for Startups:
- Who: Companies offering tools (e.g., CRM, legal, financial modeling for startups), educational platforms, and startup-focused media.
- Collaboration Suggestions:
- Content Partnership: Co-create blog posts, guides, or webinars (e.g., "The Ultimate Tech Stack for Fundraising: From Pitch Deck to Due Diligence").
- Product Integration/Bundle: Explore potential integrations if the user's tool complements their offering.
- Affiliate Marketing: If the user's tool becomes a product, explore affiliate partnerships.
- Featured Expert: Feature the user as an expert on their platform or in their content.
- Expected Benefits:
- For Platforms: New, relevant content for their audience, potential cross-promotion, and enhanced value proposition.
- For User: Broader distribution, access to an established audience of founders, and potential revenue channels.
-
Pitch Competition Organizers:
- Who: Event managers for startup pitch competitions.
- Collaboration Suggestions:
- Judge/Panelist: Invite the user to serve as a judge, leveraging their deck review experience.
- Pre-Competition Workshop: Host the user for a workshop to help applicants prepare their decks.
- Resource Provider: Share the user's tips or (future) tool as a resource for participants.
- Expected Benefits:
- For Organizers: Higher quality applications, added value for participants, and credible judging.
- For User: Visibility within the startup ecosystem, networking, and direct insight into current pitching trends.
By focusing on these types of collaborators, the user can leverage their expertise to gain visibility, gather feedback for their solution, and ultimately help more founders succeed in their fundraising efforts.
Origin Reddit Post
r/indiehackers
Trying to make creating fundraising decks less of a guessing game
Posted by u/Aggressive_Speed_375•06/04/2025
I’ve been reviewing early-stage founders’ decks for the last 2 to 3 years across accelerators, pitch competitions, and fundraising prep and I keep seeing the same things:
- Founders aren’t
Top Comments
u/Historical_Win_235
Interesting idea...with the recent news on ChatGPT becoming overly nice or encouraging. Maybe a warmth setting adjustment would be helpful as you build to allow the user to determine the leve