This document outlines the story of a startup company's journey from conception in Greece to launching its product in Silicon Valley. It describes the founders learning to fly, making rockets and prototypes, presenting to investors, renting space at an incubator, meeting with VCs, and finally launching their product after securing funding. The key lessons are to build a complementary founding team, devote yourself fully to the project, create a strong business plan and presentation, get feedback, and believe in your vision even when facing challenges.
15. The Business Plan
Yes, we know it’s all in your
head and your product is
perfect.
Yes, it’s obvious that it will
make loads of money
You Really, Really, Really
REALLY
Need to write the Business
Plan.
If you can’t explain your
business to yourself then how
do you expect others to give
you money?
16. The Presentation
Make it beautiful
Really beautiful.
Polish and then polish some
more.
Most startups Don’t do this
So this is immediately your
difference.
17. Make a prototype
Functional is better
Test market validation is
even better
But if all else fails, have
something to show.
18. 3. Sending Laika into space
George goes barking into the wild
unknown. Sort of.
20. Staying with Gurbrit
-Random Sikh Guy
George went to the Valley, rented a
house staying with Gurbrit.
Went to tons of Valley meetings.
21. Rented an office at Plug n’ Play
Started seeing people and
going at events.
Our presentation helped us
22. The Ukrainian Connection
Once you’re there.
Opportunities start coming.
Even odd ones.
The strangest email
Eric ever had to
write.
23. Trajectories
Normally, Off the Boat your first goal
is to see the Angel community
especially for seed area funding- Up
to $250K
However, we were in an unusual
position.
Se we got to see VC’s from the
outset.
Easter 2011, Eric joins George in the
Valley
43. Really boils down to this
• Get friends to complement you skills
• Try and devote yourself to the project
• Make the Business Plan, the presentation, the prototype.
• Get out there and show it
• Believe it when things are down.
And remember…