rockstart accelerator - rede innova conference 2012

22nd November, Red innova, Brasil

Topics of today

Why?

What is Rockstart Accelerator?

7 lessons learned...

we LOVE startups

What is Rockstart Accelerator?

Rockstart Accelerator - what is it

10 teams99+ mentors

1 year in 100 daysAmsterdam

Rockstart Accelerator - what is it

Spring Program

Summer Program

99+ mentors that help you accelerate

7 learnings to rockstart your company

#1 the team is everything

complimentary skills

Embrace fights

Have the talk

Vesting arrangements

#2 Work alongside the best

#3 Always keep your focus

The art of saying NO and planning

80-20 rulestop newspapers, blogs on daily basis

#4 Know when to pivot

Your small size and vulnerability are your biggest strength

Corporates have 1000s of employees, huge resources, high quality and reliability

#4 Know when to pivot

Your 0 customers are a huge advantage

autonomy to change fast

constantly adapt and do better

No legacy structures

Learn and pivot when necessary

#5 master the investor game

Investors invest in lines, not dots....

Get referred

Build relationships, early...

Do your homework, difference VC & Angels

#5 master the investor game

Be, be like Marilyn Monroe

Do not send business plans, but a 2-pager

Then, be passionate but picky

Ask for #deals last year, references

#6 be a great mentee

Be passionate

Follow up

Express gratitude

Show impact

Create a group of mentors & schedule meetups and brainstorm sessions

Prepare for succes and for failure

Cristian from Nexi.me with Steve Blank

#7 learn incredibly fast

Surround yourself with best mentors

Find people who have just “done” it

Pitch, Pitch, Pitch....and some more!

Learn how to learn, some statistics:

Of this speech you will remember:- 50% tomorrow- 25% saturday- 10% next week- 5% next month

Learn only what you need to learn, makes notes, apply and dare to pivot.

Find people who have just “done” it

Pitch, Pitch, Pitch

Learn, accept pressure as normal every day thing and stretch.....

Step forward, start!

Don RitzenCo-founder&CEO Rockstart Accelerator

e: don@rockstart.comt: @donritzens: slideshare.com/donritzen