The gipht.me startup story
Space: The Final Frontier
1. Learning to Fly
Back home in Greece
Learning to fly
The 6 of us –complementing skills
Day Job- The trouble with tribbles
Not working- Snowed Under
The situation in Greece with Money
Money was doing 3 things
• 1. Leaving the Country
• 2. Investing in Real Estate
• 3. Buying out dead or duying competitors
We needed unusual money for a seed round. $700K
Roulette Advice
So, Go West Young man, go West!
2. Making Rockets
Getting ready to boldly go…
Making rockets
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
REALLYNeed to write the Business Plan.
If you can’t explain your business to yourself then how do you expect others to give you money?
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.
Make a prototype
Functional is better
Test market validation is even better
But if all else fails, have something to show.
3. Sending Laika into space
George goes barking into the wild unknown. Sort of.
13/2/2011 George goes to the Valley
Staying with Gurbrit
-Random Sikh Guy
George went to the Valley, rented a house staying with Gurbrit.
Went to tons of Valley meetings.
Rented an office at Plug n’ Play
Started seeing people and going at events.
Our presentation helped us
The Ukrainian Connection
Once you’re there. Opportunities start coming.
Even odd ones.
The strangest email Eric ever had to write.
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
4. The Splatter Story
Be afraid, be very afraid
First meeting we meet this guy
Blood was over the room
• Interrupted the presentation early
• “How did you get this meeting. Some sort of Greek Mafia connection?”
Unprofessional
BUT,
He did have some points.
So take any feedback you can.
5. Satellites
Moving around in amazing orbit
Getting to see the big boys
The smaller the boardroom
The Bigger the Firm.
Simple as that.
Also,
They Know their stuff
You are WHO?
9 months before
One big issue
Be in the USA.
It really helps
6. The International Space Station
Sorry to wake you up. Miscalculated the time zone.
i-Free
Cherubic
And someone else
Smart Money
• All money is not created equal
• Your partners should bring more than money to the table.
7. Launching
10. 9. 8.7.6.5.4.3.2.1.
Launching in a few days
But it’s just another step on a long journey
Wish us luck.
In conclusion
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…
Live long and prosper
Thank You!
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