Insight certainty 4/5 debate potential 2/5

Seibel: Pitching unique insights requires first explaining what the startup does

Michael Seibel · How To Perfectly Pitch Your Seed Stage Startup With Y Combinator's Michael Seibel · Oct 5, 2023 · at 12:41

This episode carries Michael Seibel's own address, with nobody on the show putting questions to them. It still counts as said, and it is kept out of every score on their page.

Y Combinator Managing Director Michael Seibel explains the optimal structure for early-stage pitch decks during a SaaStr presentation on seed fundraising.

0:00 / 0:18exact quote · 18.9s
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“You only get the right to do this if I know what your company does and if I'm impressed with your team. A lot of founders try to skip to this point And if I don't know what your company does, I can't tell whether your insights good or not.”

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