Kickstand: Start-up Speed Dating

Kickstand Presents
Start-up Speed Dating
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
2:30 – 5:00 p.m.
(Participants & Judges Only)
At Start-up Speed Dating, an annual Kickstand event, we carefully
select up to 10 of our finest entrepreneurs to pitch their business
one-on-one to qualified judges (investors, successful entrepreneurs
and other business leaders). After each 5 minute pitch, there is 5
minutes of feedback from the judge, then the process is repeated
until the pitch is presented to all the judges.
TIMETABLE
Special “Pitch” workshop: Thursday, September 16, 2010
Kevin Learned of the Small Business Development Center wil share his tips and tricks on what you need to include
in the Executive Summary, what to say in the pitch, the recommended format and other tips and tricks at a special
workshop from 5:30 – 7pm Thursday, September 16, 2010.
Application deadline: Thursday, September 30, 2010
To participate, please fill out your information at kickstand.org/SpeedDating.aspx and email your 2-page executive
summary to BeckyG@ocmconsulting.com by Thursday, September 30, 2010. Your executive summary will be re-
viewed by the Selection Committee who wil select the 10 participating companies.
Notification of selected participants: Friday, October 8, 2010
Following a competitive selection process, as many as 10 entrepreneurs will be chosen to participate in the educa-
tional and inspirational Start-up Speed Dating exercise. If your company is selected, you’ll be able to present key
information about your company to 10 investors during a two-hour period. Speed Dating will al ow you to receive
real time feedback on your presentation and learn about the quality of your pitch from qualified investors.
Start-up Speed Dating – Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Though the executive summary is used as criteria in company selection, the investor panel will not directly evaluate
this document. They wil only be evaluating the verbal “pitch” offered by companies. This is not an official fund-
raising forum; instead, it is a chance for companies to practice and improve the way they share their busi-
ness ideas and goals with others.
Kickstand Meeting – Thursday, October 14, 2010
The winning presentation and two other company presentations wil be featured at the October Kickstand meeting.
This is great exposure in a broader format for participating companies. Historical y, the Speed Dating reprise is one
of the highest rated Kickstand meetings.

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WHY SHOULD YOU PARTICIPATE?
This is a valuable learning experience. As an entrepreneur, a passion for ‘learning’ is one of the key qualities driving
what you choose to do with your life. Learning ‘how’ to sell your idea, product and business will enable you to suc-
ceed in your endeavors.

Start-up Speed Dating is a yearly event sponsored by Kickstand, one of Idaho’s best support networks operating
through chapters in Boise, Southern and Northern Idaho. This event represents Kickstand’s mission – to nurture
and encourage entrepreneurs in their efforts to build a business.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Who Should Apply? You should apply to present if you have good answers to the following questions:


About Vision:

Do I have a clear vision?




Do I know what I want from investors?


About the Market:

What is the addressable market?




Does my product address a clear and compelling market need?

About the Product:
Can my company create a defensible proprietary advantage to overcome
existing and emerging competitors?




Can I build a company around my product?

About the Founding Team: Experience – Do I have technical depth and a track record of successful
execution?




Attitude – Am I open to guidance from equity investors?




Fire – Am I passionate and ready to run fast?

How Do I Apply?


It’s easy—write a brief executive summary following the outline provided.

Application Guidelines

$ The Executive Summary should not exceed two pages.

$ Addendums such as charts, graphs, tables, and spreadsheets that
might further clarify your vision may be included.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

All entrepreneurs applying to participate in Speed Dating are required to submit an Executive Summary as a part of
the screening process. The Executive Summary should be in 11 point font, no more than two pages, and must in-
clude the information found below.
 Participant Name:
 Company Name (if any):
 Address:
 City, State, Zip:
 Phone:
 Email:
 What are your product and your key differentiators?
 Explain your competitive landscape.
 What is your market?
 Who are your key customers or key partner relationships?
 Include a brief biographical profile on your key team members.
 What has been your experience so far seeking funding?

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