This document provides 10 tips for entrepreneurs when starting a new company. The tips include: 1) using social proof to validate your idea, 2) understanding company valuation, 3) describing the problem before the solution, 4) presenting confidently and concisely to an audience, 5) researching investors backgrounds, 6) following Steve Blank's customer development process, 7) extensively rehearsing presentations and responses, 8) gracefully accepting rejection, 9) developing a professional personal brand, and 10) carefully selecting business partners. The overall message is that entrepreneurs should thoughtfully consider these various business and presentation strategies when launching a new venture.

1. 10 things I wish I had known
Rashmi Sinha
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2. Who Am I

3. 1. SOCIAL PROOF MATTERS

4. Pitch process as a ritualized process

5. 2. The valuation question
http://entrepreneur.venturebeat.com/2009/07/10/setting-your-companys-valuation/

6. 3. Describe the problem first. Then
how you solve it.
http://ecorner.stanford.edu/authorMaterialInfo.html?mid=1842

7. 4. PRESENTING: Take command of
room

8. 4. Don’t make slides like this!

9. 4. You don’t need to present every
slide

10. 4. Answer Market Size question

11. 4. When presenting data
show cumulative lines in charts
In 2X2 show yourself in top right quadrant

12. 5. Do diligence on investors: Who
have they funded? What sectors?

13. 6. Steve Blank’s Customer
Development Approach

14. (

15. 7. Rehearse! Rehearse! Rehearse!
Build up responses to objections

16. 8. Take a no graciously

17. 9. How you represent yourself - it’s
a matter of style

18. 10. Partner with care

19. Get in touch
http://www.slideshare.net/rashmi
rashmi@slideshare.com