Startup Navigation

nav·​i·​ga·​tion "the method of determining position, course, and distance traveled"

“Your title makes you a manager. Your people make you a leader.” — Bill Campbell—”the Coach of Silicon Valley”

I love working with startups.

Startups remind me of my experiences in the music business working with indie bands that just got signed to a major label deal.

Everything seems possible.

Everyone wants to help you.

Then you release your product/album....and then you face your reality.

Here are a variety of elements where I have helped my startup clients:

  • WHAT does your startup do?

  • HOW are you doing it?

  • WHY are you doing it?

  • WHO is your target audience?

  • What is your succinct brand narrative?

  • What problem(s) are you planning to solve?

  • How do you explain in 2 mins your response to these previous questions?

  • Who are your top 5 competitors?

  • How do you describe your startup in 25 words or less?

  • What are the 7-9 words on the t-shirt  with your logo you & your team will wear at your startup booth at an industry event? ie TechCrunch Disrupt, SXSW, Slush, etc.

  • Is your investor deck the best it can be? Does it have more than 13 slides?

  • What are the key doors/introductions you think you need for your startup in the next 3 months? 6 months? next year?

  • What are the fears you have about your startup? And where do you have faith you will overcome your fears?

  • If your startup implodes, who will this impact?

  • How are you leveraging your sense of humor and emotional intelligence in your leadership strategy?

  • Do you feel you are a startup leader that is coachable?

  • How do you grow as a "smart creative" who combines technical depth with business savvy and creative flair?

  • How is your diversity strategy defined and deployed in your overall management strategy?

I've consulted a variety of start-up projects that dealt with these elements/questions.

I've also helped to build revenue streams, make intros to key c-suite execs, and open doors to VC's.

One of my recent VC intros resulted in a $16 million investment to close out their Series A round of $20 million.

If any of these items resonate with where your are with your startup strategy....let's connect and discuss. 

References/testimonials available upon request.

Creative Digital Strategies tybraswell@cds36.com