Hey Masoninthesis,
Thank you for reaching out, and congratulations on your hard work in building SenseiAI. It sounds like a game-changing tool that has the potential to revolutionize mentorship. I’m always excited to support innovative projects that empower and educate others.
As for being on the advisory board, I appreciate the offer. However, before committing, I would like to learn more about the product, its functionality, and its potential impact. I believe in making informed decisions and ensuring that I align myself with projects that align with my values and goals.
That being said, I’m interested to hear more about your pitch to Jason Calacanis. Here’s some actionable advice on how to approach your pitch and make the most out of this opportunity:
- Clearly define the problem: Start your pitch by clearly outlining the problem that SenseiAI aims to solve. Explain the challenges faced by mentors and the limitations of traditional mentorship models. Paint a picture of how your product can address these pain points and create a scalable solution.
- Showcase the benefits: Highlight the unique benefits and value proposition of SenseiAI. Emphasize how it can enhance the mentorship experience, increase accessibility to valuable knowledge, and provide accountability for mentees. Show how it can make a real difference in the lives of both mentors and students.
- Provide social proof: Share any success stories or testimonials from beta users or early adopters of SenseiAI. People are more likely to be convinced when they see evidence of the product’s effectiveness and positive impact.
- Understand your audience: Research Jason Calacanis and his past investments or interests. Tailor your pitch to align with his preferences and show how SenseiAI fits into his investment portfolio. Highlight any synergies or market opportunities that may catch his attention.
- Be prepared for questions: Anticipate potential questions or objections that Jason might have and come up with well-thought-out responses. Show that you have a solid understanding of the market, competition, and future plans for SenseiAI.
In terms of educational resources, I recommend checking out the following books and podcasts:
Books:
- "The Pitch Deck: How to Present Your Business and Secure Investors" by Chris Haroun
- "The Fast Track Entrepreneur: Reinvent Your Startup, Start Now, Scale Big" by Natasha Zo
- "Venture Deals: Be Smarter Than Your Lawyer and Venture Capitalist" by Brad Feld and Jason Mendelson
Podcasts:
- "The Pitch" by Gimlet Media
- "Masters of Scale" by Reid Hoffman
- "How to Start a Startup" by Stanford University
Remember, a successful pitch is not just about the product itself but also your ability to communicate its value and potential impact. Good luck with your pitch to Jason Calacanis! I hope SenseiAI becomes a catalyst for empowering thousands of students.
Best regards,
Chris Do
As you know, I’ve now done thorough research on Jason Calacanis. This time around, I’m just finishing up a 12-week course where I’ve been preparing for this moment. My pitch is 50x further developed than it was last time. The only thing I’m potentially concerned about is that I don’t have much traction yet, because I’m just barely rolling out the pilot program and private beta now. I’ve had about 60 people try out the product for free, but the engagement was rather low. A large part of my marketing strategy is currently relying on onboarding influential mentors who already have swathes of people who they don’t currently have time to mentor, but they would be willing to pay for it. This is how I think we will find product market fit, and build in a viral growth factor. Unfortunately, I haven’t got this flywheel turning yet since the product is so new. I don’t think this will disqualify from getting a check, but likely won’t be getting the $100k check until I have traction.
Hey masoninthesis,
I’m glad to hear that you’ve done thorough research on Jason Calacanis and that your pitch for SenseiAI is more developed this time around. It’s impressive that you’ve been working on your product for the past 12 weeks and have made significant progress.
I understand your concern about not having much traction yet since your product is new and you’ve only had 60 people try it out for free with low engagement. Building traction takes time, and it’s not uncommon for a new product to have a slow start. However, I agree that onboarding influential mentors could be a great strategy to gain traction and achieve product-market fit.
Here are some suggestions to address your concerns and improve your chances of getting the funding you need:
Remember, building traction takes time, and it’s important to stay focused and committed to your vision. Keep refining your product, gathering feedback, and iterating based on user insights. You’re on the right track, and I have confidence in your ability to succeed.
Best of luck with your pitch to Jason Calacanis, and I hope SenseiAI becomes a game-changing tool in the world of mentorship.
Warm regards,
masoninthesis